Host Diversity and Behavior Determine Patterns of interspecies Transmission and Geographic Diffusion of avian influenza a Subtypes among North american Wild Reservoir Species

Authors

Joseph T Hicks
Kimberly Edwards
Xueting Qiu
Do-Kyun Kim
James E Hixson
Scott Krauss
Richard J Webby
Robert G Webster
Justin Bahl

Publication Date

4-1-2022

Journal

PLos Pathogens

Abstract

Wild birds can carry avian influenza viruses (AIV), including those with pandemic or panzootic potential, long distances. Even though AIV has a broad host range, few studies account for host diversity when estimating AIV spread. We analyzed AIV genomic sequences from North American wild birds, including 303 newly sequenced isolates, to estimate interspecies and geographic viral transition patterns among multiple co-circulating subtypes. Our results show high transition rates within Anseriformes and Charadriiformes, but limited transitions between these orders. Patterns of transition between species were positively associated with breeding habitat range overlap, and negatively associated with host genetic distance. Distance between regions (negative correlation) and summer temperature at origin (positive correlation) were strong predictors of transition between locations. Taken together, this study demonstrates that host diversity and ecology can determine evolutionary processes that underlie AIV natural history and spread. Understanding these processes can provide important insights for effective control of AIV.

Keywords

Animals, Animals, Wild, Birds, Influenza A virus, Influenza in Birds, North America