Isolation and characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 from donkeys.

Background: The highly pathogenic H5N1 is a major avian pathogen that crosses species barriers and seriously affects humans as well as some mammals. It mutates in an intensified manner and is considered a potential candidate for the possible next pandemic with all the catastrophic consequences.

Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from donkeys suffered from respiratory distress.