Asian Journal of Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular Biology
Evolutionary Trajectories and Multi-lineage Circulation of H5N1 Virus in Multiple Host Interfaces from India: Insights from the Hemagglutinin Gene
By Mumtaz Ali, Bhushan Ghanmode and Ashwin Atkulwar.
Abstract
Background
H5N1 influenza virus circulates across multiple avian and mammalian hosts, creating genetically diverse lineages at wildlife-livestock interfaces.
Aims
This study assessed hemagglutinin (HA) gene diversity and evolutionary relationships among H5N1 viruses detected in non-human animal hosts in India. Methodology: A total of 140 H5N1 HA gene sequences sampled between 2006 and 2025 were retrieved from the NCBI Virus database. Sequences of at least 1,700 bp were aligned, 111 haplotypes were identified, and a median-joining network was constructed to examine genetic affinities and host-associated connections.