Multiple Introductions of Reassorted Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5Nx Viruses Clade 2.3.4.4b Causing Outbreaks in Wild Birds and Poultry in The Netherlands, 2020-2021

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02499-21
• Publication Date: 2022-03-14T16:01:43Z
• Authors: Marc Engelsma; Rene Heutink; Frank Harders; Evelien A. Germeraad; Nancy Beerens
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Animals, Wild; HPAI; avian influenza virus; Microbiology; Poultry; Disease Outbreaks; 03 medical and health sciences; H5N8; Animals; Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype; Phylogeny; Poultry Diseases; Netherlands; virus evolution; Mammals; outbreak; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; introduction routes; QR1-502; 3. Good health; Influenza A virus; Influenza in Birds; reassortment; Chickens; Research Article

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses are spread by migratory wild birds. Viruses causing outbreaks in wild birds and poultry in the Netherlands in 2020–2021 were genetically analyzed, which suggested that multiple virus incursions occurred.