The Molecular Epidemiology of Clade 2.3.4.4B H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Southern Africa, 2021-2022.

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 lat

SUBMITTER: Abolnik C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10302261 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature