Epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Bangladesh

Understanding disease clustering and transmission patterns improves the prevention and control of disease. Herein, we describedthe epizootic characteristics and spatiotemporal dynamics of High Pathogenicity Avian Infuenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreaks as wellas clade diversity and phylodynamics of H5N1 over time and across host species in Bangladesh. We used Moran’s I, Geary’s C,Getis-Ord Gi∗, and a space-time permutation model to analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of H5N1 outbreaks. We used Bayesianphylogenetic analysis to generate a time-scaled maximum clade credibility (MCC) tree. Our study revealed nine HPAI H5N1epizootic waves between 2007 and 2020 that invariably peaked in the wintertime. After vaccination of poultry against H5N1 wasintroduced in 2012, the incidence of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks and poultry mortality decreased signifcantly over time. Nonetheless,our research revealed that the virus continued circulating unabatedly in Bangladesh. Te various spatiotemporal analyses wereidentifed up to nine space-time clusters across Bangladesh, with the most signifcant clustering and hotspots of H5N1 outbreaksin and around the district of Dhaka. Since 2007, four H5N1 clades have been detected in Bangladesh, with only clade 2.3.2.1acontinuing to circulate since 2011, which was followed up by the reassorted clade 2.3.2.1a in 2012. Te HA gene of the H5N1 clade2.3.2.1a has been reassorted into at least nine subgroups (R1–R9). After 2016, the frst eight groups disappeared, with only the R9group remaining. Spatiotemporal patterns and phylodynamics of H5N1 outbreaks are crucial for developing targeted andappropriate HPAI control and prevention measures. We recommended intensive monitoring of biosecurity measures and diseaserecords in high-priority areas, along with assessing vaccine efcacy to better control HPAI outbreaks in Bangladesh