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. 2023 Dec;12(1):2167610.
doi: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2167610.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus outbreak among Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis) in Namibia, 2022

Umberto Molini  1   2 , John Yabe  1 , Irene K Meki  3 , Hatem Ouled Ahmed Ben Ali  3 , Tirumala B K Settypalli  3 , Sneha Datta  3 , Lauren Michelle Coetzee  2 , Ellini Hamunyela  2 , Siegfried Khaiseb  2 , Giovanni Cattoli  3 , Charles E Lamien  3 , William G Dundon  3
Affiliations

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus outbreak among Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis) in Namibia, 2022

Umberto Molini et al. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

In January 2022, significant mortality was observed among Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis) on the west coast of Namibia. Samples collected were shown to be positive for H5N1 avian influenza by multiplex RT-qPCR. Full genome analysis and phylogenetic analysis identified the viruses as belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b and that it clustered with similar viruses identified in Lesotho and Botswana in 2021. This is the first genomic characterization of H5N1 viruses in Namibia and has important implications for poultry disease management and wildlife conservation in the region.

Keywords: Avian influenza; Cape cormorant; Clade 1.3.4.4b; H5N1; Namibia.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
ML phylogenetic tree employing the Tamura-Nei model of nucleotide substitution with gamma distributed [with invariant sites (G + I)] rates among sites and 1000 bootstrap replications of the complete HA gene sequence (1704bp) from A/Cormorant/Namibia/141/2022 (red dot) combined with related sequences available in GenBank and GISAID. The sequences from this study are shown by filled red circles. Different subclades of clade 2.3.4.4 are also indicated.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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