Low pathogenicity avian influenza (H5N2) virus was detected in poultry in the Dominican Republic in 2007 and re-emerged in 2017. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis show introduction of an H5N2 virus lineage from Mexico into poultry in the Dominican Republic, then divergence into 3 distinct genetic subgroups during 2007-2019.
Keywords: Dominican Republic; H5N2; epidemiology; influenza; low pathogenicity avian influenza virus; phylogenetic analysis; poultry; respiratory infections; vector-borne infections; viruses; wild bird; zoonoses.