Molecular detection and characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild birds provides evidence for three independent introductions into Alaska

Andrew M. Ramey; Laura Celeste Scott; Christina A. Ahlstrom; Evan James Buck; Alison Williams; Mia Kim Torchetti; David E. Stallknecht; Rebecca L. Poulson

doi:10.1016/j.virol.2023.109938

USGS · 70250046

Molecular detection and characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild birds provides evidence for three independent introductions into Alaska

Andrew M. Ramey·Laura Celeste Scott·Christina A. Ahlstrom·Evan James Buck·Alison Williams·Mia Kim Torchetti·David E. Stallknecht·Rebecca L. Poulson

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Abstract

We detected and characterized highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild waterfowl inhabiting western Alaska during September–October 2022 using a molecular sequencing pipeline applied to RNA extracts derived directly from original swab samples. Genomic characterization of 10 H5 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses detected with high confidence provided evidence for three independent viral introductions into Alaska. Our results highlight the utility and some potential limits of applying molecular processing approaches directly to RNA extracts from original swab samples for viral research and monitoring.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 55.07397017743125° to 55.57375391298103° latitude; -163.17062364840513° to -162.15451317413613° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Andrew M. Ramey, Laura Celeste Scott, Christina A. Ahlstrom, Evan James Buck, Alison Williams, Mia Kim Torchetti, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson. 2024. Molecular detection and characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild birds provides evidence for three independent introductions into Alaska. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2023.109938

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