Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Wild Red Foxes, the Netherlands, 2021

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2711.211281
• Publication Date: 2021-10-20T02:04:21Z
• Authors: Jolianne M. Rijks; Hanna Hesselink; Pim Lollinga; Renee Wesselman; Pier Prins; Eefke Weesendorp; Marc Engelsma; Rene Heutink; Frank Harders; Marja Kik; Harry Rozendaal; Hans van den Kerkhof; Nancy Beerens
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; H5N1 subtype; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; R; Foxes; Animals, Wild; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; foxes; 3. Good health; animals; 03 medical and health sciences; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; influenza in birds; Influenza A virus; Influenza in Birds; Research Letter; Life Science; influenza A virus; Medicine; Animals; wild; Phylogeny; Netherlands

We detected infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b in 2 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) cubs found in the wild with neurologic signs in the Netherlands. The virus is related to avian influenza viruses found in wild birds in the same area.