Molecular Epidemiology of Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1), Sumatera Indonesia

The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus has been causing outbreaks in several regions in Indonesia, which is followed by high human casualties. It is panzootic virus in poultry and continues to spread and pose a major challenge to health in both animal and human. The H5N1 virus is considered as a serious pandemic threat which has potentially to re-endemic over time. This is proven by mutation of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in the globe. This study aims to investigate the distribution, prevalence, and transmission of avian influenza virus (H5N1) in Sumatera. In a retrospective analysis of 136 samples of H5N1 HA (Hemagglutinin) cds between 2004 and 2016. We present a phylogenetic approach with Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree analysis and Bayesian molecular clock-like-lines, to reconstruct the molecular epidemiology of DNA sequences of H5N1 virus isolated from Sumatera. Overall, the distribution was distinguished into 7 clades, with prevalence detected at 9 out of 13 regions in Sumatera, and all the transmission was originated from outside the island. The spread of H5N1 avian influenza on Sumatera is not linear and homogeneous. Therefore, it has shown a significant change in the variant that currently exists with the original species.