Epidemiology and Research Advances of Influenza D Virus in China

Abstract

Influenza D virus, a new type of Orthomyxovirus following influenza A, B and C viruses, was first isolated from pigs exhibiting flu-like symptoms in the United States in 2011, and was officially named by the International Committee on Classification of Viruses in 2016. Currently, influenza D virus has been widely distributed in dozens of countries such as the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa. Influenza D virus uses cattle as its natural and amplified host, which regularly spreads virus particles to other mammal species, including pigs, horses, sheep and camels. Therefore, influenza D virus has a wide geographical distribution and a broad host range. Influenza D virus infection can cause mild to moderate respiratory disease in cattle and is considered to be one of the major correlation factors of respiratory disease syndrome in cattle. Serological evidence suggests that influenza D virus is a potential risk for human infection. In China, researchers first detected influenza D virus in cattle in Shandong Province in 2014. Subsequently, researchers from different groups reported positive cases of influenza D virus in 2017, 2021 and 2022. In order to better understand the influence of influenza D virus on animal industry in China, this review systematically summarizes the distribution and research progress of influenza D virus in China, and analyzes its epidemic trend and the potential threat to animal industry in China.

Keywords

• influenza d virus
• epidemiology
• genetics and evolution
• pathogenesis and transmission
• pathogenicity
• zoonotic risk