Genetic characterization of a natural reassortant H3N8 avian influenza virus isolated from domestic geese in Guangxi, southern China

Abstract

A H3N8 subtype of avian influenza virus, A/goose/Guangxi/020G/2009(H3N8) (GX020G), was isolated from the Guangxi Province of China in 2009. All eight gene segments of the GX020G strain were sequenced. Sequence analysis indicated that this H3N8 virus is a novel reassortant strain. The genome sequences provide useful information for understanding the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of the H3N8 subtype of influenza virus in southern China.