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Availability of a new A(H5N1) candidate vaccine virus (clade 2.3.2.1)

16 January 2012

IDCDC-RG-30

A new recombinant influenza A(H5N1) candidate vaccine virus has been developed from A/Hubei/1/2010 (H5N1), a clade 2.3.2.1 virus, by the WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Influenza, Centre for Disease Control, Beijing, China and the WHO Collaborating Center for the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Control of Influenza, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA, of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS).

The new candidate vaccine virus named A/Hubei/1/2010(H5N1)-PR8-IDCDC-RG30 is available for distribution on request. Relevant provisions of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits (the "PIP Framework"), adopted in May 2011 by the World Health Assembly through resolution 64.5, will apply to shipments, use and handling of this virus. The sequence of haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of A/Hubei/1/2010(H5N1) can be found on a NCBI public website:

• HA Genbank CY098758
• NA Genbank CY098760

The cleavage motif of the wild type HA was modified from PQRERRRKR↓GLF to PQGETR↓GLF in A/Hubei/1/2010(H5N1)-PR8-IDCDC-RG30 , to resemble that of low pathogenicity avian viruses. The HA gene sequence of the recombinant candidate vaccine virus can be found at the NCBI public website:

• HA Genbank CY103897

Institutions, companies and others, who wish to receive this candidate vaccine virus, should contact either the GISRS at WHO Headquarters at gisrs-whohq@who.int, or one of the WHO Collaborating Centres of GISRS at the addresses below:

Dr Yuelong Shu
National Influenza Center
National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC
155 Changbai Road
Changping District
Beijing 10226
China
Fax: +86 10 5890 0851
E-mail: yshu@cnic.org.cn

Dr Ruben Donis
Influenza Division
NCIRD/OID
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US CDC
1600 Clifton Rd., MS G-16
Atlanta, GA 30333
United States of America
Fax: (404) 639-2350
E-mail: rvd6@cdc.gov

The WHO GISRS has been closely monitoring the evolution of influenza viruses infecting humans. Countries are encouraged to share with WHO their specimens and/or virus isolates, both from humans and animals in order to be included in the selection and development of candidate vaccine viruses for pandemic preparedness purposes.