H7N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Mozambique, 2023

On 13 October 2023, the National Directorate for Livestock Development in Mozambique was notified of a suspected outbreak of avian influenza in commercial layers. Samples were screened by real-time and conventional RT–PCR and were positive for both H7 and N6. Full genome sequences were obtained for three representative samples. Sequence analysis of the H7 cleavage site confirmed that the viruses were highly pathogenic (i.e. 333- PEPPKGPRFRR/GLF-346). In addition, the H7 and N6 sequences were highly similar (from 99.4-99.5% and 99.6-99.7% for the HA gene and the NA gene, respectively) to the sequences of a H7N6 virus identified in the Republic of South Africa in May 2023 indicating a similar origin of the viruses. The identification of H7N6 HPAIV in Mozambique has important implications for disease management and food security in the region.

2023年10月13日，莫桑比克国家畜牧发展总局接到通报，当地商业养殖蛋鸡群出现疑似禽流感疫情。研究人员采用实时逆转录聚合酶链反应（real-time RT–PCR）与常规逆转录聚合酶链反应（conventional RT–PCR）对采集的样本进行筛查，结果显示H7与N6亚型均呈阳性。研究团队为3份代表性样本完成了全基因组测序。对H7裂解位点的序列分析证实，该病毒为高致病性毒株（即333-PEPPKGPRFRR/GLF-346）。此外，H7亚型血凝素（Hemagglutinin, HA）基因与N6亚型神经氨酸酶（Neuraminidase, NA）基因的序列，分别与2023年5月南非共和国检出的H7N6病毒对应基因序列高度相似（HA基因为99.4%~99.5%，NA基因为99.6%~99.7%），提示二者病毒起源相近。此次在莫桑比克检出的H7N6高致病性禽流感病毒（Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus, HPAIV），对该地区的疫病防控与粮食安全具有重要意义。