Katherine H Haman, etc.,al. A comprehensive epidemiological approach documenting an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus clade 2.3.4.4b among gulls, terns, and harbor seals in the Northeastern Pacific. Zoological Medicine
Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b continue to have unprecedented global impacts on wild birds and mammals, with especially significant mortality observed in colonial surface-nesting seabirds and in some marine mammal species. In July of 2023 H5N1 HPAIV 2.3.4.4b was detected in Caspian terns nesting on Rat Island, Washington USA. An estimated 1800-1900 adult terns populated the breeding colony, based on aerial photographs taken at the start of the outbreak. On a near-weekly basis throughout July and August, we counted and removed carcasses, euthanized moribund birds, and collected swab and tissue samples for diagnostic testing and next-generation sequencing. We directly counted 1,101 dead Caspian tern adults and 520 dead chicks, indicating a minimum 56% loss of the adult colony population and potential impacts to reproductive success. Combining the observed mortality on Rat Island with HPAI-related Caspian tern deaths recorded elsewhere in Washington and Oregon, we estimate that 10-14% of the Pacific Flyway population was lost in the summer of 2023. Comparatively few adult Glaucous-winged gulls (hybrids) nesting on Rat Island died (~3% of the local population), although gull chick mortality was high. Sixteen harbor seals in the immediate or nearby area stranded during the outbreak, and H5N1 HPAIV was detected in brain and/or lung tissue of five seals. These cases are the first known detections of HPAIV in a marine mammal on the Pacific coast of North America. Phylogenetic analyses support the occurrence of at least three independent avian-mammalian virus spillover events (tern or gull to harbor seal). Whole genome sequencing indicated that H5N1 HPAIV may have been introduced to Washington from Caspian terns in Oregon. Ongoing monitoring and surveillance for H5N1 HPAIV in the marine environment is necessary to understand the epidemiology of this virus, assess conservation impacts to susceptible species, and provide support for data-driven management and response actions.
See Also:
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1483922/abstract
Latest articles in those days:
- The host tropism of current zoonotic H7N9 viruses depends mainly on an acid-labile hemagglutinin with a single amino acid mutation in the stalk region 6 hours ago
- [preprint]Orogastric Exposure of Cynomolgus Macaques to Bovine HPAI H5N1 Virus Results in Subclinical Infection 7 hours ago
- The Novel 2.3.4.4b H5N6 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses Isolated From Wild Birds in 2023 Posing a Potential Risk to Human Health 1 days ago
- A comprehensive epidemiological approach documenting an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus clade 2.3.4.4b among gulls, terns, and harbor seals in the Northeastern Pacific 1 days ago
- Genetic and pathological analysis of hooded cranes (Grus monacha) naturally infected with clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in South Korea during 2022-2023 1 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]