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Commentary
Fujian H5N8 & Novel H5N2 Migrate To Taiwan
Recombinomics Commentary
January 11, 2015 13:30
The above translation describes the confirmation of H5N8 and a novel H5N2 in domestic waterfowl in multiple provinces in Taiwan. The H5N8 is Fujian clade 2.3.4.6 (see H5N8 map) while the H5N2 (see China H5N2 map) has a Fujian H5 and and an N2 related to N2 in Jilin in 2011 (likely from H9N2).
Thus, the situation is similar to reports from the United States where H5N8 and a novel H5N2 with a Fujian H5 and a North American N2. Bother were identified near Wiser Lake in Washington State, less than 7 miles from the H5N2 outbreak in British Columbia. The US has also detected H5N8 in Winston Oregon and Butte County California, as well as H5N2 in two farms in Benton County Washington.
These novel H5N2 isolates are reassortants from H5N8 and a local N2 (Asian in Taiwan and North American in Canada and the United States). The H5N2 in Taiwan may be related to the H5N2 in China, which has been cited in many locations in 2014 OIE reports, but China has not released any sequences from these outbreaks. Thus, the novel H5N2 may have formed in early 2014 or before, but the constellation was not public due to China withholding sequences.
Similarly, the US and Canada have withheld H5N2 sequences, so it is unclear if all isolates have the same five Fujian H5N8 and 3 North America gene segments.
Release of the H5N8 sequences from the US and China, as well as H5N2 sequences from the US, Canada, China, and Taiwan would be useful.
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