Surveillance for Reassortant Virus by Multiplex Reverse Transcription-PCR Specific for Eight Genomic Segments of Avian Influenza A H5N1 Viruses

Abstract
Avian influenza H5N1 virus is a global threat. An emergence of a reassortant virus with a pandemic potential is a major concern. Here we describe a multiplex reverse transcription-PCR assay that is specific for the eight genomic segments of the currently circulating H5N1 viruses to facilitate surveillance for a virus resulting from reassortment between human influenza virus and the H5N1 virus.