#UK Health Security Agency #update on the #hantavirus #outbreak (May 16 '26)

 

Latest update

    The UK government continues to work with the NHS, local authorities and UK Overseas Territories in response to the hantavirus outbreak. 

    UKHSA and NHS staff have been closely monitoring those currently at Arrowe Park and those isolating at home to provide them with all necessary support. 

    A further individual has left Arrowe Park today to complete their 45-day isolation period at home after a clinical and public health assessment confirmed it was safe for them to do so.

    A contact from Ascension Island, a medic who developed symptoms, has now safely arrived at the High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit in Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. 

    They were medically evacuated to the UK separately for specialist assessment, as a highly precautionary measure.

    While the individual is not a confirmed case, cases of Hantavirus can rapidly become very unwell and require critical care. 

    As there is no specialist infectious diseases unit on Ascension Island, the decision was made to bring them to the UK to ensure they receive the best possible support at a HCID unit should they become unwell. 

    The individual will undergo further testing and assessment at the unit today.

    As updated previously, UKHSA is working closely with FCDO and UK Overseas Territories to support the relocation of 9 asymptomatic contacts from St Helena and Ascension Island. 

    They will be brought to the UK to complete their self-isolation as a highly precautionary measure. 

    This will ensure they can be provided with the best possible support from the NHS’s HCID network should they become unwell.

    They are expected to arrive in the UK on Sunday and will be transferred to Arrowe Park where they will be closely monitored and offered all necessary support. The chartered flight will operate under strict infection prevention and control measures and medical checks will be carried out before the flight to ensure passengers are asymptomatic.

    Dr William Welfare, Director Health Protection in Regions at UKHSA, said:

    ''We would like to thank those who remain in isolation at Arrowe Park, as well as those now self-isolating at home. We know how difficult and stressful a time this continues to be for all those involved and we are very grateful for their cooperation.

    ''Our teams will continue to work closely with all those affected by this outbreak, ensuring everyone has the necessary support in place.

    ''I am very pleased to hear the contact who developed symptoms on Ascension Island is now safely being cared for at the High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit in Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

    ''UKHSA continues to work closely with FCDO, DHSC and NHS colleagues to safely bring the British nationals currently isolating on St Helena and Ascension Island to the UK.

    ''The risk to the general public remains very low.

    Further information on the rapid response mobile laboratory can be found in the recent blog from UKHSA.

Source: 

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak

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Imported case of avian #influenza #H9N2 virus #infection in a patient with miliary #tuberculosis, #Italy, March 2026

 

Abstract

On 21 March 2026, avian influenza A(H9N2) virus was confirmed in Italy in a patient with miliary tuberculosis. The patient had recently travelled to West Africa. Following the detection of an unsubtypable influenza A virus, rapid molecular confirmation and full genome sequencing were performed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus belonged to subclade G5.5 and was closely related to African strains. Epidemiological investigations identified no additional cases, suggesting there was no evidence of onward transmission at the time of reporting.

Source: 

Link: https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.15.2600285#abstract_content

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#Statement on the #antigen #composition of #COVID19 #vaccines (#WHO, May 16 '26)

 

Key points:

    -- The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) held its twice-yearly decision-making meeting in May 2026 to review the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the effectiveness of currently approved COVID-19 vaccines and the implications for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition.

    -- The objective of any update to COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition is to enhance vaccine-induced immune responses to circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, when needed.

    -- Following this meeting, the TAG-CO-VAC advises vaccine manufacturers that monovalent LP.8.1 is the recommended vaccine antigen.

    -- Other antigens (e.g. XFG, NB.1.8.1) or other approaches that demonstrate broad and robust neutralizing antibody responses or efficacy against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants could also be used.

    -- Vaccination remains an important public health countermeasure against COVID-19 and vaccination should not be delayed in anticipation of access to vaccines with an updated antigen composition. As per the March 2026 WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommendations, Member States should consider routine COVID-19 vaccination of groups at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

    -- The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to closely monitor the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against circulating variants. 

    -- Based on these evaluations, WHO advises vaccine manufacturers and regulatory authorities on the implications for future updates to COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. 

    -- In December 2025, the TAG-CO-VAC advised vaccine manufacturers that monovalent LP.8.1 is the recommended vaccine antigen. Multiple manufacturers (using mRNA or recombinant protein-based vaccines) have updated COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition to monovalent LP.8.1 formulation. Several of these vaccines have been approved for use by regulatory authorities and have been introduced into vaccination programmes. Previous statements from the TAG-CO-VAC can be found on the WHO website.

    -- The TAG-CO-VAC reconvened on 7-8 May 2026 to review the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2; immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination; the effectiveness of currently approved vaccines against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants; and the implications for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition.

Evidence reviewed

    -- The published and unpublished evidence reviewed by the TAG-CO-VAC included: 

    (1) SARS-CoV-2 genetic evolution, with additional support from the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE); 

    (2) Antigenic characterization of previous and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants using virus neutralization tests with animal antisera and further analysis of antigenic relationships using antigenic cartography; 

    (3) Immunogenicity data on the breadth of neutralizing antibody responses elicited by currently approved vaccine antigens against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants using animal and human sera, with additional support from WHO Coronavirus Network (CoViNet); 

    (4) Preliminary clinical immunogenicity data on immune responses following infection with circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants; 

    (5) Available COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates of currently approved vaccines; and 

    (6) Preliminary non-clinical and clinical immunogenicity data on the performance of candidate vaccines with updated antigens shared by vaccine manufacturers with TAG-CO-VAC. 

    Further details on the data reviewed by the TAG-CO-VAC can be found in the accompanying data annex. Confidential data reviewed by the TAG-CO-VAC are not shown.

Summary of available evidence

    There are persistent and increasing gaps and delays in the surveillance and reporting of cases, hospitalizations and deaths from WHO Member States, limiting the interpretation and comparability of epidemiological trends over time. 

    In 2026, SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate globally, causing severe disease, post COVID-19 condition, and death. 

    However, the impact on health systems has reduced substantially compared to 2020-2021 due to multiple factors, including increased population immunity from infection and/or vaccination and improved clinical management. 

    In 2026, all WHO regions are reporting lower SARS-CoV-2 test positivity rates than during the corresponding period in previous years.

    Globally, the current predominant variant among SARS-CoV-2 sequences remains Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) XFG, however the weekly proportion is now declining. 

    In contrast, in countries in the WHO Western Pacific Region where sequencing continues, VUM NB.1.8.1 is the predominant variant. 

    Globally, the proportion of VUM BA.3.2 is increasing, with heterogeneous dynamics across countries where genomic surveillance continues. 

    BA.3.2 appears to have lower fitness than JN.1-descendant variants, which may explain why BA.3.2 has not displaced JN.1-descendant variants in regions where it has been detected. 

    To date, the increase in the proportion of BA.3.2 does not appear to be associated with a substantial increase in disease burden, unlike increases associated with previous Variants of Interest and JN.1-descendant variants. 

    In several countries, BA.3.2 appears to account for a higher proportion of sequences from young children than adults, suggesting possible differences in susceptibility to BA.3.2 related to a lack of cross-reactive immunity generated by previous exposure to early SARS-CoV-2 variants. 

    However, sequence numbers and the reported number of infected individuals, including those with severe disease, remain low; this observation should therefore be interpreted with caution.

    Neutralization data using antisera from naïve animals infected or vaccinated with JN.1, LP.8.1, NB.1.8.1 or XFG, indicated that recent JN.1-descendant variants are antigenically closely related. 

    These variants differed by approximately 1 antigenic unit in cartographic analyses, corresponding to a two-fold-difference in neutralization, with XFG often the most antigenically distant from JN.1 within the JN.1 cluster. 

    In contrast, these antisera showed limited neutralizing activity against BA.3.2. 

    Antisera from naïve animals infected with BA.3.2 showed very limited cross-reactivity with recent JN.1-descendant variants. 

    Together, these results indicate that BA.3.2 is antigenically distinct from JN.1- descendant variants.

    Sera from cohorts that are representative of recent population immunity and pre-LP.8.1 vaccination sera demonstrated cross-reactivity with recent JN.1-descendant variants and with BA.3.2.

    Pre- and post-vaccination sera from individuals immunized with LP.8.1 demonstrated significant increases in neutralizing activity against JN.1 and its descendant variants, including NB.1.8.1 and XFG. 

    Post-vaccination neutralizing antibody titers and the fold change against BA.3.2 were lower than against the homologous LP.8.1 antigen and other JN.1- descendant variants.

    Pre- and post-vaccination sera from individuals immunized with JN.1 or KP.2 demonstrated significant increases in neutralizing activity against JN.1 and its descendant variants. 

    However, post-vaccination neutralizing antibody titers against NB.1.8.1 and XFG were lower than those against the homologous JN.1 or KP.2 antigens, with even larger reductions typically observed for BA.3.2.

    Contemporary vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates are relative (rVE) and demonstrate the added or incremental protection of recent vaccination over and above pre-existing infection- and vaccine-derived immunity. 

    Monovalent JN.1 and KP.2 mRNA vaccines demonstrated additional protection—relative to pre-existing immunity—against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. 

    The limited number of rVE estimates using monovalent LP.8.1 vaccines also demonstrated additional protection against symptomatic and severe COVID-19.

    Data shared with the TAG-CO-VAC by vaccine manufacturers showed that:

      - Immunization of naïve mice with monovalent LP.8.1, XFG or NB.1.8.1 induced high neutralizing antibody titers against the homologous antigen, as well as other JN.1-descendant variants. 

    - Low or non-detectable neutralizing antibody titers were consistently observed against BA.3.2. 

    - In contrast, immunization of naïve mice with monovalent BA.3.2 induced immune responses largely restricted to the homologous antigen. 

    - Overall immunogenicity of BA.3.2 was lower than after LP.8.1, XFG or NB.1.8.1 immunization.

    - Immunization of mice previously immunized with SARS-CoV-2 variants and then immunized with LP.8.1, XFG or NB.1.8.1 induced high neutralizing antibody titers against JN.1-descendant variants. 

    - Lower neutralizing antibody titers against BA.3.2 were observed. 

    - Immunization with BA.3.2 induced neutralizing titers against the homologous antigen, and to a lesser extent against JN.1-descedant variants. 

    - However, overall immunogenicity of BA.3.2 was lower than after LP.8.1, XFG or NB.1.8.1 immunization.

    - In humans, vaccination with 8.1 induced strong increases in neutralizing antibody titers against JN.1, LP.8.1, NB.1.8.1 and XFG. 

    - As in mice, post- vaccination neutralizing antibody titers against BA.3.2 were lower than those against the homologous LP.8.1 antigen. 

    - A single clinical immunogenicity study using a BA.3.2 vaccine candidate showed increased neutralizing antibody titers against the homologous antigen, and a back boost against JN.1-descendant variants, but overall lower immunogenicity than the LP.8.1 vaccine.

    - Overall, LP.8.1 as a vaccine antigen in populations with high levels of prior infection and / or vaccination continues to induce broadly cross-reactive immune responses to circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.

    -- The TAG-CO-VAC acknowledges several limitations of available data:

    - There are persistent and increasing gaps and delays in the reporting of cases, hospitalizations and deaths, from WHO Member States, as well as in genetic/genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 globally, including low numbers of samples sequenced and limited geographic diversity. The TAG-CO-VAC strongly supports the ongoing work of the WHO Coronavirus Network (CoViNet) and the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) to address this information gap.

    - The timing, specific mutations and antigenic characteristics of emerging and future variants are difficult to predict, and the potential public health impact of these variants remain unknown. Currently, two antigenically distinct lineages (JN.1-descendant and BA.3.2-descendant variants) are circulating and the comparative evolutionary potential of these lineages remains uncertain. Variants derived from these lineages will continue to be monitored and/or characterized, and the TAG-CO-VAC strongly supports the ongoing work of the TAG-VE. 

    - Although neutralizing antibody titers have been shown to be important correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection and of estimates of vaccine effectiveness, there are multiple components of immune protection elicited by infection and/or vaccination. Data on the immune responses following JN.1-descendant variant infection or monovalent LP.8.1 vaccination are largely restricted to neutralizing antibodies. Data and interpretation of other aspects of the immune response, including cellular immunity, are limited. 

    - Immunogenicity data against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants are not available for all COVID-19 vaccines. 

    - Recent estimates of rVE are limited in terms of the number of studies, geographic diversity, vaccine platforms evaluated, populations assessed, duration of follow-up, and contemporary comparisons of vaccines with different antigen composition. There are currently only a limited number of available rVE estimates using monovalent LP.8.1 mRNA vaccines; there are no rVE estimates in populations in which BA.3.2 was the predominant variant.

Recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition

    -- Monovalent LP.8.1 (Nextstrain: 25A; GenBank: PV074550.1; GISAID: EPI_ISL_19467828) is the recommended COVID-19 vaccine antigen.

    -- Other antigens (e.g. XFG, NB.1.8.1) or other approaches that demonstrate broad and robust neutralizing antibody responses or efficacy against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants could also be used.

    -- As per the March 2026 WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommendations, Member States should consider routine COVID-19 vaccination of groups at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease and vaccination should not be delayed in anticipation of access to vaccines with an updated antigen composition.

Further data requested

    -- Given the limitations of the evidence upon which the recommendations above are derived and the anticipated continued evolution of the virus, the TAG-CO-VAC strongly encourages generation of the following data (in addition to the types of data outlined in March 2026)

    - Immune responses and clinical endpoints (i.e. VE and/or comparator rates of infection and severe disease) in varied human populations who receive currently approved COVID-19 vaccines against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, across different vaccine platforms.

    - Strengthened epidemiological and virological surveillance, as per the Standing Recommendations for COVID-19 in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005), to determine if emerging variants are antigenically distinct and able to displace circulating variants.

    - Strengthened epidemiological surveillance to characterize disease severity in immunologically naïve and/ or immature individuals (e.g. young pediatric cohorts), particularly for BA.3.2 infections.

    - Non-clinical and clinical immunogenicity data against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants for vaccine candidates with different SARS-CoV-2 antigens.

    - As previously stated, the TAG-CO-VAC continues to encourage the further development of vaccines that may improve protection against infection and reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

    -- The TAG-CO-VAC will continue to closely monitor the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against circulating variants. The TAG-CO-VAC will also continue to reconvene every six months, or as needed, to evaluate the implications for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. At each meeting, recommendations to either maintain current vaccine composition or to consider updates will be issued. Prior to each meeting, the TAG-CO-VAC will publish an update to the statement on the types of data requested to inform COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition deliberations.

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2026-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines

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#Andes #hantavirus #outbreak #Update: 16 May 2026 (ECDC, edited): No New Cases since last update

 

    ECDC was notified on 2 May 2026 of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries. 

    The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus.

    As of 16 May, a total of eleven cases have been reported, including eight confirmed, two probable, and one inconclusive. 

    No new cases or deaths have been reported since the previous update. 

    The risk to the EU/EEA general population remains very low.

___

    -- Confirmed cases***: 8

    -- Probable cases**: 2

    -- Suspected cases*: 0

    -- Inconclusive cases****: 1

    -- Number of deaths: 3

___

Notes

    {*} A suspected case is a person who has been on or visited the same transport (e.g. ship or plane) where a confirmed or probable Andes hantavirus (ANDV) case was present, 

    - OR - 

    - has been in contact with a passenger or crew member of the MV Hondius since 5 April, 

    - AND -

    - has a fever (currently or recently), plus at least one of the following symptoms: 

        ° muscle aches

        ° chills

        ° headache

        ° stomach problems (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain)

        ° breathing problems (such as cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or difficulty breathing)

    {**} A probable case is a person who has the symptoms listed above, and is known to have been in contact with a confirmed or probable ANDV case

    {***} A confirmed case is a person who meets the suspected or probable case definition, and has a laboratory test that confirms ANDV infection (PCR or antibody test)

    {****} An inconclusive case means awaiting further laboratory investigations.

    Non-case: A non-case is a person who was initially considered a suspected or probable case, but tests negative for ANDV using laboratory tests (PCR or antibody test).

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/hantavirus-infection/surveillance-and-updates/andes-hantavirus-outbreak

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History of Mass Transportation: Transferoviar Multiple Unit, formerly DB class 624 seen at București Nord on 4 November 2014

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

By Phil Richards from London, UK - 04.11.14 București Nord 76.2406, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37108856

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_stock_of_the_Romanian_Railways

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#Africa #CDC Calls for Urgent Regional Coordination Following #Ebola Virus Disease #Outbreak in #Ituri Province, #DRC, and Imported Ebola #Bundibugyo Case Reported by #Uganda (May 16 '26)

 

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo / Kampala, Uganda, 15 May 2026 — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is closely monitoring the confirmed Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the imported Ebola Bundibugyo case reported by the Uganda Ministry of Health. 

    Africa CDC is working with national authorities and partners to support a rapid, coordinated regional response aimed at interrupting transmission, protecting communities and reducing the risk of cross-border spread.

    Following consultations with the DRC Ministry of Health and national public health institutions, preliminary laboratory results from the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale (INRB) detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested with the Bundibugyo Virus.

    As of the latest update from DRC, approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. 

    Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases. 

    Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia and are pending confirmation. 

    These figures remain provisional and are being validated through laboratory confirmation, line-list harmonization, contact identification and epidemiological investigation.

    In a statement issued on 15 May 2026, Uganda’s Ministry of Health reported a confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease case in a 59-year-old Congolese male who was admitted to Kibuli Muslim Hospital on 11 May 2026 and died on 14 May 2026. 

    Uganda has reported the case as imported from DRC and has indicated that no local case has yet been confirmed. 

    Africa CDC is supporting coordination to align laboratory information, contact management and cross-border risk assessment across affected and at-risk settings.

    The confirmation of an imported case reported by Uganda underscores the importance of rapid regional coordination. 

    Africa CDC remains concerned by the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, with insecurity intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, gaps in contact listing, infection prevention and control challenges, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.

    Due to the cabinet meeting in DRC to discuss this outbreak, Africa CDC agreed to postpone the meeting that was planned and convene this urgent high-level regional coordination meeting today 16 May 2026 with health authorities from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, together with the WHO, UNICEF, the Pandemic Fund, African Medicines Agency (AMA), U.S. CDC and other response partners. 

    The meeting will focus on immediate response priorities, cross-border surveillance and alert management, laboratory support and sequencing, infection prevention and control, case management, risk communication and community engagement, safe and dignified burials, contact management, logistics and resource mobilization.

    “Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Governments and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as they respond to this outbreak,” said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. 

    “The situation requires speed, scientific rigour and regional solidarity. We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain transmission as quickly as possible.”

    To respond in a more coherent and holistic way to this regional outbreak, Africa CDC took the following immediate actions:

        ° Activate the Incident management Support Team (IMST) including all partners as the regional coordinating mechanism for the 3 countries and approve a 72-hour Incident Action Plan covering DRC and Uganda responses and South Sudan preparedness.

        ° Deploy multidisciplinary surge teams to support DRC and Uganda where the disease is cleared, with parallel readiness support for neighboring countries.

        ° Establish a medical countermeasures workstream to assess diagnostics, PPE, therapeutics, vaccines and cold chain needs, pending final sequencing.

        ° Mandate the Science, Innovation and R&D team, to coordinate sequencing follow-up, evidence review, product options, research protocols and partner engagement.

        ° Convene the regional partner coordination meeting on 16 May at 3pm Geneva time with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, WHO, AMA and key technical and financing partners,

        ° Hold an evening press briefing on 16 May at 6pm Geneva time to brief the media on this outbreak

        ° Escalate political engagement through President Ramaphosa as the AU PPPR Champion, the AU Commission Chairperson and AU Bureau to secure high-level support for access and coordination.

    Africa CDC urges communities in affected and at-risk areas to follow guidance from national health authorities, report symptoms promptly, avoid direct physical contact with suspected cases, avoid contact with body fluids or contaminated materials, maintain hand hygiene, and support response teams working to protect communities. 

    Health facilities and health workers should maintain a high index of suspicion, apply infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases through national reporting channels.

    Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal illness. It spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, contaminated materials, or the bodies of persons who have died from the disease. Early detection, prompt isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials are critical to stopping transmission.

    Africa CDC will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available, including sequencing results, updates from national health authorities and outcomes of the regional coordination meeting.

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About Africa CDC

    The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Contact: Wilson Johwa, Senior Communications Officer, Directorate of Communication & Public Information | JohwaW@africacdc.org

Source: 

Link: https://africacdc.org/news-item/africa-cdc-calls-for-urgent-regional-coordination-following-ebola-virus-disease-outbreak-in-ituri-province-drc-and-imported-ebola-bundibugyo-case-reported-by-uganda/

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Membrane-anchored #influenza #neuraminidase vaccine drives #human-like broadly protective B cell responses

 

Abstract

Influenza neuraminidase (NA) is a promising target for universal flu vaccines, yet eliciting potent B-cell responses against its conserved epitopes remains challenging. Here, we developed a membrane-anchored, folding-domain-free NA (mNA) that elicited superior head-specific germinal center B cell and antibody responses compared to soluble tetrameric NA. In non-human primates, mNA immunization induced cross-reactive memory B cell (MBC) responses, expanding clones with the conserved DR motif in HCDR3, a hallmark of human broadly reactive NA antibodies. These MBCs conferred cross-inhibitory activity against diverse NA variants and in vivo cross-protection. Cryo-EM analysis revealed that the 554-C2 clone targets the conserved enzymatic pocket via the DR motif, while the 554-C1 clone recognizes previously uncharacterized epitopes at the interface between two adjacent N2 monomers, effectively reducing plaque formation by contemporary H3N2 strains. Our findings highlight the immunological advantages of membrane-anchoring, providing a robust strategy for designing next-generation vaccines against influenza and other pathogens.

Competing Interest Statement

Westlake University has filed for patent protection for mNA used as an influenza vaccine.

Funder Information Declared

State Key Laboratory of Gene Expression, SKLGE-ZX-2025007

Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory Construction Project, 2024ZY01026, 2024E10060, 2024E10052

Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang province, LR26H190001

National Natural Science Foundation of China, 82471855, 825B2062, 82330054, 82502209, 32471303

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.13.724804v1

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A Panel of #Human Monoclonal #Antibodies for Tracking the #Antigenic #Evolution of #Influenza #H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b

 

Abstract

The ongoing panzootic of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 influenza has resulted in widespread infection of birds, mammals, and livestock, underscoring the need for tools to interpret its real-time evolution. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of a panel of 19 human monoclonal antibodies that potently neutralize current isolates. Competition immunoassays and cryo-electron microscopy analyses revealed their collective near-complete epitope coverage of the H5-hemagglutinin surface. Neutralization profiling across multiple historical and contemporary H5 viruses defined their epitope-specific patterns of virus neutralization. One cluster of antibodies potently neutralized only clade 2.3.4.4b viruses, while many others exhibited broadly neutralizing activity against diverse H5N1 clades. Application of this structurally calibrated antibody panel to recent North American human isolates revealed genotype-specific antigenic divergence between lineages that have spread among cattle (B3.13) and poultry (D1.1). Together, the findings of this study establish a structurally grounded antibody reference panel spanning major vulnerable sites of H5 hemagglutinin and provide a toolbox for interpreting emergent mutations, monitoring ongoing antigenic drift, and anticipating the evolutionary trajectory of circulating H5N1 influenza viruses.

Competing Interest Statement

H.H., M.W., S.C., J.Y., Y.H., Y.G., and D.D.H. are inventors on the provisional patent application filed by Regeneron for several H5N1 neutralizing antibodies described herein. D.D.H. is a co-founder of TaiMed Biologics and RenBio, consultant to Brii Biosciences, and board director for Vicarious Surgical.

Funder Information Declared

Gates Foundation, INV019355

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.14.725215v1

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#US State of #Washington health officials assisting with #hantavirus #investigations involving two different virus #strains in two separate events (Dept. of Health, May 16 '26)

 

Risk of hantavirus to the public remains very low

    OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is working with local and federal partners on two separate hantavirus-related investigations. 

    One investigation involves individuals potentially exposed to cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, while the other involves a hantavirus infection unrelated to the cruise ship. 

    The cases involve different virus strains and exposure circumstances and are not connected.

    Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by different rodent species. 

    Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare but serious disease caused by exposure to infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva. 

    About one out of three people diagnosed with HPS have died. 

    The risk of contracting any strain of hantavirus remains very low.

Investigation 1: Andes virus exposure monitoring in Washington

    Earlier this week, Public Health – Seattle & King County announced monitoring of three King County residents who were potentially exposed to the Andes strain of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. 

    Two individuals were exposed during an international flight by a passenger who was later diagnosed with Andes virus, and one individual was exposed on the cruise ship. 

    All three people are currently asymptomatic. 

    Potentially exposed people are monitored for 42 days after their last exposure to a person infected with the Andes virus.

    Additionally, CDC has notified DOH of three additional Washington residents who were on the same international flight as two of the King County individuals and are considered to have low-risk exposures. 

    One individual is a King County resident. 

    The other two residents live in Eastern Washington. 

    DOH is not releasing further details to protect individual privacy. Out of an abundance of caution, local health jurisdictions are reaching out to these individuals to assess exposure and monitor them for symptoms.

    Andes virus is a type of hantavirus spread by rodents in South America. The rodents that carry the virus have not been found in the United States. In rare cases, Andes virus can spread from person to person, typically through prolonged, close contact with someone who is ill. No cases of Andes virus have been reported among Washington residents.

    Local health jurisdictions are in     regular contact with impacted residents to monitor for symptoms during the 42-day incubation period associated with Andes virus.

Investigation 2: Sin Nombre virus hantavirus pulmonary syndrome case in Chelan County

    Today Chelan-Douglas Health District reported the first case of Sin Nombre virus hantavirus in Washington state this year. This case is not connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, which was caused by a different type of hantavirus.

    Sin Nombre virus-infected deer mice are found throughout Washington. Infected deer mice can spread the virus through urine, saliva, and droppings. People can become infected by breathing contaminated dust when disturbing rodent droppings, urine, nests, or nesting materials, particularly in enclosed or rodent-infested spaces. Less commonly, people can be infected by touching contaminated objects and touching their eyes, nose, or mouth, or by being bitten or scratched by an infected rodent.

    Any activity that puts you in contact with deer mouse droppings, urine, saliva, or nesting materials can place you at risk for infection. For information on how to safely clean areas where rodents may be present, DOH recommends the following guidance.

    DOH has tracked hantavirus cases since 1994. The state typically reports one to five Sin Nombre hantavirus cases each year. Unlike Andes virus, Sin Nombre virus does not spread from person to person.

    The risk to the public from any hantavirus is very low because: 

        - Sin Nombre virus infections can be prevented by avoiding contact with rodents and rodent-infested areas and using wet-cleaning methods when cleaning rodent droppings, dead or trapped rodents, or nesting materials.

        - Andes virus person-to-person transmission can be limited through early identification of cases and monitoring of close contacts.

    Visit DOH's website for additional information on Hantavirus.

    Our website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Get updates by following us on social media.

Source: 

Link: https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/washington-health-officials-assisting-hantavirus-investigations-involving-two-different-virus

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