Reassortant HPAI (H5N5) in Domestic Ducks, China | CDC EID

EID Journal Home > Volume 17, Number 6–June 2011

Volume 17, Number 6–June 2011
Dispatch
Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N5) Viruses in Domestic Ducks, China
Min Gu, Wenbo Liu, Yongzhong Cao, Daxin Peng, Xiaobo Wang, Hongquan Wan, Guo Zhao, Quangang Xu, Wei Zhang, Qingqing Song, Yanfang Li, and Xiufan Liu
Author affiliation: Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, People's Republic of China

Suggested citation for this article

Abstract
In China, domestic ducks and wild birds often share the same water, in which influenza viruses replicate preferentially. Isolation of 2 novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N5) viruses from apparently healthy domestic ducks highlights the role of these ducks as reassortment vessels. Such new subtypes of influenza viruses may pose a pandemic threat.

Aquatic birds are considered the natural reservoir for influenza A viruses of all known 16 hemagglutinin (HA) and 9 neuraminidase (NA) subtypes (1). Influenza viruses replicate preferentially in the cells lining the intestinal tracts of wild waterfowl, usually causing no clinical signs. Excretion of substantial amounts of virus in the feces can infect wild and domestic birds by waterborne transmission (1). In the People's Republic of China, domestic ducks raised in the traditional free-range system often share water with wild aquatic birds. Moreover, domestic ducks are often in close contact with poultry, livestock, and humans in the same village or farm. Therefore, domestic ducks play a major role in the ecology of influenza viruses (2) and can act as potential vessels for genetic reassortment (3). Systematic surveillance of influenza viruses in domestic ducks could provide timely and valuable epidemiologic information and should be continued

full-text:
Reassortant HPAI (H5N5) in Domestic Ducks, China | CDC EID


Suggested Citation for this Article
Gu M, Liu W, Cao Y, Peng D, Wang X, Wan H, et al. Novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N5) viruses in domestic ducks, China. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2011 Jun [date cited]. http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/17/6/1060.htm

DOI: 10.3201/eid1706.101406


Comments to the Authors
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Xiufan Liu, Animal Infectious Disease Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 48 East Wenhuei Rd, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China; email: xfliu@yzu.edu.cn