Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N5) detected in an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, 2023

Postel, Alexander; Gremmel, Nele; Lydersen, Christian; Kovacs, Kit, M.; Schick, Luca, Aroha; Siebert, Ursula; Nymo, Ingebjørg, H.; Becher, Paul

doi:10.1080/22221751.2025.2456146

Article / Chapter 2025 CC BY 4.0

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Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N5) detected in an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, 2023

Postel, Alexander ; Gremmel, Nele ; Lydersen, Christian; Kovacs, Kit M.; Schick, Luca Aroha ; Siebert, Ursula ; Nymo, Ingebjørg H.; Becher, Paul

We present the first documented case of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) subtype H5N5 in an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus). The animal was found dead in Svalbard, Norway, in 2023. Sequence analysis revealed the highest genetic similarity with virus isolates from different avian hosts.