Highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus in smuggled Thai eagles, Belgium.
We report the isolation and characterization of a highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus from Crested Hawk-Eagles smuggled into Europe by air travel. A screening performed in human and avian contacts indicated no dissemination occurred. Illegal movements of birds are a major threat for the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Van Borm
Steven
S
Avian Virology and Immunology Unit, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, Brussels, Belgium. stvan@var.fgov.be
Thomas
Isabelle
I
Hanquet
Germaine
G
Lambrecht
Bénédicte
B
Boschmans
Marc
M
Dupont
Gérald
G
Decaestecker
Mireille
M
Snacken
René
R
van den Berg
Thierry
T
D000081:Acetamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D003415:Crime; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D053139:Oseltamivir; D010802:Phylogeny; D020304:Raptors / Q000821:virology*; D013785:Thailand
D000081:Acetamides; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir