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The Genetic Diversity of Influenza A Viruses in Wild Birds in Peru
Martha I Nelson1, Simon Pollett2,3,4, Bruno Ghersi2
1Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America.
Abstract:
Our understanding of the global ecology of avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) is impeded by historically low levels of viral surveillance in Latin America. Through sampling and whole-genome sequencing of 31 AIVs from wild birds in Peru, we identified 10 HA subtypes (H1-H4, H6-H7, H10-H13) and 8 NA subtypes (N1-N3, N5-N9). The majority of Peruvian AIVs were closely related to AIVs found in North America. However, unusual reassortants, including a H13 virus containing a PA segment related to extremely divergent Argentinian viruses, suggest that substantial AIV diversity circulates undetected throughout South America.
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