Genomic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the first H12N2 influenza A virus identified from wild birds, China.

Abstract

In this report, an H12N2 influenza A virus was identified from a fecal sample in the falcated teal, Anas falcata, located in the Dongting Lake wetland. This is the first report of H12N2 IAV detected from wild birds in China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all eight segments of this H12N2 virus clustered in the Eurasian lineage. This strain was also shown to be closely related to those from duck-origin, goose origin and wild bird origin. This suggested a transmission of influenza A virus along the East Asian-Australian flyway. In addition, these results implied an interaction between wild birds and domestic poultry and established the need of a long-term and systematic surveillance of wild bird populations. Keywords: influenza A virus; H12N2 subtype; Dongting Lake wetland; wild birds; phylogenetic analysis.