AUTHOR=Rafique Saba , Rashid Farooq , Mushtaq Sajda , Ali Akbar , Li Meng , Luo Sisi , Xie Liji , Xie Zhixun 

TITLE=Global review of the H5N8 avian influenza virus subtype

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1200681

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1200681

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=Abstract
Orthomyxoviruses are negative-sense, RNA viruses with segmented genomes that are highly unstable due to reassortment. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N8 emerged in wild birds in China. Since its emergence, it has posed a significant threat to poultry and human health. Poultry meat is considered an inexpensive source of protein, but due to outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 from migratory birds in commercial flocks, the poultry meat industry has been facing severe financial crises. This review focuses on sporadic outbreaks in different parts of the world that have disrupted poultry production and food security throughout Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, America and Europe. HPAI H5N8 viral sequences have been retrieved from GISAID and analyzed. Virulent HPAI H5N8 belongs to clade 2.3.4.4b, Gs/GD lineage, and has been a threat to the poultry industry and the public in several countries since its first introduction. Continent-wide outbreaks have revealed that this virus is spreading globally. Thus, continuous sero- and viro-surveillance, strict biosecurity, and intensifying surveillance in wild birds are needed to manage the risk of HPAI virus occurrence. Furthermore, homologous vaccination practices in commercial poultry need to be introduced to overcome the introduction of emergent strains. This review clearly indicates that HPAI H5N8 is a continuous threat to poultry and people and that further regional epidemiological studies are needed.