#Taiwan, Seasonal #Influenza and #COVID19 Epidemics Weekly #Update (CDC, September 8 '26): H1N1pdm09 flu virus & SARS-CoV-2 PQ.16.1.1 variant are predominant

 

{Excerpts}

(...)

    The CDC pointed out that in week 35 (August 30th - September 5th), there were 115,136 outpatient and emergency room visits for influenza-like illnesses, an increase of 11.0% from the previous week, showing a recent upward trend. 

    The percentage of emergency room visits reached 11.2%, exceeding the epidemic threshold (11.0%), indicating the start of the epidemic period. 

    Additionally, last week (September 1st - September 7th), there were 105 new cases of severe influenza complications (97 H1N1, 4 H3N2, 4 untyped A cases) and 19 deaths (18 H1N1, 1 untyped A case). 

    Laboratory monitoring data shows that the influenza virus currently circulating in the community is mainly type A, with type A H1N1 accounting for 79.4% of the cases. 

    This flu season (2023-2024) has seen a cumulative total of 1,329 severe cases (717 H1N1, 498 H3N2, 24 untyped type A, and 90 type B) and 253 deaths (131 H1N1, 102 H3N2, 8 untyped type A, and 12 type B). 

    The majority of severe cases are among those aged 65 and above (65.1%) and those with a history of chronic diseases (82.8%). 68.6% of those affected have not received the flu vaccine this season.

    According to data from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the COVID-19 epidemic in Taiwan is declining, but it is still in its epidemic period. 

    In week 35 (August 30 - September 5), there were 20,199 outpatient and emergency room visits related to COVID-19, a 9.7% decrease compared to the previous week (August 23 - August 29). 

    Last week (September 1 - September 7), there were 73 new severe cases and 15 deaths. 

    Since October 2025, there have been a cumulative total of 622 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 complicated by severe illness, of which 106 have died. 

    The majority of severe cases are among those aged 65 and above (72.7%) and those with a history of chronic diseases (83.0%). 84.9% of these cases have not received the COVID-19 vaccine this season. 

    In the past four weeks, the predominant variant strain in locally transmitted cases has been PQ.16.1.1.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/5gJTj70wu9L3psY5kQLUuA?typeid=9

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#Bundibugyo Virus Disease #Outbreak in #DRC - Situation #Report No. 17, Data as of 06 September 2026 (WHO, summary): 6,686 cases & 3,226 deaths in DRC

 

{Summary}

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Event description

Democratic Republic of the Congo

    The epidemiological pattern of the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is becoming increasingly heterogeneous, with divergent transmission trends across affected provinces  and health zones.

    Ituri remains the principal focus, while substantial transmission continues  in Nord-Kivu and Haut-Uélé and new areas continue to be affected. 

    Since External Situation Report #16, a further 586 confirmed cases and  276 confirmed deaths have been reported, bringing the cumulative total to 6686 confirmed cases, including 3226 deaths [case fatality ratio (CFR)  48.3%], as of 6 September 2026. 

    Ituri accounts for 80.2% of cumulative confirmed cases, down from  82.2% in the previous update, while Nord-Kivu has now surpassed 1000  cumulative cases. 

    The number of affected health zones increased from 60 to 61 across six  provinces, with Kayna Health Zone in Nord-Kivu being the latest affected.

    At the national level, daily incidence remains high but fluctuating, with  the seven-day moving average declining from its mid-August peak before  rising again in early September. This overall pattern masks increasingly divergent  provincial trajectories. 

    Ituri, while still the main driver of the outbreak, has declined substantially from its mid-August peak but remains at a high level with recent  fluctuations. 

    In contrast, Nord-Kivu is experiencing a marked and sustained increase, reaching its highest incidence since the start of the outbreak, while  transmission remains sustained in Haut-Uélé. Tshopo and Bas-Uélé continue to  report low but intermittent transmission, while no recent transmission is evident in  Sud-Kivu.

    Overall, the trends reinforce an increasingly heterogeneous epidemic,  with declining transmission in some areas occurring alongside intensification and  continued geographic spread elsewhere.

    During the most recent 21 days (17 August – 6 September 2026), 1665 confirmed cases were reported nationally.

    Compared with 1759 cases during the preceding 21-day period (27 July  – 16 August 2026), this represents a decrease of 94 cases (−5.3%). 

    Reported cases declined by 18.3% in Ituri, from 1356 to 1108, but  increased by 47.4% in Nord-Kivu, from 293 to 432, and by 14.0% in Haut-Uélé,  from 100 to 114. Consequently, Ituri’s contribution to newly reported cases fell  from 77.1% to 66.5%, while Nord-Kivu’s contribution increased from 16.7% to  25.9% and Haut-Uélé’s from 5.7% to 6.8%. The latest period also included eight  cases in Tshopo and three in Bas-Uélé. Overall, the modest national decline masks  a continued redistribution of transmission away from Ituri, particularly towards Nord-Kivu, where incidence continues to increase.

Figure 1. Daily national trend in confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases, with  seven-day moving average, by date of report, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as of 06 September 2026

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(...)

    During the same period, 848 confirmed deaths were reported nationally,  compared with 941 deaths during the preceding 21 days, representing a decrease  of 93 deaths (−9.9%). The national decline was driven by Ituri,  where reported deaths decreased from 671 to 548 (−18.3%). In contrast, deaths  increased from 224 to 253 (+12.9%) in NordKivu and from 42 to 43 (+2.4%) in  Haut-Uélé. Consequently, Ituri’s contribution to newly reported deaths declined  from 71.3% to 64.6%, while Nord-Kivu’s increased from 23.8% to 29.8% and  Haut-Uélé’s from 4.5% to 5.1%. Tshopo and BasUélé reported two deaths  respectively during the latest period, with no net increase in cases and deaths.  

    Overall, the modest national reduction in both cases (−5.3%) and deaths (−9.9%) masks divergent provincial trajectories and should be interpreted  cautiously given reporting delays and retrospective data  reconciliation. The continued increase in both cases and deaths in Nord-Kivu,  alongside sustained transmission in Haut-Uélé, indicates that the outbreak is  increasingly geographically heterogeneous rather than showing a uniform decline.

(...)

    Additionally, during the most recent 21 days, 52 of the 61 affected health zones (85.2%) reported at least one new confirmed case, while nine  (14.8%) reported no new cases: Adja, Kambala and Mahagi in Ituri; Goma in  Nord-Kivu; Lubunga, Tshopo and Wanie-Rukula in Tshopo; Miti-Murhesa in Sud- Kivu; and Buta in Bas-Uélé. Importantly, provincial trends should not be  interpreted as uniform across their constituent health zones. In Ituri, for example,  the overall 18.3% decline in cases occurred alongside renewed or  increasing transmission in several health zones, including Bunia, Nizi, Mangala,  Bambu, Komanda, Lita and Mandima, while previously prominent hotspots such as  Mongbwalu showed declining activity. Similarly, the overall increase in Nord- Kivu reflects both strong resurgence in established hotspots, particularly Katwa,  Beni and Butembo, and recent or renewed activity in additional health zones.  

    These divergent subprovincial trajectories indicate that transmission is shifting geographically rather than declining uniformly, underscoring the need to  monitor and target response interventions at the health-zone level rather than  relying on provincial or national trends alone.

(...)

    Weekly confirmed deaths peaked at 364 during 10 – 16 August, followed  by declines to 302 and 270 over the subsequent two weeks. However,  this downward trend did not continue in the most recent week, with deaths  increasing slightly to 276 during 31 August – 6 September (+2.2%). More  importantly, the latest increase was driven entirely by community deaths, which  rose sharply from 171 to 207 (+21.1%), while deaths occurring in treatment  facilities continued to decline from 99 to 69 (−30.3%). Consequently, the  proportion of confirmed deaths occurring in the community increased from 56.6%  during 17 – 23 August to 63.3% during 24 – 30 August and 75.0% during 31  August – 6 September, the highest weekly proportion observed during the  reporting period. This divergence is concerning, as the increase in community deaths alongside the continued decline in treatment facilities deaths  indicates that the earlier reduction in overall mortality has not been sustained.

    The persistence of high community mortality may reflect multiple barriers along the pathway to care, including delayed detection and notification,  delayed referral or transfer to treatment facilities, limited recognition of illness or  perceived severity, geographic and transport barriers, care-seeking outside formal  health facilities, and community acceptance or trust. These factors may result in  patients reaching treatment facilities late or dying before referral can be  completed.

    The increasing proportion of community deaths, despite expanding  treatment capacity, therefore suggests that increasing bed capacity alone may be  insufficient and reinforces the need to strengthen early case detection, rapid referral and community-level pathways to timely care.

(...)

Risk Assessment

    The risk of further spread remains very high within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and high for neighbouring countries sharing land borders  with the country. This assessment reflects sustained transmission, continued  geographic expansion, high mortality, population mobility, insecurity and  persistent response challenges. 

    The risk is considered low  elsewhere in Africa and globally. 

    The second IHR Emergency Committee, convened on 18 August 2026, also  reviewed the evolving situation and emphasized that the outbreak remains far  from controlled, and continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

(...)

Situation interpretation

    The outbreak remains uncontrolled and increasingly heterogeneous,  with improving trends in some areas occurring  alongside continued  transmission, geographic redistribution and the emergence of new hotspots. The  widening geographic footprint is creating an increasingly complex operational  environment, requiring response capacity to be sustained across widely dispersed  and sometimes difficult-to-access areas. 

    The six affected provinces collectively  cover an area of approximately 630 000 km², although transmission remains concentrated within specific health  zones and health areas. This geographic dispersion increases demands on  surveillance, contact tracing, referral and case management capacity, laboratory  networks, logistics and field coordination, and increases the risk that emerging transmission may not be detected or contained rapidly. Further gains  will therefore depend on translating the substantial expansion in response capacity  into rapid, locally delivered action in active and emerging hotspots. 

    Priorities should include early detection and referral, enhanced contact  tracing, IPC interventions around cases, addressing the drivers of community  deaths, and maintaining operational readiness in areas at risk of further spread. 

Source: 

Link: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/publication/ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease-outbreak-0

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Avian Influenza Report: August 30 – September 5 '26 (Wk 36) (CHP, HK SAR, September 8, '26): 1 New Human Case of Infection with #H9N2 virus in #China

 

{Excerpt}

(...)

Avian influenza A(H9N2):

    ° Beijing:

        § A six-year-old girl with onset on August 15, 2026.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk36.pdf

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Pan - #Ebolavirus nanoparticle #vaccine provides protection in rodents from lethal #infection by #Zaire and #Sudan viruses

 

Abstract

Both Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) and Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) are members of the genus Ebolavirus and cause outbreaks marked by high fatality rates and repeated spillover from animal reservoirs. Filoviral glycoproteins (GPs) are the primary targets of neutralizing antibodies and form the basis of current vaccines. Here we describe the design, structural characterization, and evaluation of two-component self-assembling icosahedral I53-50 nanoparticles displaying prefusion EBOV or SUDV GP antigens, either individually or in cocktail and mosaic multivalent formats. EBOV-GP-I53-50 and SUDV-GP-I53-50 nanoparticles elicited strong homologous protection in mice and guinea pigs. In the mouse-adapted EBOV model (maEBOV), mosaic and cocktail formulations produced weak survival below that of the matched EBOV-GP-I53-50 GP immunogen. In contrast, in the gpaSUDV guinea pig model (gpSUDV), cocktail and mosaic nanoparticles elicited robust protection against gpSUDV, and detectable antibody responses to both SUDV and EBOV GPs. These findings demonstrate that multivalent GP-I53-50 nanoparticle immunogens can protect rodents from death, severe clinical signs of disease, and weight loss in relevant models. Together with the established clinical safety of the I53-50 platform, these results support continued efforts toward the development of a pan-ebolavirus vaccine.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-76114-1

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#Uruguay - #Influenza A H5 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Follow up report 1

 

    ° Following a suspicion regarding deaths among birds of various species, the Official Veterinary Service (SVO) launched an epidemiological investigation in a backyard in the Department of Colonia. 

    ° In the backyard there were birds of different species: hens (Gallus gallus domesticus), geese (Anser anser), and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), which were raised outdoors and had contact with migratory wild birds. 

    ° Rapid tests came back negative, but samples were sent to the official laboratory to confirm the results, and they tested positive via PCR. 

    ° The SVO is currently conducting an epidemiological investigation in the zone. 

    ° On September 4, 5, and 6, the SVO conducted the epidemiological investigation in the area. 

    ° Activities included coordination, geographic delineation of the outbreak, establishment of a 5-kilometer operational radius, stamping out, sampling of birds, epidemiological investigation, and classification of establishments according to their risk level. 

    ° On September 5 and 6, 34 establishments within a 5-kilometer radius of the outbreak were inspected and identified. 

    ° No cases with compatible signs or mortality were reported within these establishments, nor were any commercial poultry farms listed in this area.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7810

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Elicitation of Potent #H5N1 - and #H7N9-Neutralizing #Antibody Responses in Rh. Macaques by Sequential Heterologous #Vaccination with #mRNA and Adenoviral Vectors Encoding Full-Length Hemagglutinins

 

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) represents an enormous pandemic risk amid the ongoing H5N1 panzootic. HPAI, defined by its high lethality in domestic poultry, includes the influenza A virus (IAV) H5N1 and H7N9 subtypes and has a 40–50% case fatality rate in humans. To facilitate the development of efficacious HPAI vaccination regimens and isolation of HPAI-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (nmAbs) for prophylactic and therapeutic use, we performed a proof-of-concept pilot study wherein we developed an array of mRNA and adenovirus-vectored vaccines encoding HPAI hemagglutinins (HAs) and then assessed their immunogenicity in IAV-naïve Indian rhesus macaques (RMs). All RMs developed binding IgG recognizing both HPAI HAs. HPAI-nAbs were detected in RMs vaccinated with full-length HAs, but not in RMs vaccinated with HA stems alone. Potent HPAI neutralization activity was observed in two animals with serum ID50 titers of ~1:100,000 against H5N1 and ~1:50,000 against H7N9. Most RMs developed cross-reactive IgG recognizing the HAs of additional IAV subtypes, and HA-specific B cells were readily identifiable in vaccinee PBMCs by flow cytometric analysis. The results of our pilot study suggest that elicitation of potent HPAI-nAb responses is enhanced by vaccination with the HA head domain and that vaccination with the HA stem alone tends to elicit binding non-nAbs. Furthermore, use of our fluorophore-conjugated HA probes to identify HA-specific B cells could enable HPAI-nmAb isolation. Collectively, our findings could facilitate the development of novel vaccines and nmAb therapeutics leveraging the superior neutralization potency of HA head-specific Abs to prevent and treat HPAI infections in humans.

Source: 

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/18/9/981

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History of Mass Transportation: The first Polish steam locomotive with aerodynamic lagging, series Pm36

 

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By Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe - Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe https://www.nac.gov.pl/https://www.szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl/jednostka/-/jednostka/5966798, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113670301

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rolling_stock_used_in_Poland#/media/File:Parow%C3%B3z_z_otulin%C4%85_aerodynamiczn%C4%85_serii_Pm36.jpg

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The Gardens of the Villa Medici in Rome, Diego Velazquez (1630)

 

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Public Domain.

Source: 

Link: https://www.wikiart.org/en/diego-velazquez/the-gardens-of-the-villa-medici-in-rome-1630

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Challenges in managing ruptured #ectopic #pregnancy complicated by hemorrhagic #shock in an #Ebola treatment unit in #DRC: first reported case

 

Abstract

Background: 

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is an obstetric emergency; early diagnosis is critical for maternal survival. In resource-limited settings, such as Ebola treatment units (ETU), delayed diagnosis or management of EP often leads to rupture and life-threatening hemorrhagic shock.

Case presentation: 

We report the case of a pregnant woman in her 30s who was admitted to the ETU with suspected Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Her clinical presentation included fever and abdominal pain, which began 4 days before her admission. Thirteen months earlier, she had recovered from an Ebola infection. At admission, she presented with 8 weeks of amenorrhea and discrete pelvic pain. On vaginal examination, we noted a slightly enlarged uterus and palpated a small left adnexal mass. Laboratory exams confirmed malaria and pregnancy. Her EVD test was negative. Due to the absence of an ultrasound machine in the ETU, pelvic ultrasound was impossible. Supportive treatment was initiated. Nineteen hours after admission, the patient developed an acute surgical abdomen, with progressive left-sided pelvic pain, abdominal distension, and diffuse tenderness. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy was suspected and confirmed by diagnostic abdominal puncture, which revealed hemoperitoneum. She developed hemorrhagic shock. However, the ETU lacked an operating room, surgical equipment, and anesthetic drugs. Transfer to another ETU was not feasible due to the absence of a surgical-capable facility, while transfer to a community facility required at least a second negative EVD test 48 h after the first. We used an unused building that was part of the neighboring health center to perform an explorative laparotomy, which revealed an EP in the left tube with ampullary dislocation and active bleeding. We performed a left salpingectomy and homeostatic sutures. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for EVD performed at 48 and 72 h were negative. She had a normal postoperative course and was discharged from ETU to the community on the 14th day after surgery.

Conclusion: 

Ruptured ectopic pregnancy (REP) remains a life-threatening obstetric emergency that may occur in ETUs, where resources and treatment conditions are limited. To protect maternal health, ETUs should ensure not only proper care for Ebola infection but also adequate capacity for the timely diagnosis and management of obstetric complications.

Source: 

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1848720/full

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#Safety, humoral and cellular immune responses to a pre-pandemic adjuvanted #influenza #H5N8 #vaccine

 

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses can be transmitted from infected birds to various mammalian species, including humans. Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), members of the Orthomyxoviridae family, possess segmented RNA genomes prone to reassortment, favoring the emergence of novel genetic traits that may alter transmissibility, pathogenicity, and antigenicity. Although no sustained human-to-human transmission has been reported, the potential adaptation of these viruses poses a significant pandemic threat. This study aimed to evaluate the non-clinical safety, toxicity, and humoral immune responses induced by an adjuvanted H5 influenza vaccine in rats and rabbits, to support future clinical safety trials in humans. Male and female Wistar rats and New Zealand rabbits were observed for 14, 28, and 90 days after receiving two intramuscular doses of the H5N8 vaccine (15 μg HA/dose) formulated with the IB160 oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant. No systemic comorbidities, central nervous system alterations, or relevant clinical signs were observed. Hematological parameters remained within normal ranges, with total and differential leukocyte counts showing only minor fluctuations (<1% of total leukocytes). Mild biochemical variations in urea and hepatic transaminase levels were not correlated with histopathological alterations. The vaccine elicited a robust humoral response soon after immunization, with all groups reaching protective HAI-antibody titers. Although antibody levels declined over time, particularly in males, they remained significantly above baseline, indicating durable immunological memory. Furthermore, the vaccine induced a specific cellular immune response, confirmed by IL-2 and TNF production by antigen-specific T lymphocytes in splenic cell cultures after the booster dose. In conclusion, the H5N8 vaccine with the IB160 adjuvant was well tolerated locally and systemically, without compromising vital organ function. The safety and immunogenicity findings are consistent with expectations for adjuvanted influenza vaccines, demonstrating strong and durable humoral and cellular immune responses.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X26008583?via%3Dihub

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History of Mass Transportation: Henschel & Sohn NG Mallet E214 Steam Locomotive with Vouga Historical Train from Aveiro to Macinhata do Vouga, Portugal

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By Nelso Silva from Porto, Portugal - CP E214, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99684021

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comboios_de_Portugal#/media/File:CP_E214_(50923344792).jpg

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    PLoS Comput Biol

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#Phylogenetic analysis of the 2025 #Ebola #outbreak in the #DRC

 

Abstract

On 4 September 2025, the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare officially declared the 16th Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This outbreak ended on 1 December 2025 and occurred in Bulape Health Zone, Kasaï Province, an area with limited access to appropriate healthcare facilities and resources. Here, we describe the probable index patient and molecular investigations of samples obtained from six suspected patients from the initial outbreak phase. We identified Orthoebolavirus zairense (EBOV) in five samples from different patients. In addition, we performed whole-genome sequencing and generated four complete EBOV genomes. These genomes form a well-supported phylogenetic cluster with genomes from the 1976 Yambuku/Mayinga outbreak. This study suggests a likely new zoonotic spillover event from an as-yet unidentified natural reservoir. While the close relationship to 1976 EBOV Yambuku/Mayinga genomes is striking, this poses additional challenges on the comprehension of the animal reservoir species.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-77542-9

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#USA, #Wastewater Data for Avian #Influenza #H5 (CDC, Sept. 4 '26)

 

{Excerpts}

(...)

A(H5) detections in the past week

Time Period: August 23, 2026 - August 29, 2026

    -- A(H5) Detection: 3 site(s) (0.7%)

    -- No Detection: 439 site(s) (99.3%)

    -- No samples: 74 site(s)

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/wastewater/emerging-viruses/h5.html?

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Sex differences in #vaccine-induced #neuraminidase cross-recognition impact #H5N1 #dissemination to the lower respiratory tract in mice

 

Abstract

H5N1 vaccines have been poorly immunogenic in humans, creating a challenge for vaccine development. Seasonal influenza vaccines offer some cross-protection against H5N1, but there has been no consideration of whether protection differs between the sexes. We investigated sex differences in antibody responses following receipt of either beta-propiolactone inactivated whole virus H1N1 or H5N1 (LAIV backbone) vaccines in C57BL/6 mice. Using systems serology assays, vaccination induced strong homologous and heterologous antibody responses, with females generating greater IgG titers than males against whole virus H1N1 and H5N1, which was primarily mediated by greater IgG responses to neuraminidase (NA) than hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Cross-reactive H5N1 IgG titers were greater among H1N1-vaccinated females, and primarily mediated by greater N1-specific IgG titers. IgG2b and IgG2c were the primary antibody isotypes generated in response to these vaccines, with females having greater IgG2b titers and enhanced binding to FcγRIV for avian and human NA than males following either homologous or heterologous vaccination. Antibody-dependent complement deposition was measured as an FcR-mediated non-neutralizing response against HA and NA and was more robust among H1N1 and H5N1 vaccinated females than their male counterparts in response to homologous HA only. Vaccinated females tended to have greater neutralizing antibody titers than males against the homologous vaccine strain, with limited cross-neutralizing antibodies detected in either sexes. Neuraminidase inhibition titers were greater in vaccinated females than males against the heterologous virus following H1N1 vaccination and against both the vaccine and heterologous viruses following H5N1 vaccination. When H1N1 and H5N1 vaccinated mice were challenged with a lethal dose of A/Texas/37/2024 H5N1, all H5N1 vaccinated mice were protected, regardless of sex. Among H1N1 vaccinated mice, while both sexes were protected against disease, H1N1 vaccinated females restricted virus to the upper respiratory tract and had lower pulmonary virus titers than males at 3 days post challenge. These findings highlight that sex differences in vaccine-induced NA-specific antibody responses are associated with differential respiratory dissemination of H5N1 and that sex should be considered in studies of vaccine-induced cross-reactive influenza immunity.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

NIH/NIAID Johns Hopkins Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response, 75N93021C00045

Richard Eliasberg Family Foundation

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.26.728011v3

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Seasonal #surveillance in #humans in 2026 for #WNV (ECDC, Sept. 4 '26), Weekly Update: 1,086 cases so far, of which 516 in #Italy

{Excerpt, Summary}

(...)

Week 36, 2026 | Published on 04 September 2026, based on data submitted up  until and including 3 September 2026.

Current situation

    ° Since the beginning of the 2026 transmission season, and as at 3 September, 144 areas affected by West Nile virus (WNV) have been identified in 15 countries across Europe.

    ° These areas are located in: 

        

        § Italy (62), 

        § Greece (19), 

        § Romania (17), 

        § France (13), 

        § Serbia (seven), 

        § the Netherlands (five), 

        § Croatia (four), 

        § Spain (four), 

        § Hungary (three), 

        § North Macedonia (three), 

        § Germany (two), 

        § Albania (one), 

        § Austria (one), 

        § Cyprus (one) and 

        § Kosovo* (one).

    ° This week, 20 areas are reported as affected for the first time this season. (...)

    ° The 15 countries have reported 1 086 locally acquired human cases of WNV infection: 

    

        § Italy (516 cases), 

        § Greece (284 cases, of which 11 with unknown place of infection), 

        § Spain (88 cases), 

        § Romania (56 cases), 

        § North Macedonia (55 cases), 

        § France (36 cases), 

        § Serbia (18 cases), 

        § the Netherlands (nine cases), 

        § Croatia (seven cases), 

        § Cyprus (six cases), 

        § Austria (four cases), 

        § Hungary (three cases), 

        § Germany (two cases), 

        § Albania (one case) and 

        § Kosovo* (one case)

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-fever/surveillance-and-disease-data/disease-data-ecdc

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