During the December 2016, a HPAIV H5N8 outbreak in wild whooper swans was reported in Shanxi province. A recent publication by Chinese researchers revealed the high homology between the isolated viral strain and the prevalent H5N8 viruses after genome sequencing and analysis.The publication suggested the complexity of the global H5 subtype avian influenza epidemic was created by the continuous evolution of the virus, increasing the difficulty of its prevention and control, and the vaccine needs to be updated accordingly.

Related News link: http://www.flu.org.cn/en/news_detail.asp?newsId=18837

Full text in Chinese with English abstract: http://www.flu.org.cn/upfile/attachment/201771102446996.pdf