The Stability Of H5N1 And H9N2 And The Influence On Their Prevalence

Background and Objective:Since 1996 a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus was first identified in Guangdong Province. This virus and its variants have spread throughout a large geographic area in the Eurasian continent, and had caused the largest and most severe outbreaks in poultry in history. To contain the spread of those deadly viruses, controlling marketing system, imposition of movement restrictions, quarantine measures, culling, and vaccination have been implemented by different countries. At present, the term of 21 days is universally accepted as a standard quarantine time for assurance of infected zone after confinement. However, does this time work enough? Environmental stability, one of the most fundamental biological characteristics of influenza virus, should be concerned on this issue. However, the current knowledge about this characteristic of avian influenza has not been fully determined. Hence, we have limited information about the stability change in current prevalent H5N1, especially for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains. To reevaluate the current measures in disinfection and quarantining affected area, it is essential to have fully understanding of the biological characteristic of this deadly virus.According to the surveillance data from our lab, the prevalence of H5N1 in southern China showed apparent seasonality pattern. H5N1 typically persists in lower temperature and prevails during the winter and spring. On the other hand, the H5N1 have been an endemic...