H3N8 is a subtype of the species Influenza A virus that is endemic in birds, horses and dogs. It is the main cause of equine influenza and is also known as equine influenza virus. In 2011, it was reported to have been found in seals.[1] Cats have been experimentally infected with the virus, leading to clinical signs, shedding of the virus and infection of other cats.[2] In 2022 and 2023, three people in China were infected with H3N8,[3] with one fatality, marking the first time a human has died from this strain of flu.[4]
| Influenza A virus subtype H3N8 | |
|---|---|
Virus classification 
| |
| (unranked): | Virus |
| Realm: | Riboviria |
| Kingdom: | Orthornavirae |
| Phylum: | Negarnaviricota |
| Class: | Insthoviricetes |
| Order: | Articulavirales |
| Family: | Orthomyxoviridae |
| Genus: | Alphainfluenzavirus |
| Species: | |
| Serotype: | Influenza A virus subtype H3N8
|
Introduction
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Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious respiratory disease of horses and related animals such as donkeys, mules and zebras (collectively known as equines). Equine influenza is caused by a type A influenza virus in the family Orthomyxoviridae (genus Influenzavirus). Transmission of the equine influenza virus (EIV) to humans has not occurred during outbreaks of the disease in horses. A lineage of H3N8 has been found to infect humans, with the first two cases in China in April and May 2022,[5] and a third case in March 2023, which was the first death.[3]
History
editIn 1963, the H3N8 (A/equine/2/Miami/63) subtype created an epidemic of equine influenza in Miami and subsequently spread throughout North and South America and Europe, creating massive outbreaks during 1964 and 1965. Since 1963, the H3N8 virus has drifted along a single lineage at a rate of 0.8 amino acid substitutions per year. Between 1978 and 1981, there were widespread epidemics of the A/equine/2 strain throughout the US and Europe despite the development of vaccines. Since the late 1980s, evolution of the H3N8 virus has diverged into two families: an "American-like" lineage and a "European-like" lineage.[6] A 1997 study found H3N8 was responsible for over one quarter of the influenza infections in wild ducks.[7]
H3N8 has been suggested as a possible cause of the 1889–1890 pandemic in humans, and also another epidemic in 1898–1900.[8][9] Before the identification of H3N8 as a possible cause of the 1889 pandemic, the H2N2 subtype was suggested.[10][11][12] At this point, it is not possible to identify the virus for either the 1889 or 1900 outbreak with certainty.[13]
Route of transmission
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Equine influenza virus (H3N8) can be spread by a few different routes. The ultimate source of the virus is respiratory tract secretions. Coughing horses can release the virus into the air, where it can spread up to 30–50 metres. It can also be spread by direct contact between horses, or indirectly via a person's hands or clothing, or on inanimate objects (e.g. buckets, tack, twitches). However, the virus doesn't survive outside of a horse for long[14] The virus is delicate within the environment and easily killed by heat, cold, desiccation, and disinfectants.[15] The virus multiplies in epithelial cells of upper respiratory tract. Dispersed by aerosol droplets when horse coughs or exhales. The virus can survive in the environment, on different surfaces, for up to 48 hours. Spread of the disease has been associated with the movement of people, pets, horse equipment and tack where proper biosecurity procedures have not been followed[16]
Subclinical infection with virus shedding can occur in vaccinated horses, particularly where there is a mismatch between the vaccine strains and the virus strains circulating in the field. Such infections contribute to the spread of the disease.[17]
Incubation period
editThe time from when a horse gets exposed to the time when it gets sick. It is quite short for equine influenza: typically 1–3 days and up to 7 days. This makes disease control easier, as infected horses can be identified sooner, meaning that appropriate control measures can be enacted more quickly. Diseases that have very long incubation periods can be more difficult to control.[14]
Pathophysiology
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Aerosolized influenza virus is inhaled and embeds in the respiratory mucosa, of the upper and lower respiratory tract. The virus is attracted to the glycoproteins and mucopolysaccharides of the mucus coating the respiratory mucosa. If the infecting dose of virus is high, abundant viral neuraminidase breaks down the mucosal layer, allowing access of the virus to the underlying epithelial cells. The virus then attaches to epithelial cells through binding of the hemagglutinin spike to the N-acetylneuraminic acid receptor on the cell. The virus then enters the cell by endocytosis into the cell cytoplasm where it replicates to produce new virions that are released back into the respiratory tract by budding from the infected cell. The virus disperses throughout the trachea and bronchial tree within 3 days, causing hyperemia, edema, necrosis, desquamation, and focal erosion. Viremia is rare, but is possible if the virus crosses the basement membrane and enters the circulation, potentially causing inflammation of skeletal and cardiac muscle (myositis and myocarditis), encephalitic signs, and limb edema[6]
Diagnosis
editFever of 102.5–105.0 °F (39.2–40.6 °C), frequent dry cough for several weeks, ‘drippy’ nose with discharge and secondary bacterial infection are some of the clinical signs of Equine influenza virus infection. isolation of influenza virus from nasopharyngeal and or large rise in antibody titer in equine-1 or 2 serum can be used as diagnosis in horses. Other clinical findings may include a serous or light mucoid nasal discharge, epiphora, tender but rarely swollen submandibular lymph nodes, hyperemia of nasal and conjunctival mucosa, tachypnea, tachycardia, limb edema, muscle soreness and stiffness.[15]
Period of infectivity
editThe length of time a horse can spread the virus after being infected. It is a very important concept, because horses can still infect other horses after they have gotten over their own illness. Viruses that are shed for long periods of time after a horse gets better are much harder to control. Horses tend to be most infectious (i.e. shedding the most virus) in the first 24–48 hours after they develop a fever, but they can shed the virus for up to 7–10 days after their signs of illness disappear.[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ McGrath, Matt (31 July 2012). "New flu virus found in seals concerns scientists". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
- ^ Su S, Wang L, Fu X, et al. (December 2014). "Equine influenza A(H3N8) virus infection in cats". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 20 (12): 2096–2099. doi:10.3201/eid2012.140867. PMC 4257791. PMID 25417790.
- ^ a b "China reports first death from H3N8 bird flu". BNO News. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "First H3N8 bird flu death reported in China, says WHO". WION. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
- ^ Patton, Dominique (2022-04-27). "China reports first human case of H3N8 bird flu". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ a b Equine influenza virus by Wilson et al doi:10.1053/j.ctep.2006.03.013
- ^ Sharp, GB; Kawaoka, Y; Jones, DJ; et al. (August 1997). "Coinfection of wild ducks by influenza A viruses: distribution patterns and biological significance". J. Virol. 71 (8): 6128–35. doi:10.1128/JVI.71.8.6128-6135.1997. PMC 191873. PMID 9223507.
- ^ Valleron, Alain-Jacques; Cori, Anne; Valtat, Sophie; Meurisse, Sofia; Carrat, Fabrice; Boëlle, Pierre-Yves (May 11, 2010). "Transmissibility and geographic spread of the 1889 influenza pandemic". PNAS. 107 (19): 8778–8781. Bibcode:2010PNAS..107.8778V. doi:10.1073/pnas.1000886107. PMC 2889325. PMID 20421481.
- ^ Salmon, Roland, Swine Flu: what next? (PDF), National Public Health Service for Wales, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre
- ^ Hilleman MR (19 August 2002). "Realities and enigmas of human viral influenza: pathogenesis, epidemiology and control". Vaccine. 20 (25–26): 3068–3087. doi:10.1016/s0264-410x(02)00254-2. PMID 12163258.
- ^ "pilva.com".
- ^ Alexis Madrigal (April 26, 2010). "1889 Pandemic Didn't Need Planes to Circle Globe in 4 Months". Wired.
- ^ Didier Raoult; Michel Drancourt, eds. (2008-01-24), Paleomicrobiology: Past Human Infections, Springer, ISBN 9783540758556
- ^ a b c "equidblog.com". ww38.equidblog.com. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ a b Equine influenza virus by Wilson et al. doi:10.1053/j.ctep.2006.03.013
- ^ Farmnote on Equine Influenza by Karen Yurisich, Veterinary Officer, Perth ISSN 0726-934X.
- ^ Daly, JM; Newton, JR; Mumford, JA (2004). "Current perspectives on control of equine influenza" (PDF). Vet. Res. 35 (4): 411–23. doi:10.1051/vetres:2004023. PMID 15236674. S2CID 11346318.