Krista Howden, etc.,al. Applying Field and Genomic Epidemiology Methods to Investigate Transmission Networks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in Domestic Poultry in British Columbia, Canada (2022–2023). Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2025
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus A (H5N1) was first detected in North America in 2021. Ongoing spillover events from wild to domestic birds and subsequent transmission between domestic birds resulted in Canada’s largest recorded epidemic of HPAI. Between December 2021 and April 2024, 422?A (H5N1) outbreaks in domestic birds were confirmed in Canada. Of these, 158 (37%) occurred in British Columbia (BC). This study integrates field and genomic epidemiology (GE) results to investigate the potential for lateral or local spread between infected poultry farms in BC. Five genetically distinct viral clusters were identified during this period. Among the 31 noncommercial premises, 27 (87.1%) were classified as independent introductions, while four premises (12.9%) were attributed to local spread within 10?km of a phylogenetically connected infected premises (IP). No lateral spread events were identified among noncommercial premises. All infected noncommercial premises housed birds with outdoor access, emphasizing their susceptibility to wild bird exposure. Of the 127 infected commercial poultry premises, 21 (16.5%) were classified as independent introductions, 82 (64.6%) as local spread, 18 (14.2%) with potential for lateral spread, five (3.9%) with potential for both local and/or lateral spread, and one (0.8%) for which sequencing was unavailable. Local spread emerged as a prominent feature, with most IP in proximity to one another having genetically similar viruses. Results suggest that proximity (<200?m) to an IP was a more reliable predictor of future infection status than contact with an IP. These findings underscore the critical value of combining field and GE to understand outbreak dynamics comprehensively. This integrative approach improves resource allocation, informs targeted containment strategies, and supports the need for effective biosecurity measures to mitigate future risks, particularly in densely populated poultry production regions. Robust interventions are needed to address both independent introductions and secondary spread pathways.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- [preprint]The mammalian-adaptive PB2-E627K substitution preserves viral fitness of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in birds 9 hours ago
- Mallard super-shedders of avian influenza exhibit distinct cloacal microbial abundance profiles 13 hours ago
- A digitally immune-optimized influenza vaccine broadly neutralizes swine and human H1N1 influenza viruses and protects from heterologous challenge 13 hours ago
- Associations between vaccine misinformation and influenza vaccine uptake: a population-based interrupted time-series study in China 14 hours ago
- Infection and transmission dynamics of bovine and human influenza A H5N1 viruses in mouse and hamster models 15 hours ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


