African Horse Sickness Virus Serotype 1 on Horse Farm, Thailand, 2020.

To investigate an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) on a horse farm in northeastern Thailand, we used whole-genome sequencing to detect and characterize the virus. The viruses belonged to serotype 1 and contained unique amino acids (95V,166S, 660I in virus capsid protein 2), suggesting a single virus introduction to Thailand.

Human Norovirus Infection in Dogs, Thailand.

In July 2018, recombinant norovirus GII.Pe-GII.4 Sydney was detected in dogs who had diarrhea in a kennel and in children living on the same premises in Thailand. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 4 noroviruses from Thailand showed that the canine norovirus was closely related to human norovirus GII.Pe-GII.4 Sydney, suggesting human-to-canine transmission.

First detection and genetic characterization of canine bufavirus in domestic dogs, Thailand.

Canine bufavirus (CBuV) was reported in domestic dogs worldwide. We conducted a survey of canine bufavirus in domestic dogs in Thailand from September 2016 to October 2022. Rectal swab samples (n = 531) were collected from asymptomatic dogs and dogs with gastroenteritis signs. The samples were tested for CBuV using PCR with specific primers to the VP1/VP2 gene, and 9.42% (50/531) was CBuV positive. Our findings showed that CBuVs could be detected in both symptomatic and healthy dogs. The Thai CBuVs were found in dogs from different age groups, with a significant presence in those under 1 year (12.60%) and dogs aged 1-5 years (7.34%) (p < 0.05), suggesting a high prevalence of Thai CBuVs in dogs under 5 years of age. We performed complete genome sequencing (n = 15) and partial VP1/VP2 sequencing (n = 5) of Thai CBuVs. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses showed that whole genomes of Thai CBuVs were closely related to Chinese and Italian CBuVs, suggesting the possible origin of Thai CBuVs. The analysis of VP1 and VP2 genes in Thai CBuVs showed that 18 of them were placed in subgroup A, while only 2 belonged to subgroup B. This study is the first to report the detection and genetic characterization of CBuVs in domestic dogs in Thailand. Additionally, surveillance and genetic characterization of CBuVs in domestic animals should be further investigated on a larger scale to elucidate the dynamic, evolution, and distribution of CBuVs.

Emergence of canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV-2c) of Asian origin in domestic dogs in Myanmar.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) causes severe gastroenteric disease in domestic dogs and wild canids. This study aimed to conduct molecular detection and characterization of CPV-2 in domestic dogs in Myanmar from December 2017 to October 2019. Rectal swabs (n = 143) were collected from domestic dogs from shelters and small animal hospitals in Yangon, Myanmar. CPV-2 detection was performed by a PCR assay targeting the VP2 gene. Our result showed that 25.17% (36/143) of swab samples tested positive for CPV-2. CPV-2 strains (n = 15) were selected for complete VP2 gene sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CPV-2 strains from Myanmar clustered together with Asian CPV-2c from China, Indonesia, Taiwan and Thailand but in separate clusters from CPV-2c from Europe and North America. Characteristic amino acid at residues 267Y and 324I were observed in CPV-2c strains from Myanmar, suggesting the Asian origin. In conclusion, our findings expanded the evidence of the predominance of CPV-2c in Southeast Asia. Thus, the surveillance of CPV-2 in domestic dogs in the countries and regions should be routinely conducted to provide epidemiological information for supporting prevention and control practices.

Molecular detection and whole genome characterization of Canine Parainfluenza type 5 in Thailand.

Parainfluenza virus type 5 (PIV-5) causes respiratory infection in several animal species and humans. Canine parainfluenza virus type 5 (CPIV-5) causes respiratory disease in domestic dogs worldwide. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of CPIV-5 in dogs with respiratory symptoms from small animal hospitals in Thailand from November 2015 to December 2018. Our results showed that 32 out of 571 nasal swab samples (5.6%) were positive for CPIV-5 by RT-PCR specific to the NP gene. To characterize the viruses, three representative CPIV-5 were subjected to whole genome sequencing, and an additional ten CPIV-5 were subjected to HN, F, SH and V/P gene sequencing. Pairwise sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed that Thai CPIV-5 was closely related to the CPIV-5 isolated from China and Korea. In conclusion, this study constitutes a whole genome characterization of CPIV-5 from dogs in Thailand. The surveillance of CPIV-5 should be further investigated at a larger scale to determine the dynamics, distribution and potential zoonotic transmission of CPIV-5.

Persistence of pdm2009-H1N1 internal genes of swine influenza in pigs, Thailand.

Swine influenza is one of the important zoonotic diseases of pigs. We conducted a longitudinal survey of swine influenza A viruses (S-IAV) circulating in a pig farm with history of endemic S-IAV infection from 2017 to 2018. The samples were collected from 436 pigs including nasal swab samples (n = 436) and blood samples (n = 436). Our result showed that 18.81% (82/436) were positive for influenza A virus and subsequently 57 S-IAV could be isolated. Then 24 out of 57 S-IAVs were selected for whole genome sequencing and could be subtyped as S-IAV-H1N1 (n = 18) and S-IAV-H3N2 (n = 6). Of 24 S-IAVs, we observed 3 genotypes of S-IAVs including rH1N1 (pdm + 1), rH1N1 (pdm + 2), and rH3N2 (pdm + 2). Since all genotypes of S-IAVs in this study contained internal genes from pdmH1N1-2009, it could be speculated that pdmH1N1-2009 was introduced in a pig farm and then multiple reassorted with endemic S-IAVs to generate diversify S-IAV genotypes. Our study supported and added the evidences that pdmH1N1-2009 and it reassortant have predominately persisted in pig population in Thailand. Thus, monitoring of S-IAVs in pigs, farm workers and veterinarians in pig farms is important and should be routinely conducted.

Co-circulation and characterization of HPAI-H5N1 and LPAI-H9N2 recovered from a duck farm, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

In July 2016, an avian influenza outbreak in duck farms in Yogyakarta province was reported to Disease Investigation Center (DIC), Wates, Indonesia, with approximately 1,000 ducks died or culled. In this study, two avian influenza (AI) virus subtypes, A/duck/Bantul/04161291-OR/2016 (H5N1) and A/duck/Bantul/04161291-OP/2016 (H9N2) isolated from ducks in the same farm during an AI outbreak in Bantul district, Yogyakarta province, were sequenced and characterized. Our results showed that H5N1 virus was closely related to the highly pathogenic AI (HPAI) H5N1 of clade 2.3.2.1c, while the H9N2 virus was clustered with LPAI viruses from China, Vietnam and Indonesia H9N2 (CVI lineage). Genetic analysis revealed virulence characteristics for both in avian and in mammalian species. In summary, co-circulation of HPAI-H5N1 of clade 2.3.2.1c and LPAI-H9N2 was identified in a duck farm during an AI outbreak in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia. Our findings raise a concern of the potential risk of the viruses, which could increase viral transmission and/or threat to human health. Routine surveillance of avian influenza viruses should be continuously conducted to understand the dynamic and diversity of the viruses for influenza prevention and control in Indonesia and SEA region.

Swine influenza viruses and pandemic H1N1-2009 infection in pigs, Myanmar.

Swine influenza virus (SIV) causes respiratory diseases in pigs and has impacts on both animal and human health. In this study, we conducted swine influenza surveillance in pig farms in the Yangon and Bago regions, Myanmar, during 2017-2019. Nasal swabs (n = 500) were collected from pigs in 10 swine farms. Our results showed that 11 out of 100 pooled samples (11%) were positive for influenza A virus (IAV) by real-time RT-PCR. Five SIVs could be isolated and could be subtyped as SIV-H1N1 (n = 4) or SIV-H3N2 (n = 1). The viruses were further characterized by whole-genome sequencing and classified as pdmH1N1-2009 (n = 3), reassortant H1N1 (n = 1) or reassortant H3N2 (n = 1). Phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar SIVs showed that all genes of the three SIV-H1N1 (pdmH1N1-2009) were clustered with viruses of the pdm/09 lineage. For one SIV-H1N1 (rH1N1), the HA1 gene was clustered with those of endemic SIVs of the classical swine lineage, and seven genes were clustered with those of viruses of the pdm/09 lineage. For SIV-H3N2 (rH3N2), the HA3 and NA2 genes were clustered with those of endemic SIVs of the human-like swine lineage, while six internal genes were clustered with those of viruses of the pdm/09 lineage. Genetic analysis indicated that all the Myanmar SIVs possessed amino acids that favour binding to the human receptor. All the Myanmar SIVs contained amino acids related to amantadine resistance but not oseltamivir resistance. Notably, the pdmH1N1-2009 virus might have been circulating in the Myanmar pig population for a period of time after pdmH1N1-2009 outbreaks in humans. Then, reassortment between endemic SIV-H1N1 or SIV-H3N2 and pdmH1N1-2009 in pig farms in Myanmar could have occurred. Our findings ascertained the genetic diversity of SIVs, especially pdmH1N1-2009, in the pig population in Myanmar, with zoonotic and reverse zoonotic potentials.

Surveillance of influenza A virus subtype H5N1 in a live bird market in Yangon, Myanmar: 2017-2018.

A survey of influenza A viruses (IAVs) in the Mingalar Taung Nyunt live bird market (MTN-LBM), Yangon, Myanmar, was conducted from December 2017 to December 2018. During the survey, 455 swab samples were collected from broilers, layers, backyard chickens and ducks from the MTN-LBM. Ninety-one pooled samples were screened for IAVs by real-time RT-PCR specific to the M gene. Positive pooled samples were individually retested for IAVs. In total, 2.63% of individual samples (12/455) were positive for IAVs. Out of 12 samples, seven samples from layer chickens and the environment were identified as IAV subtype H5N1. In this study, four IAVs were successfully isolated and further characterized by whole genome sequencing. Whole genome sequence analysis revealed that the viruses were characterized as highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 (HPAIV-H5N1) of clade 2.3.2.1c. Phylogenetic and genetic analyses showed that Myanmar HPAIV-H5N1 was closely related to HPAIV-H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1c isolated from China and Vietnam in 2014. Our results suggested that the live bird market in Myanmar represents a significant risk of HPAIV-H5N1 transmission in poultry and humans. Moreover, HPAIV-H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1c is widely distributed in South-East Asia including Myanmar.