In October 2020, highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses were detected in 2 dead swans in Inner Mongolia, China. Genetic analysis showed that the H5N8 isolates belong to clade 2.3.4.4b and that the isolates cluster with the H5N8 viruses isolated in Eurasia in the fall of 2020.
Keywords: China; H5N8 subtype; Inner Mongolia; Phylogenyviruses; avian influenza; influenza A virus; respiratory infections; swans; vaccine-preventable diseases; viruses; zoonoses.