Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the H5N1 avian influenza A outbreak in poultry in Ecuador in November 2022 is associated with the highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases 2023-08, Vol.133, p.27-30
• Main Authors: Bruno, Alfredo, Alfaro-Núñez, Alonzo, de Mora, Doménica, Armas, Rubén, Olmedo, Maritza, Garcés, Jimmy, Vaca, María Sol, De la Torre, Euclides, Jarrin, David, Burbano, Lidia, Salas, Johanna, Imbacuan, Cristian, Chanatasig, José, Barrionuevo, Margoth, Galante, María Cristina, Salas, Veronica, Goñi, Natalia, Cristina, Juan, Domingues, Christian Steffe, Oliveira Montesino, Lucas, Gomes Cardoso, Fernanda, Reischak, Dilmara, Garcia-Bereguiain, Miguel Angel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Ecuador - epidemiology; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype - genetics; Influenza in Birds - epidemiology; Phylogeny; Poultry
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.04.403

•A highly pathogenic avian influenza A outbreak was declared in poultry in Ecuador.•The sequencing analysis shows that virus clade is 2.3.4.4b, detected across species in the Americas.•This is the first report of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in South America. The ongoing H5N1 outbreak in the Americas caused by clade 2.3.4.4 is causing unprecedented impact in poultry and wild birds. In November 2022, a highly pathogenic avian influenza A outbreak was declared in poultry in Ecuador, affecting more than 1.1 million heads of poultry in two farms by February 2023. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the virus clade is 2.3.4.4b, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first scientific publication reporting this clade in South America.