Infectious Diseases 2023

A new study discusses the infectivity, transmissibility, and pathobiology of clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in chickens. The researchers inoculated the viruses into chickens and evaluated their impact on mortality rates and viral shedding. The study found that the clade 2.3.4.4e viruses showed high infectivity and transmissibility in chickens, leading to significant mortality. Additionally, the study compared the impact of clade 2.3.4.4a, clade 2.3.4.4b, clade 2.3.4.4c and clade 2.3.4.4e viruses on chickens, highlighting their differences in terms of mortality rates and transmissibility. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the clade 2.3.4.4 Eurasian lineage H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and its significance in global outbreaks since 2014.