Detection of Two High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) Subtypes, H5N1 and H5N5, in a Mass Mortality Event in Wild Seabirds and Co-Location With Dead Seals.

Abstract

H5Nx Clade 2.3.4.4b high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) have been detected repeatedly in Great Britain (GB) since autumn 2020, with H5N1 dominating detections but with low level detection of H5N5 during 2025. Globally, these viruses have caused mass mortalities in captive and wild avian and mammalian populations, including terrestrial and marine mammals. H5N1 has been the dominant subtype, and whilst detections have overlapped temporally, occurrences have often been spatially distinct. Here, we report the detection of a mortality event in wild birds on the Norfolk coastline in the East of England, where H5N1 HPAIV was detected in five Great Black-backed Gulls (GBBGs;) and a Northern Fulmar (). Interestingly, at the same site, and as part of the same mortality event, a total of 17 GBBGs, one Herring Gull (), one Atlantic Puffin () and one Northern Fulmar tested positive for H5N5 HPAIV. Additionally, H5N5 was also detected in 17 co-located Grey Seal carcases (). The H5N1 HPAIV from an infected bird belonged to genotype DI.2, closely related to contemporaneous detections in GB wild birds and poultry. In contrast, all H5N5 HPAIVs from birds and seals were Genotype I with a 22-amino acid stalk deletion in neuraminidase (NA) and the 627K polymorphism in PB2. This represents the first recorded instance in GB of two subtypes being detected within the same avian population at the same location. It is also the first mass detection of HPAIV H5N5 in mammals within GB. Potential infection mechanisms are discussed.