title: Isolation of avian influenza virus (H9N2) from emu in China.
abstract: This is the first reported isolation of avian influenza virus (AIV) from emu in China. An outbreak of AIV infection occurred at an emu farm that housed 40 four-month-old birds. Various degrees of haemorrhage were discovered in the tissues of affected emus. Cell degeneration and necrosis were observed microscopically. Electron microscopy revealed round or oval virions with a diameter of 80 nm to 120 nm, surrounded by an envelope with spikes. The virus was classified as low pathogenic AIV (LPAIV), according to OIE standards. It was named A/Emu/HeNen/14/2004(H9N2)(Emu/HN/2004). The HA gene (1683bp) was amplified by RT-PCR and it was compared with other animal H9N2 AIV sequences in GenBank, the US National Institutes of Health genetic sequence database. The results suggested that Emu/HN/2004 may have come from an avian influenza virus (H9N2) from Southern China.
authors.affiliation: National Animal TSE Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wenhua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Wanyong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Junfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Deming
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhao