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The genome sequence of an H11N2 avian influenza virus from a Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) shows marine-specific and regional patterns of relationships to other viruses

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Abstract

Influenza A viruses infect a range of host species, including various mammals and more than 100 species of birds. For avian influenza viruses (AIV), prevalence varies between different groups of birds, with waterfowl showing the highest prevalence. We have sequenced the complete genome of A/Thick-billed Murre/Newfoundland/031/2007(H11N2), an AIV identified in the pelagic seabird, Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia). This represents the first complete genome sequence of an AIV from this host species, and only the second complete genome sequence from a seabird in the alcid group. All of the virus segments fall within the American avian lineage. Several of the segments show a close relationship to AIV identified in other marine host species, and also a strong geographic association with other AIV sequences from the northeastern coast of North America from recent years. The identification of this virus, and the growing number of AIV identified in seabird species, indicates these marine birds could be underappreciated host species. This has potential consequences for global influenza dynamics because of the seasonal distributions and migratory patterns of this group of birds.

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Acknowledgments

We thank C. Keane, A. Blundon, A. Hedd, C. Burke, P. Regular and L. Stapleton for assistance with swab sample processing, and S. Wilhelm, P. Ryan and other Environment Canada staff for collecting and storing the dead murres. The Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources and the Strategic Applications of Genomics in the Environment (STAGE) program at Environment Canada provided support for this study. AG was supported in part by funds from the Memorial University Department of Biology Honour’s program. MW was supported by a CGS-M fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and a merit fellowship from Memorial University. Research in ASL’s lab is supported by grants from NSERC, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Industrial Research and Innovation Fund from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Correspondence to Andrew S. Lang.

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Granter, A., Wille, M., Whitney, H. et al. The genome sequence of an H11N2 avian influenza virus from a Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) shows marine-specific and regional patterns of relationships to other viruses. Virus Genes 41, 224–230 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11262-010-0504-5

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