Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus in Smuggled Thai Eagles, Belgium

摘要

We report the isolation and characterization of a high-ly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus from CrestedHawk-Eagles smuggled into Europe by air travel. A screen-ing performed in human and avian contacts indicated nodissemination occurred. Illegal movements of birds are amajor threat for the introduction of highly pathogenic avianinfluenza