biostudies-literatureHerfst SDutch Research Council (NWO)EC | Horizon 2020 Framework ProgrammeHHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesZonMwe0020023https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10449504biostudies-literatureUnknown8(4)Continued circulation of A/H5N1 influenza viruses of the A/goose/Guangdong/1/96 lineage in poultry has resulted in the diversification in multiple genetic and antigenic clades. Since 2009, clade 2.3.4.4 hemagglutinin (HA) containing viruses harboring the internal and neuraminidase (NA) genes of other avian influenza A viruses have been detected. As a result, various HA-NA combinations, such as A/H5N1, A/H5N2, A/H5N3, A/H5N5, A/H5N6, and A/H5N8 have been identified. As of January 2023, 83 humans have been infected with A/H5N6 viruses, thereby posing an apparent risk for public health. Here, as part of a risk assessment, the <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> characterization of A/H5N6 A/black-headed gull/Netherlands/29/2017 is described. This A/H5N6 virus was not transmitted between ferretsmSphereA Dutch highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza virus showed remarkable tropism for extra-respiratory organs and caused severe disease but was not transmissible via air in the ferret model.PMC10449504HHSN272201400008C91715372Stevin643476Herfst SRichard MBegeman LKoopmans MPGEggink DLexmond PSpronken MIBestebroer TMKuiken Tde Meulder DPoen MJFouchier RAMfalseA Dutch highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza virus showed remarkable tropism for extra-respiratory organs and caused severe disease but was not transmissible via air in the ferret model.Continued circulation of A/H5N1 influenza viruses of the A/goose/Guangdong/1/96 lineage in poultry has resulted in the diversification in multiple genetic and antigenic clades. Since 2009, clade 2.3.4.4 hemagglutinin (HA) containing viruses harboring the internal and neuraminidase (NA) genes of other avian influenza A viruses have been detected. As a result, various HA-NA combinations, such as A/H5N1, A/H5N2, A/H5N3, A/H5N5, A/H5N6, and A/H5N8 have been identified. As of January 2023, 83 humans have been infected with A/H5N6 viruses, thereby posing an apparent risk for public health. Here, as part of a risk assessment, the <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> characterization of A/H5N6 A/black-headed gull/Netherlands/29/2017 is described. This A/H5N6 virus was not transmitted between ferrets2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Aug2025-05-29T19:42:31.572Z2024-11-06T10:44:32.895ZS-EPMC104495043742808510.1128/msphere.00200-23