Detection of avian influenza virus in the alien invasive African sacred ibis (<i>Threskiornis aethiopicus</i>) in Italy.

ABSTRACT: The African sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus), a non-native bird species in Europe, has rapidly expanded its range in Italy, prompting the adoption of national control measures due to ecological and epidemiological concerns. As part of this management plan, 20 ibises were culled in February 2025 in Tuscany (Central Italy), and tested for pathogens relevant to wildlife and public health. RT-PCR and molecular analyses on tracheal and cloacal swabs, revealed the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) subtype H5N2 in 1 out of 20 specimens. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the virus was closely related to recent European LPAIV strains, with the PA gene segment clustered with Asian and Russian isolates from 2021-2022. Two mammalian adaptation markers (S155N and T15

SUBMITTER: Mariacher A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12450672 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature