ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Farmed mink are frequently exposed to circulating influenza A viruses (IAVs), as confirmed by viral isolation and serological evidence. Previous work reveals that naïve mink serve as susceptible hosts for both avian and human influenza strains , highlighting their potential role in influenza ecology . In this study, we investigated whether farmed mink naturally pre-exposed to H9 retain the capacity to serve as “mixing vessels” for reassorting human and avian IAVs. Our results demonstrate that they remain fully susceptible and permissive to infection by both avian H6N6 and human H1N1 influenza strains . Notably, efficient transmission of these viruses occurred among farmed mink, confirming their potential to sustain viral exchange . These findings indicate that farmed mink represent highly permissive hosts capable of facilitating reassortment between circulating human and avian IAVs. Given this risk, current mink farming practices may substantially increase the likelihood...

  Abstract Avian influenza virus (AIV) infections in cats are a new and not fully understood  problem  in Poland . These infections have drawn the attention of both veterinarians  and human medical  practitioners , mainly because of their zoonotic  potential , i.e. possible spreading to humans and  other mammals . In wild felids as  well as in domestic cats , AIV can cause severe infections , often  ending in death.  Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and low pathogenic avian  influenza virus (LPAIV) have been identified, with the recent H5N1 (2.3.4.4b  clade) outbreak  affecting poultry, wild birds and carnivores .  Transmission likely occurs through contact with  infected birds , their excretions or  contaminated raw poultry , while cat-to-cat transmission  remains unconfirmed .  First reported in Thailand in 2003, H5N1 infections in cats have since  occurred in  multiple c...

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 virus, first identified in late 2016 in Egypt, continues to circulate and has replaced the previously dominant HPAI H5N1 virus of clade 2.2.1. In this study, HPAI H5N8 was detected on 23 commercial poultry farms in Egypt . Complete genome sequences of three isolates collected in 2021 were obtained using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and subjected to genetic characterization. Phylogenetic analysis showed these isolates to belong to clade 2.3.4.4b, comprising two genotypes: EA-2021-Q and EA-2020-A . Molecular analysis of the haemagglutinin (HA) protein revealed the presence of T156A and V538A substitutions in the duck isolate and an N183S substitution in the chicken isolate . Several additional nonsynonymous mutations were identified, including 147I and 504V in the PB2 protein , 127V, 672L, and 550L in the PA protein , 64F and 69P in the M2 protein , and 42S in the NS1 protein . Comparative analysis of HA antigenic sites bet...

  WASHINGTON, D.C., December 19, 2025 On December 14, 2025, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd in Wisconsin .  On December 17 , the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) completed whole genome sequencing and confirmed that the virus is H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype D1.1.  Analysis indicates that this detection is a new spillover event from wildlife into dairy cattle, separate from previous events. Key Points -- Most detections in U.S. dairy herds have resulted from movements linked to the original spillover event that occurred in the Texas Panhandle in late 2023, involving the B3.13 strain . -- In early 2025, through the National Milk Testing Strategy , USDA detected two spillover events in Nevada and Arizona dairy herds. Both were identified early, and no further herd infections occurred through animal movements. These events involved the D1.1 strain...

  Abstract Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) viruses, particularly IAV (H5N1), continue to pose a major global threat due to their widespread circulation and high mortality rates in birds. Management of HPAI is complicated by challenges in conserving migratory bird populations, sustaining poultry production, and uncertainties in disease dynamics. Structured decision-making frameworks , such as those based on the PrOACT model, are recommended to improve outbreak response and guide critical actions , especially when HPAI virus (HPAIV) detections occur in sensitive areas like wildlife refuges . Surveillance data from late 2024 to early 2025 show persistent HPAI activity , with 743 detections across 22 European countries and beyond, and notable outbreaks in poultry in nations like Hungary, Iceland, and the UK . The proximity of poultry farms to water sources increases environmental contamination risks. Meanwhile, HPAI A(IAV (H5N1)) and other H5Nx viruses have been detected in a ...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: December 07, 2025 - December 13, 2025 {*} -- H5 Detection :   3 site(s) ( 0.7% ) -- No Detection :  451 site(s) ( 99.3% ) -- No samples in last week :  37 site(s) {*} Note: The H5 detection at site 2030 in Virginia is a result of a data error and is a false detection. This will be corrected in the next update. (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

{Höör Region} A farm with parent poultry. All animals were euthanized 18 December. A protection zone (3 km) and a surveillance zone (10 km) have been put in place around the infected farm and all other restrictions and necessary measures according to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and EU DR 2020/687 are applied. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7136 ____

  A poultry farm in Łódzkie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7137 ____

  {Excerpt} Since 1997, more than 1000 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) have been reported in humans . During this time, A(H5N1) viruses have evolved into dozens of clades , showing ever-expanding phylogenetic diversification and geographical spread . Over the past 5 years, clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses have exhibited rapid global expansion in migratory birds, with spillover to an increasing range of marine and terrestrial mammalian species . Among these species are dairy cattle , not previously recognised as a permissive host for influenza A viruses (IAV), leading to widespread clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) outbreaks in herds in the USA and sporadic human infections linked with exposure to infected animals since March 2024. While person-to-person transmission has not been detected in the USA, the increased geographical distribution of and susceptibility of mammalian hosts to clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses has brought to the forefront a need to assess the pandemic risk ...

  Summary Background Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses of the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage pose a global threat to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans . Cross-species transmission events to mammals, including humans , in the past 4 years highlight this threat. For influenza A viruses, crucial determinants of cross-species and intraspecies transmission to and among mammals include attachment to and replication in respiratory airway epithelial cells . Although these determinants have been studied for H5N1 viruses in the past, limited studies for clade 2.3.4.4b viruses exist. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the ability of recent clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses to attach to human respiratory tissues, to replicate in human airway epithelial cells and the associated immune response. Methods In this in-vitro study, we investigated three H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses (H5N1Gull2022, H5N1Polecat2022, and H5N1Bovine2024) in comparison with previously studied 2....

  Key points: -- The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition ( TAG-CO-VAC ) held its twice-yearly decision-making meeting in December 2025 to review the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the performance of currently approved COVID-19 vaccines and the implications for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. -- The objective of an update to COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition is to enhance vaccine-induced immune responses to circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. -- Following this meeting, the TAG-CO-VAC advises vaccine manufacturers that monovalent LP.8.1 is the recommended vaccine antigen. -- The previously recommended JN.1 lineage (JN.1 or KP.2) antigens remain suitable alternatives and vaccination should not be delayed in anticipation of access to vaccines with the LP.8.1 composition. -- Other approaches that demonstrate broad and robust neutralizing antibody responses or efficacy against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants could also be considered. -- Vaccination rema...

  Highlights •  Epidemiological parameters differ by pathogen and by setting. •  Unsupervised machine learning classifies pathogens into distinct epidemiological archetypes. •  Pathogens can be allocated into defined groups outlining plausible parameter ranges across epidemiologically similar pathogens. Abstract Introduction In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic many countries are trying to widen their pandemic planning from its traditional focus on influenza . However, it is impossible to draw up detailed plans for every pathogen with epidemic potential. We set out to try to simplify this process by reviewing the epidemiology of a range of pathogens with pandemic potential and seeing whether they fall into groups with shared epidemiological traits. Methods We reviewed the epidemiological characteristics of 19 different pathogens with pandemic potential (those on the WHO priority list of pathogens, different strains of influenza and Mpox). We extracted data on key pa...

  Abstract Identifying animal species that are susceptible to the plethora of existing and emerging viruses is critical for predicting and containing disease outbreaks . Current efforts to assess viral tropism largely rely on experimental infection models , but such experiments are logistically and ethically infeasible for many wildlife species. To tackle this challenge, we developed a panel of airway organoids from ten taxonomically diverse wildlife and livestock species and evaluated their susceptibility to influenza viruses of mammalian (pH1N1) and avian (H5N1) origin . Our analyses revealed large species-specific differences in infection rate and cytopathogenicity that aligned with known in vivo data and field observations. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this organoid panel can serve as a powerful tool to elucidate receptor-binding mechanisms, viral dynamics, and early host adaptation in poorly characterized animal species. In summary, this work provides a robust and ethical...

  Abstract Avian influenza (AI) is a significant disease affecting chickens and other avian species. Wild birds are thought to contribute to the virus transmission. The present study intends to explore the existence of AI type A virus in wild birds at the Six April Zoo, Khartoum State, Sudan . A total of 42 cloacal and tracheal swabs were collected from clinically healthy individuals belonging to five different wild bird species . The selected wild bird species were Common crane Grus grus, Sudan crowned crane Balearica pavonina, Helmeted guinea fowl Numida meleagris, Duck sp. Anatidae and Chestnut-billed sand grouse Pterocles exustus . Swabs were examined for AI virus antigen using the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, and all tested swabs produced positive results . The swab samples were inoculated into embryonated chicken eggs. The isolated virus was identified by AGID test and polymerase chain reaction . The virus was isolated from swabs collected from Grus grus, Balearica p...

  Abstract The MERS-COV virus is a zoonotic coronavirus that emerged in 2012 in KSA and caused viral illness with a case fatality rate up to 35 %. Over a decade later, the virus is still evolving and circulating . The aim of this review is to discuss the current epidemiology of MERS-COV both in humans and animals, during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. We have found that MERS-COV is still evolving in camels with new lineages being detected in Saudi Arabia . Although the number of human cases has decreased , there is a gradual resurgence in the number of cases. Furthermore, many cases are being reported without exposure to camels and/or raw products, nor contact with known human cases . This necessitates global efforts in the surveillance of asymptomatic carriers in the community, role of unknown animal reservoirs in the virus spread if any, as well as extensive genomic surveillance of the virus. This is in order to unveil and assess the genetic changes that the virus is undergoing ...

  By Andrey Gulivanov - Taiga bean goose, CC BY 2.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=161227833 __ A wild Bean Goose in Łódzkie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7127 ____

  Summary Background An investigational multistage malaria vaccine, ProC6C, based on distinct Plasmodium falciparum epitopes from the sporozoite stage (P falciparum circumsporozoite protein [PfCSP]) and the transmission stages (Pfs230 and Pfs48/45), adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide (AlOH) and adjuvanted with Matrix-M adjuvant (ProC6C-AlOH/MM), has previously shown safety and immunogenicity in phase 1 studies. We aimed to study vaccine efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity in African adults with lifelong malaria exposure. Methods This randomised controlled double-blind vaccination and controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) study was conducted in Sotuba, a peri-urban setting in Mali . Healthy adults (aged 18–50 years), who were malaria experienced and met eligibility criteria, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive three intramuscular injections of ProC6C-AlOH/MM (100 μg ProC6C and 50 μg Matrix-M adjuvant) or Verorab rabies vaccine (control) 4 weeks apart. Randomisation was done in...

  Abstract Zoonotic spillover of influenza A viruses into humans has repeatedly triggered pandemics throughout history. Since their emergence in the 1990s, H5N1 influenza viruses have significantly expanded their geographical range and host species , raising global concern about the potential for sustained human-to-human transmission . In this review , we examine the virological characteristics of currently circulating H5N1 strains, key molecular barriers limiting their spread among humans, and critical areas of future research to mitigate the ongoing H5N1 panzootic and prevent future pandemics. Source:  Link:  https://academic.oup.com/immunohorizons/article/9/SI/vlaf062/8381786 ____

  Abstract In the austral summer 2023/2024, H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was reported for the first time in Antarctica . Concerns of HPAIV causing high mortality of seabirds and mammals prompted immediate efforts to track its spread and impact on endemic wildlife. In March 2024, we visited the Danger Islands archipelago , that hosts two mega-colonies of Adélie penguins , and observed an unusual mortality estimated in thousands of Adélie penguins and other species . Swabs and tissues were collected for molecular detection of infectious agents from 49 carcasses, and additional tissues for histology from a selection of 9 carcasses. We unexpectedly detected Pasteurella multocida DNA in 46 of 49 individuals, and diagnosed avian cholera , and not HPAI , as the cause of death of most of these animals. By metagenomics, we retrieved the genomic sequences of the Pasteurella multocida strain which caused the epizootic, and the phylogenetic analysis showed a close rela...