Dispersal of H9N2 influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America by wild birds

- 2924 wild bird samples from western Alaska were screened for influenza A viruses.
- Among 90 viral isolates recovered were two viruses of the H9N2 subtype.
- H9N2 subtype isolates were nearly identical with viruses from China and South Korea.
- Results provide evidence for intercontinental viral dispersal by migratory birds.

Samples were collected from wild birds in western Alaska to assess dispersal of influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America. Two isolates shared nearly identical nucleotide identity at eight genomic segments with H9N2 viruses isolated from China and South Korea providing evidence for intercontinental dispersal by migratory birds.