ABSTRACT Vaccinia virus (VACV) confers cross-protective immunity against monkeypox virus (MPXV), the causative agent of mpox, and has therefore been extensively exploited as a preventive vaccine . VACV Tiantan strain (VTT) is a second-generation smallpox vaccine used in China in the last century, and there are consistent efforts to minimize its virulence and ensure its best safety for potential clinical applications. In this study, an attenuated VACV rVTT△C12K2△A45 was constructed by deletion of gene segments related to virulence genes , host range genes, immune regulatory genes, and other functional genes from the VTT genome by genetic engineering. Attenuation characteristics of rVTT△C12K2△A45 were confirmed by smaller plaque size, lower replication capacity in various mammalian cell lines along with tests for neurotoxicity in mice , and lesion formation on rabbit skin . Immunization in BALB/c mice with rVTT△C12K2△A45 induced both anti-MPXV and anti-VACV neutralizing antibodies ...
#Influenza at the #human - #animal #interface - Summary and #risk #assessment, from 20 December 2025 to 22 January 2026 (#WHO)
• New human cases {2}: -- From 20 December 2025 to 22 January 2026 , based on reporting date, the detection of A(H9N2) in three humans was reported officially. • Circulation of influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals : -- High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) events in poultry and non-poultry animal species continue to be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).{3} -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also provides a global update on avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential.{4} -- Additionally, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses continue to circulate in animal populations. • Risk assessment {5}: -- Sustained human to human transmission has not been reported associated with the above-mentioned human infection events. -- Based on information available at the time of this risk assessment update, the overall public hea...