Research results of the FGBI “ARRIAH” reference laboratory for viral diseases of birds on influenza and Newcastle disease for the 1st quarter of 2023

When conducting a comparative genetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the avian influenza H virus gene fragment, it was found that the identified isolates belong to the Asian genetic line of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5 (clade 2.3.4.4b), which received epizootic distribution in 2016-2022. in Asia, Europe and Africa, North and South America.

The geography of the detection of the virus in the first quarter of 2023 is alarming. On the one hand, these are the regions of the northwestern and southwestern parts of the country, and in the Far East - the Kamchatka Territory (Bering Island). Taking into account the development of the events of the previous months, there is a possibility of introduction of the highly virulent H5N1 subtype virus to other regions of the Russian Federation with migratory wild waterfowl.

 In addition, more than 400 samples of biological material from domestic and wild birds were studied for the presence of the Newcastle disease virus genome by real-time RT-PCR from 16 regions of the Russian Federation. Virulent Newcastle disease virus of genotype VII.1.1 (VII-L) was detected in 3 samples of poultry from small farms of the Republic of Mari El, vaccine strains were identified in several samples of agricultural birds: Bor-74, La Sota.      

 It should be noted that the situation with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Russia remains unfavorable. In this regard, the management and personnel of the commercial farms of the country are strongly recommended to comply with the rules of biological safety when keeping and breeding birds, and in case of detection of sick or dead individuals, timely send samples of biomaterial for research to specialized laboratories in order to exclude infectious agents that cause especially dangerous diseases of birds, such as influenza and Newcastle disease.