Multiple independent introductions of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses during the 2020–2021 epizootic in France

• Published in: Transboundary and emerging diseases Vol. 69; no. 6; pp. 4028 - 4033
• Main Authors: Briand, François‐Xavier, Niqueux, Eric, Schmitz, Audrey, Martenot, Claire, Cherbonnel, Martine, Massin, Pascale, Busson, Rachel, Guillemoto, Carole, Pierre, Isabelle, Louboutin, Katell, Souchaud, Florent, Allée, Chantal, Quenault, Helene, Lucas, Pierrick, Wiele, Anne Van, Blanchard, Yannick, Eterradossi, Nicolas, Scoizec, Axelle, Bouquin‐Leneveu, Sophie Le, Rautureau, Severine, Lambert, Yves, Grasland, Béatrice
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.11.2022; Wiley-Blackwell; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Wild; Avian flu; avian influenza; birds; epizootic; epizootic diseases; Farms; France; France - epidemiology; Genomic analysis; genomics; genotype; Genotypes; H5N8 subtype; highly pathogenic influenza A virus; Influenza; Influenza A virus; Influenza A virus - genetics; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype - genetics; Influenza in Birds; Influenza in Birds - epidemiology; Life Sciences; Phylogeny; Poultry Diseases; Poultry Diseases - epidemiology; Short Communication; Short Communications; Viruses; Waterfowl; France; epizootic; H5N8 subtype; birds; highly pathogenic influenza A virus
• ISSN: 1865-1674; 1865-1682; 1865-1682
• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14711

During winter 2020–2021, France and other European countries were severely affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses of the Gs/GD/96 lineage, clade 2.3.4.4b. In total, 519 cases occurred, mainly in domestic waterfowl farms in Southwestern France. Analysis of viral genomic sequences indicated that 3 subtypes of HPAI H5 viruses were detected (H5N1, H5N3, H5N8), but most French viruses belonged to the H5N8 subtype genotype A, as Europe. Phylogenetic analyses of HPAI H5N8 viruses revealed that the French sequences were distributed in 9 genogroups, suggesting 9 independent introductions of H5N8 from wild birds, in addition to the 2 introductions of H5N1 and H5N3.