In:
mSphere, American Society for Microbiology, Vol. 8, No. 4 ( 2023-08-24)
Abstract:
Avian influenza A/H5 viruses can cross the species barrier and infect humans. These infections can have a fatal outcome, but fortunately these influenza A/H5 viruses do not spread between humans. However, the extensive circulation and reassortment of A/H5N6 viruses in poultry and wild birds warrant risk assessments of circulating strains. Here an in-depth characterization of the properties of an avian A/H5N6 influenza virus isolated from a black-headed gull in the Netherlands was performed in vitro and in vivo , in ferrets. The virus was not transmissible via the air but caused severe disease and spread to extra-respiratory organs. Apart from the detection in ferrets of a mutation that increased virus replication, no other mammalian adaptation phenotypes were identified. Our results suggest that the risk of this avian A/H5N6 virus for public health is low. The underlying reasons for the high pathogenicity of this virus are unexplained and should be further studied.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2379-5042
DOI:
10.1128/msphere.00200-23
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society for Microbiology
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2844248-9