Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infections in 2 Free-Ranging Black Bears (Ursus americanus), Quebec, Canada

Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Oct;29(10):2145-2149. doi: 10.3201/eid2910.230548.ABSTRACTWholly Eurasian highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus was isolated from 2 free-ranging black bears with meningoencephalitis in Quebec, Canada. We found that isolates from both animals had the D701N mutation in the polymerase basic 2 gene, previously known to promote adaptation of H5N1 viruses to mammal hosts.PMID:37735770 | DOI:10.3201/eid2910.230548
Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Source Type: research