Global and Local Persistence of Influenza A(H5N1) Virus

• Main Authors: Xianbin Li, Zhong Zhang, Ailian Yu, Simon Y. W. Ho, Michael J. Carr, Weimin Zheng, Yanzhou Zhang, Chaodong Zhu, Fumin Lei, Weifeng Shi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2014-08-01
• Series: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: H5N1; avian influenza; migration network; persistence; source; influenza
• Online Access: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/8/13-0910_article

An understanding of the global migration dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus is helpful for surveillance and disease prevention. To characterize the migration network of this virus, we used genetic analysis, which supported a global persistence model in which each of 9 regions acts to some extent as a source. Siberia is the major hub for the dispersal of the virus. Southeast Asia and Africa are major sources of genetically and antigenically novel strains. We found evidence of local persistence of the virus in Southeast Asia and Africa, which is rare for human influenza A viruses. The differences in migration dynamics between avian and human influenza viruses might help with the design of region-specific surveillance efforts and the selection of vaccine candidates.