Abstract
We isolated three genotypes of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) clade 2.3.4.4b from wild birds infected with H5N1 (n = 12) and H5N8 (n = 1) in Hong Kong SAR 2021-2024. Viruses from two spoonbills from late 2022 were genetically related to a virus from a human in China. Four tested viruses exhibited variable virulence in mice but were susceptible to approved antivirals. No neutralising antibody was detected in 63 age-stratified human sera, suggesting potential risk should the virus adapt to humans.
Keywords:
Avian influenza virus; H5N1; H5N8; surveillance and risk assessment.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Wild / virology
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Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
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Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
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Birds* / virology
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China / epidemiology
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Genotype
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Hong Kong / epidemiology
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Humans
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Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype* / genetics
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Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype* / isolation & purification
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Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype* / pathogenicity
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Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype* / genetics
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Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype* / isolation & purification
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Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype* / pathogenicity
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Influenza in Birds* / epidemiology
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Influenza in Birds* / virology
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Influenza, Human* / epidemiology
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Influenza, Human* / virology
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Mice
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Phylogeny
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Virulence
Substances
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Antibodies, Neutralizing
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Antiviral Agents