Emergence and Rapid Spread of a New Reassortant High Pathogenicity H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b Avian Influenza Virus in Nigeria
Over the past two decades, West Africa has experienced recurrent incursions of Goose/Guangdong-lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), with Nigeria as a hotspot for repeated introductions and sustained circulation. Since 2021, European-origin clade 2.3.4.4b H5Nx genotypes, particularly EA-2020-C, have predominated in regional poultry. Here, we report the emergence and rapid spread in Nigeria, and West Africa, of a new clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 genotype, designated EA-2024-DV, marking a major shift in the circulating virus population. These findings underscore the region's ongoing vulnerability to novel introductions and highlight the need for sustained surveillance across migratory bird routes and poultry production networks.
Authors
- Dorcas A. Gado (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2130-425X)
- Calogero Terregino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7727-3336)
- Bitrus Inuwa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1582-5956)
- Edoardo Giussani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5066-9149)
- Alessio Bortolami (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3381-8354)
- Isabella Monne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6564-4689)
- Alice Fusaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8213-5472)
- Judith Dizot Bakam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3909-5062)
- Nicodemus Mkpuma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6337-1613)
- Bianca Zecchin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9566-6531)
- Clement Adebajo Meseko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7003-7528)
- Elisa Palumbo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5812-6760)
- Kayode Olawuyi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1603-1285)
- Marta Dianati
- Emilie Wolali Go‐Maro
Institutions
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IT)
- National Veterinary Research Institute (NG)
- University of Lomé (TG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses
- Published
- 2026-04-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.70260
- Primary Topic
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia