CHARACTERIZATION OF AVIAN INFLUENZA H5N8 VIRUS STRAINS THAT CAUSED THE OUTBREAKS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN 2016–2017

Objective of the study is to investigate biological properties of avian influenza virus strains that caused the outbreaks in Russia in 2016–2017.Materials and methods. The study was performed using advanced virological and molecular-biological methods in state-of-the-art equipment.Results and conclusion. In 2016, the outbreaks among wild birds and poultry caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 virus have occurred in the territory of the Russian Federation. In May, 2016 an outbreak of H5N8 among wild birds was registered in the territory of the Republic of Tyva. In October-November, 2016 influenza virus H5N8 was isolated in the territory of the Republics of Tatarstan and Kalmykia, Krasnodar and Astrakhan Regions of Russia. In 2017 avian influenza H5N8 has become widespread in European part of Russia and caused multiple outbreaks among wild birds and poultry. Results of the investigations of the isolated strains show that all of them are highly pathogenic and belong to the clade 2.3.4.4. Molecular-genetic and virological analysis has revealed the differences between the viruses isolated in 2016–2017 and the virus of the same clade 2.3.4.4 that was isolated in 2014