HPAI in Russian wild bird similar to European strain

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 has been identified in a sample (trachea) from a hunted healthy Eurasian Wigeon, monitoring activities organized by Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) have stated.

A report submitted to the OIE on 25th December shows that preliminary analysis suggests this H5N8 is similar to the HPAIVs identified in Asian-Pacific region and Europe as some HA and NA genes fragments are consistent with current HPAI H5N8 virus.

Further investigation of this HPAI virus including pathogenicity tests in chickens and full genome sequencing will be done in Federal Centre for Animal Health (FGBI ARRIAH), Vladimir in the nearest future. No HPAI H5N8 virus has been detected in the commercial poultry sector in the Russian Federation.

Source: OIE