Infection of wild rats with H5N6 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in China

We read with interest the report that showed the recent emergence of a novel reassortant of H5N6 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV). 1 Sun R. Jiang W. Liu S. Peng C. Yin X. Liu H. et al. Emergence of novel reassortant H5N6 influenza viruses in poultry and humans in Sichuan Province, China. J Infect. 2022; 84: e50-e52 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar H5N6 HPAIVs were first detected in Laos in 2013, and they have since widely circulated in poultry and wild birds in several Asian countries, including China. H5N6 HPAIVs have caused 82 confirmed human cases during the years 2014–2022. 1 Sun R. Jiang W. Liu S. Peng C. Yin X. Liu H. et al. Emergence of novel reassortant H5N6 influenza viruses in poultry and humans in Sichuan Province, China. J Infect. 2022; 84: e50-e52 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar , 2 World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western P. Avian influenza weekly update 2022; 2022 [cited 2023 January 27]. Available at: 〈https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/351652?locale-attribute=en&〉. Google Scholar Among these human cases, 33 (40.2%) were fatal, and 31 occurred in 2021 and 24 occurred in 2022, 2 World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western P. Avian influenza weekly update 2022; 2022 [cited 2023 January 27]. Available at: 〈https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/351652?locale-attribute=en&〉. Google Scholar indicating that the viruses have posed a long-term threat to poultry and humans.