ABSTRACT
Avian influenza virus H6N1 subtype has been circulating in aquatic bird and terrestrial bird,and is the most frequently detected subtype of influenza A virus in those hosts.Genetic analysis results suggested that this virus might be the progenitor of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus,as seven of eight gene segments of those viruses had a common source.As continuing evolution of H6N1,it could spread across species barriers to mammals and had strong infection ability in mice,swine and ferrets.Serological epidemiological survey showed that a few people were positive for H6 avian influenza virus antibody and then the world's first human infection with influenza virus H6N1 subtype was reported in May 2013.Therefore,with the expansion of the host range of the virus,gene mutation and gene reassortment of H6N1 virus can occur in these hosts,and then it may evolve into novel variant strain with infected human potential.