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Protective #efficacy of a genetically modified attenuated #vaccinia virus #Tiantan strain against #monkeypox virus challenge in a small animal #model

By G.M.
  ABSTRACT Vaccinia virus (VACV) confers cross-protective immunity against monkeypox virus (MPXV), the causative agent of mpox, and has therefore been extensively exploited as a preventive vaccine . VACV Tiantan strain (VTT) is a second-generation smallpox vaccine used in China in the last century, and there are consistent efforts to minimize its virulence and ensure its best safety for potential clinical applications. In this study, an attenuated VACV rVTT△C12K2△A45 was constructed by deletion of gene segments related to virulence genes , host range genes, immune regulatory genes, and other functional genes from the VTT genome by genetic engineering. Attenuation characteristics of rVTT△C12K2△A45 were confirmed by smaller plaque size, lower replication capacity in various mammalian cell lines along with tests for neurotoxicity in mice , and lesion formation on rabbit skin . Immunization in BALB/c mice with rVTT△C12K2△A45 induced both anti-MPXV and anti-VACV neutralizing antibodies ...
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#Influenza at the #human - #animal #interface - Summary and #risk #assessment, from 20 December 2025 to 22 January 2026 (#WHO)

By G.M.
  • New human cases {2}:  -- From 20 December 2025 to 22 January 2026 , based on reporting date, the detection of A(H9N2) in three humans was reported officially.  • Circulation of influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals :  -- High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) events in poultry and non-poultry animal species continue to be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).{3}  -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also provides a global update on avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential.{4}  -- Additionally, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses continue to circulate in animal populations.  • Risk assessment {5}:  -- Sustained human to human transmission has not been reported associated with the above-mentioned human infection events.  -- Based on information available at the time of this risk assessment update, the overall public hea...
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#Poland - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

By G.M.
  A wild Greylag Goose in Lubelskie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7227 ____
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#Hungary - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (Inf. with) (#poultry) - Immediate notification

By G.M.
  Poultry farms in Békés Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7228 ____
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#Genomic #features associated with sustained #mammalian #transmission of avian #influenza A viruses

By G.M.
  Abstract Comparably few lineages of influenza A virus (IAV) have evolved long-term sustained transmission in mammals . The reasons remain largely unknown , and the possibility of avian IAVs evolving sustained mammalian transmission is an ongoing concern . Here we measured the GC content and frequency of GC dinucleotides in 115,520 whole genomes of IAVs using bioinformatic analyses . We found that persistent mammalian lineages showed declining trends in GC-related content and could be reliably separated from IAVs circulating only in birds and those sporadically infecting mammals. Similarly, the earliest viruses of persistent mammalian lineages showed reduced GC-related content , suggesting that this trait might in part contribute to their eventual persistence . Recent highly pathogenic 2.3.4.4b H5 viruses that spread in mink, foxes and humans were also characterized by reduced GC-related content . While not sufficient, reduced GC-related content may be a necessary condition for su...
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Genomic-based #biosurveillance for avian #influenza: whole genome sequencing from wild #mallards sampled during autumn migration in 2022–23 reveals a high co-infection rate on migration stopover site in #Georgia

By G.M.
  Abstract The Caucasus region, including Georgia, is an important intersection for migratory waterbirds , offering potential for avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission between populations from different geographic areas. In 2022 and 2023, wild ducks were sampled during autumn migration events in Georgia to study the genetic relationships and molecular characteristics of influenza strains. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to compare the sampled strains to reference sequences from Africa, Asia, and Europe , allowing assessment of genetic relationships and virus transmission between migratory birds. Protein language modeling identified potential co-infections. Of 225 duck samples, 128 tested positive for the influenza M gene . 55 influenza-positive samples underwent whole-genome sequencing, revealing significant diversity. Analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) segment showed notable differences among subtypes. Most samples were H6N1 and H6N6 , but co-infections with comb...
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Detection of #LaCrosse Virus #RNA in Clinical #Specimens Obtained from #Children with La Crosse Infection

By G.M.
  Highlights •  Viremia in children with La Crosse Virus infection is transient; viral RNA was detected in only 3.2% of sera •  Detection of La Crosse Virus RNA in respiratory samples is slightly higher at 21.7% and may reflect the temporal distribution of the virus after infection •  NAAT has limited utility in routine diagnosis of La Crosse Virus encephalitis in children but may still be useful in cases with delayed seroconversion Abstract Background La Crosse virus (LACV), a member of family Peribunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus , is the leading cause of neuroinvasive arboviral infection in children in the United States . Diagnosis relies on detecting specific antibodies (IgG or IgM), a 4-fold titer rise or seroconversion, in patients with compatible presentations. NAAT used for LACV detection has largely been limited to mosquito, animal models or postmortem brain tissue. There is a lack of data on the performance of NAATs in clinical specimens from living patie...
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#Oseltamivir and #baloxavir monotherapy and combination #therapy efficacy against clade 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 #influenza virus infection in #ferrets

By G.M.
  Abstract Neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) and cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitors (CENIs) represent two classes of antiviral drugs recommended for early treatment of patients with seasonal influenza A virus (IAV) infections. However, only limited human data , particularly on combination antiviral treatment , are available to inform optimal dosing regimens against novel IAVs, including highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus , associated with severe disease . Clade 2.3.4.4b A( H5N1 ) viruses have caused outbreaks in avian and mammalian species worldwide , highlighting the need to assess antiviral drug efficacy against these strains. We challenged ferrets with a D1.1 genotype A(H5N1) virus and treated infected animals with the NAI oseltamivir phosphate (OST) and the CENI baloxavir acid (BXA), alone or in combination , with treatment onset commencing pre- or post-symptom onset (24- or 48-hours post-inoculation (p.i.), respectively). When administered pre- or post-illness on...
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#Marburg virus disease - #Ethiopia [End of the Outbreak] (#WHO, Jan. 26 '26)

By G.M.
  {Excerpt} 26 January 2026 Situation at a glance On 26 January 2026, the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia declared the end of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak .  This declaration came after two consecutive incubation periods (a total of 42 days) since the last person confirmed with MVD died and was given a safe and dignified burial, in accordance with WHO recommendations on 14 December 2025.  As of 25 January 2026, a cumulative total of 19 cases, including 14 confirmed (including nine deaths ) and five probable cases ( all deaths ), were reported.  A total of 857 contacts listed for monitoring all had completed their 21-day follow-up as of 25 January 2026.  WHO, through its country office and partners, provided technical, operational and financial support to the government to contain this outbreak. Description of the situation On 14 November 2025, after the laboratory confirmation of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) cases in Jinka town, South Ethio...
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#Poland - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

By G.M.
  A wild Greylag Goose in Świętokrzyskie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7224 ____
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#HK, DH follows up on #Nipah virus #infection cluster in #India (Jan. 26 '26)

By G.M.
  DH follows up on Nipah virus infection cluster in India In light of reports indicating a cluster of a Nipah virus infection in a certain region of India, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (January 26) that it has proactively sought further information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian health authorities .  The CHP is also conducting health screenings on inbound travellers from the affected area who exhibit suspected symptoms, with an aim of promptly referring suspected cases to hospitals for investigation.  Currently, there are no imported or local cases of Nipah virus infection in Hong Kong. Preliminary information indicated that a hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, has recorded five confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection since mid-January of this year.  The cluster was mainly due to nosocomial transmission and primarily involved healthcare workers , with no reported deaths or cross-border ...
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#Ukraine - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

By G.M.
  Backyard birds in Chernihiv Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7223 ____
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Pitlessie Fair, David Wilkie (1804)

By G.M.
  Public Domain. Source:  Link:  https://www.wikiart.org/en/david-wilkie/pitlessie-fair-1804 _____
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#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, Jan. 24 '26)

By G.M.
  Antiviral Res HEDSKOG C, Rodriguez L, Hu Y, Li J, et al SARS-CoV-2 Resistance Analyses From the Phase 3 BIRCH Study of Obeldesivir in High-Risk Nonhospitalized Participants With COVID-19. Antiviral Res. 2026 Jan 19:106351. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2026.106351. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ HIGGS J Help me piece my story together. BMJ. 2026;392:r2624. PubMed          RUSSELL MD, Schaffer A, Bechman K, Gibson M, et al Time trends in newly recorded diagnoses of 19 long term conditions before, during, and after the covid-19 pandemic: population based cohort study in England using OpenSAFELY. BMJ. 2026;392:e086393. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis WINOKUR P, Diya O, Fitz-Patrick D, Dever M, et al Safety and Immunogenicity of a Fourth Dose of Omicron-BA.1-Adapted BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccines in Adults 18?55 Years Old. Clin Infect Dis. 2026 Jan 21...
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#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, Jan. 24 '26)

By G.M.
  Ann Intern Med SACKS HS In older adults, RSV prefusion F vaccine reduced hospitalization for RSV-related respiratory tract disease vs. no vaccine. Ann Intern Med. 2026 Jan 6. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-05113. PubMed           Abstract available SOUMARE A, Kapfer T, Botrel T, Adda L, et al Systemic Corticosteroids, Mortality, and Infections in Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-03055. PubMed           Abstract available Arch Virol LAI QR, Chen W, Yu GF, Guo YJ, et al Molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of human adenovirus in children in Hangzhou (2022-2023). Arch Virol. 2026;171:60. PubMed           Abstract available Biochem Biophys Res Commun WU X, Bhatt V, Liu JJ, Hong L, et al Single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis reveals differential expr...
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History of Mass Transportation: The Zentralbahn De 110 005-6 Electric Locomotive in Meiringen BE, Switzerland

By G.M.
  Par Paebi — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1054053 Source:  Link:  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zentralbahn ____
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