Avian Flu Diary: South Korea Detects LPAI H7N9 In Environmental Samples


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#13,811

With the critical caveat that not all H7N9 viruses are created equal - and we'll need more information to know if this is related to the dreaded H7N9 virus from neighboring China - we've a report overnight (h/t Pathfinder on FluTrackers link), indicating that bird feces collected last week in Chungnam province has tested positive for LPAI H7N9.

Given South Korea's close proximity to Mainland China, an incursion of the Asian H7N9 virus is always a concern, but reports suggest this virus has `low similarity' to China's H7N9 virus. Full sequencing, however, could take another week.

First the statement from South Korea's Ministry of Environment, then I'll return with a bit more.

(translation)

Confirmation of hypersensitivity H7N9 type AI virus in feces of Cheonan-style Seocheon wild bird

Ministry of Environment 2019.01.24

The National Institute of Environmental Research (Ministry of the Environment) analyzed the samples of wild bird feces collected on January 17 at the Seochon area in Cheonan, Chungnam province. As a result, it confirmed the low-pathogenic H7N9 wild bird influenza virus

※ On January 22, after confirmation of H7 type AI virus detection, confirmation of final pathogenicity and genotype on Jan. 24 after confirmation of H7 type AI virus.

H7N9 type AI virus * has been infected to human body in China, etc., and National Institute of Environmental Research We informed the afternoon of January 24 that we could respond promptly.

* The National Institute of Environmental Research analyzed that the first gene sequence analysis showed a low similarity with the H7N9 virus in China (the whole genetic test takes more than a week)

The Ministry of Environment and the National Institute of Environmental Research are planning to further strengthen the AI response by expanding the habitat observation near detection sites of wild birds, feces and feces, and by controlling the access around migratory bird habitats through consultation with related agencies.

Attached file
Cheonan-style Seocheon wild bird feces confirmation of H7N9 type AI virus (1.24) .hwp
https://www.gov.kr/portal/ntnadmNews/1756164

LPAI viruses are quite common in wild birds, cause little illness, and only rarely death. Until LPAI H7N9 emerged in China in 2013, they were not generally considered to be a serious threat to public health.

The biggest concern is (with H5 & H7 strains) that LPAI viruses - particularly when introduced into poultry flocks - have the potential to mutate into HPAI strains.

As I mentioned last month in South Korea MAFRA: H5 & H7 Environmental AI Detections Rising Rapidly - while South Korea is seeing a welcome respite from commercial outbreaks of H5Nx - this winter Korea has reported a sharp rise in LPAI reassortant H5 and H7 viruses in overwintering birds.

Between 2016 and 2017 North America saw three novel avian H7 reassortants jump from wild birds to poultry. While all were North American reassortants, and not related to the Asian H7N9 virus, all now reside on the CDC's Influenza Risk Assessment Tool (IRAT) list of pathogens with pandemic potential.

H7N8 [A/turkey/Indiana/1573-2/2016]
H7N9 [A/chicken/Tennessee/17-007431-3/2017]
H7N9 [A/ chicken/Tennessee /17-007147-2/2017]

As reported in EID Journal: Mammalian Pathogenesis & Transmission of Avian H7N9 Viruses - Tennessee 2017, these viruses currently represent a low health human health threat. But their ability to evolve and potential to acquire additional mammalian adaptations make them worthy of both our attention and respect.