Novel Avian Influenza A(H5N6) Virus in Wild Birds, South Korea, 2023

Abstract

We isolated novel reassortant avian influenza A(H5N6) viruses containing genes from clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus and low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses in carcasses of whooper swans and bean geese in South Korea during December 2023. Neuraminidase gene was from a clade 2.3.4.4b H5N6 virus infecting poultry and humans in China.

Keywords

• avian influenza virus
• highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
• H5N6
• clade 2.3.4.4
• wild bird
• genomic surveillance