Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jul 2018)

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017

  • Augustin T. Twabela,
  • Georges M. Tshilenge,
  • Yoshiro Sakoda,
  • Masatoshi Okamatsu,
  • Ezekiel Bushu,
  • Philippe Kone,
  • Lidewij Wiersma,
  • Gianpiero Zamperin,
  • Alessandra Drago,
  • Bianca Zecchin,
  • Isabella Monne

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2407.172123
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 7
pp. 1371 – 1374

Abstract

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In 2017, highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus was detected in poultry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Whole-genome phylogeny showed the virus clustered with H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4B strains from birds in central and southern Asia. Emergence of this virus in central Africa represents a threat for animal health and food security.

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