Isolation of clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N8), a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, from a worker during an outbreak on a poultry farm, Russia, December 2020

This study presents the isolation of influenza A(H5N8) virus clade 2.3.4.4b from a poultry worker during an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) among chickens at a poultry farm in Astrakhan, Russia in December 2020. Nasopharyngeal swabs collected from seven poultry workers were positive for influenza A(H5N8), as confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. The influenza A(H5N8) virus was isolated from one of the human specimens and characterised. Sporadic human influenza A(H5)2.3.4.4. infections represent a possible concern for public health.

Source: Eurosurveillance - June 17, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Olga G Pyankova, Ivan M Susloparov, Anastasia A Moiseeva, Natalia P Kolosova, Galina S Onkhonova, Aleksey V Danilenko, Elena V Vakalova, Gennady L Shendo, Natalia N Nekeshina, Lyudmila N Noskova, Julia V Demina, Natalia V Frolova, Elena V Gavrilova, Rinat Source Type: research