Emergence of a novel H4N6 avian influenza virus with mammalian adaptation isolated from migratory birds in Zhejiang Province, China, 2024

Yongchun Yang; Han Liu; Yaling Li; Lin Liu; Tiantian Chen; Jiahao Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.virs.2026.03.005

April 2026

Citation: Yongchun Yang, Han Liu, Yaling Li, Lin Liu, Tiantian Chen, Jiahao Zhang. Emergence of a novel H4N6 avian influenza virus with mammalian adaptation isolated from migratory birds in Zhejiang Province, China, 2024 .VIROLOGICA SINICA, 2026, 41(2) : 466-469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virs.2026.03.005

Emergence of a novel H4N6 avian influenza virus with mammalian adaptation isolated from migratory birds in Zhejiang Province, China, 2024

Yongchun Yang ^{a
,,} ,
Han Liu ^a ,
Yaling Li ^a ,
Lin Liu ^a ,
Tiantian Chen ^a ,
Jiahao Zhang ^b

a. Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China;
b. College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Corresponding author: Yongchun Yang, yyc@zafu.edu.cn
Received Date: 30 April 2025
Accepted Date: 11 March 2026
Available online: 14 March 2026

Abstract

Highlights
1. The H4N6/G030 strain, a novel H4N6 avian influenza virus (AIV), was isolated from a red-necked stint.
2. The H4N6/G030 is a novel cross-species reassortant derived from wild bird and poultry AIV lineages.
3. The H4N6/G030 binds avian and mammalian-type sialic acid receptors, replicates in their cells, and causes disease in animals.
4. High seroprevalence of H4N6 was observed on surveyed poultry farms nearby.

References
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Emergence of a novel H4N6 avian influenza virus with mammalian adaptation isolated from migratory birds in Zhejiang Province, China, 2024

Corresponding author: Yongchun Yang, yyc@zafu.edu.cn

a. Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China;

b. College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Received Date: 30 April 2025

Accepted Date: 11 March 2026

Abstract: Highlights
1. The H4N6/G030 strain, a novel H4N6 avian influenza virus (AIV), was isolated from a red-necked stint.
2. The H4N6/G030 is a novel cross-species reassortant derived from wild bird and poultry AIV lineages.
3. The H4N6/G030 binds avian and mammalian-type sialic acid receptors, replicates in their cells, and causes disease in animals.
4. High seroprevalence of H4N6 was observed on surveyed poultry farms nearby.

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Emergence of a novel H4N6 avian influenza virus with mammalian adaptation isolated from migratory birds in Zhejiang Province, China, 2024

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