Emergence and interstate spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in dairy cattle in the United States
Thao-Quyen Nguyen, Carl R. Hutter, Alexey Markin, Megan N. Thomas, Kristina Lantz, Mary Lea Killian, Garrett M. Janzen, Sriram Vijendran, Sanket Wagle, Blake Inderski, Drew R. Magstadt, Ganwu Li, Diego G. Diel, Elisha Frye, Kiril M. Dimitrov, Amy K. Swinford, Alexis C. Thompson, Kevin Snekvik, David L. Suarez, Steven M. Lakin, Stacey Schwabenlander, Sara C. Ahola, Kammy R. Johnson, Amy L. Vincent Baker, Suelee Robbe‐Austerman, Mia Kim Torchetti, Tavis K. Anderson
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses cross species barriers and have the potential to cause pandemics. In North America, HPAI A(H5N1) viruses related to the goose/Guangdong 2.3.4.4b hemagglutinin phylogenetic clade have infected wild birds, poultry, and mammals. Our genomic analysis and epidemiological investigation showed that a reassortment event in wild bird populations preceded a single wild bird-to-cattle transmission episode. The movement of asymptomatic or presymptomatic cattle has likely played a role in the spread of HPAI within the United States dairy herd. Some molecular markers that may lead to changes in transmission efficiency and phenotype were detected at low frequencies. Continued transmission of H5N1 HPAI within dairy cattle increases the risk for infection and subsequent spread of the virus to human populations.