A Case Report of Gibbon Infection with H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus

In January 2022, 6 gibbons (Nomascus spp.) in the same enclosure of a zoo successively showed symptoms of runny nose and cough. We separately collected six nasal swabs from the six gibbons, detected the pathogens in the samples by high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that two samples were positive for AIV. The sequence assembly was similar to H9N2 avian influenza virus. The two positive samples were tested by qPCR for H1 - H16 genes and N1 - N9 genes and the results showed that Ct values of H9 and N2 in sample 5 were 31.35 and 36.16 respectively, Ct values of H9 and N2 in sample 6 were 27.46 and 29.57. The gibbons were given comprehensive treatment, such as expectoration and cough relief, anti-inflammatory and secondary infection control, and disinfection of the feeding environment was strengthened. The sick gibbons recovered quickly.