<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_jvetres-2020-0078_s_005_w2aab3b7c85b1b6b1aab1c14b1Aa"><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Repeated incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5 subtype of Gs/GD lineage pose a serious threat to poultry worldwide. We provide a detailed analysis of the spatio-temporal spread and genetic characteristics of HPAIV Gs/GD H5N8 from the 2019/20 epidemic in Poland.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2020-0078_s_006_w2aab3b7c85b1b6b1aab1c14b2Aa"><h3>Material and methods</h3><p>Samples from poultry and free-living birds were tested by real-time RT-PCR. Whole genome sequences from 24 (out of 35) outbreaks were generated and genetic relatedness was established. The clinical status of birds and possible pathways of spread were analysed based on the information provided by veterinary inspections combined with the results of phylogenetic studies.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2020-0078_s_007_w2aab3b7c85b1b6b1aab1c14b3Aa"><h3>Results</h3><p>Between 31 December 2019 and 31 March 2020, 35 outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry holdings and 1 case in a wild bird were confirmed in nine provinces of Poland. Most of the outbreaks were detected in meat turkeys and ducks. All characterised viruses were closely related and belonged to a previously unrecognised genotype of HPAIV H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b. Wild birds and human activity were identified as the major modes of HPAIV spread.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2020-0078_s_008_w2aab3b7c85b1b6b1aab1c14b4Aa"><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The unprecedentedly late introduction of the HPAI virus urges for re-evaluation of current risk assessments. Continuous vigilance, strengthening biosecurity and intensifying surveillance in wild birds are needed to better manage the risk of HPAI occurrence in the future.</p></sec></abstract>

IntroductionRepeated incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5 subtype of Gs/GD lineage pose a serious threat to poultry worldwide. We provide a detailed analysis of the spatio-temporal spread and genetic characteristics of HPAIV Gs/GD H5N8 from the 2019/20 epidemic in Poland.Material and methodsSamples from poultry and free-living birds were tested by real-time RT-PCR. Whole genome sequences from 24 (out of 35) outbreaks were generated and genetic relatedness was established. The clinical status of birds and possible pathways of spread were analysed based on the information provided by veterinary inspections combined with the results of phylogenetic studies.ResultsBetween 31 December 2019 and 31 March 2020, 35 outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry holdings and 1 case in a wild bird were confirmed in nine provinces of Poland. Most of the outbreaks were detected in meat turkeys and ducks. All characterised viruses were closely related and belonged to a previously unrecognised genotype of HPAIV H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b. Wild birds and human activity were identified as the major modes of HPAIV spread.ConclusionThe unprecedentedly late introduction of the HPAI virus urges for re-evaluation of current risk assessments. Continuous vigilance, strengthening biosecurity and intensifying surveillance in wild birds are needed to better manage the risk of HPAI occurrence in the future.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in Poland in 2019–2020

Journal of Veterinary Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in Poland in 2019\u20132020"}

IntroductionRepeated incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5 subtype of Gs/GD lineage pose a serious threat to poultry worldwide. We...

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in Poland in 2019–2020

Publicado en línea: 01 dic 2020

Páginas: 469 - 476

Recibido: 11 sept 2020

Aceptado: 17 nov 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2020-0078

Palabras clave
highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N8, epidemic

© 2020 K. Śmietanka et al. published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in Poland in 2019–2020

Publicado en línea: 01 dic 2020

Páginas: 469 - 476

Recibido: 11 sept 2020

Aceptado: 17 nov 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2020-0078

Palabras clavehighly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N8, epidemic

© 2020 K. Śmietanka et al. published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Palabras clave
highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N8, epidemic