#Zoonotic Exposure to Porcine #Deltacoronavirus, #USA, 2019–2021

 

Abstract

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a swine coronavirus with zoonotic potential. We detected PDCoV-neutralizing antibodies in 10 of 300 human serum samples; positive sample sources included 1 adult and 9 juveniles. Our findings provide evidence of human exposure to PDCoV and highlight the importance of monitoring animal coronaviruses with zoonotic potential.

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3212.260303

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#Germany - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (Inf. with) ( #poultry ) - Immediate notification

 

{Extract}

(...)

A Poultry Farm in the Niedersachsen Region.

(...)

Source: World Animal Health Organization (WOAH), https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7950

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#Austria - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 

{Extract}

(...)

A wild Mute Swan in the Niederösterreich Region.

(...)

Source: World Animal Health Organization (WOAH), https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7951

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Avian #Influenza #Report: October 25 - 31 '26 (Wk 44) (HK CHP, November 3, 2026): 2 New Human Infections with #H5N1 virus in #USA & 2 cases with #H9N2 virus in #China

 

{Excerpts}

(...)

Avian influenza A(H5N1)

    ° Washington State:

        § The Washington State Department of Health reported the second and  third human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) from Yakima County.

        § The second case, who had underlying health conditions, was  hospitalised with severe illness and passed away on November 1, 2026.

        § The third case has not experienced severe illness or been hospitalised.

        § Both cases had exposure to dairy cattle infected with avian influenza  A(H5N1) virus at local dairy farms.

(...)

Avian influenza A(H9N2):

    ° Hubei Province:

        § A two-year-old boy with onset on September 22, 2026.

    ° Jiangxi Province:

        § A 77-year-old woman with onset on September 16, 2026.

(...)

Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk44.pdf

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#CD8+ regulatory T cells limit #immunopathology but impair viral clearance in #Hantaan virus #infection

 

Abstract

In hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Hantaan virus (HTNV), virus-specific CD8+ T cells mediate both viral clearance and immunopathology. Here, we characterized a CD8+ regulatory T cell (Treg) subset restricted by HLA-E (and its murine ortholog Qa-1) in HFRS patients and in a murine HTNV infection model. CD8+ Tregs (CD122+Eomes+CD49dloKIR+), a subset substantially enriched for HLA-E-restricted T cells, were significantly reduced in peripheral blood of HFRS patients and displayed a terminally differentiated profile with elevated expression of KLRG-1, NKG2A, CTLA-4, and Fas-L, correlating with disease severity. Two HTNV glycoprotein-derived nonapeptides that bound Qa-1 were identified. Following immunization with the identified HTNV peptides and subsequent HTNV challenge, wild-type (WT) mice showed attenuated renal immunopathology, whereas D227K knock-in mice (with disrupted Qa-1-CD8/TCR interaction) showed enhanced viral clearance in the spleen and kidney but exacerbated renal immunopathology. Mechanistically, Qa-1-restricted CD8+ Tregs from WT mice suppressed effector CD8+ T cell proliferation in a peptide-specific, CD8/TCR-dependent manner via enhanced TGF-β secretion. Strikingly, D227K mutation dichotomously reshaped Treg phenotype: bulk polyclonal CD8+ Tregs displayed compensatory upregulation of inhibitory receptors (NKG2A, CTLA-4, PD-1) and TGF-β, whereas epitope-specific CD8+ Tregs showed impaired antigen-specific suppressive function and attenuated TGF-β production. Collectively, these findings indicate that HLA-E/Qa-1-restricted CD8+ Tregs can restrain immunopathology during HTNV infection, potentially at the cost of delayed viral elimination. Modulation of this axis may provide insights for therapeutic strategies in HFRS and related viral hemorrhagic fevers.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2536836123

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#Taiwan, Seasonal #Influenza and #COVID19 Epidemics - Weekly Situation #Report (CDC, Nov. 3 '26): #H1N1pdm09 flu virus & #SARS-CoV-2 PQ.16.1.1 still predominated

 

{Excerpts}

(...)

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) pointed out that while the domestic influenza epidemic is declining, it is still in its prevalent period. 

    In week 43 (October 25-31), there were 95,916 outpatient and emergency room visits for influenza-like illnesses, a 7.3% decrease from the previous week. 

    Additionally, last week (October 27-November 2), there were 151 new cases of severe influenza complications (146 H1N1, 2 H3N2, 2 unidentified A cases, and 1 B case) and 46 deaths (all H1N1). 

    Laboratory surveillance data shows that the influenza virus currently circulating in the community is predominantly type A, with type A H1N1 accounting for 92.7%. 

    This season (October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027) saw a cumulative total of 542 severe cases (531 H1N1, 2 H3N2, 6 unclassified A cases, and 3 B cases) and 95 deaths (92 H1N1 and 3 unclassified A cases). 

    The majority of severe cases were among those aged 65 and above (69.0%) and those with a history of chronic illnesses (85.4%). 98.3% of those affected had not received the seasonal influenza vaccine.

    According to data from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 epidemic in Taiwan continues to decline. 

    In week 43 (October 25-31), there were 1,834 outpatient and emergency room visits related to COVID-19, a 28.7% decrease compared to the previous week (October 18-24). 

    Last week (October 27-November 2), there were 11 new severe cases and 3 new deaths. 

    This season, there have been a total of 75 severe cases, including 13 deaths. 

    The majority of severe cases are among those aged 65 and above (60.0%) and those with a history of chronic illness (84.0%), none of whom had received the COVID-19 vaccine this season. 

    In the past four weeks, the most common variant strain in locally transmitted cases is PQ.16.1.1, followed by NB.1.8.1.

(...)

Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/57M9H7NQtbjNyO5ygCgNiA?typeid=9

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#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife (Dept. of Agriculture, Nov. 3 '26)

 

{Extract}

(...)

Event data

    As of 4pm AEST, 2 November 2026, Australia has 732 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

        § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

        § 341 in South Australia (SA)

        § 76 in New South Wales (NSW)

        § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

        § 249 in Victoria (VIC)

        § 53 in Tasmania (TAS)^

        § 1 in Other Territories#

    {^} Includes events on Macquarie Island

    {#} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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(...)

Source: Australian Department of Agriculture, https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

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#USA, #Washington State: Avian #Influenza in #Humans - Current #Situation and Data (DoH, Nov. 2 '26): 2 new cases of which 1 fatal [18 cases in total since 2024]

 

{Extract}

(...)

Human Bird Flu Cases in Washington State Residents

[Case - Classification - Known Exposure - 2024 - 2025 - 2026 - Total]

    ° Confirmed - Commercial Poultry - 11* - 0- 0 - 11

    ° Confirmed - Backyard Flock - 0 - 1 - 0 - 1

    ° Confirmed - Dairy - 0 - 0 - 3 - 3 {+2}

    ° Probable - Commercial Poultry - 3 - 0 - 0 - 3

        § Total - 14 - 1 - 3 - 18

    {*} Washington residency not confirmed for one case in 2024.

(...)

Source: US State of Washington Department of Health, https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/bird-flu/current-situation-and-data

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

 

{Extract}

(...)

A wild Laridae species bird in the Schleswig-Holstein Region.

(...)

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7945

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#Germany - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 

{Extract}

(...)

A wild Mallard in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7946

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#USA, #Washington State: #Yakima County Resident Dies from Complications of Avian #Influenza { #H5N1 } (DoH, Nov. 2 '26): Third Human case also reported

     

For immediate release: November 1, 2026 | Contact: Stephanie Ruiz,  Communications Specialist (509) 941-7364 

Yakima County Resident Dies from Complications of Avian Influenza

    Yakima, WA - The Yakima County resident who was hospitalized with severe  illness after contracting avian influenza (bird flu) following exposure at a dairy with infected cattle died today.

    The Yakima Health District offers its heartfelt condolences to the  individual’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.

    The individual had underlying health conditions. Out of respect for the  family’s privacy, the Yakima Health District is not releasing their name, gender, or  age.

    The risk of avian influenza infection to the general public remains low. 

    People at greater risk include dairy workers and others who have close or  prolonged contact with infected animals or environments contaminated with the  virus. 

    Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and  has never been documented in the United States. 

    Public health officials are continuing to monitor individuals who had  close contact with the patient for symptoms. 

Third Confirmed Human Case of Avian Influenza

    The Yakima Health District is reporting a third confirmed human case of  avian influenza in a Yakima County resident who was exposed to infected dairy cattle at a Yakima County dairy. 

    The individual has not experienced severe illness or been hospitalized.

    The Yakima Health District is working with public health partners to  identify and contact individuals who may have been in close contact with the  person to monitor for symptoms.

Ongoing Public Health Updates

    To keep the public informed, Yakima Health District plans to update its  avian influenza webpage every Monday and Thursday at 2:00pm with the latest  available information, including confirmed human case counts in Yakima County. 

    Updates will be shared as new information becomes available.

For the latest information, visit www.YakimaHealthDistrict.org/BirdFlu.

Quote

    “Our hearts go out to the individual's family and loved ones during this difficult  time. Avian influenza can cause severe illness, particularly among people who  have underlying health conditions. While this is a serious and heartbreaking  outcome, the risk to the general public remains low. We continue to work closely  with our public health partners to monitor the situation and protect the health of our community.” -Dr. Dave Atteberry, Health Officer, Yakima Health District

Source: US State of Washington, Yakima County Department of Health, https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/46819

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Still Life With Golden Beam, Francisco Goya (1808 - 1812)

 

 {Click on Image to Enlarge}

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Public Domain.

Source: WikiArt, https://www.wikiart.org/en/francisco-goya/still-life-with-golden-beam-1812

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#H5N5 virus #transmission is driven by repeated cross-Atlantic introductions and transmission among high latitude #seabirds

 

Abstract

In November 2025, the first global H5N5 infection was reported in a person in Washington State. Previously, these viruses had only been detected in seabirds and shorebirds near the Atlantic Ocean, suggesting potentially distinct ecology from dominant H5N1 strains. Using 354 global H5N5 genomes, we show that H5N5 viruses have been carried by high latitude seabirds and shorebirds across the Atlantic at least 9 times, with introductions more frequent in the fall and spring. We reconstruct a plausible path of cross-continental movement via Arctic or sub-Arctic regions, followed by a year of cryptic circulation prior to human spillover. These data show that H5N5 viruses have undergone far more intercontinental movements than previously recognized, and exhibit host and geographic patterns that are fundamentally distinct from dominant H5N1 lineages. The distinct host ecology, geography, and movement, paired with the capacity to infect a person, suggest that enhanced surveillance may be warranted.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

National Institutes of Health, https://ror.org/01cwqze88, R01AI195533, 1F31AI202942-01, 75N93021C00016, U19AI181767

United States Department of Agriculture, SA-MZT-2023-065b

Source: BioRxIV, https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.10.29.762228

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#USA, #Washington State: Second #Yakima County Resident Tests Positive for Avian #Influenza (DoH, Nov. 1 '26): Patient is in serious condition

 

    Yakima, WA- The Yakima Health District (YHD), in coordination with the  Washington State Department of Health (DOH), is reporting a second human case  of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in a Yakima County resident after  exposure at a dairy with infected cattle. 

    The individual is currently hospitalized with severe illness and has underlying health conditions.

    The risk of avian influenza infection to the general public remains low.  People at greater risk include dairy workers and others who have close or  prolonged contact with infected animals or environments contaminated with the  virus. 

    Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and  has never been documented in the United States.

    The Yakima Health District is working with public health partners to  identify and contact individuals who may have been in close contact with the patient to monitor for symptoms. 

    YHD is also continuing to work with impacted dairies and public health  partners to identify people who may have been exposed to infected cattle, monitor  their health, and provide guidance and resources to help protect exposed  individuals. 

    This includes providing testing for exposed individuals who develop  symptoms to support prompt diagnosis and appropriate medical care.

Symptoms and When to Seek Guidance

    Symptoms of avian influenza in people can include eye redness or  irritation, fever or feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose,  muscle or body aches, headache, and fatigue. 

Illness can range from mild to severe

    If you work on a dairy farm and develop symptoms after potential  exposure to infected cattle, contact your healthcare provider and let them know  about your exposure or the Yakima Health District at (509) 480-3770 for  guidance.

Updated Information on Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle

    As of October 29, 33 dairy herds in Yakima County have tested positive  for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. The Washington State  Department of Agriculture (WSDA) maintains updated information on confirmed  dairy herd detections through its website. The Yakima Health District will also  share public health updates and prevention guidance on its webpage: www.YakimaHealthDistrict.org/BirdFlu.

How to Reduce Your Risk

    The risk of avian influenza infection to the general public is low.  However, people who work with or have contact with potentially infected animals  are at higher risk and should follow workplace safety guidance and use  recommended personal protective equipment. 

    Residents should avoid touching sick or dead animals, animal waste, and  surfaces that may be contaminated. 

    Pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe to consume.  Pasteurization inactivates avian influenza virus and other harmful pathogens.  

    People should avoid raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products because  they may contain harmful germs, including avian influenza. 

    Do not feed pets raw milk, unpasteurized dairy products, or raw meat,  including raw pet foods. 

    Cats are especially susceptible to avian influenza (H5N1), and exposure can  lead to severe illness or death. 

    Feeding cats raw milk or raw poultry can put them at risk of infection.

    It is especially important that people get a seasonal flu vaccine. While  the seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent bird flu infection, it reduces the risk of  becoming sick with both human and avian influenza viruses at the same time.  Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. Talk to  your primary care provider to see if the flu vaccine is recommended for you.

About Avian Influenza

    Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is caused by Type A influenza  viruses that occur naturally in wild birds. The virus can spread from wild birds to  other animals, including poultry and mammals such as dairy cattle. It can also  spread to humans following close contact with infected animals or contaminated  environments. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this time.

Reporting Sick or Dead Animals

Domestic Birds:

    • Report sick/dead domestic birds using the online form, or call the  Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Avian Health Program: 1-800-606- 3056. Visit Avian Influenza | Washington State Department of Agriculture for more  information about how to protect backyard flocks.

Wild Birds:

    • Use an online form to report sick/dead wild birds suspected of avian  influenza to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Livestock

    • To report sick livestock, isolate affected animals and contact your  veterinarian and WSDA at 360-902-1878 or email ahealth@agr.wa.gov.

Quote

    “The risk to the general public remains low, but we are taking this situation  seriously. We encourage dairy workers to answer calls and respond to text  messages from public health officials so we can check on their health, provide  guidance, and connect them with care if needed. Early communication helps us  support workers who may have been exposed.” - Dr. Dave Atteberry,  Health Officer, Yakima Health District

(...)

Source: US State of Washington, Yakima County Department of Health, https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/46817

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Molecular #Surveillance for #Oropouche, #Mayaro, West Nile, and Saint Louis #Encephalitis Viruses, #Brazil, 2019–2025

 

Abstract

To assess the circulation of Oropouche, Mayaro, West Nile, and St. Louis encephalitis viruses, we tested samples from 824 patients with acute febrile illness, 3,484 mosquitoes, and 113 nonhuman primates from northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. All samples were negative for dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. One imported Oropouche virus infection was detected.

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3212.260870

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#WHO Rapid #Risk #Assessment -Yellow fever, WHO African Region v.1 (Oct. 31 '26)

{Summary}

Risk statement

    This rapid risk assessment was triggered by the recent increase in yellow fever activity in a limited number of countries in West and Central Africa, within the broader group of countries classified as high risk for  yellow fever in the WHO African Region. 

    It focuses primarily on the evolving situations in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia, while considering relevant  developments in other affected countries where necessary. 

    It assesses the public health risk associated with ongoing yellow fever  transmission in the WHO African Region during 2026, considering the impact on  human health, the potential for geographical spread, including cross-border  spread, and the risk of insufficient control capacity. 

    It builds on the Global Rapid Risk Assessment for yellow fever that was  finalized on 5 June 2026 and incorporates regional information available up to 12  October 2026.

    Between 1 January and 12 October 2026, 67 confirmed cases including 18 deaths were recorded in nine countries in the WHO African Region.

    However, the most recent cases were concentrated in Burkina Faso, Côte  d’Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia, particularly in districts near international borders. 

    Differences in reporting cut-off dates and case classifications across  available sources affect the comparability of regional epidemiological data.

    The likelihood of continued transmission and additional human cases is  considered likely. Several affected districts have previously identified immunity  gaps, including areas where preventive vaccination has not been implemented or  where population immunity remains insufficient despite past vaccination activities. 

    Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated populations remain at highest risk,  particularly among rural and forestedge communities, mobile and cross-border  populations, and people with occupational exposure in forested, agricultural and  mining environments.

    The concentration of outbreaks in border areas increases the potential for  further geographical spread. 

    Population mobility, frequent crossborder movement, trade, agricultural  activities, pastoral movements and mining operations may facilitate transmission  between affected and neighbouring countries. 

    Introduction into densely populated urban or peri-urban areas with  established Aedes aegypti populations and low population immunity could result  in larger outbreaks and place additional pressure on response capacities. 

    Environmental and seasonal factors, including rainfall, temperature and  vector abundance, may influence transmission dynamics. Evolving El Niño  conditions may further modify the environmental and operational context but  should not be considered a direct cause of the outbreaks.

    The region has important capacities, including established surveillance  systems, a regional laboratory network, routine and reactive vaccination mechanisms, outbreak-response experience, access to the  international emergency vaccine stockpile and activated response structures.

    However, persistent immunity gaps, surveillance and laboratory challenges,  delays in specimen referral and confirmation, insecurity, access constraints, operational challenges to reach unprotected at-risk  communities, funding constraints and competing public health emergencies continue to affect timely detection, investigation, and control. 

    The simultaneous occurrence of outbreaks and epidemic signals in  multiple countries increases demand for laboratory confirmation, vaccination  activities, outbreak investigations and cross-border coordination.

    Based on the likelihood of continued transmission, the risk of cross-border spread, documented immunity gaps and operational constraints affecting  outbreak control, the overall public health risk is assessed as moderate in the WHO African Region, with moderate confidence. 

    The global risk remains low, with high confidence, as transmission remains  concentrated in areas with a history of yellow fever circulation and established  international response mechanisms remain available. 

    Confidence in the regional assessment is moderate because reporting cut- off dates and case classifications vary across available sources, some laboratory  results remain pending, entomological information is limited, and cases may be  under detected in remote or insecure areas. 

    Confidence is high regarding the hazard and established transmission routes, but lower for the magnitude and geographical extent of current  transmission because of differences in national reporting cut-offs and case classifications, pending confirmatory testing, incomplete reconciliation of line  lists and laboratory results, limited entomological information, and possible under- detection in remote or insecure areas.

    The assessment will be updated as new epidemiological, laboratory and operational information becomes available

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/who-rapid-risk-assessment--yellow-fever--who-african-region-v.1

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#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife (Dept. of Agriculture, Oct. 31 '26)

 

{Extract}

(...)

Event data

    ° As of 4pm AEST, 30 October 2026, Australia has 728 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

        § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

        § 339 in South Australia (SA)

        § 76 in New South Wales (NSW)

        § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

        § 247 in Victoria (VIC)

        § 53 in Tasmania (TAS)^

        § 1 in Other Territories#

    {^} Includes events on Macquarie Island

    {#} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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(...)

Source: Australian Department of Agriculture, https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

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History of Mass Transportation: The Class 450 of Northern Ireland Railways built by BREL

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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By Ross, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14301579

Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIR_450_Class

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