Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Clade 2.3.4.4b Infections in Seals, Russia, 2023.

ABSTRACT

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was detected in dead seals on Tyuleniy Island in eastern Russia, in the Sea of Okhotsk. Viruses isolated from dead northern fur seals belong to clade 2.3.4.4b and are closely related to viruses detected predominantly in the Russian Far East and Japan in 2022-2023.