Isolation of Infectious Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus from Fetal Bovine Serum, United States, 2025

Emerging infectious diseases 2026 Open access

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Authors: Ana R. Rebelo, Erica Buttler, Elizabeth Aguilera Nunez, Brittany Cronk, Jennifer Powers, Melissa Laverack, Chen Feng, Mohammed Nooruzzaman, Mia K. Torchetti, Leonardo C. Caserta, Diego G. Diel
DOI: 10.3201/eid3208.260077
Cited by: 1
References: 6

Abstract

In February 2025, we detected highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus in a fetal bovine serum lot during routine adventitious agent testing. Sequencing confirmed H5N1 genotype B3.13 virus. We found low viral loads in additional samples from the same lot. Heating at 56°C for 30 minutes completely inactivated the virus.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Influenza Virus Research Studies Respiratory viral infections research Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology

Publication details

Journal / source
Emerging infectious diseases
Publisher
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Volume
32
Issue
8
Pages
1323–1326
Publication date
9 July 2026
Language
EN