Phylogenic analysis of reassorted avian influenza viruses isolated from Korean domestic ducks from 2005 to 2007.

Ducks have been regarded as animals that can perpetuate most avian influenza viruses since they generally do not show the clear clinical signs such as death and reduced body weight when they are infected. Here, we characterized two H3N2 and one H3N6 avian influenza viruses isolated from ducks on the local farms in Korea from 2005 to 2007. Genetic analysis of these viruses showed that most segments of isolates except NP genes belonged to Eurasian lineage. NP genes of two H3N2 isolates, A/Duck/Korea/S71/07, and A/Duck/Korea/S72/07 belonged to North American lineage. Our results suggest that the genetic reassortment among avian influenza viruses can occur in domestic ducks.