Genomic Characterization of Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza Viruses from Alaska during 2022 Provides Evidence for Genotype-specific Trends of Spatiotemporal and Interspecies Dissemination

Authors

Christina A. Ahlstrom, United States Geological Survey, Alaska Science CenterFollow
Mia Kim Torchetti, United States Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IowaFollow
Julianna Lenoch, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
Kimberlee Beckmen, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Megan Boldenow, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska
Evan J. Buck, United States Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Bryan Daniels, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Bethel, Alaska
Krista Dilione, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
Robert Gerlach, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Anchorage, Alaska
Kristina Lantz, United States Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IowaFollow
Angela Matz, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska
Rebecca L. Poulson, University of Georgia
Laura C. Scott, United States Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Gay Sheffield, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
David Sinnett, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Center, Palmer, Alaska
David E. Stallknecht, University of Georgia
Raphaela Stimmelmayr, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Eric Taylor, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska
Alison R. Williams, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Cold Bay, Alaska
Andrew M. Ramey, United States Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2024

Citation

Emerging Microbes and Infections (2024) 13: 2406291

doi: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2406291

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

The ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic H5 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza (HPAI) spread to North America in late 2021, with detections of HPAI viruses in Alaska beginning in April 2022. HPAI viruses have since spread across the state, affecting many species of wild birds as well as domestic poultry and wild mammals. To better understand the dissemination of HPAI viruses spatiotemporally and among hosts in Alaska and adjacent regions, we compared the genomes of 177 confirmed HPAI viruses detected in Alaska during April–December 2022. Results suggest multiple viral introductions into Alaska between November 2021 and August or September 2022, as well as dissemination to areas within and outside of the state. Viral genotypes differed in their spatiotemporal spread, likely influenced by timing of introductions relative to population immunity. We found evidence for dissemination of HPAI viruses between wild bird species, wild birds and domestic poultry, as well as wild birds and wild mammals. Continued monitoring for and genomic characterization of HPAI viruses in Alaska can improve our understanding of the evolution and dispersal of these economically costly and ecologically relevant pathogens.