In May 2016, a highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus strain caused deaths among 3 species of wild migratory birds in Qinghai Lake, China. Genetic analysis showed that the novel reassortant virus belongs to group B H5N8 viruses and that the reassortment events likely occurred in early 2016.
Keywords: China; H5N8; HPAI; Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus; Qinghai Lake; bird diseases; influenza; influenza in birds; phylogenetic analysis; reassortment; viruses; wild aquatic birds; wild migratory birds.