Avian influenza A viruses (ATVs) can occasionally transmit to mammals and lead to the development of human pandemic. A species of mammal is considered as a mixing vessel in the process of host adaptation. So far, pigs are considered as a plausible intermediate host for the generation of human pandemic strains, and are labelled 'mixing vessels'. In this study, through the analysis of two professional databases, the Influenza Virus Resource of NCBI and the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID), we found that the species of mink (Neovison vison) can be infected by more subtypes of influenza A viruses with considerably higher alpha-diversity related indices. It suggested that the semiaquatic mammals (riverside mammals), rather than pigs, might be the intermediate host to spread ATVs and serve as a potential mixing vessel for the interspecies transmission among birds, mammals and human. In epidemic areas, minks, possibly some other semiaquatic mammals as well, could be an important sentinel species for influenza surveillance and early warning.
[1]Fudan Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Epidemiol, Shanghai, Peoples R China;
[2]Fudan Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Key Lab Publ Hlth Safety, Minist Educ, Shanghai, Peoples R China;
[3]Shandong Univ, Coll Marine Sci, Weihai, Peoples R China;
[4]Dalian Med Univ, Affiliated Hosp 1, Dalian, Peoples R China;
[5]Chinese Acad Med Sci, Natl Ctr Cardiovasc Dis, Fuwai Hosp, State Key Lab Cardiovasc Dis, Beijing, Peoples R China;
[6]Peking Union Med Coll, Beijing, Peoples R China;
[7]Huaian Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Huaian, Peoples R China;
[8]Hongze Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Hongze, Peoples R China;
[9]Univ Ottawa, Fac Med, Sch Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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