Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in wild rats in Egypt during 2023
Omnia Kutkat, Mokhtar R. Gomaa, Yassmin Moatasim, Ahmed El Taweel, Mina Nabil Kamel, Mohamed El Sayes, Mohamed GabAllah, Ahmed Kandeil, Pamela McKenzie, Richard J. Webby, Ghazi Kayali, Mohamed A. Ali, Rabeh El‐Shesheny
Abstract
We detected highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in wild rats collected from a rural area in Giza, Egypt, near poultry farms, markets, and backyard flocks. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the virus from the rats belonged to clade 2.3.4.4b, which has been the predominant virus genotype circulating in Egypt and worldwide since 2021-2022. Active surveillance of avian influenza viruses in wild and domestic mammals is recommended to prevent further spread to mammals and humans.
Topics & Concepts
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1CladeFlockVirologyHighly pathogenicVirusBiologyPhylogenetic treeAvian influenza virusGenotypeInfluenza A virusPhylogeneticsVeterinary medicineGeneMedicineGeneticsEcologyInfluenza Virus Research StudiesViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiologyAnimal Virus Infections Studies