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Nomenclature updates resulting from the evolution of avian influenza A(H5) virus clades 2.1.3.2a, 2.2.1, and 2.3.4 during 2013-2014.


Change log

Authors

Smith, Gavin JD 
Donis, Ruben O 
World Health Organization/World Organisation for Animal Health/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/OIE/FAO) H5 Evolution Working Group 

Abstract

AIM: The A/goose/Guangdong/1/96-like hemagglutinin (HA) genes of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses have continued to rapidly evolve since the most recent update to the H5 clade nomenclature by the WHO/OIE/FAO H5N1 Evolution Working Group. New clades diverging beyond established boundaries need to be identified and designated accordingly. METHOD: Hemagglutinin sequences deposited in publicly accessible databases up to December 31, 2014, were analyzed by phylogenetic and average pairwise distance methods to identify new clades that merit nomenclature changes. RESULTS: Three new clade designations were recommended based on division of clade 2·1·3·2a (Indonesia), 2·2·1 (Egypt), and 2·3·4 (widespread detection in Asia, Europe, and North America) that includes newly emergent HPAI virus subtypes H5N2, H5N3, H5N5, H5N6, and H5N8. CONCLUSION: Continued global surveillance for HPAI A(H5) viruses in all host species and timely reporting of sequence data will be critical to quickly identify new clades and assess their potential impact on human and animal health.

Description

Keywords

H5 subtype, clade nomenclature, hemagglutinin, highly pathogenic avian influenza, molecular epidemiology, phylogenetics, viral evolution, Animals, Biological Evolution, Birds, Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus, Humans, Influenza A virus, Influenza in Birds, Influenza, Human, Molecular Sequence Data, Phylogeny, Poultry Diseases

Journal Title

Influenza Other Respir Viruses

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1750-2640
1750-2659

Volume Title

9

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
The Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health.