Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus in cats, Poland, June to July 2023.

ABSTRACT: BackgroundOver a 3-week period in late June/early July 2023, Poland experienced an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in cats.AimThis study aimed to characterise the identified virus and investigate possible sources of infection.MethodsWe performed next generation sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of detected viruses in cats.ResultsWe sampled 46 cats, and 25 tested positive for avian influenza virus. The identified viruses belong to clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype CH (H5N1 A/Eurasian wigeon/Netherlands/3/2022-like). In Poland, this genotype was responsible for several poultry outbreaks between December 2022 and January 2023 and has been identified only sporadically since February 2023. Viruses from cats were very similar to each other, indicating one comm

SUBMITTER: Domanska-Blicharz K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10401911 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature