We report full-genome characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus from an outbreak among sea lions (August 2023) in Argentina and possible spillover to fur seals and terns. Mammalian adaptation mutations in virus isolated from marine mammals and a human in Chile were detected in mammalian and avian hosts.
Argentinahighly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1HPAI H5N1influenzamammalian adaptationmammalspinnipedsseabirdsSouth AmericatransmissionvirusesInfluenza A virusInfluenza A Virus, H5N1 SubtypeInfluenza in BirdsAnimalsArgentinaBirdsDisease Outbreaks
Structured evidence records
Evidence records
5 total
Cross Species Transmission1 records
Cross Species TransmissionExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus transmitted among non-human animal species, with an outbreak in sea lions and possible spread to fur seals and terns in Argentina.
We report full-genome characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus from an outbreak among sea lions (August 2023) in Argentina and possible spillover to fur seals and terns.
Method
full-genome characterization
Study design
outbreak investigation
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Geographic raw
Argentina
Country inferred
Argentina
Genomic Evolution1 records
Genomic EvolutionExtraction confidence 0.85
Key finding
Full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed mammalian adaptation mutations in H5N1 viruses from marine mammals and a human, indicating genomic features linked to cross-species transmission.
We report full-genome characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus from an outbreak among sea lions (August 2023) in Argentina and possible spillover to fur seals and terns. Mammalian adaptation mutations in virus isolated from marine mammals and a human in Chile were detected.
H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses showed mammalian adaptation mutations in isolates from marine mammals and a human, suggesting molecular changes enabling replication or transmission in mammalian hosts.
Mammalian adaptation mutations in virus isolated from marine mammals and a human in Chile were detected in mammalian and avian hosts.
Mechanism types
mammalian_adaptation
Outbreak Investigation1 records
Outbreak InvestigationExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b occurred among sea lions in Argentina in August 2023, with possible spillover to fur seals and terns.
We report full-genome characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus from an outbreak among sea lions (August 2023) in Argentina and possible spillover to fur seals and terns.
Method
full-genome characterization
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Geographic raw
Argentina
Country inferred
Argentina
Outbreak time
August 2023
Spillover Event1 records
Spillover EventExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
Avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses isolated from marine mammals and a human in Chile demonstrate direct spillover of H5N1 from animal sources to a human.
