History of Mass Transportation: The CD/CZ ''Hydra'' Diesel Autorail (1968–70) by Vagónka Studénka

 

By Vít Javůrek - http://www.mujweb.cz/www/mhd_jama/vlaky3/Krasa8/libun18.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6584716

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Czech_locomotive_classes

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#Surveillance and cross-species #transmission #assessment of #H3NX avian #influenza viruses isolated in #Guangdong province, #China from 2023 to 2025

 

Abstract

Continued influenza surveillance remains important, especially given that the emergence of novel subtypes or reassorted influenza viruses with pandemic potential continues to be a worldwide threat. In particular, virus circulating in birds can facilitate interspecies transmission to humans. In this study, we conducted systematic surveillance of H3 subtype avian influenza virus (AIVs) in domestic poultry and wild birds throughout Guangdong Province from 2023 to 2025. A total of 21 strains of H3 subtype AIVs were isolated, and phylogenetic analyses and risk assessment of their internal gene segments revealed genetic evidence of reassortment events, indicating a close genetic relationship with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs). ZJ1722, ZJ1542 and SZ837 showed dual-receptor binding ability and robust replication in mammalian cells, which coincided with amino acid mutations in the HA protein associated with human receptor binding. Although the H3NX viruses isolated in this study failed to cause lethality in mice, they efficiently replicated in the nasal turbinate and lungs of mice without prior adaptation. This study highlights the paramount importance of sustained, subtype-specific surveillance targeting H3NX avian influenza viruses coupled with timely risk characterization and assessment. Proactive containment of H3NX avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission has vital implications for safeguarding the sustainability of the poultry industry and protecting global human public health, given the inherent zoonotic potential and evolutionary plasticity of this H3 subtype, which could drive future spillover events.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579126004918?via%3Dihub

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#Chikungunya fever: #Brazil is intensifying its response to address health emergency in Dourados (MoH, April 4 '26)

 

{Edited}

The Brazilian government has intensified its response to the emergency situation in Dourados (MS), given the increase in cases of chikungunya, with the mobilization of an interministerial task force that integrates actions in health, assistance, civil defense, and logistical support in the territory. The emergency affects the population of the municipality, with a greater impact on indigenous communities.

As a reinforcement to the response already underway, the Federal Government has guaranteed more than R$ 3.1 million in emergency resources for the municipality. 

Of this total, R$ 1.3 million , authorized by the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR) in a decree published this Thursday (2), will be allocated to relief and humanitarian assistance actions, such as direct support to the population and local response structures. 

Also this Thursday, the National Secretariat for Civil Protection and Defense approved a work plan worth R$ 974,100 for restoration actions, including urban cleaning, waste removal and disposal in a licensed sanitary landfill, with resources to be transferred directly to the municipality.

The Ministry of Health has already transferred R$ 855,300 to the municipality to cover the costs of surveillance, assistance, and control actions related to chikungunya in the region.

The federal response has been underway since mid-March, coordinated by the Ministry of Health, which mobilized the National Health System (SUS) Task Force , reinforced healthcare teams, and intensified vector surveillance and control actions across the territory. 

The operation includes actively searching for cases, conducting home visits, eliminating [mosquitoes] breeding sites, and expanding services to the population, with special attention to the most vulnerable areas, including indigenous territories.

The National Health System Task Force has 40 mobilized professionals , with 26 currently working directly, and has already carried out 1,288 clinical consultations , 81 transfers for medium and high complexity care, and 225 home visits . 

The teams operate both in indigenous territories and in the municipalities of Dourados and Itaporã, supporting local management, together with the Mato Grosso do Sul State Health Secretariat, reorganizing care flows, expanding active case finding, and guaranteeing assistance, health education, and psychosocial care.

Fiocruz mobilized the shipment of pain medication, reinforcing its ability to meet local demand due to the epidemic.

To expand response capacity, the Ministry of Health authorized the emergency hiring of 50 Endemic Disease Control Agents (ACEs). Of these, 20 have already been trained and will enter the field this Friday (3), while another 30 will begin training to work from Monday (6).

In the field of vector control, actions were intensified with the mobilization of approximately 95 professionals , including Community Health Agents and Indigenous Sanitation Agents (AISAN). Between March 9 and 16, 4,319 properties were inspected , of which 2,173 received treatment , identifying 1,004 breeding sites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito , mainly in water storage containers, solid waste, and tires.

Actions were also taken to control the spread of insecticide using ultra-low volume (ULV) methods, including three cycles of vehicle-mounted ULV application and backpack spraying in 43 high-traffic areas, such as schools and health units. The volunteer effort to remove breeding sites mobilized approximately 100 people and resulted in the collection of four dump truckloads of waste.

Vector control will be reinforced with support from the Ministry of Defense. Currently, 40 Brazilian Army soldiers and five vehicles are already in the area , expanding the operational capacity of the mosquito control efforts.

The Ministry of Health also sent 1,000 Larvicide Dissemination Stations (LDSs). Of the first 300 units, 150 have already been installed in priority neighborhoods, with expansion planned for other regions of the municipality.

Through Funai (National Indian Foundation), actions are also underway to provide direct support to indigenous communities in Dourados, focusing on food security and access to water. 

The distribution of 6,000 food baskets is planned , in three stages between April and June, in coordination with the Ministry of Social Development (MDS), the National Supply Company (Conab), the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (Sesai), and Civil Defense. The expansion of the water supply system in the Jaguapiru and Bororó villages has also been authorized to guarantee access to potable water and improve the sanitary conditions of the indigenous communities.

Epidemiological scenario

The most recent epidemiological surveillance data, referring to April 2nd, indicates that the region has registered 2,812 notifications of chikungunya, with 1,198 confirmed, 430 discarded, and 1,184 still under investigation. The highest concentration of cases is in indigenous villages, where 822 cases were confirmed—68.6% of the total confirmations in the region. 

So far, five deaths have been confirmed in Dourados, all among the indigenous population of the municipality.

To strengthen the coordination of actions, the Ministry of Health established a Situation Room in Brasília on March 25th, with permanent meetings to monitor the situation and integrate decisions between technical teams and managers.

Within the indigenous territory, the work is carried out in a coordinated manner between the Ministries of Health, Indigenous Peoples, Integration and Regional Development, Defense, Social Development, Funai (National Indian Foundation), and the Special Indigenous Health District of Mato Grosso do Sul (DSEI-MS), which has 210 Indigenous Health Agents (AIS) and 150 Indigenous Sanitation Agents (Aisan), in addition to logistical support with 91 pickup trucks, 6 vans, and 1 truck.

The actions also include training for health professionals in the municipal and indigenous networks, aligning clinical protocols for diagnosis and proper management of the disease, as well as health education activities in schools and communities. There are also plans to send prevention messages via WhatsApp to more than 234,000 residents , in Portuguese and with translation into indigenous languages.

The response also includes improving the quality of care, with the implementation of the national chikungunya protocol and training of teams for early identification of severe cases and appropriate clinical management.

Source: 

Link: https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2026/abril/governo-do-brasil-intensifica-resposta-integrada-e-mobiliza-forca-tarefa-para-enfrentar-emergencia-sanitaria-em-dourados-ms-2

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#Evidence of #SARS-CoV-2 #Exposure in #Rodents from Rural Localities in the #Yucatan Peninsula, #Mexico

 

Abstract

Zoonotic diseases involve pathogen transmission between humans and animals, with most research focused on animal-to-human spillover. However, reverse zoonosis—the transmission of pathogens from humans to animals—remains understudied despite its potential ecological and epidemiological consequences. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlights this risk, as human-associated viruses may sporadically infect wildlife species and generate novel exposure pathways. To assess evidence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in wildlife, we analyzed serum and rectal swab samples from rodents collected in rural localities of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, between 2021 and 2022. An indirect ELISA detected antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 23.1% of sampled rodents. Molecular analysis detected one positive sample with a pan-coronavirus RT-PCR, though all were negative for SARS-CoV-2–specific assays. This study provides serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in rodent communities from rural areas of Mexico and is consistent with sporadic wildlife spillback events rather than sustained transmission. The observed exposure patterns may be influenced by human activities and frequent human–wildlife interactions in heterogeneous rural landscapes. Our results underscore the need for integrated serological and genomic surveillance to better understand the ecological context of reverse zoonosis and its implications for public health.

Source: 

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/18/4/435

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#USA, #Wastewater Data for Avian #Influenza #H5 (#CDC, April 3 '26)

 

{Excerpt}

(...)

Time Period: March 22, 2026 - March 28, 2026

-- H5 Detection: 8 site(s) (1.7%)

-- No Detection: 458 site(s) (98.3%)

-- No samples in last week: 105 site(s)

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html

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#Taiwan, First locally acquired case of #H7N7 avian #influenza A virus has been released from isolation today (MoH, April 3 '26)

 

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (April 3) that the first case of local human infection with the H7 subtype of novel influenza A, which was detected recently, has been cured and discharged from isolation today after clinical treatment. 

The patient's condition has continued to improve and all tests have been negative. The patient will continue to be monitored until April 6.

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that the sputum sample collected from the case on March 27th was genetically sequenced to identify the virus as H7N7, a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAI). 

No drug-resistant mutations were found, and the virus remains sensitive to antiviral drugs; the public need not panic. 

The CDC also today, in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR), notified the World Health Organization of this first locally acquired H7N7 influenza case through the IHR contact window.

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explained that since 1959, more than 90 human cases of H7N7 have been reported globally, concentrated before 2003, mainly in Europe. 

Of these, only one case resulted in death, and the vast majority were mild cases of conjunctivitis. 

Subsequently, Italy reported three cases in 2013, also mild cases of conjunctivitis. 

No new human cases have been reported since 2013, but the virus continues to spread and evolve in birds. 

The genetic analysis of the first H7 case in Taiwan showed that it was significantly different from the H7 cases in European human cases 10-20 years ago, and most similar to the H7 cases detected in wild birds in Taiwan over the years. 

No mutations related to enhanced bird-to-human transmission were found, and it is judged to be an isolated event with manageable risks.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reiterates its reminder that workers in the poultry and livestock industries should adhere to disease prevention guidelines, including wearing protective equipment and proper disinfection after handling. 

If respiratory or eye symptoms develop, seek medical attention immediately and inform the animal contact history. 

The public should also follow the "5 Dos and 6 Don'ts" principle to avoid contact with or purchase poultry and livestock products from unknown sources, jointly safeguarding public health and safety. 

More information can be found on the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw/) or by calling the disease prevention hotline 1922.

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/oWFPJ8DnGZKl-Ygm43iPQQ?typeid=9

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

{Magallanes y Antártica Chilena} All the birds were culled. At this time, the SAG is on the field implementing all surveillance measures in the control zone.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7402

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#Progress towards the #WHO Global Initiative for #Childhood #Cancer target of 60% 5-year survival for all childhood cancers combined, 1990–2019 (CONCORD-4): ...

 

Summary

Background

CONCORD is a global public health programme for long-term surveillance of population-based cancer survival. The first three cycles of this programme focused primarily on adults. In CONCORD-4, for the first time, we also included all cancers in children. The WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), published in 2018, set a target for 5-year survival for all childhood cancers combined, worldwide, to reach 60% by 2030. We designed the protocol for CONCORD-4 to assess progress towards this target in as many countries as possible.

Methods

We identified population-based cancer registries from the members of the International Association of Cancer Registries and other sources. We invited 513 registries in 101 countries to submit anonymised individual records for all children (aged 0–14 years) living in their territory who were diagnosed with any form of cancer during the 30-year period 1990–2019, or later years. The data included demographic variables, the morphological type and anatomical location of the tumour, and the follow-up for the vital status of each child. We used the data for 2010–19 to construct a set of weights that reflect the global frequency distribution of childhood cancers, by age, sex, and subtype, both for the 12 major groups in the third edition of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC-3) and for the six WHO tracer cancers prioritised in the GICC. We estimated 5-year net survival for children diagnosed during 1990–2019 by age, sex, and type of cancer, using the Pohar Perme estimator. We then used the weights to construct a Cancer Survival Index (CSI) as a weighted average of these survival estimates, for each country and each 5-year period during 1990–2019 for the 12 ICCC-3 groups and separately for the six WHO tracer cancers.

Findings

We received 679 776 individual records for children diagnosed with cancer during 1990–2022 from 307 population-based cancer registries in 68 countries and territories, 52 with 100% national coverage. We produced two sets of weights, by age, sex, and type of cancer, reflecting the global distribution of cancer in children, both for all childhood cancers and for the six WHO tracer cancers. We restricted survival analyses to 613 021 children diagnosed during 1990–2019. The 5-year CSI for all childhood cancers combined increased in most countries between 1990 and 2019. For children diagnosed during 2015–19, the CSI was more than 80% in most high-income countries, in the range 60–80% in most upper-middle-income countries, and in the range 50–60% in the five participating lower-middle-income countries.

Interpretation

The new CSI enables quantitative international comparison of trends in survival for all childhood cancers combined and for the six WHO tracer cancers, through a simple three-way standardisation by age, sex and subtype. The CSI should be a useful tool to monitor future trends. In most high-income, upper-middle-income, and lower-middle-income countries participating in CONCORD-4, the all-cancers CSI was either close to or had already passed the GICC target to reach 60% 5-year survival for all childhood cancers combined, worldwide, by 2030. The GICC target therefore may not be ambitious enough.

Funding

Cancer Research UK, Institut National du Cancer (France), St Jude Children's Research Hospital (USA), US National Cancer Institute, and Dell Technologies.

Research in context

Evidence before this study

Survival differs widely between the various types of cancer in children, and between countries defined by their World Bank national income group. In 2018, WHO published the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), with the central target of reaching 60% survival (presumed to be 5 years) for all childhood cancers combined, worldwide, by 2030. 

No single metric exists to enable monitoring of progress towards this target. We searched PubMed for articles published in English, without date limits, using the following search string: “Population-based cancer regist*”[tiab] OR population-based registr* OR “population-based study”[tiab:~0] OR “EUROCARE”[tiab] AND “case-mix-standardised survival”[tiab:~0] OR “all cancers combined survival”[tiab:~0] OR “case-mix by cancer “[tiab:~0] OR “cancer survival index”[tiab:~0] OR “one-number index”[tiab:~0] OR “all cancers survival”[tiab:~0] OR “patient survival for all cancers combined”[ti:~0]”. 

At present, the only attempt to evaluate progress towards the GICC target is derived from simulation-based model estimates of net survival for 197 countries. In most of these countries, real-world data from population-based cancer registries are not available. The estimates include all types of cancer combined in the age range 0–14 years in a single pool, despite the well known differences in survival by age, sex, and type of cancer. Some large comparisons of survival for all cancers combined were produced by the EUROCARE project, in Europe, or by NORDCAN, in northern Europe only, or in single countries (Canada, China, Denmark, and the USA). 

In these studies, an estimate of survival for all cancers combined, in adults or in children, was based on a double standardisation, starting from the usual standardisation by age, followed by a further standardisation by case-mix or cancer type, and sex. This approach implies the use of two sets of weights, one for age-standardisation and another to reflect the cancer type and sex distribution of the patients included in each study. These distributions are not representative of the global population of cancer patients—in this context, children. The cancer survival indices derived for all these studies are not directly comparable either between countries or over time.

Added value of this study

The current cycle of the CONCORD programme for global surveillance of trends in population-based cancer survival (CONCORD-4) has extended coverage to include data for adults diagnosed with one of 22 malignancies, and for the first time, also includes data on all children diagnosed with a cancer during 1990–2022. 

CONCORD-4 provides the largest global real-world database on childhood cancer, including data from 307 population-based cancer registries in 68 countries, 52 with 100% national coverage. We created two sets of weights that reflect the global frequency distribution of childhood cancers by age, sex, and subtype: one set for the 12 major groups defined in the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer, and another for the six tracer cancers prioritised by WHO in 2021. 

For each country and 5-year calendar period during the three decades 1990–2019, we then constructed a Cancer Survival Index (CSI), which enables quantitative comparisons of net survival for all childhood cancers combined, between countries and over time. Both sets of weights, which allow for a simple three-way standardisation by age, sex, and subtype, are now available for national and international research on childhood cancer survival. 30-year trends in the CSI offer a robust, long-term baseline against which to evaluate progress towards the GICC 2030 target.

Implications of all the available evidence

The CSI will facilitate monitoring of real-world progress towards the GICC target for childhood cancer survival. The CSI that includes all childhood cancers is a better indicator than the CSI based on the six WHO tracer cancers, especially for lower-middle-income countries, where diagnostic facilities are often inadequate, and the need to improve survival is even more urgent. WHO should devote even greater efforts to increase the coverage of population-based cancer registries worldwide and to facilitate data sharing for international research. In most high-income and upper-middle-income countries, impressive trends in survival for all childhood cancers combined since 1990 have already exceeded the GICC target for 2030, suggesting that a more ambitious target could be set. In low-income countries and lower-middle-income countries, where 60% of the world's children live, late presentation, abandonment of treatment, and suboptimal health-care systems are major contributors to poor survival.

Source: 

Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00189-3/fulltext?rss=yes

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High #risk of hypoxemic #COVID19 #pneumonia in #myasthenia gravis patients with type I IFN #autoantibodies

 

Abstract

Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) may produce autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (AAN-I-IFN), which have been shown to underlie severe viral diseases, including critical COVID-19 pneumonia, in patients without MG. We studied an international cohort of 85 unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-infected MG patients with no antiviral treatment. Hypoxemic pneumonia occurred in 48 of these patients, including 22 (45.8%) with AAN-I-IFN, which neutralized both IFN-α2 and IFN-ω in 14 (29.2%) patients. Six (16.2%) of the remaining 37 patients had AAN-I-IFN, which neutralized both IFN-α2 and IFN-ω in three patients. The risk of hypoxemic pneumonia was greater in MG patients with AAN-I-IFN neutralizing 10 ng/mL of both IFN-α2 and IFN-ω (odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR [95% CI]): 12.7 [2.1-78.9], p=0. 0010) or IFN-α2 at any dose (4.7 [1.5-15.0], p=0.0054) than in those without such autoantibodies. The risk of AAN-I-IFN production was much higher in MG patients than in the general population (28.9 [10.8-77.7], p=4.9x10-27). Fourteen patients had thymoma, which increased the risk of AAN-I-IFN (64% versus 27%, (OR [95% CI]: 5.6 [1.6-19.4], p=0.0050) and hypoxemic pneumonia (9.2 [1.9-44.2]; p=0.0019). Thymoma is, thus, associated with a higher risk of producing AAN-I-IFN, and these autoantibodies are associated with a higher risk of developing life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with MG.

Competing Interest Statement

J.-L. C. is an inventor on patent application PCT/US2021/042741, filed July 22, 2021, submitted by The Rockefeller University and covering the diagnosis of susceptibility to, and the treatment of, viral disease, and viral vaccines, including COVID-19 and vaccine-associated diseases. None of the other authors has any conflict of interest to declare.

Funding Statement

The Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Rockefeller University, the St. Giles Foundation, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (R01AI163029), the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program (UL1TR001866), the Fisher Center for Alzheimer s Research Foundation, the Meyer Foundation, the JPB Foundation, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) as part of its grant to the SNF Institute for Global Infectious Disease Research at The Rockefeller University, the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) under the France 2030 program (ANR-10-IAHU-01), the Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory of Excellence (ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID), the French Foundation for Medical Research (FRM) (EQU202503020018), the ANR-RHU program ANR-21-RHUS-0008, ANR GENVIR (ANR-20-CE93-0003), ANR AABIFNCOV (ANR-20-CO11-0001) and ANR GenMISC (ANR-21-COVR-0039), AI2D (ANR-22-CE15-0046) projects, the European Union s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 824110 (EASI-genomics), the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-DISEASE-04 program under grant agreement 101057100 (UNDINE), the Square Foundation, Grandir - Fonds de solidarite pour l enfance, the Fondation du Souffle, the SCOR Corporate Foundation for Science, the Battersea and Bowery Advisory Group; The French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MESRI-COVID-19), William E. Ford, General Atlantic s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gabriel Caillaux, General Atlantic s Co-President, Managing Director and Head of Business in EMEA, and the General Atlantic Foundation, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), REACTing-INSERM and Paris Cite University. For the collection and biobanking of MG samples, RLP and FT acknowledge support provided by the FP6 program (MYASTAID, LSHM-CT-2006-037833), FIGHT-MG (HEALTH-2009-242-210). N.L. was supported by the Swedish Research Council (no 2021-03118) and the Goran Gustafsson Foundation (no 2141 and 2247). TLV was supported by a Poste CCA-INSERM-Bettencourt (with the support of the Fondation Bettencourt-Schueller). P.B. was supported by the French Foundation for Medical Research (FRM, EA20170638020), the MD-PhD program of the Imagine Institute (with the support of the Fondation Bettencourt-Schueller), and a Poste CCA-INSERM-Bettencourt (with the support of the Fondation Bettencourt-Schueller).

Source: 

Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.27.26349525v1

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#Taiwan: First locally acquired #human case of novel avian #H7 #influenza virus has been detected (MoH, edited)

 

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (March 2nd) the first locally transmitted case of novel H7 subtype avian influenza in Taiwan. 

The patient is a man in his 70s from central Taiwan who works in poultry farming and has a history of chronic illness. 

He developed symptoms of runny nose, cough, and body aches on March 20th and sought medical attention at a hospital on March 22nd due to fever. 

He was admitted to the hospital on the same day. 

Imaging examination revealed pneumonia. 

Based on clinical symptoms, test results, and the patient's contact history, the doctor reported the case as a novel H7 avian influenza and administered antiviral medication. 

Further testing and gene sequencing by the CDC confirmed the virus as H7 subtype avian influenza. 

Sequence analysis showed that this H7 belongs to the Eurasian lineage and is similar to the H7 subtype avian influenza viruses monitored in wild birds (mainly ducks and anadidae) in Taiwan over the years. 

However, it is different from the H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus that circulated in mainland China from 2013 to 2019, and is a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus. 

This morning, the CDC convened a meeting with agricultural authorities and relevant medical and veterinary experts to discuss the case and, based on the test results, confirmed it as a case of novel H7 avian influenza in humans. 

The patient's condition has improved and they are continuing isolation and treatment. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that after the first locally transmitted case of H7 subtype novel influenza A was detected in Taiwan, health and agricultural authorities immediately launched a joint epidemic prevention operation to carry out relevant investigations and prevention measures. 

Health authorities, with the assistance of epidemiologists and the Health Bureau, conducted on-site epidemiological investigations at the patient's residence, poultry farm, and hospital. 

Currently, 33 close contacts are under health monitoring and management, and 3 have been given preventative medication based on risk assessment. 

Tests were conducted on 6 family members, all of whom tested negative. 

Agricultural authorities immediately implemented movement restrictions at the poultry farm, and animal testing results were negative for avian influenza virus. 

To clarify the source of infection, today's expert meeting resolved to request the farm to expand testing at nearby poultry farms and to cooperate with wild bird associations to collect droppings from surrounding wild birds. 

Furthermore, the CDC will continue to cooperate with the farm to obtain the gene sequence of the H7 virus detected in Taiwan for further comparison. 

Health and agricultural authorities will continue to strengthen surveillance of humans and animals, including respiratory viruses and influenza/novel coronavirus pneumonia surveillance in medical institutions, active surveillance of poultry farms and migratory birds, and will cooperate with farmers to promote personal protective measures for poultry farmers and public health education. 

They have also contacted duck farming associations to distribute 40,000-50,000 masks free of charge to duck farmers. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) pointed out that, based on current epidemiological investigations and test results, the genetic analysis of this case shows a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus, without any mutations increasing the risk of avian-to-human transmission, and it remains a common avian virus. 

The initial assessment is that this case is an isolated incident. 

Considering the patient's improved condition after treatment, the lack of mutations increasing the risk of avian-to-human transmission in the preliminary genetic analysis, the negative test results at the poultry farm, and the absence of any other family members showing symptoms after the patient's onset, the risk is assessed as controllable, and there is no immediate risk of the outbreak expanding. 

However, to understand the potential risks of this case, they will continue to track the symptoms and test results of contacts, further analyze the virus and trace possible sources of infection, and have activated a joint working group on the risk assessment of zoonotic infectious diseases between agriculture and health authorities to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment. 

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will notify the World Health Organization (WHO) today through the IHR contact window in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR).

According to surveillance data, since the novel influenza A virus was classified as a Category 5 notifiable infectious disease in Taiwan in 2014, a total of 5 sporadic cases have been reported. Besides this case, the others were reported in 2017 (H7N9, imported from outside China), 2021 (H1N2v), 2022 (H1N2v), and 2023 (H1N2v). In addition, there were 4 confirmed cases of H7N9 imported from outside China in 2013-2014; none of the contacts were infected.

The CDC explained that the H7N9 sequence in today's reported case is only closely related to one other human case, H7N4, reported in Jiangsu, China in 2018. The case involves a 68-year-old woman with a history of coronary heart disease and hypertension. She developed symptoms such as cough, weakness, and muscle aches on December 25, 2017, and was hospitalized for pneumonia on January 1, 2018, and discharged on January 22 after recovery. Prior to the onset of illness, the patient had contact with live poultry. Her close contacts did not develop any suspected symptoms during the observation period. The virus remains avian and has not shown resistance to existing antiviral drugs.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reminds workers involved in poultry and livestock farming to implement self-protection measures during operations and to conduct thorough disinfection after work to reduce the risk of infection with the novel influenza A. If symptoms of acute respiratory infection or conjunctivitis appear, seek medical attention immediately and proactively inform healthcare professionals of your occupational history of contact with animals to facilitate early diagnosis. The public is advised to implement the "5 Dos and 6 Don'ts" epidemic prevention principles in daily life:

"5 Dos": Cook meat and eggs thoroughly with soap; wash hands thoroughly with soap; if symptoms appear, wear a mask, seek medical attention immediately, and inform the doctor of your occupation and contact history; those who have long-term contact with poultry and livestock should get vaccinated against influenza; maintain a balanced diet and exercise appropriately.

"6 Don'ts": Don't eat raw poultry, eggs, or poultry products; don't smuggle or buy meat of unknown origin; don't touch or feed poultry and livestock; don't release or discard poultry and livestock indiscriminately; don't mix poultry and livestock with other poultry and livestock; and don't go to places with poor air circulation or crowded places.

For related information, please visit the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw/) or call the toll-free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922).

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/bZE85LXA9ZGdCvEJKZe6Cg?typeid=9

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#Serological #Surveillance of Avian #Influenza Virus #H9N2 Subtype in #Occupational Populations Exposed to #Poultry Environment in #China During 2018–2023

 

Abstract

Background

Avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 has a major role in the emergence of influenza pandemic. We assessed the risk of AIV H9N2 to the human population and public health.

Method

The hemagglutination inhibition method was used to screen for hemagglutinin antibodies. Microneutralization tests were performed to confirm neutralizing antibodies against the AIV H9N2 subtype. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the H9 subtype in environmental samples. GraphPad Prism software was used for mapping, and STATA software was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The nationwide seroprevalence among these populations was 0.76%. Seroprevalence was compared across regions, genders, and occupational exposure sites. The seroprevalence rates for males and females showed no significant difference. Significant differences were found across regions and occupational exposure environments (P < .05). The south and southwest regions had the highest seroprevalence rates at 1.58% and 1.38%, respectively. The highest seroprevalence was observed in individuals exposed to live poultry market (1.51%). Significant regional differences in H9 nucleic acid positive rates (NAPRs) were found (P < .05), with the southwest and central regions showing the highest rates at 25.99% and 24.35%, respectively. H9 NAPR in live poultry markets (LPMs), farms, and slaughterhouses varied significantly by region (P < .05).

Conclusions

Poultry-related environments have become a key factor in AIV H9N2 infection among occupational populations. Exposure to LPM showed the highest seroprevalence among occupational groups. The distribution characteristics of H9N2 across different poultry environments increased the risk of infection in occupationally exposed populations.

Source: 

Link: https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/13/4/ofag144/8537381

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Current #status of #intranasal and inhaled #COVID19 #vaccines

 

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development of intranasal and inhaled COVID-19. vaccines. Four vector-based and one adjuvanted protein-based vaccines have been licenced. They have been shown to be safe. However, their ability to induce strong protective mucosal immunity in humans remains to be improved. Diversifying intranasal vaccine platforms, improving the delivery of vaccine components and determining mucosal correlates of protection could help in optimizing intranasal COVID-19 vaccine efficacy.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-026-01432-w

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Rapid #identification of #COVID #wastewater #surges in the absence of case data

 

ABSTRACT

Genetic testing of community wastewater (wastewater surveillance) is a valuable tool for following trends in the abundance of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious disease pathogens over time. Wastewater surveillance is increasingly important in the absence of corresponding epidemiological data, particularly for infectious diseases with limited timely data on clinical case incidences. Due to the inherent noise in wastewater data, a single sample is not sufficient to identify a sustained trend in the abundance of a target. This challenge is magnified in resource-limited settings where samples may be collected only once or twice per week. In this work, we collected 24-h composite samples of wastewater daily from a single facility for nearly 4 years. We use this high-frequency data set to describe a method for identifying trends in SARS-CoV-2 abundance in wastewater based on a variety of collection frequencies. Our results indicate that collecting two 24-h composites per week for 2 weeks is sufficient to accurately identify a SARS-CoV-2 surge. We conclude that low-frequency wastewater sampling performs reasonably well in identifying trends in a timely fashion.

Source: 

Link: https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/msphere.00652-25?af=R

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#UK, #England: Notified cases of invasive #meningococcal disease - Updated 2 April 2026 (UKHSA, edited)

 

{Excerpt}

(...)

Daily case figures

-- The number of confirmed and probable cases can change when:

- a case is laboratory confirmed

- when the clinical assessment changes, including when new laboratory results are available

- when further epidemiological information is available

-- The figures in Table 1 cannot be used to identify the number of new confirmed or probable cases from one day to the next. This also applies to total cases.

Table 1. Cases of invasive meningococcal disease linked to Canterbury, Kent by day from 16 March 2026

[Date - Total outbreak confirmed cases - Outbreak confirmed MenB cases (subset of total outbreak confirmed cases) - Outbreak confirmed MenB cases with outbreak strain (subset of outbreak confirmed MenB cases) - Outbreak probable cases - Total outbreak cases]

* 01 April 2026 - 21 [note 2] - 21 - 18 - 0 - 21

* 30 March 2026 - 21 [note 2] - 21 - 17 - 0 - 21

* 26 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 20 - 17 - 1 - 21

* 25 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 20 - 17 - 2 - 22

* 24 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 20 - 17 - 2 - 22

* 23 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 20 - 17 - 3 - 23

* 22 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 19 - [note 1] - 9 - 29

* 21 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 19 - [note 1] - 9 - 29

* 20 March 2026 - 23 - 18 - [note 1] - 11 - 34

* 19 March 2026 - 18 - 13 - [note 1] - 11 - 29

* 18 March 2026 - 15 - 9 - [note 1] - 12 -  27

* 17 March 2026 - 9 - 6 - [note 1] - 11 - 20

* 16 March 2026 - [note 1] - 4 - [note 1] - [note 1] - 1

__

Note 1: Information not reported

Note 2: A case initially classified as a confirmed case may be reclassified or discarded when further laboratory results and clinical information are available. This applies to situations where:

- further testing (including results from specialist reference laboratories) rules out meningococcal disease

and 

- there is an alternative diagnosis or where the clinical picture is no longer consistent with meningococcal infection

__

Note: The case numbers presented in Table 1 were confirmed at specific times of day for each of the releases: 16 March 2026 verified at 5:00pm, 17 March 2026 verified at 3:00pm, 18 March 2026 onwards verified at 12:30pm.

-- There have been 2 deaths since the start of the incident.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/invasive-meningococcal-disease-statistical-releases/notified-cases-of-invasive-meningococcal-disease

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Clade C #MERS-CoV #camel #strains vary in #protease utilization during viral entry

 

Significance

Clade A/B Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreaks have caused over 957 deaths since the first spillover in 2012; meanwhile, Clade C strains have been found in camels across Africa but have not yet been reported to cause outbreaks. Investigating why these viruses do not successfully transmit to humans will be key to understanding the pandemic potential of the African MERS-CoV camel reservoir. Our study indicates that clade C viruses exhibit less spike cleavage and that East African clade C isolates are less able to utilize the TMPRSS2 for viral entry of both human cell lines and primary nasal cells. Differences in viral entry pathways could alter cellular and organ tropism and contribute to differential pandemic potential.

Abstract

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a lethal pathogen with pandemic potential. Clade A and B MERS-CoV viruses have caused outbreaks in the Middle East since 2012 when they initially spilled over from camels to humans. Clade C viruses, however, are only found in camels across Africa and the spillover potential of these viruses seems to be lower than for clade A/B strains but remains to be fully understood. Here, we report that clade C spikes are less well-cleaved at the S1/S2 boundary than clade A or B viral spikes and that most clade C spikes induce reduced syncytium formation. Additionally, we demonstrate that several East African clade C strains are less able to utilize the TMPRSS2-mediated pathway for viral entry in both cell lines and primary nasal epithelial cultures. We map the molecular basis of this reduced TMPRSS2 usage to the N-terminal domain and subdomain 2 of East African clade C MERS-CoV. We suggest that reduced usage of the TMPRSS2-mediated entry pathway may underlie the reduced replication of East African clade C strains in humans, while the reduced replication of West African strains remains to be further investigated. Altered protease usage may contribute to differential tropism of East African clade C strains and indicate geographically distinct selection pressures on spike between MERS-CoV strains circulating in camels.

Source: 

Link: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2525313123

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Monoclonal #antibodies from #COVID19 convalescent #patients target cryptic epitopes for broad #SARS-CoV-2 #neutralization

 

Significance

The rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that efficiently spread and evade antibody-based treatments underscores the need for countermeasures that remain effective as the virus evolves. In this study, two human mAbs, TAU-1109 and TAU-2310, isolated from individuals who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection early in the pandemic, neutralize all tested variants of concern, including recent Omicron sublineages. Structural and functional analyses show that these antibodies recognize conserved, cryptic regions on the spike’s RBD and disable the virus by destabilizing the spike trimer and triggering premature loss of the S1 subunit, thereby preventing cell entry. These findings reveal a naturally occurring, broadly protective antibody mechanism and highlight conserved surfaces on the receptor-binding domain as promising blueprints for next-generation COVID-19 therapies and vaccines.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in over seven million global fatalities, poses a substantial threat to public health and precipitated a global economic crisis. Emerging variants of concern (VOCs) with enhanced transmissibility and improved immune evasion may compromise the efficacy of current antiviral and immunotherapies, necessitating comprehensive investigations into the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. The conformational dynamics of the receptor binding domain in SARS-CoV-2 spike and the presentation of neutralizing antibody epitopes influence viral transmission and infection rates. In this study, we have identified highly conserved non-receptor-binding motif epitopes for two potent monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), TAU-1109 and TAU-2310, isolated from convalescent human patients, which contribute to the broad neutralizing activity of these mAbs against all the circulating VOCs, including the recently emerged Omicron subvariants. We employed high-resolution structural data in conjunction with systematic biochemical investigation to elucidate the neutralization mechanism of TAU-1109 and TAU-2310. The mechanism involves antibody-mediated destabilization of the spike trimer, resulting in the premature shedding of the S1 subunit and rendering the spike incapable of mediating host cell entry. The identification of conserved cryptic epitopes in our study advances the mechanistic understanding of immune response against SARS-CoV-2, providing alternative avenues for the development of universal therapeutic antibodies and vaccines to combat COVID-19.

Source: 

Link: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2523864123?af=R

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‘Our problem here is the #pig #Ebola’: local accounts of #epizootics preceding Ebola #outbreaks in north-eastern #DRC

 

Abstract

Introduction 

Despite their potential relevance for outbreak understanding, epizootic reports associated with Ebola scarcely appear in biomedical literature. This study examines local accounts of animal deaths preceding the 2012 and the 2017 Ebola outbreaks in the north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Methods 

The analysis is based on retrospective interviews conducted with scientists deployed during these two Ebola outbreaks, as well as testimonies collected in 2022 and 2023 from local residents, clinicians and veterinarians. It also draws on local archives to examine how reports of animal deaths were framed and understood in light of a new epidemic situation.

Results 

Selective pressures that favour certain wild animal species, along with social practices such as bushmeat hunting, contribute to a narrowing of focus during outbreak investigations. This has contributed to overlooking some testimonies from marginalised local actors, which remain unpublished to this day. Animal death reports, however, need to be read in their social context. During the 2017 Ebola outbreak, local breeders framed their concerns about pig mortality into a question to be addressed by global health researchers—even though the deaths were not linked to Ebola but were likely caused by an unrelated pathogen, the African swine fever virus.

Conclusion 

Beyond their biological relevance, epizootics can offer insight into the social contexts in which epidemics are identified. These epizootics can shed light on local experiences of diseases, illustrating local priorities and sense-making processes.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable as no data sets were generated and/or analysed for this study.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2025-013586

Footnotes

Contributors: JV conceptualised the study, conducted the research and wrote the manuscript. JV is the guarantor.

Funding: The author received support from Sciences Po Medialab and IFAS (Institut Français d'Afrique du Sud) for fieldwork in the DRC in 2022 and 2023.

Competing interests: None declared.

Patient and public involvement: Patients and/or the public were involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research. Refer to the Methods section for further details.

Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Source: 

Link: https://mh.bmj.com/content/early/2026/04/01/medhum-2025-013586

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#Oropouche virus #outbreaks in northeast #Brazil between 2024–25 are characterized by sustained #transmission and spread to newly affected areas

 

Abstract

Oropouche virus (OROV) has recently expanded in Brazil, establishing transmission in non-endemic regions. This study aims to integrate epidemiological and molecular data to investigate OROV spread in Northeast (NE) Brazil between 2024 and 2025. OROV cases were analyzed regarding ecological risk factors and geographical clustering. Additionally, we sequenced 65 new OROV genomes from the Northeast states of Pernambuco, Paraíba, and Sergipe to infer the virus’s spatiotemporal dynamics in NE Brazil. A total of 2,806 confirmed cases were reported between March 2024 and April 2025, affecting 170 municipalities across eight out of nine NE states, with highly heterogeneous incidence. An ecological shift was observed, with OROV transmission moving from Atlantic Forest areas in 2024 to humid Caatinga zones in 2025. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed multiple independent viral introductions in Northeast in 2024, including two in Pernambuco. The first, originating from the central Amazonas, became the main driver of local transmission and subsequently spread to Sergipe and Paraíba, causing outbreaks in 2024 and 2025, respectively. The second introduction remained restricted within Pernambuco. While several Northeast municipalities reported high OROV incidence, Jaqueira (Pernambuco) emerged as a key hub for regional viral spread. OROV showed sustained transmission in the region over a two-year period, characterized by marked spatiotemporal displacement consistent with short-lived, rapidly spreading outbreaks, followed by cryptic transmission and subsequent dissemination to new areas, ultimately driving renewed intense outbreaks.

Source: 

Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014171

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Predicting highly pathogenic avian #influenza #H5N1 #outbreak #risk using extreme #weather and bird #migration data in machine learning models

 

Abstract

Background. 

Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events (EWEs) with potentially profound consequences for zoonotic disease dynamics, yet the mechanisms linking EWEs to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreaks remain poorly characterized. The ongoing H5N1 panzootic, responsible for infection in over 500 avian and mammalian species, as well as nearly 1000 human cases and 477 deaths worldwide, provides a critical opportunity to evaluate how climate conditions shape spillover risk at landscape scales. 

Methods. 

We compiled a county-month dataset of confirmed H5N1 detections across the contiguous United States from 2022 to 2024 and integrated it with satellite-derived climate metrics, storm event data, and wild bird activity data. We trained and validated a gradient boosting machine classifier to predict outbreak risk and characterize predictor relationships. 

Results. 

Our model achieved strong discriminative performance (AUC-ROC = 0.856; AUC-PR = 0.237, representing a 7-fold improvement over chance) and high recall (0.726), supporting its utility as an early warning tool. Human population and temperature-related variables were the most influential predictors: cold temperature shocks and prolonged low temperatures were consistently associated with elevated outbreak risk, likely through enhanced environmental viral persistence, wild bird habitat compression, and allostatic stress-driven immunosuppression in reservoir hosts. Among storm variables, high wind coverage elevated risk, potentially via aerosol dispersal of contaminated particulates, while tornado activity showed an inverse relationship, consistent with documented avoidant behavior in migratory birds. Wild bird reservoir density showed a strong positive monotonic relationship with outbreak risk. 

Conclusions. 

Our analyses demonstrate that routinely available environmental and infection data can be used to predict HPAI outbreak risk at fine spatiotemporal scales. These findings demonstrate the divergent roles of short- versus long-term environmental exposures in HPAI spillover dynamics, as well as the potential for machine learning-based surveillance tools to inform targeted biosecurity interventions and early warning systems.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This research was supported by a subaward agreement between prime award recipient Boston University (PI: Gregory Wellenius) and the subaward recipient Regents of the University of Colorado (PI: Elise Grover) under the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, Award Number U24ES035309 -01. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Source: 

Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.30.26349797v1

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