Continuing evolution and transmission of avian influenza A(H3N8) viruses is a potential threat to public health

We read with interest that a recent article published in the Journal of Infection, described that the H3N8 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) that caused human infection had originated from chickens.1 Avian influenza H3N8 viruses were widely circulating in multiple avian hosts, including wild birds, chickens, and ducks.2 Of particular note is that sporadic cross-species transmission events of the H3N8 viruses had been reported for multiple mammalian species including dogs, pigs, horses, seals, donkeys, and humans.