Descriptive epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in British Columbia (B.C.) and the Yukon, Canada, September 2022 to June 2023
Surveillance data from wildlife and poultry was used to describe the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in British Columbia (B.C.) and the Yukon, Canada from September 2022 - June 2023 compared to the first "wave" of the outbreak in this region, which occurred April - August 2022, after the initial viral introduction. Although the number of HPAI-positive poultry farms and wildlife samples was greater in "Wave 2", cases were more tightly clustered in southwestern B.C. and the most commonly affected species differed, likely due to an influx of overwintering waterfowl in the area. Eight HPAI genetic clusters, representing seven genotypes and two inter-continental viral incursions, were detected, with significant variation in the relative abundance of each cluster between the waves. Phylogenetic data suggests multiple spillover events from wild birds to poultry and mammals but could not rule out transmission among farms and among mammals.
Authors
- Glenna McGregor
- Kevin S. Kuchinski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7588-4910)
- Chelsea G. Himsworth (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8081-9555)
- Natalie Prystajecky (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6421-7434)
- Theresa Burns
- Jolene A. Giacinti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4843-599X)
- Caeley Thacker
- N. Jane Harms
- Kevin Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6337-6206)
- Agatha N. Jassem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4128-2919)
- Catherine Soos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4610-3614)
- Megan V. Ross (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8926-4464)
- Laurie Wilson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1972-1196)
- Michelle Coombe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3360-732X)
- Cassandra L. Andrew (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4925-4867)
- Christopher D. Fjell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6304-2628)
- Tony Redford
- Yohannes Berhane (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5958-3525)
- James E. A. Zlosnik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9708-9034)
- Megan Willie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6681-8399)
- John. Palmer
- John R. Tyson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6295-3929)
- Maeve Winchester
- Shannon Russell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9484-2732)
Institutions
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CA)
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (CA)
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Public Health Agency of Canada (CA)
- Canadian Wildlife Federation (CA)
- BC Centre for Disease Control (CA)
- Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries (KE)
- Government of British Columbia (CA)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la Souveraineté alimentaire (FR)
- Ministry of Agriculture (CA)
- Agriculture and Food (AU)
- Yukon Department of Environment (CA)
- Government of Yukon (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Emerging Microbes & Infections
- Published
- 2024-08-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2024.2392667
- Citations
- 10
- Primary Topic
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.87
Funders
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control