ROME, Italy — A recently-emerged strain of avian influenza virus in poultry in Southeast Asia known as A(H5N6) represents a new threat to animal health and livelihoods and must be closely monitored, FAO has stated.
Chinese authorities first reported the influenza A(H5N6) virus in poultry in April 2014. Since then, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam have also detected the H5N6 virus in poultry.
"Influenza viruses are constantly mixing and recombining to form new threats," said FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer Juan Lubroth. "However, H5N6 is particularly worrisome, since it has been detected in several. . .