title: Surveillance and isolation of HPAI H5N1 from wild Mandarin Ducks (Aix galericulata).
abstract: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus circulates among a variety of free-ranging wild birds and continually poses a threat to animal and human health. During the winter of 2010-2011, we surveyed Korean wild bird habitats. From 728 fresh fecal samples, 14 HPAI H5N1 viruses were identified. The isolates phylogenetically clustered with other recently isolated clade 2.3.2 HPAI H5N1 viruses isolated from wild birds in Mongolia. All HPAI-positive fecal samples were analyzed by DNA barcoding for host-species identification. Twelve of the 14 HPAI-positive samples were typed as Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata). The high incidence of HPAI subtype H5N1 viruses in wild Mandarin Duck droppings is a novel finding and underscores the need for enhanced avian influenza virus surveillance in wild Mandarin Ducks. Further investigation of the susceptibility of Mandarin Ducks to HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.2 virus would aid the understanding of HPAI ecology and epidemiology in wild birds.
authors.affiliation: Avian Disease Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 143-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Hun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae-Keun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ha-Na
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Youn
authors.forename: Yu-Na
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tae-Hyun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Myeong-Seob
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joong-Bok
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: In-Soo
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chang-Seon
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D004372:Ducks; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male