In November 2016, an influenza A(H5N8) outbreak caused deaths of wild birds and domestic poultry in Germany. Clade 2.3.4.4 virus was closely related to viruses detected at the Russia-Mongolia border in 2016 but had new polymerase acidic and nucleoprotein segments. These new strains may be more efficiently transmitted to and shed by birds.
Keywords: Germany; H5N8; HPAIV; avian influenza virus; clade 2.3.4.4; highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses; influenza; poultry; reassortant; viruses; wild birds; zoonoses.