Abstract Title
Highly Pathogenic H5N1 2.3.4.4b undetectable from 2021-2024 by continued longitudinal surveillance in the shorebird population on the beaches of Delaware Bay, New Jersey, USA
Abstract
Every year during the month of May, migrating shorebirds arrive on the shores of Delaware (DE) Bay, New Jersey during the horseshoe crab spawn. Shorebirds (Charadriiformes spp). stop over on these beaches to rest and feast on the horseshoe crab eggs before continuing their migration north. This gathering of bird species has been shown for over four decades to be a reliable system for the detection of avian influenza viruses (AIV). The surveillance team at St. Jude routinely collects samples from the droppings of shorebirds, along with local birds such as gulls. With waterfowl serving as the primary reservoir for AIV and the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4.b in North American wild birds in 2021, we anticipated the appearance of this virus in the shorebird population. From 2021-2024, a total of 4,106 samples were collected with 253 (6.2%) successfully being isolated for influenza A from the beaches of the DE Bay. The most found subtype was H10 (17.4%). Among 42 different subtypes, we also detected low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H5N1, H5N2, and H5N9. To date, we have not detected HPAI 2.3.4.4.b in the migrating shorebirds, which suggests that infected birds do not migrate. While detection of clade 2.3.4.4b in shorebirds remains to be seen, the risk of exposure remains, as these birds do have contact with other migratory species. With many subtypes circulating, including LPAI H5, reassortment events between these viruses is possible and highlights the importance of surveillance in the migrating shorebird population.
Co-Author(s)
Karlie Woodard*, Lance Miller, Patrick Seiler, Lisa Kercher, Pamela McKenzie, and Richard J Webby
Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
Abstract Category
Avian influenza in mammals, pandemic preparedness, and one health