DIVERSITY OF INFLUENZA-A VIRUS SUBTYPES ISOLATED FROM DOMESTIC POULTRY IN HONG-KONG

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (3) , 465-469
Abstract
The 2nd phase of a 2 yr influenza virus surveillance program of domestic avian species in Hong Kong (up to Oct. 1977) yielded influenza A virus, Newcastle disease virus and Hong Kong paramyxovirus and unidentified hemagglutinating agents. These viruses were isolated from the trachea or cloaca of apparently healthy domestic ducks, geese and chickens originating from China and Hong Kong. Of 25 combinations of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of surface antigens identified from the 136 influenza A viruses isolated, 8 apparently were not previously reported (Hav3Nav2, Hav4Nav2, Hav4Nav4, Hav4Nav5, Hav4Neq1, Hav6Nav4, Hav6Nav6 and Hav9Nav1). The existence of such a diverse pool of influenza virus genetic information may play a role in the emergence of new human pandemic strains.