Highly pathogenic avian influenza (A/H5N1) virus outbreaks in Lesotho, May 2021

ABSTRACT

In May 2021, Lesotho reported its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to the OIE. Samples were collected from infected poultry and the virus was confirmed by molecular tests to be of the H5N1 subtype. Full genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the viruses belonged to clade 2.3.4.4b and showed high identity with A/H5N1 viruses identified in Nigeria and Senegal in early 2021. The identification of A/H5N1 HPAI in Lesotho has important implications for disease management and food security in the region.

KEYWORDS:

• Highly pathogenic avian influenza
• A/H5N1
• Lesotho
• full genome
• phylogenetic analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the use of sequences for phylogenetic analyses that were submitted to the GISAID platform from several institutions.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by funds from the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) VETLAB Network.