鸡胚中H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的分离鉴定

将来自有产蛋下降的肉用型父母代种鸡群的种蛋孵化,每日观察鸡胚死亡情况。在孵化的50个鸡胚中9日龄时开始死亡1个,尿囊液无血凝性,盲传一代后,鸡胚尿囊液有血凝性。在HI试验中,对H9亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)单因子血清在1∶26稀释度时呈现血凝抑制活性,对新城疫病毒(NDV)和H5亚型AIV单因子血清不呈血凝抑制活性,由此确定为低致病性禽流感病毒,命名为ZKH90901。对该毒株进行HA和NA基因扩增克隆测序,把获得的HA和NA基因与已经发表的H9N2毒株的相应序列比较,结果表明该毒株确实为H9N2亚型禽流感病毒,HA基因的裂解位点序列为KSGR↓GLF,符合低致病性禽流感病毒H9N2蛋白裂解位点的分子特征,仍属于低致病力毒株。从鸡胚中分离到H9N2亚型禽流感病毒在国内尚未见报道。     

免疫鸡群H5N1和H9N2亚型禽流感病毒混合感染及H9N2亚型病毒进化分析

本研究分析了免疫鸡群H5N1和H9N2亚型禽流感病毒混合感染中H9N2亚型分离毒株A/chicken/Yuyao/01/2010(H9N2)的基因组特征。氨基酸序列分析显示,HA蛋白裂解位点为PSRSSR/GL,具有低致病性禽流感病毒特征,HA受体结合位点出现了人流感病毒结合位点226L,D基因出现了S31N的突变。遗传分析表明,A/chicken/Yuyao/01/2010病毒的HA基因、NA基因和NS基因在进化上属于CK/BJ/94-Like谱系,D基因和PB2基因属于G1-Like谱系,NP基因、PA基因和PB1基因属于Ck/SH/F/98-Like谱系。结果表明,从H5N1和H9N2亚型混合感染鸡体内分离的H9N2亚型禽流感病毒是一株来源于CK/BJ/94-Like谱系、G1-Like谱系和Ck/SH/F/98-Like谱系的重组病毒。     

2株鹌鹑源H9N2亚型禽流感病毒HA基因序列分析

为了探究2株鹌鹑源H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(H9N2 AIV)HA基因的遗传进化关系,分别对2株鹌鹑源H9N2亚型AIV的HA基因进行了序列测定及遗传进化分析。结果显示,2株鹌鹑H9N2亚型AIV的HA基因核苷酸同源性为97.7%,与参考毒株A/Quail/wuxi/7/2010(H9N2)相比,分别为97.7%、97.0%,均属于h9.4.2进化分支(Y280-like亚群);其推导氨基酸裂解位点均为PSRSSR↓GL,属于低致病性AIV;均存在8个相同的潜在糖基化位点,第313位的糖基化位点正好位于HA蛋白裂解位点附近,可能影响HA的裂解,改变AIV的毒力;受体结合位点第234位均为L,具有结合哺乳动物唾液酸α-2,6受体的特征。结果表明,2株鹌鹑H9N2亚型AIV均为低致病性AIV,但具有感染人的特征,其HA基因均属于大陆H9N2亚型AIV流行谱系的h9.4.2分支。     

5株H9N2禽流感病毒HA和NA基因遗传演化分析

为了解2014年上海地区鸡群中5株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒HA和NA基因的遗传变异特征,以及与疫苗株A/Chicken/Shandong/6/1996和A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/1998之间的遗传距离与血凝特性,对HA和NA进行了测序,结合Gen Bank中的相关序列进行遗传进化分析。结果表明:5株H9N2亚型毒株的HA蛋白裂解位点的氨基酸组成为RSSRGLF,符合低致病性禽流感病毒特征,5株毒株均属于经典的H9N2 Ck/Bei群系;其NA基因均属于Y280系;这5株病毒的HA1基因与疫苗株A/Chicken/Shandong/6/1996和A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/1998之间的遗传距离均大于7%。此外这5株病毒与以往上海地区分离的H9N2病毒的HA和NA基因同源性,以及HA基因上的关键位点,均存在一定的变化。F3代的HA基因与F1代相比较,均存在糖基化位点的缺失。由此可见,H9N2亚型禽流感病毒毒株在不断变异,而且现有疫苗对分离株的保护性需要进一步的研究,HA上糖基化位点的变化会引起宿主特异性的改变。     

2株鸭源 H11N9亚型禽流感病毒的基因遗传进化及致病性分析

为了解从湖南省洞庭湖区鸭群中分离的2株 H11N9亚型禽流感病毒变异特点、进化规律及生物学特性,本研究对2株H11N9亚型禽流感病毒的HA、NA序列进行同源性和遗传进化分析,并用2株毒株对SPF鸡进行致病性试验。结果显示,本试验分离到2株 H11N9亚型禽流感毒株的 HA裂解位点均没有多个连续的碱性氨基酸插入,属于低致病性毒株;HA基因的受体结合位点均非常保守,具有典型的禽源性特征;NA基因序列与在周边国家野鸟中分离的H11N9亚型毒株的氨基酸同源性较高;鼻腔接种SPF鸡后,均能使鸡感染并通过喉头或泄殖腔排毒,但感染的鸡均不表现明显的临床症状,并且不能使同居鸡感染排毒。     

二株鸭源H11N9亚型禽流感病毒的遗传进化及致病性分析

为了解从湖南省洞庭湖区鸭群中分离的2株H11N9亚型禽流感病毒变异特点、进化规律及生物学特性,本研究对2株H11N9亚型禽流感病毒的HA、NA序列进行同源性和遗传进化分析,并用2株毒株对SPF鸡进行致病性试验。结果显示,本试验分离到2株H11N9亚型禽流感毒株的HA裂解位点均没有多个连续的碱性氨基酸插入,属于低致病性毒株;HA基因的受体结合位点均非常保守,具有典型的禽源性特征;NA基因序列与在周边国家野鸟中分离的H11N9亚型毒株的氨基酸同源性较高;鼻腔接种SPF鸡后,均能使鸡感染并通过喉头或泄殖腔排毒,但感染的鸡均不表现明显的临床症状,并且不能使同居鸡感染排毒。     

不同致病性H7N9亚型流感病毒HA蛋白的比较分析

为明确高致病性和低致病性H7N9亚型流感病毒血凝素(HA)蛋白的血清学特性是否有差异,通过体外表达两种H7N9亚型流感病毒HA蛋白并进行分析。利用RT-PCR方法扩增出高、低致病性H7N9亚型流感病毒HA基因,测序,并克隆于真核表达载体pCAGGS-Flag中,构建两个重组表达质粒,命名为pCAF-H7HPHA和pCAF-H7LPHA,分别转染293T细胞,用间接免疫荧光试验和Western blot试验观察HA蛋白的表达情况。结果显示:与低致病H7N9亚型流感病毒比较,高致病性H7N9亚型流感病毒HA基因裂解位点有连续的碱性氨基酸插入,糖基化位点和受体结合位点没有差异。不同致病性毒株的HA蛋白均能表达良好,表达蛋白分子量约为70 ku;高致病性H7N9亚型流感病毒HA蛋白(或血清)可以与低致病H7N9流感血清(或蛋白)发生反应。结果表明:不同致病性H7N9亚型流感病毒HA蛋白在血清学上没有差异性,为H7N9亚型流感病毒HA蛋白的研究奠定基础。     

福建省厦门市野鸟H2N6亚型禽流感病毒分离与序列分析

为初步了解福建省野生水鸟的禽流感病毒携带情况及其潜在危害,对厦门市滨海水鸟进行禽流感病毒检测,从新鲜粪便中分离到1株H2N6亚型禽流感病毒,并对其进行全基因组序列测定、进化分析及致病性分析。序列分析显示:该分离株的HA裂解位点序列为PQIEPKGL↓,不存在多个连续碱性氨基酸,HA受体结合位点左侧缘第236位氨基酸为Q,未发生L突变,仍为嗜禽源性分子生物特征;NA颈部无Aa缺失,符合低致病性禽流感病毒氨基酸序列特征;与毒力相关的内部基因M1存在N30D、T215A突变,NS1存在P42S突变,PB2存在Q591H突变,与当前在家禽中流行的H9N2、H6N6等亚型毒株突变趋势相似;与耐药性相关的M2特定位点均未发生耐药性突变。遗传进化分析显示,该野鸟H2N6分离株的HA和NA基因属于欧亚谱系,6个内部基因与本地健康家禽分离株H9N2、H6N6、H11N3、H3N3亲缘关系较远(70%～93%),位于不同亚分支。分析结果表明,该毒株虽为低致病性禽流感病毒,但与致病性相关的突变位点存在部分基因突变,具有潜在的毒力增强趋势,需持续监测。     

2013—2014年H7亚型禽流感病毒遗传进化分析

对2013—2014年15株不同来源的H7亚型禽流感病毒国内分离株进行了基因组测序与遗传进化分析。结果显示,15株H7亚型禽流感病毒具有遗传多样性,可分为2种亚型:13株为H7N9亚型,2株为H7N3亚型。HA蛋白裂解位点附近氨基酸分析显示所有H7亚型流感分离株均为低致病性毒株。基因组遗传进化分析显示,13株H7N9亚型禽流感病毒均与2013年人源分离株同源性较高,但具有2种遗传学特性,13株病毒的PB2、PA、HA、NP、NA、M和NS基因高度同源,而PB1基因来源于2个不同分支。2株H7N3亚型流感病毒与国内鸭源分离株同源性较高。15株H7亚型禽流感病毒PB2蛋白均未出现627K、701N等与哺乳动物适应性相关的氨基酸变异。13株H7N9亚型禽流感病毒HA裂解位点附近氨基酸(EIPKGR/GL)与人源H7N9病毒一致,且HA蛋白和M2蛋白分别具有与哺乳动物适应性和金刚烷胺耐药性相关的标志性变异,而2株H7N3亚型禽流感病毒未出现上述氨基酸变异。     

2011年中国北方H9N2亚型禽流感病毒分离株HA基因进化分析及受体结合性检测

为了解近期中国北方禽源H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)流行规律及分子遗传进化特征,本实验对2011年在中国北方家禽中分离到的11株H9N2亚型AIV通过RT-PCR扩增病毒的HA基因片段,进行测序及遗传进化分析,并对这些病毒的受体结合性进行了检测.结果表明:11株H9N2亚型AIV分离株的HA基因在HA1和HA2的氨基酸裂解位点均为PSRSSR/GLF基序,符合低致病性病毒株氨基酸序列特征.多数病毒HA潜在糖基化位点为8个,所有分离株病毒的受体结合位点226位均为L,经红细胞受体结合性试验验证表明这些病毒均同时具有α-2,3和α-2,6受体结合特性,表明目前北方地区流行的H9N2亚型AIV具有感染哺乳动物的潜在威胁.本研究结果对加强H9N2病毒的分子流行病学监测具有重要意义.     

Pathogenesis and transmissibility of highly (H7N1) and low (H7N9) pathogenic avian influenza virus infection in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)

ABSTRACT: An experimental infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) was carried out in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) in order to study clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions, and viral distribution in tissues and viral shedding. Birds were infected with a HPAIV subtype H7N1 (A/Chicken/Italy/5093/1999) and a LPAIV subtype H7N9 (A/Anas crecca/Spain/1460/2008). Uninoculated birds were included as contacts in both groups. In HPAIV infected birds, the first clinical signs were observed at 3 dpi, and mortality started at 4 dpi, reaching 100% at 8 dpi. The presence of viral antigen in tissues and viral shedding were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRRT-PCR), respectively, in all birds infected with HPAIV. However, neither clinical signs nor histopathological findings were observed in LPAIV infected partridges. In addition, only short-term viral shedding together with seroconversion was detected in some LPAIV inoculated animals. The present study demonstrates that the red-legged partridge is highly susceptible to the H7N1 HPAIV strain, causing severe disease, mortality and abundant viral shedding and thus contributing to the spread of a potential local outbreak of this virus. In contrast, our results concerning H7N9 LPAIV suggest that the red-legged partridge is not a reservoir species for this virus.     

Experimental infection with low and high pathogenicity H7N3 Chilean avian influenza viruses in Chiloe wigeon (Anas sibilatrix) and cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera)

Two different wild duck species common in Chile and neighboring countries, Chiloe wigeon (Anas sibilatrix) and cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera), were intranasally inoculated with 10(6) mean embryo infective dose (EID50) of the H7N3 low pathogenicity (LP) avian influenza virus (AIV) (A/chicken/Chile/176822/02) or high pathogenicity (HP) AIV (A/chicken/Chile/ 184240-1/02), in order to study the infectivity and pathobiology of these viruses. None of the virus-inoculated ducks had clinical signs or died, but most seroconverted by 14 days postinoculation (DPI), indicating a productive virus infection. Both LPAIV and HPAIV were isolated from oral swabs from two of six Chiloe wigeons and from oral and/or cloacal swabs from all five of the cinnamon teal at 2 DPI. Both LPAIV and HPAIV were efficiently transmitted to cinnamon teal contacts but not to Chiloe wigeon contacts. This study demonstrates that the cinnamon teal and Chiloe wigeons were susceptible to infection with both Chilean H7N3 LPAIV and HPAIV, but only the cinnamon teal showed contact transmission of the virus between birds, suggesting that the cinnamon teal has the potential to be a reservoir for these viruses, especially the LPAIV, as was demonstrated in 2001 with isolation of a genetically related H7N3 LPAIV strain in a cinnamon teal in Bolivia. However, the definitive source of the H7N3 Chilean LPAIV still remains unknown.     

广西玉林市规模化禽场禽流感病毒检测

为了解广西玉林市2020年规模禽场禽流感病毒感染状况,采用荧光RT-PCR方法,对广西玉林市7个县(市、区)42个规模化禽场采集的1260份禽喉/泄殖腔棉拭子样品进行了通用型禽流感病毒核酸检测(荧光PCR),并对检测为阳性的样本进行H5、H7亚型(双重荧光PCR)和H9亚型(荧光PCR)分型鉴定。结果显示:在42个规模化禽场中,未检出H5和H7亚型高致病性禽流感病毒阳性样品;在2个鸡场中检出18份H9亚型低致病性禽流感病毒阳性样品,在2个鸡场和4个鸭场中检出115份其他亚型低致病性禽流感病毒阳性样品。结果表明:在高致病性禽流感(H5+H7)三价灭活疫苗强制免疫政策下,广西玉林市规模化禽场的高致病性禽流感病毒感染风险较小,但仍须加强禽流感的免疫、监测,做好综合防控,以降低禽流感病毒由低致病性重组变异为高致病性的风险。本检测为指导广西玉林市禽流感防控提供了依据。     

Simulation of an early warning system using sentinel birds to detect a change of a low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) to high pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV)

The placement of sentinel birds in a commercial poultry flock infected with low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) may be an effective way of detecting subsequent change in the isolate to a high pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV). Data collected from the 2002 Chilean HPAIV outbreak, along with information from a literature review of laboratory studies involving A/chicken/Chile/176822/02 (H7N3/LP) and A/chicken/Chile/184240-1/02 (H7N3/HP) viruses, were used to construct a computer simulation model. Mortality rates of the original LPAIV-infected population and the sentinel population were compared to detect the presence of HPAIV. A total of 12 increased mortality threshold scenarios were examined, using one-day absolute (2, 3, or 4 birds) or relative (0.5, 1.0, or 1.5%) mortality thresholds, and two-day absolute (1, 2, or 3 birds) or relative (0.25, 0.50, or 1.00%) mortality thresholds, to indicate the change from LPAIV to HPAIV in the sentinel and original populations, respectively. Results showed that following a one-day approach, threshold mortalities occurred on average at 7.35, 7.82, and 8.17 (0.5, 1.0, or 1.5%) and 6.21, 6.38, and 6.45 (2, 3, or 4 birds) days after the first infectious case for the original and sentinel populations, respectively. The two-day approach delayed the occurrence of threshold mortalities, on average, to 7.64, 8.05, and 8.62 (0.25, 0.50, or 1.00%) and 6.86, 6.78, and 7.23 (1, 2, or 3 birds) days after the first infectious case for the original and sentinel populations, respectively. Although, significant (p<0.10) differences were observed among different combinations of detection times for the original and sentinel populations, the use of sentinel birds has a maximum mean advantage, over monitoring mortality exclusively in the original population, of 1.96 and 1.84 days for one- and two-day threshold moralities, respectively. Additionally, the early warning system based on a sentinel vs. original population presented a decrease of the probabilities of a false alarm, from 0.04-0.45 to <0.01-0.10%. These findings may be used by decision makers to evaluate the risk of not depopulating a flock infected with a H5 or H7 LPAIV strain and the benefit of using sentinel birds as an early warning system of a change to HPAIV.     

(Highly pathogenic) avian influenza as a zoonotic agent

Zoonotic agents challenging the world every year afresh are influenza A viruses. In the past, human pandemics caused by influenza A viruses had been occurring periodically. Wild aquatic birds are carriers of the full variety of influenza virus A subtypes, and thus, most probably constitute the natural reservoir of all influenza A viruses. Whereas avian influenza viruses in their natural avian reservoir are generally of low pathogenicity (LPAIV), some have gained virulence by mutation after transmission and adaptation to susceptible gallinaceous poultry. Those so-called highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) then cause mass die-offs in susceptible birds and lead to tremendous economical losses when poultry is affected. Besides a number of avian influenza virus subtypes that have sporadically infected mammals, the HPAIV H5N1 Asia shows strong zoonotic characteristics and it was transmitted from birds to different mammalian species including humans. Theoretically, pandemic viruses might derive directly from avian influenza viruses or arise after genetic reassortment between viruses of avian and mammalian origin. So far, HPAIV H5N1 already meets two conditions for a pandemic virus: as a new subtype it has been hitherto unseen in the human population and it has infected at least 438 people, and caused severe illness and high lethality in 262 humans to date (August 2009). The acquisition of efficient human-to-human transmission would complete the emergence of a new pandemic virus. Therefore, fighting H5N1 at its source is the prerequisite to reduce pandemic risks posed by this virus. Other influenza viruses regarded as pandemic candidates derive from subtypes H2, H7, and H9 all of which have infected humans in the past. Here, we will give a comprehensive overview on avian influenza viruses in concern to their zoonotic potential.     

Virological surveillance and phylogenetic analysis of the PB2 genes of influenza viruses isolated from wild water birds flying from their nesting lakes in Siberia to Hokkaido, Japan in autumn

Recent introduction of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in wild birds from poultry in Eurasia signaled the possibility that this virus may perpetuate in nature. Surveillance of avian influenza especially in migratory birds, therefore, has been conducted to provide information on the viruses brought by them to Hokkaido, Japan, from their nesting lakes in Siberia in autumn. During 2008-2009, 62 influenza viruses of 21 different combinations of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) subtypes were isolated. Up to September 2010, no HPAIV has been found, indicating that H5N1 HPAIV has not perpetuated at least dominantly in the lakes where ducks nest in summer in Siberia. The PB2 genes of 54 influenza viruses out of 283 influenza viruses isolated in Hokkaido in 2000-2009 were phylogenetically analysed. None of the genes showed close relation to those of H5N1 HPAIVs that were detected in wild birds found dead in Eurasia on the way back to their northern territory in spring.     

Coexpression of avian influenza virus H5 and N1 by recombinant Newcastle disease virus and the impact on immune response in chickens

To analyze the contribution of neuraminidase (NA) toward protection against avian influenza virus (AIV) infection, three different recombinant Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) expressing hemagglutinin (HA) or NA, or both, of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) were generated. The lentogenic NDV Clone 30 was used as backbone for the insertion of HA of HPAIV strain A/chicken/Vietnam/P41/05 (H5N1) and NA of HPAIV strain A/duck/Vietnam/TG24-01/05 (H5N1). The HA was inserted between the genes encoding NDV phosphoprotein (P) and matrixprotein (M), and the NA was inserted between the fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein (HN) genes, resulting in NDVH5VmPMN1FHN. Two additional recombinants were constructed carrying the HA gene between the NDV P and M genes (NDVH5VmPM) or the NA between F and HN (NDVN1FHN). All recombinants replicated well and stably expressed the HA gene, the NA gene, or both. Chickens immunized with NDVH5VmPMN1FHN or NDVH5VmPM were protected against two different HPAIV H5N1 and also against HPAIV H5N2. In contrast, immunization of chickens with NDVN1FHN induced NDV- and AIV N1-specific antibodies but did not protect the animals against a lethal dose of HPAIV H5N1. Furthermore, expression of AIV N1, in addition to AIV H5 by NDV, did not increase protection against HPAIV H5N1.     

一株绿鹭源H9N2亚型禽流感病毒全基因组序列分析

为了解野生水禽绿鹭(Butorides striata)中分离到的1株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(A/striated heron/Yunnan/2018)的生物学特性;对其进行全基因组序列扩增、测序、进化分析;序列分析显示:该分离株HA、NA基因位于Y280-like分支、PB2、M基因位于G1-like分支、PA、PB1、NP、NS基因位于F98-like分支,分别与H9、H7、H10等多种亚型的AIV同源性较高,该分离株不同基因片段来源较复杂。HA裂解位点氨基酸序列为333PSRSSR↓GL340,符合低致病性禽流感病毒(LPAIV)氨基酸序列特征;S145N突变增加了一个糖基化位点,提示该位点出现可能会使毒株致病性提高,免疫原性发生改变;HA受体结合位点发生Q234L突变,表现出人流感病毒受体结合特性;NA基因出现第63—65位氨基酸缺失,M1发生N30D,T215A突变,M2发生S31N的突变,PB2、PB1、NS、NP、PA关键位点未发生变化,分析结果提示当前分离株已出现耐药性、致病性增强的变化。本研究表明该分离株呈现遗传演化的多样性及基因重组的复杂性,因此加强对野生水禽类禽流感病毒的监测和研究具有重要的公共卫生意义。     

Influence of maternal immunity on vaccine efficacy and susceptibility of one day old chicks against Egyptian highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1

In Egypt, continuous circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses of clade 2.2.1 in vaccinated commercial poultry challenges strenuous control efforts. Here, vaccine-derived maternal AIV H5 specific immunity in one-day old chicks was investigated as a factor of vaccine failure in long-term blanket vaccination campaigns in broiler chickens. H5 seropositive one-day old chicks were derived from breeders repeatedly immunized with a commercial inactivated vaccine based on the Potsdam/H5N2 strain. When challenged using the antigenically related HPAIV strain Italy/98 (H5N2) clinical protection was achieved until at least 10 days post-hatch although virus replication was not fully suppressed. No protection at all was observed against the Egyptian HPAIV strain EGYvar/H5N1 representing a vaccine escape lineage. Other groups of chicks with maternal immunity were vaccinated once at 3 or 14 days of age using either the Potsdam/H5N2 vaccine or a vaccine based on EGYvar/H5N1. At day 35 of age these chicks were challenged with the Egyptian HPAIV strain EGYcls/H5N1 which co-circulates with EGYvar/H5N1 but does not represent an antigenic drift variant. The Potsdam/H5N2 vaccinated groups were not protected against EGYcls/H5N1 infection while, in contrast, the EGYvar/H5N1 vaccinated chicks withstand challenge with EGYvar/H5N1 infection. In addition, the results showed that maternal antibodies could interfere with the immune response when a homologous vaccine strain was used.     

High doses of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in chicken meat are required to infect ferrets

High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) have caused fatal infections in mammals through consumption of infected bird carcasses or meat, but scarce information exists on the dose of virus required and the diversity of HPAIV subtypes involved. Ferrets were exposed to different HPAIV (H5 and H7 subtypes) through consumption of infected chicken meat. The dose of virus needed to infect ferrets through consumption was much higher than via respiratory exposure and varied with the virus strain. In addition, H5N1 HPAIV produced higher titers in the meat of infected chickens and more easily infected ferrets than the H7N3 or H7N7 HPAIV.