Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection in foxes with PB2-M535I identified as a novel mammalian adaptation, Northern Ireland, July 2023

• Main Authors: Lagan, Paula, McKenna, Robyn, Baleed, Salam, Hanna, Robert E.B., Barley, Jason, McConnell, Shirley, Georgaki, Anastasia, Sironen, Tarja, Kauppinen, Ari, Gadd, Tuija, Lindh, Erika, Ikonen, Niina, McMenamy, Michael J., Lemon, Ken
• Other Authors: Animal Health and Welfare
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control 2023
• Subjects: Larus canus
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12518/593; https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.42.2300526

Publication history: Accepted - 17 October 2023; Published - 19 October 2023. We report cases of mammalian infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b in Northern Ireland. Two common gulls (Larus canus) and two red fox kits (Vulpes vulpes), were found dead in close vicinity. Comparison of viral whole genome sequences obtained from the animals identified a novel mammalian adaptation, PB2-M535I. Analysis of genetic sequences from other recent mammalian infections shows that this mutation has arisen on at least five occasions in three European countries since April 2023. Funding was provided by DAERA as part of the assigned work programme for HPAI surveillance. Additional sequencing was supported by co-funding from the European Union’s EU4Health programme under Grant Agreement Nr 101102733 DURABLE. Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.