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King J, Pohlmann A, Bange A, Horn E, Hälterlein B, Breithaupt A, Globig A, Günther A, Kelm A, Wiedemann C, Grund C, Haecker K, Garthe S, Harder T, Beer M, Schwemmer P. Red knots in Europe: a dead end host species or a new niche for highly pathogenic avian influenza? J Gen Virol 2024; 105. [PMID: 38975739 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.002003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The 2020/2021 epidemic in Europe of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) of subtype H5 surpassed all previously recorded European outbreaks in size, genotype constellations and reassortment frequency and continued into 2022 and 2023. The causative 2.3.4.4b viral lineage proved to be highly proficient with respect to reassortment with cocirculating low pathogenic avian influenza viruses and seems to establish an endemic status in northern Europe. A specific HPAIV reassortant of the subtype H5N3 was detected almost exclusively in red knots (Calidris canutus islandica) in December 2020. It caused systemic and rapidly fatal disease leading to a singular and self-limiting mass mortality affecting about 3500 birds in the German Wadden Sea, roughly 1 % of the entire flyway population of islandica red knots. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the H5N3 reassortant very likely had formed in red knots and remained confined to this species. While mechanisms of virus circulation in potential reservoir species, dynamics of spill-over and reassortment events and the roles of environmental virus sources remain to be identified, the year-round infection pressure poses severe threats to endangered avian species and prompts adaptation of habitat and species conservation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline King
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andreas Bange
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Horn
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - Bernd Hälterlein
- National Park Authority Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, Schlossgarten 1, 25832 Tönning, Germany
| | - Angele Breithaupt
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anja Globig
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Günther
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Angie Kelm
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christian Wiedemann
- National Park Authority Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, Schlossgarten 1, 25832 Tönning, Germany
| | - Christian Grund
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Karena Haecker
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - Stefan Garthe
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - Timm Harder
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Philipp Schwemmer
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
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2
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Lee LKF, Hipfner JM, Frankfurter G, Cray C, Pearson SF, Fiorello C, Clyde NMT, Hudson SA, Parker SE, Stallknecht DE, Furst E, Haman KH. Baseline health parameters of rhinoceros auklets ( Cerorhinca monocerata) using serum protein electrophoresis, acute phase proteins, and biochemistry. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1379980. [PMID: 38983768 PMCID: PMC11231077 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1379980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical metrics of baseline health in sentinel seabird species can offer insight into marine ecosystem dynamics, individual and population health, and assist in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation efforts. Protein electrophoresis is useful for detecting changes in acute phase proteins and immunoglobulin levels that may indicate subtle inflammatory responses and/or infectious disease. Serum biochemistry can highlight nutritional status, metabolic derangements, and organ injury and function. However, baseline values for such health parameters are largely unknown for many seabird species. Therefore, the objective of this study is to establish baseline clinical health reference intervals for serum protein electrophoresis, acute phase proteins including serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, and biochemistry parameters in the rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata), a key sentinel species in the North Pacific. From 2013 to 2019, 178 wild, apparently healthy breeding adult rhinoceros auklets were captured across four breeding colonies in British Columbia, Canada (Lucy Island, Pine Island, Triangle Islands, and SGang Gwaay) and from one colony in Washington, United States (Protection Island). Reference intervals were calculated for protein electrophoresis fractions and acute phase proteins (n = 163), and serum biochemistry (n = 35) following established guidelines by the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Animals were also assessed for the presence of antibodies to the influenza A virus. Approximately 48% (70/147) of sampled birds were seropositive for influenza A virus, with a prevalence of 50% (6/12) in 2013, 75% (47/63) in 2014, and 24% (17/72) in 2019. This work provides clinical baseline health metrics of a key North Pacific sentinel species to help inform marine ecosystem monitoring, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts in the Pacific Northwest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K F Lee
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - J Mark Hipfner
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada
| | - Greg Frankfurter
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Carolyn Cray
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Scott F Pearson
- Wildlife Program, Science Division, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA, United States
| | | | - Nikolas M T Clyde
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah A Hudson
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah E Parker
- Centre for Applied Epidemiology, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - David E Stallknecht
- Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | | | - Katherine H Haman
- Wildlife Program, Science Division, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA, United States
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3
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Meade PS, Bandawane P, Bushfield K, Hoxie I, Azcona KR, Burgos D, Choudhury S, Diaby A, Diallo M, Gaynor K, Huang A, Kante K, Khan SN, Kim W, Ajayi PK, Roubidoux E, Nelson S, McMahon R, Albrecht RA, Krammer F, Marizzi C. Detection of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus in New York City. J Virol 2024; 98:e0062624. [PMID: 38747601 PMCID: PMC11237497 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00626-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b were detected in North America in the winter of 2021/2022. These viruses have spread across the Americas, causing morbidity and mortality in both wild and domestic birds as well as some mammalian species, including cattle. Many surveillance programs for wildlife as well as commercial poultry operations have detected these viruses. In this study, we conducted surveillance of avian species in the urban environment in New York City. We detected highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses in six samples from four different bird species and performed whole-genome sequencing. Sequencing analysis showed the presence of multiple different genotypes. Our work highlights that the interface between animals and humans that may give rise to zoonotic infections or even pandemics is not limited to rural environments and commercial poultry operations but extends into the heart of our urban centers.IMPORTANCEWhile surveillance programs for avian influenza viruses are often focused on migratory routes and their associated stop-over locations or commercial poultry operations, many bird species-including migratory birds-frequent or live in urban green spaces and wetlands. This brings them into contact with a highly dense population of humans and pets, providing an extensive urban animal-human interface in which the general public may have little awareness of circulating infectious diseases. This study focuses on virus surveillance of this interface, combined with culturally responsive science education and community outreach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip S. Meade
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Pooja Bandawane
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Bushfield
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Irene Hoxie
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Karla R. Azcona
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daneidy Burgos
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sadia Choudhury
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - Adama Diaby
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mariama Diallo
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kailani Gaynor
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - Aaron Huang
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kadiatou Kante
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shehryar N. Khan
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | - William Kim
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Ericka Roubidoux
- Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sasha Nelson
- Animal Care Centers of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Randy A. Albrecht
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Ignaz Semmelweis Institute, Interuniversity Institute for Infection Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Marizzi
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, New York, USA
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4
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Abolnik C, Roberts LC, Strydom C, Snyman A, Roberts DG. Outbreaks of H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in South Africa in 2023 Were Caused by Two Distinct Sub-Genotypes of Clade 2.3.4.4b Viruses. Viruses 2024; 16:896. [PMID: 38932187 PMCID: PMC11209199 DOI: 10.3390/v16060896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2023, South Africa continued to experience sporadic cases of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in coastal seabirds and poultry. Active environmental surveillance determined that H5Nx, H7Nx, H9Nx, H11Nx, H6N2, and H12N2, amongst other unidentified subtypes, circulated in wild birds and ostriches in 2023, but that H5Nx was predominant. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of confirmed H5N1 HPAI cases determined that only two of the fifteen sub-genotypes that circulated in South Africa in 2021-2022 still persisted in 2023. Sub-genotype SA13 remained restricted to coastal seabirds, with accelerated mutations observed in the neuraminidase protein. SA15 caused the chicken outbreaks, but outbreaks in the Paardeberg and George areas, in the Western Cape province, and the Camperdown region of the KwaZulu-Natal province were unrelated to each other, implicating wild birds as the source. All SA15 viruses contained a truncation in the PB1-F2 gene, but in the Western Cape SA15 chicken viruses, PA-X was putatively expressed as a novel isoform with eight additional amino acids. South African clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses had comparatively fewer markers of virulence and pathogenicity compared to European strains, a possible reason why no spillover to mammals has occurred here yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Abolnik
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa;
| | - Laura Christl Roberts
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa;
- Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Government, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Christine Strydom
- SMT Veterinary Laboratory (Pty) Ltd., Irene, Pretoria 0178, South Africa;
| | - Albert Snyman
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa; (A.S.); (D.G.R.)
| | - David Gordon Roberts
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa; (A.S.); (D.G.R.)
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5
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Taylor LU, Hodge W, Shlepr KR, Anderson J. Interspecies conflict, precarious reasoning, and the gull problem in the Gulf of Maine. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14299. [PMID: 38766874 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Contemporary conservation science requires mediating conflicts among nonhuman species, but the grounds for favoring one species over another can be unclear. We examined the premises through which wildlife managers picked sides in an interspecies conflict: seabird conservation in the Gulf of Maine (GOM). Managers in the GOM follow a simple narrative dubbed the gull problem. This narrative assumes Larus gulls are overpopulated and unnatural in the region. In turn, these assumptions make gulls an easy target for culling and lethal control when the birds come into conflict with other seabirds, particularly Sterna terns. Surveying historical, natural historical, and ecological evidence, we found no scientific support for the claim that Larus gulls are overpopulated in the GOM. Claims of overpopulation originated from a historical context in which rising gull populations became a nuisance to humans. Further, we found only limited evidence that anthropogenic subsidies make gulls unnatural in the region, especially when compared with anthropogenic subsidies provided for other seabirds. The risks and consequences of leveraging precarious assumptions include cascading plans to cull additional gull populations, obfuscation of more fundamental environmental threats to seabirds, and the looming paradox of gull conservation-even if one is still inclined to protect terns in the GOM. Our close look at the regional history of a conservation practice thus revealed the importance of not only conservation decisions, but also conservation decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam U Taylor
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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6
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Graziosi G, Lupini C, Catelli E, Carnaccini S. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus Infection in Birds and Mammals. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1372. [PMID: 38731377 PMCID: PMC11083745 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are highly contagious respiratory viruses of birds, leading to significant morbidity and mortality globally and causing substantial economic losses to the poultry industry and agriculture. Since their first isolation in 2013-2014, the Asian-origin H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) of clade 2.3.4.4b have undergone unprecedented evolution and reassortment of internal gene segments. In just a few years, it supplanted other AIV clades, and now it is widespread in the wild migratory waterfowl, spreading to Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of LPAIVs and generally more resistant to the disease, also manifested high morbidity and mortality with HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b. This clade also caused overt clinical signs and mass mortality in a variety of avian and mammalian species never reported before, such as raptors, seabirds, sealions, foxes, and others. Most notably, the recent outbreaks in dairy cattle were associated with the emergence of a few critical mutations related to mammalian adaptation, raising concerns about the possibility of jumping species and acquisition of sustained human-to-human transmission. The main clinical signs and anatomopathological findings associated with clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in birds and non-human mammals are hereby summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Graziosi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (C.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Caterina Lupini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (C.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Elena Catelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (C.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Silvia Carnaccini
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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7
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Lean FZX, Falchieri M, Furman N, Tyler G, Robinson C, Holmes P, Reid SM, Banyard AC, Brown IH, Man C, Núñez A. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 infection in skua and gulls in the United Kingdom, 2022. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:421-431. [PMID: 38140946 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231217224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The reemergence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) subtype H5N1 in the United Kingdom in 2021-2022 has caused unprecedented epizootic events in wild birds and poultry. During the summer of 2022, there was a shift in virus transmission dynamics resulting in increased HPAIV infection in seabirds, and consequently, a profound impact on seabird populations. To understand the pathological impact of HPAIV in seabirds, we evaluated the virus antigen distribution and associated pathological changes in the tissues of great skua (Stercorarius skua, n = 8), long-tailed skua (Stercorarius longicaudus, n = 1), European herring gull (Larus argentatus, n = 5), and black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus, n = 4), which succumbed to natural infection of HPAIV during the summer of 2022. Cases were collected from Shetland, including Scatness (mainland), No Ness (mainland), Clumlie (mainland), Hermaness (island), Fair Isle (island), Noss (island), and the West Midlands, South East, and South West of England. Grossly, gizzard ulceration was observed in one great skua and pancreatic necrosis was observed in 4 herring gulls, with intralesional viral antigen detected subsequently. Microscopical analysis revealed neuro-, pneumo-, lymphoid-, and cardiomyotropism of HPAIV H5N1, with the most common virus-associated pathological changes being pancreatic and splenic necrosis. Examination of the reproductive tract of the great skua revealed HPAIV-associated oophoritis and salpingitis, and virus replication within the oviductal epithelium. The emergence of HPAIV in seabirds Stercorariidae and Laridae, particularly during summer 2022, has challenged the dogma of HPAIV dynamics, posing a significant threat to wild bird life with potential implications for the reproductive performance of seabirds of conservation importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Z X Lean
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, UK
- Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul Holmes
- APHA Shrewsbury Veterinary Investigation Centre, UK
| | | | | | - Ian H Brown
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, UK
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8
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Meade PS, Bandawane P, Bushfield K, Hoxie I, Azcona KR, Burgos D, Choudhury S, Diaby A, Diallo M, Gaynor K, Huang A, Kante K, Khan SN, Kim W, Ajayi PK, Roubidoux E, Nelson S, McMahon R, Albrecht RA, Krammer F, Marizzi C. Detection of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus in New York City. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.04.588061. [PMID: 38617218 PMCID: PMC11014507 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.588061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b arrived in North America in the winter of 2021/2022. These viruses have spread across the Americas causing morbidity and mortality in both wild and domestic birds as well as some mammalian species, including cattle. Many surveillance programs in wildlife as well as commercial poultry operations have detected these viruses. Here we conducted surveillance of avian species in the urban environment in New York City. We detected highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses in six samples from four different bird species and performed full genome sequencing. Sequence analysis showed the presence of multiple different genotypes. Our work highlights that the interface between animals and humans that may give rise to zoonotic infections or even pandemics is not limited to rural environments and commercial poultry operations but extends into the heart of our urban centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip S. Meade
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pooja Bandawane
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Bushfield
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irene Hoxie
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karla R. Azcona
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daneidy Burgos
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sadia Choudhury
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adama Diaby
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariama Diallo
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kailani Gaynor
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aaron Huang
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kadiatou Kante
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - William Kim
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Ericka Roubidoux
- Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sasha Nelson
- Animal Care Centers of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Randy A Albrecht
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ignaz Semmelweis Institute, Interuniversity Institute for Infection Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Marizzi
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- New York City Virus Hunters Program, BioBus, New York, NY, USA
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9
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Bordes L, Gonzales JL, Vreman S, Venema S, Portier N, Germeraad EA, van der Poel WHM, Beerens N. In Ovo Models to Predict Virulence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5-Viruses for Chickens and Ducks. Viruses 2024; 16:563. [PMID: 38675905 PMCID: PMC11053719 DOI: 10.3390/v16040563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5-viruses are circulating in wild birds and are repeatedly introduced to poultry causing outbreaks in the Netherlands since 2014. The largest epizootic ever recorded in Europe was caused by HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in the period 2021-2022. The recent H5-clade 2.3.4.4 viruses were found to differ in their virulence for chickens and ducks. Viruses causing only mild disease may remain undetected, increasing the risk of virus spread to other farms, wild birds and mammals. We developed in ovo models to determine the virulence of HPAI viruses for chickens and ducks, which are fast and have low costs. The virulence of five contemporary H5-viruses was compared studying replication rate, average time to death and virus spread in the embryo. Remarkable differences in virulence were observed between H5-viruses and between poultry species. The H5N1-2021 virus was found to have a fast replication rate in both the chicken and duck in ovo models, but a slower systemic virus dissemination compared to three other H5-clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. The results show the potential of in ovo models to quickly determine the virulence of novel HPAI viruses, and study potential virulence factors which can help to better guide the surveillance in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Bordes
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (S.V.); (S.V.); (N.P.); (N.B.)
| | - José L. Gonzales
- Department of Epidemiology, Bioinformatics & Animal Models, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands;
| | - Sandra Vreman
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (S.V.); (S.V.); (N.P.); (N.B.)
| | - Sandra Venema
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (S.V.); (S.V.); (N.P.); (N.B.)
| | - Nadia Portier
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (S.V.); (S.V.); (N.P.); (N.B.)
| | - Evelien A. Germeraad
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (S.V.); (S.V.); (N.P.); (N.B.)
| | - Wim H. M. van der Poel
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (S.V.); (S.V.); (N.P.); (N.B.)
| | - Nancy Beerens
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (S.V.); (S.V.); (N.P.); (N.B.)
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10
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Reperant L, Russell CA, Osterhaus A. Scientific highlights of the 9th ESWI Influenza Conference. ONE HEALTH OUTLOOK 2024; 6:5. [PMID: 38561784 PMCID: PMC10986029 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-024-00099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) held the 9th ESWI Influenza Conference in Valencia from 17-20 September 2023. Here we provide a summary of twelve key presentations, covering major topics on influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) including: infection processes beyond acute respiratory disease, long COVID, vaccines against influenza and RSV, the implications of the potential extinction of influenza B virus Yamagata lineage, and the threats posed by zoonotic highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colin A Russell
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Osterhaus
- Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research and the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
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11
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Jeglinski JWE, Lane JV, Votier SC, Furness RW, Hamer KC, McCafferty DJ, Nager RG, Sheddan M, Wanless S, Matthiopoulos J. HPAIV outbreak triggers short-term colony connectivity in a seabird metapopulation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3126. [PMID: 38326368 PMCID: PMC10850054 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53550-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Disease outbreaks can drastically disturb the environment of surviving animals, but the behavioural, ecological, and epidemiological consequences of disease-driven disturbance are poorly understood. Here, we show that an outbreak of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) coincided with unprecedented short-term behavioural changes in Northern gannets (Morus bassanus). Breeding gannets show characteristically strong fidelity to their nest sites and foraging areas (2015-2019; n = 120), but during the 2022 HPAIV outbreak, GPS-tagged gannets instigated long-distance movements beyond well-documented previous ranges and the first ever recorded visits of GPS-tagged adults to other gannet breeding colonies. Our findings suggest that the HPAIV outbreak triggered changes in space use patterns of exposed individuals that amplified the epidemiological connectivity among colonies and may generate super-spreader events that accelerate disease transmission across the metapopulation. Such self-propagating transmission from and towards high density animal aggregations may explain the unexpectedly rapid pan-European spread of HPAIV in the gannet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana W E Jeglinski
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, The Lyell Centre, Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Jude V Lane
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Sandy, UK
| | - Steven C Votier
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, The Lyell Centre, Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Dominic J McCafferty
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ruedi G Nager
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Sarah Wanless
- UK Centre for Hydrology & Ecology Edinburgh, Penicuik, UK
| | - Jason Matthiopoulos
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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12
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Nagy A, Stará M, Černíková L, Kličková E, Horák O, Hofmannová L, Sedlák K. Enzootic Circulation, Massive Gull Mortality and Poultry Outbreaks during the 2022/2023 High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5N1 Season in the Czech Republic. Viruses 2024; 16:221. [PMID: 38399998 PMCID: PMC10892573 DOI: 10.3390/v16020221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2022/2023, Europe experienced its third consecutive season of high-pathogenicity avian influenza. During this period, the Czech Republic was again severely affected. For the first time, the number of culled birds approached one million, which was three times higher than in previous seasons. In parallel to the outbreaks in poultry, mass die-offs of gulls were also observed. In the present study, we performed whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 137 H5N1 strains collected in the Czech Republic in 2022/2023 (94.6% of all outbreaks or locations). The analysis revealed four distinct genotypes: AB, CH, BB and AF. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the AF genotype persisted from the previous H5N1 season without reassortment. In addition, the genotype BB, which was detected mainly in gulls, showed a noticeable strain diversity at the local level. This virus was also responsible for a single outbreak in commercially bred turkeys. Finally, an interesting spatio-temporal cluster with three co-circulating H5N1 genotypes, AB, CH and AF, was identified with no evidence of intrasubtype reassortment. Highly sensitive molecular surveillance and the timely sharing of genomic sequences and associated metadata could greatly assist in tracking the spread and detecting molecular changes associated with the increased virulence of this potentially zoonotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Nagy
- State Veterinary Institute Prague, Sídlištní 136/24, 165 03 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.S.); (L.Č.); (E.K.); (O.H.); (L.H.); (K.S.)
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13
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Ross CS, Byrne AMP, Mahmood S, Thomas S, Reid S, Freath L, Griffin LR, Falchieri M, Holmes P, Goldsmith N, Shaw JM, MacGugan A, Aegerter J, Hansen R, Brown IH, Banyard AC. Genetic Analysis of H5N1 High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus following a Mass Mortality Event in Wild Geese on the Solway Firth. Pathogens 2024; 13:83. [PMID: 38251390 PMCID: PMC10818813 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The United Kingdom (UK) and Europe have seen successive outbreaks of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b high-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) since 2020 peaking in the autumn/winter periods. During the 2021/22 season, a mass die-off event of Svalbard Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) was observed on the Solway Firth, a body of water on the west coast border between England and Scotland. This area is used annually by Barnacle Geese to over-winter, before returning to Svalbard to breed. Following initial identification of HPAIV in a Barnacle Goose on 8 November 2021, up to 32% of the total Barnacle Goose population may have succumbed to disease by the end of March 2022, along with other wild bird species in the area. Potential adaptation of the HPAIV to the Barnacle Goose population within this event was evaluated. Whole-genome sequencing of thirty-three HPAIV isolates from wild bird species demonstrated that there had been two distinct incursions of the virus, but the two viruses had remained genetically stable within the population, whilst viruses from infected wild birds were closely related to those from poultry cases occurring in the same region. Analysis of sera from the following year demonstrated that a high percentage (76%) of returning birds had developed antibodies to H5 AIV. This study demonstrates genetic stability of this strain of HPAIV in wild Anseriformes, and that, at the population scale, whilst there is a significant impact on survival, a high proportion of birds recover following infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig S. Ross
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | | | - Sahar Mahmood
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Saumya Thomas
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Scott Reid
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Lorna Freath
- Animal Health and Welfare Advice, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | | | - Marco Falchieri
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Paul Holmes
- APHA Diseases of Wildlife Scheme, Shrewsbury Veterinary Investigation Centre, Shrewsbury SY1 4HD, UK
| | | | | | | | - James Aegerter
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), York YO41 1LZ, UK
| | - Rowena Hansen
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
- Animal Health and Welfare Advice, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Swine Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ashley C. Banyard
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Swine Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
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14
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Caliendo V, Kleyheeg E, Beerens N, Camphuysen KCJ, Cazemier R, Elbers ARW, Fouchier RAM, Kelder L, Kuiken T, Leopold M, Slaterus R, Spierenburg MAH, van der Jeugd H, Verdaat H, Rijks JM. Effect of 2020-21 and 2021-22 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 Epidemics on Wild Birds, the Netherlands. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:50-57. [PMID: 38040665 PMCID: PMC10756359 DOI: 10.3201/eid3001.230970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5-related infections and deaths of wild birds in Europe was high during October 1, 2020-September 30, 2022. To quantify deaths among wild species groups with known susceptibility for HPAI H5 during those epidemics, we collected and recorded mortality data of wild birds in the Netherlands. HPAI virus infection was reported in 51 bird species. The species with the highest numbers of reported dead and infected birds varied per epidemic year; in 2020-21, they were within the Anatidae family, in particular barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) and in 2021-22, they were within the sea bird group, particularly Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis) and northern gannet (Morus bassanus). Because of the difficulty of anticipating and modeling the future trends of HPAI among wild birds, we recommend monitoring live and dead wild birds as a tool for surveillance of the changing dynamics of HPAI.
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15
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Taylor LU, Ronconi RA, Spina HA, Jones MEB, Ogbunugafor CB, Ayala AJ. Limited Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Influenza A(H5N1) in Herring Gull Colony, Canada, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:2150-2154. [PMID: 37619593 PMCID: PMC10521612 DOI: 10.3201/eid2910.230536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In summer 2022, highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) virus reached the herring gull (Larus argentatus subspecies smithsonianus) breeding colony on Kent Island, New Brunswick, Canada. Real-time monitoring revealed a self-limiting outbreak with low mortality. Proactive seabird surveillance is crucial for monitoring such limited outbreaks, protecting seabirds, and tracing zoonotic transmission routes.
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16
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Lebarbenchon C, Boucher S, Feare C, Dietrich M, Larose C, Humeau L, Le Corre M, Jaeger A. Migratory patterns of two major influenza virus host species on tropical islands. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230600. [PMID: 37800153 PMCID: PMC10548098 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal migration is a major driver of infectious agent dispersal. Duck and seabird migrations, for instance, play a key role in the spatial transmission dynamics and gene flow of avian influenza viruses (AIV), worldwide. On tropical islands, brown and lesser noddies (Anous stolidus and Anous tenuirostris) may be important AIV hosts, but the lack of knowledge on their migratory behaviour limits our understanding of virus circulation in island networks. Here we show that high connectivity between islands generated by non-breeding dispersive behaviours may be a major driver in the spread and the maintenance of AIV among tropical islands of the western Indian Ocean. Tracking data highlight two types of dispersive behaviours during the non-breeding season: birds either staying in the vicinity of their breeding ground (on Bird Island, Seychelles), or moving to and roosting on other islands in the western Indian Ocean. Migrant birds used a wide range of roosting places from the Tanzanian coasts to the Maldives archipelago and Tromelin Island. Epidemiological data confirm that brown and lesser noddies are major hosts for AIV, although significant variations of seroprevalence between species suggest that other biological and ecological drivers could be involved in virus infection and transmission dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lebarbenchon
- Université de La Réunion, UMR Processus infectieux en milieu insulaire tropical (PIMIT), INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, 2 rue Maxime Rivière, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Solenn Boucher
- Université de La Réunion, UMR Processus infectieux en milieu insulaire tropical (PIMIT), INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, 2 rue Maxime Rivière, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
- Université de la Réunion, UMR Ecologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien (ENTROPIE), CNRS IRD, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie, 15 Avenue René Cassin, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Chris Feare
- WildWings Bird Management, Haslemere, Surrey, UK
| | - Muriel Dietrich
- Université de La Réunion, UMR Processus infectieux en milieu insulaire tropical (PIMIT), INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, 2 rue Maxime Rivière, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | | | - Laurence Humeau
- Université de La Réunion, UMR Peuplements végétaux et bioagresseurs en milieu tropical (PVBMT), CIRAD, 15 Avenue René Cassin, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Matthieu Le Corre
- Université de la Réunion, UMR Ecologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien (ENTROPIE), CNRS IRD, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie, 15 Avenue René Cassin, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Audrey Jaeger
- Université de la Réunion, UMR Ecologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien (ENTROPIE), CNRS IRD, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie, 15 Avenue René Cassin, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
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17
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Duriez O, Sassi Y, Le Gall-Ladevèze C, Giraud L, Straughan R, Dauverné L, Terras A, Boulinier T, Choquet R, Van De Wiele A, Hirschinger J, Guérin JL, Le Loc'h G. Highly pathogenic avian influenza affects vultures' movements and breeding output. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3766-3774.e3. [PMID: 37597520 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
An exceptional highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak due to H5N1 virus genotypes belonging to clade 2.3.4.4.b has been affecting birds worldwide since autumn 2021.1,2,3 Mortality caused by viral infection has been well documented in poultry and more recently in wild birds, especially in seabird-breeding colonies.4,5,6 However, there is a critical lack of knowledge about how terrestrial birds deal with HPAI virus infections in terms of behavior and space use, especially during the breeding season.7,8,9 Understanding how birds move when they are infected could help evaluate the risk of spreading the virus at a distance among other populations of wild or domestic birds, this latter risk being especially important for commensal bird species. Through long-term GPS tracking, we described the changes in daily movement patterns of 31 adult griffon vultures Gyps fulvus in two French sites in 2022 compared with 3 previous years. In spring 2022, 21 vultures at both sites showed periods of immobility at the nest, during 5.6 days on average. Positive serological status of 2 individuals confirmed that they had been infected by HPAI viruses. Death was recorded for 3 of the 31 tracked individuals, whereas all others recovered and returned quickly to their foraging routine, although at least 9 birds failed breeding. Such immobility patterns and death rates were never observed in previous years and were not related to weather conditions. The high immobility behavior of infected birds could reduce the risks of transmission. The observed vulnerability to HPAI viruses questions the resistance of endangered vulture species worldwide if infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Duriez
- CEFE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France.
| | - Yohan Sassi
- CEFE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Chloé Le Gall-Ladevèze
- IHAP, ENVT, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, BP 87614, 31076 Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Léa Giraud
- LPO France - site Grands Causses, Le Bourg, 12720 Peyreleau, France
| | - Robert Straughan
- LPO France - site Grands Causses, Le Bourg, 12720 Peyreleau, France
| | - Lise Dauverné
- LPO Occitanie DT Aude, Ecluse de Mandirac, 11100 Narbonne, France
| | - Anna Terras
- LPO Occitanie DT Aude, Ecluse de Mandirac, 11100 Narbonne, France
| | - Thierry Boulinier
- CEFE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Rémi Choquet
- CEFE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Julien Hirschinger
- IHAP, ENVT, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, BP 87614, 31076 Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Jean-Luc Guérin
- IHAP, ENVT, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, BP 87614, 31076 Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Guillaume Le Loc'h
- IHAP, ENVT, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, BP 87614, 31076 Toulouse Cedex 3, France
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18
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Alkie TN, Byrne AMP, Jones MEB, Mollett BC, Bourque L, Lung O, James J, Yason C, Banyard AC, Sullivan D, Signore AV, Lang AS, Baker M, Dawe B, Brown IH, Berhane Y. Recurring Trans-Atlantic Incursion of Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 Viruses by Long Distance Migratory Birds from Northern Europe to Canada in 2022/2023. Viruses 2023; 15:1836. [PMID: 37766243 PMCID: PMC10536465 DOI: 10.3390/v15091836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In December 2022 and January 2023, we isolated clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses from six American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) from Prince Edward Island and a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from Newfoundland, Canada. Using full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, these viruses were found to fall into two distinct phylogenetic clusters: one group containing H5N1 viruses that had been circulating in North and South America since late 2021, and the other one containing European H5N1 viruses reported in late 2022. The transatlantic re-introduction for the second time by pelagic/Icelandic bird migration via the same route used during the 2021 incursion of Eurasian origin H5N1 viruses into North America demonstrates that migratory birds continue to be the driving force for transcontinental dissemination of the virus. This new detection further demonstrates the continual long-term threat of H5N1 viruses for poultry and mammals and the subsequent impact on various wild bird populations wherever these viruses emerge. The continual emergence of clade 2.3.4.4b H5Nx viruses requires vigilant surveillance in wild birds, particularly in areas of the Americas, which lie within the migratory corridors for long-distance migratory birds originating from Europe and Asia. Although H5Nx viruses have been detected at higher rates in North America since 2021, a bidirectional flow of H5Nx genes of American origin viruses to Europe has never been reported. In the future, coordinated and systematic surveillance programs for HPAI viruses need to be launched between European and North American agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamiru N. Alkie
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (T.N.A.); (O.L.); (D.S.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Alexander M. P. Byrne
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, 10 Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (B.C.M.); (J.J.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Megan E. B. Jones
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Atlantic Region, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada; (M.E.B.J.); (L.B.)
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada;
| | - Benjamin C. Mollett
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, 10 Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (B.C.M.); (J.J.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Laura Bourque
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Atlantic Region, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada; (M.E.B.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Oliver Lung
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (T.N.A.); (O.L.); (D.S.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Joe James
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, 10 Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (B.C.M.); (J.J.); (A.C.B.)
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Animal and Plant Health 12 Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Carmencita Yason
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada;
| | - Ashley C. Banyard
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, 10 Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (B.C.M.); (J.J.); (A.C.B.)
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Animal and Plant Health 12 Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Daniel Sullivan
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (T.N.A.); (O.L.); (D.S.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Anthony V. Signore
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (T.N.A.); (O.L.); (D.S.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Andrew S. Lang
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada;
| | - Meghan Baker
- Animal Health Division, Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Provincial Agriculture Building, 204 Brookfield Road, St. John’s, NL A1E 0B2, Canada; (M.B.); (B.D.)
| | - Beverly Dawe
- Animal Health Division, Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Provincial Agriculture Building, 204 Brookfield Road, St. John’s, NL A1E 0B2, Canada; (M.B.); (B.D.)
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, 10 Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (A.M.P.B.); (B.C.M.); (J.J.); (A.C.B.)
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Animal and Plant Health 12 Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Yohannes Berhane
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (T.N.A.); (O.L.); (D.S.); (A.V.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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19
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Abolnik C, Phiri T, Peyrot B, de Beer R, Snyman A, Roberts D, Ludynia K, Jordaan F, Maartens M, Ismail Z, Strydom C, van der Zel G, Anthony J, Daniell N, De Boni L, Grewar J, Olivier A, Roberts L. The Molecular Epidemiology of Clade 2.3.4.4B H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Southern Africa, 2021-2022. Viruses 2023; 15:1383. [PMID: 37376682 DOI: 10.3390/v15061383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In southern Africa, clade 2.3.4.4B H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) was first detected in South African (SA) poultry in April 2021, followed by outbreaks in poultry or wild birds in Lesotho and Botswana. In this study, the complete or partial genomes of 117 viruses from the SA outbreaks in 2021-2022 were analyzed to decipher the sub-regional spread of the disease. Our analysis showed that seven H5N1 sub-genotypes were associated with the initial outbreaks, but by late 2022 only two sub-genotypes still circulated. Furthermore, SA poultry was not the source of Lesotho's outbreaks, and the latter was most likely an introduction from wild birds. Similarly, SA and Botswana's outbreaks in 2021 were unrelated, but viruses of Botswana's unique sub-genotype were introduced into SA later in 2022 causing an outbreak in ostriches. At least 83% of SA's commercial poultry cases in 2021-2022 were point introductions from wild birds. Like H5N8 HPAI in 2017-2018, a coastal seabird-restricted sub-lineage of H5N1 viruses emerged in the Western Cape province in 2021 and spread to Namibia, causing mortalities in Cape Cormorants. In SA ~24,000 of this endangered species died, and the loss of >300 endangered African penguins further threatens biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Abolnik
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Thandeka Phiri
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Belinda Peyrot
- Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Renee de Beer
- Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Albert Snyman
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa
| | - David Roberts
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa
| | - Katrin Ludynia
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | | | | | - Zehaad Ismail
- SMT Veterinary Laboratory, Irene, Pretoria 0178, South Africa
| | - Christine Strydom
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- SMT Veterinary Laboratory, Irene, Pretoria 0178, South Africa
| | - Gerbrand van der Zel
- Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Jade Anthony
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Nadine Daniell
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Liesl De Boni
- Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - John Grewar
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- jDATA (Pty) Ltd., Sandbaai 7200, South Africa
| | - Adriaan Olivier
- South African Ostrich Business Chamber, Oudtshoorn 6620, South Africa
| | - Laura Roberts
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Government, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
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20
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Adlhoch C, Fusaro A, Gonzales JL, Kuiken T, Marangon S, Niqueux É, Staubach C, Terregino C, Aznar I, Guajardo IM, Baldinelli F. Avian influenza overview September - December 2022. EFSA J 2023; 21:e07786. [PMID: 36698491 PMCID: PMC9851911 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Between October 2021 and September 2022 Europe has suffered the most devastating highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic with a total of 2,520 outbreaks in poultry, 227 outbreaks in captive birds, and 3,867 HPAI virus detections in wild birds. The unprecedent geographical extent (37 European countries affected) resulted in 50 million birds culled in affected establishments. In the current reporting period, between 10 September and 2 December 2022, 1,163 HPAI virus detections were reported in 27 European countries in poultry (398), captive (151) and wild birds (613). A decrease in HPAI virus detections in colony-breeding seabirds species and an increase in the number of detections in waterfowl has been observed. The continuous circulation of the virus in the wild reservoir has led to the frequent introduction of the virus into poultry populations. It is suspected that waterfowl might be more involved than seabirds in the incursion of HPAI virus into poultry establishments. In the coming months, the increasing infection pressure on poultry establishments might increase the risk of incursions in poultry, with potential further spread, primarily in areas with high poultry densities. The viruses detected since September 2022 (clade 2.3.4.4b) belong to eleven genotypes, three of which have circulated in Europe during the summer months, while eight represent new genotypes. HPAI viruses were also detected in wild and farmed mammal species in Europe and North America, showing genetic markers of adaptation to replication in mammals. Since the last report, two A(H5N1) detections in humans in Spain, one A(H5N1), one A(H5N6) and one A(H9N2) human infection in China as well as one A(H5) infection without NA-type result in Vietnam were reported, respectively. The risk of infection is assessed as low for the general population in the EU/EEA, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people.
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