Emerging Infectious Diseases (May 2018)

Multiple Introductions of Influenza A(H5N8) Virus into Poultry, Egypt, 2017

  • Ahmed H. Salaheldin,
  • Hatem Salah Abd El-Hamid,
  • Ahmed R. Elbestawy,
  • Jutta Veits,
  • Hafez M. Hafez,
  • Thomas C. Mettenleiter,
  • Elsayed M. Abdelwhab

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2405.171935
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 5
pp. 943 – 946

Abstract

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After high mortality rates among commercial poultry were reported in Egypt in 2017, we genetically characterized 4 distinct influenza A(H5N8) viruses isolated from poultry. Full-genome analysis indicated separate introductions of H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 reassortants from Europe and Asia into Egypt, which poses a serious threat for poultry and humans.

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