Molecular characterization of novel reassortant H6N2 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated from poultry in Eastern China, in 2014

• The H6N2 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs) were first isolated from chickens in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China.
• These H6N2 AIVs were novel reassortant viruses and able to replicate in mice without prior adaptation.
• Continued surveillance is needed considering the important role of chickens in the reassortment of H6N2 subtype AIV.

During the surveillance for avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in live poultry markets in Eastern China, in 2014, seven H6N2 AIVs were isolated from poultry. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these strains received their genes from H6, H3, and H9 AIVs of poultry in China. These strains were found to demonstrate moderate pathogenicity in mice, and were able to replicate in mice without prior adaptation. Considering that novel reassorted H6N2 viruses were isolated from poultry in this study, it is possible that these chickens and ducks play an important role in the generation of novel reassorted H6N2 AIVs.