Isolation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus from Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug) in the Middle East
Open Access
- 24 November 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Hindawi Limited in Advances in Virology
- Vol. 2009, 1-7
- https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/294520
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that birds of prey are susceptible to fatal infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. We studied the antigenic, molecular, phylogenetic, and pathogenic properties of 2 HPAI H5N1 viruses isolated from dead falcons in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in 2005 and 2007, respectively. Phylogenetic and antigenic analyses grouped both isolates in clade 2.2 (Qinghai-like viruses). However, the viruses appeared to have spread westward via different flyways. It remains unknown how these viruses spread so rapidly from Qinghai after the 2005 outbreak and how they were introduced into falcons in these two countries. The H5N1 outbreaks in the Middle East are believed by some to be mediated by wild migratory birds. However, sporting falcons may be at additional risk from the illegal import of live quail to feed them.Keywords
Funding Information
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (A195357, A157570, CA21765, HHSN266200700005C)
This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
- Protection and Virus Shedding of Falcons Vaccinated against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Virus (H5N1)Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2007
- Role of Terrestrial Wild Birds in Ecology of Influenza A Virus (H5N1)Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2007
- H5N1 Influenza — Continuing Evolution and SpreadThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2006
- Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus in Smuggled Thai Eagles, BelgiumEmerging Infectious Diseases, 2005
- Molecular mechanisms of influenza virus resistance to neuraminidase inhibitorsVirus Research, 2004
- PB2 amino acid at position 627 affects replicative efficiency, but not cell tropism, of Hong Kong H5N1 influenza A viruses in miceVirology, 2004
- Universal primer set for the full-length amplification of all influenza A virusesArchiv für die gesamte Virusforschung, 2001
- Molecular Basis for High Virulence of Hong Kong H5N1 Influenza A VirusesScience, 2001
- Isolation of a highly pathogenic influenza A virus of subtype H7N3 from a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)Avian Pathology, 2000
- Influenza virus M2 protein has ion channel activityCell, 1992