H5N5 virus transmission is driven by repeated cross-Atlantic introductions and transmission among high latitude seabirds

  1. Clara R. Malekshahi
  2. Nicole St. Clair Knobloch
  3. Alvin Crespo-Bellido
  4. Alexa Simulynas
  5. Stephanie Goya
  6. Leigh Papalambros
  7. William J. Fitzsimmons
  8. Alexander L. Greninger
  9. Adam S. Lauring
  10. Jonathan Runstadler
  11. Martha I. Nelson
  12. Wendy Puryear
  13. Louise H. Moncla
Read the full article See related articles

Listed in

This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.
Log in to save this article

Abstract

In November 2025, the first global H5N5 infection was reported in a person in Washington State. Previously, these viruses had only been detected in seabirds and shorebirds near the Atlantic Ocean, suggesting potentially distinct ecology from dominant H5N1 strains. Using 354 global H5N5 genomes, we show that H5N5 viruses have been carried by high latitude seabirds and shorebirds across the Atlantic at least 9 times, with introductions more frequent in the fall and spring. We reconstruct a plausible path of cross-continental movement via Arctic or sub-Arctic regions, followed by a year of cryptic circulation prior to human spillover. These data show that H5N5 viruses have undergone far more intercontinental movements than previously recognized, and exhibit host and geographic patterns that are fundamentally distinct from dominant H5N1 lineages. The distinct host ecology, geography, and movement, paired with the capacity to infect a person, suggest that enhanced surveillance may be warranted.

Article activity feed

  1. Mentioned by @duckswabber.bsky.social on Bluesky

    Lots of focus on H5N1, but HPAI H5N5 has been spread across the North Atlantic 9 times, and seems to have a reservoir in arctic seabirds. 👉 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

  2. Mentioned by @lhmoncla.bsky.social on Bluesky

    We have a new preprint out on bioRxiv! We worked with a really fun team of people, including @martha-nelson.bsky.social @acb-virevo.bsky.social, Wendy Puryear, Nicole Knobloch, and others to reconstruct patterns of H5N5 transmission in North America. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

  3. Mentioned by @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social on Bluesky

    H5N5 virus transmission is driven by repeated cross-Atlantic introductions and transmission among high latitude seabirds https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.29.762228v1

  4. Mentioned by @biorxiv-evobio.bsky.social on Bluesky

    H5N5 virus transmission is driven by repeated cross-Atlantic introductions and transmission among high latitude seabirds https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.29.762228v1

  5. Version published to 10.64898/2026.10.29.762228v1 on bioRxiv