Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases releases consensus #statement on #prevention and #control of #Ebola disease (HK CHP, May 27 '26)

 

    -- In light of the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in Africa, the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (SCEZD) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health convened a meeting today (May 27), to review the latest epidemiological situation, recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and international health authorities, scientific information on the prevention and control of Ebola disease, and relevant prevention and control strategies in Hong Kong. 

    -- The SCEZD noted that the Government has already implemented a comprehensive series of preventive measures to guard against the importation of Ebola disease into Hong Kong.

     ​-- Following the meeting, the SCEZD released a consensus statement, which provides a risk assessment of the situation in Hong Kong and recommends that the Government continues to implement various current measures to mitigate the risk of imported Ebola disease cases and prevent potential local transmission.

      

Risk assessment

    -- The WHO declared the Ebola disease epidemic in the DRC and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus (one of the viruses of the Ebola virus genus) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026. 

      -- This is the 17th Ebola disease outbreak in the DRC since 1976. As of May 24, 2026, the DRC has reported 105 confirmed cases and 10 confirmed deaths (confirmed case-fatality rate of around 10 per cent), as well as 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths (suspected case-fatality rate of around 25 per cent). Uganda has also reported seven confirmed cases, including one confirmed death.

      -- The WHO assessed the public health risk as "very high" in the DRC, "high" at the regional level and "low" at the global level. Currently, no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment has been developed for Bundibugyo virus. Prevention and control of Bundibugyo virus therefore primarily relies on non-pharmaceutical public health measures such as case identification, isolation, contact tracing, and infection prevention and control.

      -- In Hong Kong, Ebola disease is a statutorily notifiable disease under viral haemorrhagic fever. No suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola disease have been recorded in Hong Kong so far. There are currently no direct flights between the DRC or Uganda and Hong Kong, and Hong Kong has sufficient laboratory testing, isolation and treatment capacity for the rapid diagnosis, isolation and treatment of suspected cases. At present, the risk of Ebola disease is primarily confined to outbreak areas in the DRC and the immediate public health impact on Hong Kong remains low.

      

Recommended measures

    -- The SCEZD recommended the following ongoing preventive and control measures, which the Government has already implemented:

        ° Enhanced surveillance: 

            - Close monitoring of the latest developments in the event of an ongoing Ebola disease outbreak, including maintaining close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities, as well as liaison with the Chinese Mainland health authorities through the joint prevention and control mechanism. 

            - Information on the latest Ebola disease situation and updated reporting criteria should continue to be disseminated to all doctors and hospitals in Hong Kong. 

            - Healthcare professionals should continue to maintain a high level of vigilance for patients presenting with clinically compatible symptoms with Ebola and who have a recent travel history to affected areas.

         ° Case investigation and control measures: 

            - Prompt epidemiological investigation and contact tracing should be conducted upon notification of suspected Ebola disease cases. 

            - Suspected or confirmed cases should be immediately transferred to a public hospital for isolation and treatment, and kept in isolation until the specimens collected test negative for the virus.

        ° Quarantine facilities: 

            - Operational readiness of quarantine facilities should continue to be maintained for immediate deployment if required. 

            - Established protocols for contact tracing and quarantine arrangements are already ready for activation upon laboratory confirmation of an Ebola disease case.

        ° Port health measures and travel advice: 

            - Temperature checks and health screenings for passengers who have visited the DRC or Uganda within the past 21 days should continue. 

            - Active medical surveillance for these passengers during their stay in Hong Kong should also continue to be conducted. 

            - Members of the public are advised to avoid non-essential travel to the affected areas. 

            - Publicity on Ebola disease for travellers and communication with stakeholders of boundary control points should continue to be strengthened.

        ° Laboratory diagnosis: 

            - Adequate laboratory capacity to perform testing for all suspected cases of Ebola disease should continue to be ensured.

        ° Prevention of nosocomial transmission: 

            - Healthcare professionals should continue to comply with the latest infection control guidelines for the prevention of Ebola disease. 

            - Regular training and drills on Ebola infection control practices should continue to be held in hospitals with acute services.

        ° Risk communication and community engagement: 

            - Public health education and risk communication through various channels should continue to be enhanced. 

            - Liaison with relevant non-governmental organisations to convey targeted health information and distribute health promotional materials to relevant communities and venues should be strengthened.

    -- The SCEZD affirmed that the Government's multipronged approach has been effective in minimising the risk of importation of Ebola disease cases to date. Sustained implementation of these preventive and control measures is crucial for minimising importation, early detection of cases and control in case of importation.

      -- The consensus statement of the SCEZD has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/24005.html).

 

Ends/Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Issued at HKT 19:31 

Source: 

Link: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202605/27/P2026052700739.htm

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#Bundibugyo virus disease, #DRC (with exportation to #Uganda) (WHO, RRA, May 27 '26)

 

{Excerpt}

Risk Statement

    -- Given the evolving epidemiological situation of the current Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus  (BDBV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with exportation to Uganda, the initial rapid risk assessment (RRA) on 15 May 2026 has been updated to incorporate newly available information, including recent epidemiological developments, cross-border implications, the declaration of the event as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO Director-General, and ongoing response activities. 

    -- On 5 May 2026, the WHO Country Office in the DRC detected social media reports of an unusual cluster of severe illness and deaths in the Mongbwalu health zone, a rural gold-mining area in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC, close to the borders with South Sudan and Uganda. 

    -- The affected area is characterised by high population mobility, insecurity, and intense cross-border connectivity with neighbouring countries.  

    -- Clinical presentation among suspected cases included fever, headache, vomiting, profound weakness, and haemorrhagic manifestations, raising concern for a viral haemorrhagic fever. 

    -- Retrospective investigation by a field team at the provincial level covering 15 April through 13 May 2026 identified 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths (Case Fatality Rate (CFR) 26.4%) from three health zones (Mongbwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia), including a family cluster of 15 deaths within a two-week window. 

    -- The presumed first case of the disease is a nurse of unknown age, who died at the local hospital in Bunia health zone on 24 April, where eight attending healthcare workers at the hospital also developed compatible symptoms.  

    -- Twenty samples were collected, representing 12 patients who had travelled from Mongbwalu health zone to Rwampara health zone and the eight healthcare workers who developed symptoms were sent to the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Kinshasa for testing.  

    -- On 14 May 2026, WHO was notified by national authorities at the Centre d'Opération des Urgences en Santé Publique (COUSP) of 8 laboratory-confirmed cases of an Orthoebolavirus among the 20 samples tested. 

    -- Further laboratory testing including genomic sequencing confirmed Bundibugyo virus. 

    -- On 15 May 2026, the Ministry of Health of Uganda reported one imported laboratory-confirmed case of a Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) in Kampala. 

    -- The patient was an elderly male from DRC who travelled to Uganda to seek care at a hospital in Kampala on 11 May and died on 14 May 2026. 

    -- The body was repatriated to DRC on the same day. 

    -- This event confirms the cross-border movement of a symptomatic case and exposure within an urban healthcare setting in Uganda. 

    -- Genetic sequencing results by INRB released on 15 May came back positive for Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). 

    -- On the same day, both DRC and Uganda officially declared Ebola outbreaks in their respective countries. 

    -- On 19 May 2026, a suspected viral haemorrhagic fever alert was reported from Miti-Murhesa health zone in South Kivu Province following the death of a man aged between 25 to 30 years at a local hospital. 

    -- Investigations were initiated to determine whether the event was linked to the ongoing BVD outbreak. 

    -- The case was subsequently confirmed positive for BVD.   

    -- As of 21 May 2026 (the data used for this rapid risk assessment), the outbreak in DRC had expanded to 16 affected health zones, including 12 in Ituri Province, three in North Kivu Province, and Miti-Murhesa health zone in South Kivu Province. 

    -- In total, 661 suspected cases and 160 suspected deaths (CFR 24.2%) have been reported, including 63 confirmed cases and four confirmed deaths associated with BVD. 

    -- Uganda had cumulatively reported two confirmed cases of which one had died. 

    -- This is the 17th Ebola disease (EBOD) outbreak reported in DRC since 1976, and the second outbreak caused by BVD in the country.  

    -- Prior to this current outbreak, two BVD outbreaks had been documented: the first in Uganda during 2007–2008 and the second in DRC in 2012. 

    -- Together, these outbreaks resulted in more than 200 confirmed and probable cases and approximately 66 deaths (CFR 33%).  

    -- The risk at the national level (DRC), which was assessed as high on 15 May 2026, is now on 22 May 2026 assessed as very high due to substantial changes in the epidemiological situation. 

    -- Key factors informing this reassessment include:  

        • Outbreak caused by BVD for which no licensed vaccine or specific therapeutics are currently available for prevention and treatment. Early intensive supportive care remains the only current treatment option, along with packages of public health interventions, as done in previous outbreaks. 

        • On 15 May, confirmed and suspected cases were reported from both Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones, with suspected cases also identified in Bunia and alerts from Beni and Butembo health zones in North Kivu Province, indicating early signs of geographic spread beyond the initially affected areas. 

        • By 21 May 2026, the outbreak had expanded rapidly from a limited number of affected health zones to 16 health zones across three provinces. Confirmed and suspected cases had been reported in 12 health zones in Ituri Province (Aungba, Bambu, Bunia, Fataki, Komanda, Logo, Lolwa, Mangala, Mongbwalu, Nizi, Nyankunde, and Rwampara), three health zones in North Kivu Province (Butembo, Goma, and Katwa) and one in South Kivu in Miti-Murhesa Health Zone. This rapid geographic expansion over a short period, combined with intense population mobility and cross-border connectivity, indicates a very high risk of further spread within DRC. 

        • As of 21 May, high mortality has been reported with an overall CFR of 24.2% (160/661), among suspected cases and 6.3% (4/63) among confirmed case. The current CFR is an underestimation of the actual situation as investigations are still ongoing to identify and re-classify all suspected deaths. 

        • The rapid increase in cases and deaths within a short period, combined with the spread across multiple health zones and cross-border transmission, is highly concerning. 

        • Reports of numerous community deaths and the absence of documented safe and dignified burial practices may have facilitated continued community transmission through exposure during funerals and handling of bodies. 

        • Healthcare worker infections and low infection prevention and control (IPC) scorecard performance in the area indicate a high risk of exposure in healthcare settings and significant gaps in IPC. 

        • Delays in verification of initial signal by authorities and retrospective identification of cases and deaths suggest prolonged circulation before confirmation. 

        • Epidemiological links and the full chain of transmission are not yet clearly established, and the source of the outbreak remains under investigation. 

        • The affected provinces of Ituri and North Kivu are highly insecure, with intensified fighting in recent months, causing more than 100 000 people to be newly displaced. 

        • The affected area is also characterized by intense population mobility linked to mining activities, trade, and movement between rural and urban centres. 

        • Bunia serves as a major referral, transport, and commercial hub, increasing the risk of spread to other provinces. 

        • Ongoing conflict in Ituri and North Kivu provinces restricts the movement of surveillance teams, limits the deployment of Rapid Response Teams, and hinders the secure transport of laboratory samples, as well as challenges in contact tracing, safe and dignified burials  and control of population movement of high-risk contacts in those conflict zones. 

        • Significant distrust of health and external authorities among the local population. 

        • Limited healthcare infrastructure and inadequate isolation capacity may facilitate continued transmission in DRC.  

    -- The level of risk at the regional level (including Uganda) is still assessed as High due to:  

        • Confirmed cross-border spread through imported cases to Uganda. 

        • As of 20 May, Uganda has cumulatively reported 2 confirmed cases, both were imported cases who came to Uganda to seek medical care. One case died following admission to the local Hospital, and the second case is currently receiving care at the Ebola isolation unit at a Referral hospital. 

        • Frequent movement across porous borders between Ituri (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan. 

        • Ongoing epidemiological links along the eastern DRC–western Uganda corridor, historically affected by Ebola outbreaks, including Bundibugyo and Sudan virus disease outbreaks. 

        • While not directly bordering Ituri province, Rwanda and Burundi share borders with Eastern DRC and have experienced recent cross-border disease transmission (i.e., mpox), further intensified by ongoing conflict and displacement. 

        • High mobility linked to mining, trade, and displacement. 

        • Potential for undetected chains of transmission in border communities. 

        • Potential for continued spillover to Kampala, Uganda – a densely populated urban hub or other cities with close transport links  

    -- The level of risk at the global level is assessed as low due to:  

        • As of 21 May 2026, the outbreak remained geographically limited to DRC with exportation of cases to Uganda at present. 

___

{1}  Confidence refers to the level of confidence in the data/information or the quality of the evidence available at the time the RRA is conducted. Poor quality information may increase the overall perceived risk due to the incertitude in the assessment. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/who-rapid-risk-assessment-ebola-disease-caused-by-bundibugyo-virus--democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-uganda-v2

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Detection of Anti- #H5 #Antibodies in People with Exposure to Wild #Birds in Northern #Canada

 

Abstract

Using a commercially available H5 serology assay, we identified a 7.4% (n=5/68) anti-H5 seroreactivity rate among hunters in Northern Canada. All participants reported close contact with wild birds.

Competing Interest Statement

This study was performed outside of JK's duties and responsibilities with the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Source: 

Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.24.26353994v1

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Two #epidemics, one #genotype, different outcomes: evolutionary #changes of Avian #Influenza #H5N1, genotype EA-2024-DI

 

Abstract

Since 2020, high pathogenicity avian influenza H5Nx viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have become enzootic in Europe, causing recurrent epidemic waves characterized by extensive reassortment events. Here, we describe the emergence of a single high-fitness genotype (EA-2024-DI) that has driven two consecutive waves, evolving into distinct sub-lineages. While its circulation is ongoing, during the 2025-2026 wave it caused an unprecedented number of cases in wild birds. Using phylodynamic analyses of a large dataset of genomic sequences, we compared the spatial diffusion and host transmission pattern of the EA-2024-DI sub-lineages across the three most recent epidemic waves (2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026). We show that the genotype has persisted over time and has spread primarily through wild Anseriformes, but with a marked change in the transmission patterns between the different waves and a shift in the epicenter from Eastern to Central Europe, the latter having emerged as an important hub for virus diffusion throughout Europe. Our results reveal a recent increase in the frequency of viruses from wild and domestic mammals carrying mutations enhancing virus replication in mammalian hosts, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring of this group of hosts to better understand its role in the virus ecology and evolution.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Funded by the European Union under grant agreement (101084171) - (Kappa-Flu). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them

Support for this work was provided by the European Union within the framework of the activities foreseen by the European Union Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease under grant agreement 101201937

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.25.727580v1

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#Ebola #outbreak, #Taiwan CDC has raised the #travel advisory level for the #DRC and #Uganda to Level 3, "Warning'' (May 27 '26)

 

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (May 27) that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, has recently developed rapidly and is becoming increasingly severe. 

    In addition to Ituri Province in the DRC being an outbreak hotspot, cases have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces of DRC, as well as neighboring Uganda, indicating a spreading trend. 

    As of May 24, the DRC had a cumulative total of 112 confirmed cases (including 11 deaths) and 906 suspected cases (including 223 suspected deaths), with one US citizen diagnosed after contact with the virus at a local medical facility. 

    Furthermore, Uganda has also reported 7 confirmed cases (including 1 death), all highly related to the DRC outbreak.

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that, to reduce the risk of imported Ebola cases, Taiwan is strengthening cross-agency security measures at its borders and enhancing port monitoring and interception mechanisms, effective immediately. 

    For travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, quarantine personnel will conduct enhanced TOCC (Travel, Occupation, Contact, and Cluster History) and health assessments. 

    All travelers must undergo 21 days of self-health management upon arrival. 

    Those assessed as potentially at risk of Ebola infection will be immediately transported by ambulance to contracted hospitals for examination, with simultaneous coordination with local health authorities for prevention and control efforts. The

    CDC explained that the Ebola outbreak is currently experiencing a rapid surge, and the actual fatality rate is likely far higher than currently reported official figures. 

    This outbreak is occurring in a complex environment intertwined with security threats and humanitarian challenges. 

    The lack of approved vaccines and specific treatments for this type of virus, coupled with local political instability and high population mobility, has significantly increased the difficulty of epidemic prevention. 

    The WHO assesses that the actual scale of infections is likely far greater than the currently reported numbers, and has rated the risk level of the Democratic Republic of Congo as "very high," Uganda and surrounding areas as "high," and the global risk as "low."  

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) assesses that the outbreak is still concentrated in these two countries, and the overall risk to Taiwan remains low. 

    However, considering the ease of international travel and global transportation, the possibility of imported cases cannot be completely ruled out. 

    Given the continued increase in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the emergence of community clusters, and the local cases in Uganda caused by imported cases, indicating that the outbreak is difficult to control and poses a risk of continued transmission, to protect the health of Taiwanese citizens, the travel advisory level for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has been raised from Level 2 "Alert" to Level 3 "Warning" today. 

    Taiwanese citizens are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to these countries.

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that, to strengthen border quarantine, in addition to enhancing public awareness through airport multimedia electronic billboards, scrolling displays, and signage, starting immediately, all international flights arriving in Taiwan will make in-flight announcements urging passengers who have traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda within the past 21 days to proactively report to the quarantine station upon arrival. 

    Quarantine personnel will conduct a TOCC (Transmission of Health and Commitment) and health assessment, and passengers are requested to cooperate with the following quarantine measures:

        1. Passengers assessed as having suspected Ebola virus infection symptoms (fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bleeding, etc.) will be immediately transported by ambulance to a contracted hospital for examination, and local health authorities will be coordinated in their prevention and control efforts.

        2. Asymptomatic passengers will be issued a "Notice of Self-Health Management for Passengers with Travel History to Ebola-Epidemic Areas." Upon arrival, passengers are requested to cooperate with 21 days of self-health management, keep their phones accessible for contact tracing by health authorities, take their temperature twice daily (morning and evening), and report their health status to the "Public Proactive E-Reporting System." If you experience any of the above symptoms, please immediately call the epidemic prevention hotline 1922 for assistance from the health bureau to seek medical attention. Failure to cooperate with these measures will be punished in accordance with the Communicable Disease Control Act.

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reiterates its appeal to the public to avoid traveling to Ebola-endemic areas unless absolutely necessary. If travel is unavoidable, please monitor your health closely and implement personal protective measures, including frequent handwashing, wearing a mask when coughing, and avoiding contact with or consumption of wild animals. 

    Upon arrival in Taiwan or during the 21-day self-health management period after returning home, if you experience any of the above-mentioned suspected Ebola virus infection symptoms, please be sure to proactively report to quarantine personnel or call the epidemic prevention hotline 1922 for assistance from health authorities to seek medical attention.

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/C_nhlkjwNLF4K_i3iNanKQ?typeid=9

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Government of #Canada introduces temporary #border #measures in response to the #Ebola disease #outbreak (PHAC, May 27 '26)

 

May 26, 2026 | Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada

    In response to the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and increasing risks in Uganda and South Sudan, the Government of Canada is taking decisive action by introducing temporary border measures to reduce the risk of the virus entering and spreading within Canada.

    The Government of Canada intends to suspend immigration documents for residents of countries that have a high or very high risk of outbreak of Ebola disease for the next 90 days beginning May 27, 23:59 EDT. 

    At this time, this includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. 

    This will mean that even those with a previously approved temporary resident visa, electronic travel authorization (eTA) or permanent resident visa will not be allowed to travel to Canada while their immigration document is suspended. 

    During this time, we also intend to temporarily pause making decisions on applications for these documents from residents of these countries.

    The government intends to implement an additional measure effective May 30 at 23:59 pm EDT until August 29, 2026, whereby Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals, who have been in these areas within the previous 21 days and do not have symptoms, will have to quarantine for 21 days. 

    If they do not have a place where they can quarantine safely, they will be provided with an appropriate location. 

    Travellers who have symptoms will be isolated at a hospital for further assessment. These measures are being implemented under the Quarantine Act.

    Those who are already in Canada are not impacted by these measures, and may continue to stay here for their authorized period of stay. 

    As per standard procedure, these travellers were already screened upon their arrival by a Canada Border Services Agency Border Services Officers. 

    Canadian citizens and permanent residents could still return to Canada and would undergo screening at ports of entry upon their arrival.

    While the risk to people in Canada remains low, the Government of Canada is taking a precautionary approach given the severity of Ebola disease and the evolving international situation, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 ™. There has never been a case of Ebola disease imported into Canada and there are currently no cases of Ebola disease in North America.

    The Government of Canada continues to monitor the situation closely and will adjust these measures as needed based on available evidence, including the epidemiological situation in Canada and internationally.

    Travellers are reminded that border measures may change with little notice and are encouraged to check the latest information before travelling at travel.gc.ca.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2026/05/government-of-canada-introduces-temporary-border-measures-in-response-to-the-ebola-disease-outbreak.html

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#Japan - #Influenza A #H5N5 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification [FINAL]

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

By Alexis Lours - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=119074860

___

A wild Carrion Crow in the Hokkaido Region.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7571

____

The Q226H #Mutation in #Avian #H5N1 #Hemagglutinin Mediates a Path towards Structural #Adaptation in #Humans

 

Abstract

The global outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) among birds and the spillover to mammals increases the risk for humans. A recent case in British Columbia with a clade 2.3.4.4b H5 virus infection revealed a mixture of 226Q/H in the receptor-binding site of hemagglutinin. While significant changes in pre-existing immunity by H1 or H3 polyclonal sera are not evident, we show that the Q226H mutation enables binding to human-type α2-6 sialic acid receptors. High-resolution cryo-EM structures provide a basis for the alteration in receptor preference and show that a possible path towards human adaptation also requires a conformational change of the bound α2-6-sialylated glycan. Continued surveillance for additional mutations that could enhance this phenotype is warranted.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Ministry of Technology and Innovation through Striving for Pandemic Preparedness—The Alberta Research Consortium

Canada Excellence Research Chair Program

Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship

Canada Biomedical Research Fund grant

Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund grant

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Canada Foundation for Innovation

Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education Research Capacity Program

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.21.726965v1

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

 

Latest update

    Last week, we confirmed that 10 individuals had left Arrowe Park. 

    An additional 6 individuals left Arrowe Park over the weekend and returned home or to other suitable accommodation to complete their 45-day isolation period. 

    The UK government has also supported the relocation of a British national who was in hospital in the Netherlands, having been previously confirmed to have hantavirus.

    Now that the individual has returned to England, UKHSA will detail this case in its statistical release tomorrow, Wednesday 27 May. 

    It’s important to be aware that this is not a new case and was previously confirmed by WHO on 7 May. 

    The individual was medically evacuated and is being offered full support with strict infection prevention and control measures in place. 

    The risk to the general public remains very low.

    Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, said:

    ''We have worked closely with FCDO and the Dutch authorities to ensure the safe return of a British national who was previously confirmed to have hantavirus and has been receiving care in the Netherlands. It’s important to stress that this is an existing case and the wider risk to the general public remains very low.

    ''As people continue with their isolation period, UKHSA will continue to work with our partners locally, nationally and internationally to ensure everyone has the necessary support in place.

    ''We would like to again stress our thanks and gratitude to everyone at Arrowe Park who has worked so hard during this challenging time.

Source: 

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

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#Andes #hantavirus #outbreak #Update (ECDC, May 26 '26): One new case confirmed since last report

 

    On 2 May 2026, ECDC was notified 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 26 May, 13 cases have been reported in total, including 11 confirmed and 2 probable cases. 

    One new case and no new deaths have been reported since the previous update.

    The two recent cases have been classified as confirmed following a revision of the case definition. 

    A confirmed case is now defined, in alignment with WHO, as a person with laboratory confirmation of ANDV by PCR and/or serology.

    The identification of additional cases after former passengers and crew have returned to their home country is expected given the long incubation period of Andes hantavirus and the possibility that some infections occurred on board on the ship. 

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

(...)

Source: 

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

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Avian #Influenza #Report. May 17 - 23 '26 (Wk 21) (HK CHP, May 26, 2026): one new #human case of #H9N2 virus infection in #China

 

{Excerpt}

(...)

    ° Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

        -- Yunnan Province: 

            * A three-year-old boy with onset on April 28, 2026. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk21.pdf

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#Human #infection with #Andes #hantavirus: an #update for the general physician

 

Abstract

Orthohantaviruses are zoonotic RNA-viruses transmitted to humans through inhalation of aerosols contaminated by infected rodent excreta. Among hantavirus species, Andes virus (ANDV) owns unique capacity for sustained human-to-human transmission, occurring via respiratory droplets and prolonged close contact with symptomatic individuals, with a median reproductive number exceeding 2 and an incubation period ranging from 9 to 40 days.

ANDV infection can present with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Of them, the most feared is Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe condition characterised by acute respiratory failure, haemodynamic instability, acute kidney injury, hepatic involvement, and dysregulated cytokine release, with high lethality. Disease severity correlates with the degree of neutrophilia, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. No approved antiviral therapy or vaccine currently exists; management remains entirely supportive, centred on oxygen supplementation, haemodynamic stabilisation, and renal replacement therapy when indicated. Case fatality rates reached 32% in a 2018–2019 outbreak, with death occurring a mean of 6.7 days from symptom onset.

The April 2026 outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship — involving passengers of 23 nationalities, with 8 cases (6 confirmed, 2 suspected), and 3 deaths reported as of 11 May 2026 (CFR 38%) — exemplifies how a zoonotic pathogen with limited human-to-human transmissibility can rapidly achieve global reach in the era of mass international rtravel, underscoring the urgent need for clinician awareness, prompt contact tracing, and internationally coordinated outbreak preparedness.

Source: 

Link: https://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(26)00251-7/fulltext

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#Zoonotic #infections and genomic #evolution associated with novel #reassortants swine-origin #influenza A viruses in #Spain

 

Abstract

Influenza A virus (IAV) circulates widely in European pig populations and continues to diversify through frequent introductions from humans, followed by reassortment within swine. Spain represents a particularly dynamic ecological setting due to the coexistence of intensive white pig production, extensive Iberian pig systems, and abundant wild boar populations. This study provides an integrated analysis of IAV evolution and genomic diversity in swine in Spain between 2019 and 2022, expanding on previous surveillance from 2016 to 2019. Sampling across 24 provinces yielded 66 new whole genome sequences from Iberian and white pigs. We identified 18 genotypes, including 11 novel reassortants not detected in our previous survey. Several genotypes, such as H1huN2 G21 and G22, H3N2 G23, and the unusual H3N1 G12, were exclusive to the country. Some genotypes were detected across white pigs, Iberian pigs, and wild boar in Toledo and Badajoz, suggesting viral flow among swine populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed ongoing introductions of H1N1pdm09 from humans into pigs, generating at least five reassortant genotypes (G10, G16 to G19). These lineages incorporated pandemic internal cassettes and, in some cases, human seasonal N2 segments, highlighting the continued role of humans as a source of viral incursions. Conversely, four zoonotic infections (H1N1v) detected in Spain between 2022 and 2026 were linked to genotypes circulating in white pigs, underscoring the bidirectional nature of IAV transmission at the human swine interface. Overall, this study demonstrates that Spain provides ecological conditions conducive to IAV diversification, reassortment, and zoonotic risk. The findings reinforce the need for sustained One Health surveillance.

Competing Interest Statement

The A.G.-S. laboratory has received research support from Avimex, Dynavax, Pharmamar, and Accurius, outside of the reported work within the last three years. A.G.-S. has consulting agreements for the following companies involving cash and/or stock within the last three years: Castlevax, Amovir, Vivaldi Biosciences, Contrafect, Avimex, Pagoda, Accurius, Applied Biological Laboratories, Pharmamar, CureLab Oncology, CureLab Veterinary, Virofend and Prosetta, outside of the reported work. A.G.-S. has been an invited speaker in meeting events within the last three years organized by Seqirus, Novavax and Hipra. A.G.-S. is inventor on patents and patent applications on the use of antivirals and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of virus infections and cancer, owned by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, outside of the reported work. The rest of the authors report no conflicts of interest.

Funder Information Declared

Centre for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis and Transmission (CRIPT), one of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) funded Centres of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), contract #75N93021C00014

Intramural Research Program of the National Library of Medicine at the US National Institutes of Health

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.22.724525v1

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#Italy, #Ebola suspected cases tested negative at Milan's Sacco Hospital (Min. Sal., May 26 '26)

 

Press release number 33 | Press release date May 25, 2026

    The Ministry of Health announces that Ebola tests performed today at the Sacco Hospital in Milan on two people who recently returned from Uganda were negative. 

    As a precaution, the two underwent a specialist clinical evaluation as part of monitoring activities related to the Ebola disease epidemic that has developed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    The Ministry of Health, through its Department of Prevention, is in contact with the Lombardy Region. 

    The Ministry of Health is also participating in the Civil Protection Operations Committee as part of ongoing coordination and monitoring activities. The Ministry will continue to provide official updates based on the evolving epidemiological situation. 

    The risk in Italy remains very low.

Source: 

Link: https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/comunicato-stampa/ebola-test-effettuati-al-sacco-di-milano-sono-negativi/

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Connecting the #region during #crisis: a Community of Practice #response to the MV Hondius #hantavirus #outbreak

 

Abstract

This article describes the rapid activation of the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework Community of Practice following the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak. It highlights regional knowledge-sharing, multidisciplinary engagement, preparedness activities, and the importance of timely communication and collaboration in strengthening readiness and response during emerging public health emergencies.

Source: 

Link: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/1488

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#Italy, #Ebola: Health #monitoring has been activated for some #individuals returning from #Uganda (Min. Salute, May 25 '26)

 

Press release number 32  |  Press release date May 25, 2026

    The Ministry of Health announces, with reference to the Bundibugyo-BVD virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that health investigations are currently underway on several individuals who recently returned from Uganda and are undergoing, as a precaution, specialist clinical evaluation at highly specialized hospitals. 

    Specifically, two individuals with fever symptoms have been transferred to the Sacco Hospital in Milan, a facility equipped with the highest levels of biocontainment and management of high-risk infectious diseases, where diagnostic tests will be performed in accordance with national and international protocols. 

    The other members of the affected households are subject to health surveillance and monitoring by the competent authorities. 

    The Ministry of Health, through its Department of Prevention, is in contact with the Lombardy Region, which has taken immediate action.

    The Ministry is constantly monitoring the evolving situation regarding the Ebola virus in close collaboration with the Regions, the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), the relevant hospitals, national health authorities, and all other relevant bodies. 

    Yesterday, the Ministry of Health's Department of Prevention participated in the meeting of the European Commission's HSC (Health Security Committee) and organized a national coordination point dedicated to the Ebola situation, with the participation of representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and the Interior, the Crisis Unit, the Italian National Institute of Health, the Italian National Health Council, the Interregional Prevention Coordination Unit, the Spallanzani Institute, the Sacco Hospital in Milan, and the Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia.

    The national infectious disease emergency preparedness and response system is fully operational, and all procedures for managing any suspected cases have been activated.

    The Ministry of Health will continue to provide official updates based on the evolving epidemiological situation and ongoing diagnostic results. 

    The risk in Italy remains very low.

 Source: 

Link: https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/comunicato-stampa/ebola-attivato-monitoraggio-sanitario-alcuni-soggetti-rientrati-dalluganda/

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#Hantavirus #seroprevalence and associated factors for exposure in south-central #Uganda

 

ABSTRACT

Orthohantaviruses are largely rodent-borne pathogens that can cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. In Uganda, the risk of human exposure is heightened by known rodent hosts, close human-rodent interaction in rural areas, and poor housing conditions. Despite this risk, data on human exposure remain scarce. This study sought to ascertain the seroprevalence of orthohantavirus exposure and identify associated factors with exposure among residents of the greater Masaka-Rakai region in Uganda. Seropositivity was assessed for orthohantavirus-specific IgG antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with seropositivity. Among 1,199 sera samples, orthohantavirus population-weighted seroprevalence was 7.4% (95% CI: 3.91–10.80). Males had a higher seroprevalence, while higher socioeconomic status was associated with a reduced burden of exposure to orthohantavirus. This study reports evidence of orthohantavirus exposure in Uganda, highlighting a previously underrecognized zoonotic risk in the region likely driven by close contact with rodent reservoirs and poor living conditions. The higher burden among males and lower-burden association with higher socioeconomic status, highlights the need for improved housing, rodent control, and integration of orthohantavirus surveillance into national public health programmes.

Source: 

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/22221751.2026.2665002

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#WHO DG's #remarks at the Virtual Ministerial #Briefing on the #Bundibugyo Ebola #Outbreak – 25 May 2026 (Edited)

 

    Your Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa,

    Thank you so much for your leadership, and for announcing the financial contribution, which is important for Africa CDC.

    Your Excellency Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf,

    Honourable Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar,

    Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya,

    Dear colleagues and friends,

    I thank President Ramaphosa and Chairperson Youssouf for their leadership, and I thank my brother Dr Jean Kaseya for convening this briefing.

    As you know, in the early hours of on Sunday the 17th of May, I declared the Ebola outbreak in DRC a public health emergency of international concern, after consulting the Ministers of Health of both DRC and Uganda, and after the Africa CDC’s notification.

    The outbreak is spreading rapidly.

    So far, 101 cases have been confirmed in DRC, with 10 confirmed deaths.

    But we know the epidemic in DRC is much larger. There are now more than 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths.

    This past Friday, WHO upgraded our risk assessment from high to very high at the national level.

    We continue to assess the risk as high at the regional level and low at the global level.

    Countries bordering DRC are at especially high risk and should take immediate action.

    In Uganda, there are five confirmed cases and one death.

    I appreciate the leadership of President Museveni in cancelling the Martyrs’ Day commemoration to prevent the further spread of the virus.

    As you know, Martyrs’ Day attracts up to 2 million people.

    I thank the governments of DRC and Uganda for their leadership of the response, which WHO is supporting, in close partnership with Africa CDC and many others.

    On Friday, we convened a meeting of African health ministers on the margins of the World Health Assembly to update them and urge them to take action.

    The community based interventions were underlined during the discussion, where there is trust deficit.

    Together with the Africa CDC, WHO is establishing a continental Incident Management Support Team.

    And we are finalizing a multi-agency Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, aligned with the national plans of both DRC and Uganda, and with our partners.

    In the IMST and the Strategic Plan, we have experience with Africa CDC in previous outbreaks.

    WHO is on the ground, supporting national authorities with every pillar of the response, including contact tracing, establishing treatment centres, strengthening laboratory capacity, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, community engagement and more.

    We have also released US$ 3.9 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies.

    Tomorrow I will be travelling to DRC with Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHE Health Emergencies Programme.

    There are several aspects of this outbreak that make it especially challenging.

    First, the delay in detecting the outbreak means that we are now playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic.

    We are urgently scaling up operations, but at the moment, the epidemic is outpacing us.

    Second, as you know, the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu are highly insecure, with intensified fighting in recent months, causing more than 100 000 people to be newly displaced.

    There is also significant distrust of outside authorities among the local population.

    In the past week there have been two security incidents at health facilities.

    Building trust in the affected communities is critical to a successful response, and is one of our highest priorities.

    Third, there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for Bundibugyo virus.

    There have only been two previous outbreaks of Bundibugyo, in Uganda in 2007 and DRC in 2012.

    Last week, WHO convened the leaders of several partner organizations under the interim Medical Countermeasures Network, to review the pipeline of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

    WHO has recommended prioritizing two monoclonal antibodies to advance in clinical trials.

    We are also recommending the evaluation of the antiviral obeldesivir in a clinical trial as post-exposure prophylaxis for people who are high-risk contacts.

    This clinical trial is now being developed jointly with Africa CDC and the Collaborative Open Research Consortium on filovuruses.

    We are also discussing with partners candidate vaccines in the development and manufacturing pipeline.

    Excellencies,

    We are facing an extremely serious and difficult outbreak. It will get worse before it gets better.

    But we know this virus, and we know how to stop it. We have stopped every previous Ebola outbreak, and we will stop this one too.

    As President Ramaphosa said, this can only be done with unity.

    The question is just how quickly we can do it, and how many more lives will be lost before we do.

    WHO is fully committed to working under the leadership of the Governments of DRC and Uganda, side by side with Africa CDC and all other partners.

    We will not rest until we bring this outbreak under control.

    Thank you once again for this opportunity, and for your leadership.

    I thank you.

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-remarks-at-the-virtual-ministerial-briefing-on-the-bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-25-may-2026

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