1. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection in Cats, South Korea, 2023.
- Author
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Kang YM, Heo GB, An SH, Lee H, Park E, Cha RM, Jang YY, Sagong M, Kim AY, Kim J, Lee EK, Kim SH, Lee K, Ku B, Lee YJ, Lee K, and Lee KN
- Subjects
- Animals, Cats, Republic of Korea epidemiology, Phylogeny, Ducks virology, Influenza in Birds virology, Influenza in Birds epidemiology, Mutation, Cat Diseases virology, Cat Diseases epidemiology, Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype genetics, Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype pathogenicity, Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype isolation & purification, Orthomyxoviridae Infections virology, Orthomyxoviridae Infections veterinary, Orthomyxoviridae Infections epidemiology
- Abstract
In July 2023, cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were reported at 2 shelters for stray cats in Seoul, South Korea. The cause of infection was suspected to be improperly sterilized raw food made from domestic duck meat, which was manufactured in South Korea. All viruses isolated from cats at the shelters and from the raw food belonged to HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b. The gene constellation of all viruses was most similar to that of viruses isolated in Korea in November 2022. Of note, the viruses isolated from infected cats harbored mutations E627K or D701N in polymerase basic 2, which are indicative of adaptation to mammals. Postmortem examination revealed systemic pathologic lesions and the presence of widespread virus in different tissues. Thus, consumption of raw duck meat contaminated with HPAI virus likely caused systemic symptoms and death in cats, indicating the introduction of mammal-adapted mutations of the virus.
- Published
- 2024
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