#Norway - #Influenza A #H5 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 

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A wild Greylag Goose in Akershus Region.

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Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7878

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Several Central Asian #countries have strengthened #border #quarantine measures after #Russia reported a possible pneumonic #plague case (NetEase, Oct. 5 '26)

 

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    While Russia continues to deny a plague outbreak, neighboring countries have already taken action. 

    Following the death of a 28-year-old female employee of the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Irkutsk, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan have strengthened border health and quarantine measures. 

    Russia's latest conclusion remains that the illness is "pneumonia of unknown cause," and no plague has been publicly detected in the 197 contacts identified so far.

    The deceased was named Daria Shipilova, and worked at the Irkutsk Siberian and Far Eastern Anti-Plague Research Institute, which is under the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare of the Russian Federation.

    She was hospitalized on September 29 with severe pneumonia and died on October 2.

    The incident quickly spiraled out of control because her workplace was not an ordinary laboratory, but an institution that specializes in researching highly dangerous infectious diseases such as plague.

    Russian local media later published an extremely frightening version: Shipilova broke a test tube containing live plague pathogens while working in the laboratory on September 25 and subsequently fell ill.

    This claim has not yet been confirmed by the Russian health authorities.

    Following expanded testing, the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare stated that Shipilova's official diagnosis remains "pneumonia of unknown cause," and no microorganisms related to her occupational activities were detected in her biological samples.

    The Russian side also stated that the expert committee found no evidence of any incidents involving the handling of pathogenic microorganisms at the institute.

    However, the measures taken locally were not lenient.

    Following Shipilova's death, 197 people who had been in contact with her were placed under medical observation. Russian local media initially reported that several hospitals restricted access, and research institute staff were also quarantined.

    The Sherekhov aluminum plant near Irkutsk has even reinstated the requirement for masks.

    Anna Popova, Russia's top public health official, traveled to Irkutsk to attend a special meeting on the prevention and control of "suspected particularly dangerous infectious diseases."

    The leader of the neighboring Buryat Republic, Alexei Tsydenov, initially wrote directly "the woman who died of the plague," but later changed the wording to "possibly died of the plague."

    By October 5, the Russian government had further downplayed the rumors.

    Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said that expanded laboratory testing did not find any pathogens related to Shipilova's professional activities, and her cause of death is still listed as "pneumonia of unknown cause."

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also publicly stated that day, urging the outside world not to follow rumors about a "plague outbreak" circulating online, but to rely on information officially released by the Russian health authorities.

    But Russia's neighbors clearly did not wait for the final conclusion.

    The Kyrgyz Ministry of Health announced that health quarantine checkpoints nationwide have been upgraded. Passengers, vehicles, and goods transiting the country will be subject to stricter epidemiological monitoring.

    Tajikistan's health authorities have also confirmed that they have strengthened national border health and quarantine measures, with a focus on preventing the importation of particularly dangerous infectious diseases.

    The Kazakh Ministry of Health stated that it is monitoring the situation in Irkutsk, and no cases of plague have been confirmed on the Russian side so far. Kazakhstan has assessed the risk of imported cases as "low," but health quarantine measures have been implemented at border crossings.

    Uzbekistan raised its health and epidemic prevention department's alert level earlier, with the same aim of preventing the importation of particularly dangerous infectious diseases from abroad.

    There's a place here that's easily swayed by social media.

    The "pneumonic plague" mentioned in the English report is not "pneumonia plague"; the accurate Chinese name is "pneumonic plague".

    Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis. The most common form is bubonic plague; if the bacteria invade the lungs, it can cause pneumonic plague. The biggest difference between pneumonic plague and bubonic plague is that the former can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets produced by infected individuals, which is why public health departments are particularly concerned.

    However, "the existence of suspected pneumonic plague" and "the outbreak of pneumonic plague in Russia" are two completely different things.

    As of the evening of October 5, publicly available evidence could only confirm a few things: 

    ° a female employee of the anti-plague research institute had died; 

    ° Russia had initiated preventative measures as a "suspected particularly dangerous infectious disease"; 

    ° approximately 197 contacts were under medical observation; and 

    ° at least four Central Asian countries had implemented border control measures to prevent the importation of the virus.

    What remains uncertain is precisely the most frightening question: whether she was actually infected with the plague, and whether the test tube supposedly containing plague bacteria was broken.

    There's another layer of background to this mystery.

    The vast grasslands and mountains bordering Russia, Mongolia, and northwest China naturally contain plague foci. Just this September, the Russian health authorities reported a high level of plague activity in animals in the Altai region near the Mongolian border and organized disease control personnel to conduct monitoring.

    Therefore, the fact that Central Asian countries are now strengthening border health checks does not mean that they have confirmed the outbreak of plague in Russia.

    What they are doing is something else entirely: conclusions can wait, but border epidemic prevention cannot.

    To date, Russia has not released any laboratory results proving that Shipilova was infected with plague, nor has it released any reports on the pathogen strains detected in the so-called "ruptured test tube."

Source: 

Link: https://www.163.com/dy/article/L8GQQJKP05528J01.html

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#Teratogenic Effects and Outcomes of #Congenital #Oropouche Virus Infection: Current Evidence, Pathophysiological Mechanisms, and Research Priorities

 

Abstract

Background: 

Oropouche virus (OROV), an Orthobunyavirus endemic to Latin America, has recently emerged as a pathogen of concern in pregnancy following reports of vertical transmission, fetal demise, congenital anomalies, and neonatal disease. The unprecedented 2023–2025 outbreaks in Latin America have expanded the geographic distribution of OROV and renewed concerns regarding its potential as an emerging human teratogen. 

Methods: 

We conducted a narrative comprehensive review of the literature focusing on epidemiology, maternal–fetal transmission, placental infection, experimental models, fetal and neonatal outcomes, and comparisons with other congenital arboviral infections. 

Results: 

Increasing evidence supports the ability of OROV to infect the placenta, cross the maternal–fetal interface, and invade fetal tissues. Human cases have documented miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal demise, microcephaly, ventriculomegaly, cerebral atrophy, corpus callosum abnormalities, posterior fossa defects, arthrogryposis, and neonatal death following maternal infection. Viral RNA and OROV-specific antibodies have been detected in placental, fetal, and neonatal samples, providing direct evidence of congenital infection. Experimental studies using trophoblast cultures, placental organoids, neural progenitor cells, brain organoids, and animal models have confirmed placental susceptibility, vertical transmission, fetal neurotropism, and disruption of neurodevelopment. The congenital phenotype shares important similarities with congenital Zika syndrome and other neurotropic arboviral infections. 

Conclusions: 

OROV is newly and increasingly recognized as a vertically transmissible neurotropic arbovirus with potential teratogenic effects. Although biological plausibility is supported by converging clinical and experimental findings, prospective epidemiological studies are urgently needed to quantify risks, identify determinants of fetal injury, and define long-term outcomes among affected children.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/v18101101

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#UK - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N5 viruses (Inf. with) ( #poultry ) - Immediate notification

 

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{Scotland} 

Backyard flock. Samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N5. Birds presented clinical signs prior to testing.

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Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7873

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

 

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A backyard poultry farm in Araucanía Region.

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Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7872

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

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{Otdar Mean Chey} 

    On 20 September 2026, an outbreak investigation team visited a backyard poultry farm following reports of illness and mortality suspected to be caused by Avian Influenza (AI). 

    A total of three chicken and one duck samples were collected and submitted to NAHPRI/GDAHP for testing of Avian Influenza (H5N1). 

    And On 23 September 2026, laboratory results confirmed that all four samples tested positive for Avian Influenza (H5N1). 

    Additionally, in the same area, one human case of Avian Influenza (H5N1) was confirmed by the Ministry of Health on 27 September 2026.

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Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7875

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Apse, Domenico Ghirlandaio (c.1471)

 

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Public Domain.

Source: 

Link: https://www.wikiart.org/en/domenico-ghirlandaio/apse

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#UK, Avian #influenza (bird flu) #H5N5 Virus: Ness, Isle of Lewis, #Scotland (AIV 2026/20) (Dir. of Agriculture, Oct. 4 '26)

 

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Confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

    Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 was confirmed at a premises in Ness, Isle of Lewis on 2 October 2026.

    A 3 km Protection Zone (PZ) and 10 km Surveillance Zone (SZ) are in place.

    Check if your premises is affected by using the interactive map.

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Source: 

Link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-flu-bird-flu-ness-isle-of-lewis-aiv-2026-20/

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#Antibodies targeting a conserved cryptic epitope at the #influenza hemagglutinin head-stem interface via distinct binding modes

 

Abstract

Influenza A virus continues to pose pandemic threats, as demonstrated by the recent global spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 strains. Consequently, the development and characterization of vaccines targeting zoonotic influenza subtypes have become a major focus of the field. In this study, we characterize two broadly reactive antibodies previously isolated from H5N1 vaccinees. Although they have distinct immunoglobulin germline gene usage and binding modes, cryo-EM analysis shows that both antibodies share a highly conserved cryptic epitope at the interface of the hemagglutinin (HA) head and stem domains. The antigenicity of this epitope is influenced by natural amino acid variation at residue 293 of HA subunit 1, and its access is facilitated by acid-induced conformational change of HA. Nevertheless, both antibodies are non-neutralizing and possess only marginal protective efficacy against seasonal and H5N1 viruses in vivo, thus representing suboptimal vaccine responses. Overall, our findings expand the interactions of cross-reactive antibodies with an under-characterized HA epitope and provide insights for next-generation influenza vaccine design.

Competing Interest Statement

N.C.W. consults for HeliXon. All authors declare no other competing interests.

Funder Information Declared

Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, HKU C7053-24G

Health and Medical Research Fund, no. 24230352

NIH/NIGMS, GM158411

Vallee Scholars Program

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.24.754278

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Establishment of an avian #influenza #surveillance program in #Australia's largest #river basin

 

Abstract

To-date Australia has had mostly coastal occurrences in a small but growing number of species of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b. The potential impacts of expected spread are the focus of significant preparation activities. Here we report on early surveillance undertaken in 2025-26 in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia's largest river system, which contains internationally important wetlands that support large multi-species aggregations of waterbirds vulnerable to mass mortality. We detected two low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) viruses of Australian origin in wild waterbirds. Ongoing surveillance will aid in early detection and rapid response in the case of a major inland outbreak of H5N1.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.09.750291

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Cross-clade #protection against #human #H5N1 isolates by a clade 2.3.4.4b HA #mRNA #vaccine in mice

 

Abstract

The recent spread of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses into mammals, despite limited human infections to date, has raised serious public health concerns and highlights the need for rapidly deployable vaccines, such as mRNA-based platforms, to strengthen pandemic preparedness. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of an mRNA vaccine encoding the HA of NIID-002, a WHO-recommended H5 candidate vaccine virus (CVV) derived from A/Ezo red fox/Hokkaido/1/2022 (clade 2.3.4.4b) against A/Texas/37/2024 (TX37; clade 2.3.4.4b) and A/Cambodia/2311257/2023 (Cam23; clade 2.3.2.1e). The mRNA was formulated with ssPalmO, a low-inflammatory self-degradable ionizable lipid nanoparticle (LNP). BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly twice with the mRNA-LNP vaccine containing either 1 μg or 10 μg of H5 HA mRNA. After boosting, strong, dose-dependent serum IgG responses against NIID-002 HA were detected by ELISA. The mice were then challenged with a lethal dose of homologous TX37 or heterologous Cam23. All mice in the 10-μg group survived both challenges, demonstrating robust cross-clade protection. In the 1-μg group, complete protection without significant body weight loss was observed against TX37, whereas partial protection was observed following Cam23 challenge. Viral titers were significantly reduced in multiple tissues of the vaccinated mice compared to the unvaccinated controls. Our findings demonstrate that the NIID-002-HA mRNA vaccine confers protection against homologous and heterologous zoonotic H5N1 strains in a mouse model. This low-inflammatory ssPalmO-LNP platform thus supports safe, rapid vaccine development against emerging H5N1 viruses with pandemic potential.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.129215

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Increased circulation of #influenza #H1N1pdm09 viruses with reduced susceptibility to #oseltamivir, #Germany 2024–2026

 

Highlights

    • The National Influenza Center for Germany (Germany NIC) detected an increase in the prevalence of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses carrying the neuraminidase substitution NA-S247N, rising from 1.16% circulating in the 2024/25 influenza season to 56.8% in the 2025/26 season.

    • The NA-S247N substitution reduced oseltamivir susceptibility slightly; combined NA-S247N/NA-I223V/T substitutions showed reduced inhibition according WHO criteria.

    • Continuous molecular and phenotypic surveillance is essential for public health and the early detection of viruses with reduced susceptibility to antiviral drugs.

    • Rapid pyrosequencing supports the routine surveillance of neuraminidase substitutions associated with reduced susceptibility to antivirals.

    • The findings illustrate the Germany NIC's 30-year contribution to antiviral susceptibility monitoring.

Abstract

Background

Oseltamivir is still considered to be the first-line antiviral treatment for severe seasonal influenza. However, resistance to neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors poses significant challenges to influenza management. Since the 2023/24 season, A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses carrying neuraminidase substitutions (NA-I223V and/or NA-S247N) have emerged in Germany, other EU/EEA countries, and some of the World Health Organization (WHO) regions. These viruses have been linked to reduced oseltamivir susceptibility.

Methods

A rapid RT-PCR/pyrosequencing assay was developed and validated to detect NA-I223X and NA-S247X substitutions. Subsequently, a total of 765 A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses detected in Germany during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 influenza seasons were characterized phenotypically using fluorometric NA inhibition testing and/or genotypically using next-generation sequencing and pyrosequencing.

Results

The prevalence of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses bearing the NA-S247N substitution increased from 1.2% in the 2024/25 season to 56.8% in the 2025/26 season, accounting for up to 80% of analyzed viruses by March 2026. Viruses carrying NA-S247N exhibited higher oseltamivir IC50 values than wild-type viruses. Combinations of NA-S247N with substitutions at position 223 demonstrated an additional increase. In viruses carrying the combined NA-S247N and NA-I223V/T substitutions oseltamivir showed reduced inhibition with increased IC50 values of up to 17-fold compared to wild type viruses.

Conclusions

The accumulation of NA substitutions in A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza viruses, particularly NA-S247N in combination with NA-I223V/T, substantially reduces susceptibility to oseltamivir. The marked increase in NA-S247N prevalence suggests that this substitution is becoming persistent rather than transient. Targeted pyrosequencing is a practical tool for the early detection of emerging resistance-associated substitutions.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmm.2026.151745

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History of Mass Transportation: The Class 477 498 Electric Locomotive of Romanian Railways

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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By TrainSimFan - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59999296

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFR_Class_47#/media/File:CFR_477_498_at_Sinaia.jpg

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

 

{Extracts}

(...)

Event data

    ° 682 Positive events

    ° 56,224 Hotline reports

    As of 4pm AEST, 2 October 2026, Australia has 682 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

        § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

        § 325 in South Australia (SA)

        § 68 in New South Wales (NSW)

        § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

        § 230 in Victoria (VIC)

        § 46 in Tasmania (TAS)

        § 1 in Other Territories*

{*} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government as at 17:00 AEST daily. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the relevant state or territory government. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

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

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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{By Giacomo Cimino (@giacomociminoph) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=200731939}

{Extracts}

(...)

    ° In accordance with the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Article 10.4.1, point 4, this outbreak does not change the disease-free status of Sweden as these are wild birds or birds kept in a single household, and therefore do not fall within the WOAH definition of poultry.

    ° {Kristianstad Region}. A Grey heron was found dead. It was sent to the Swedish Veterinary Agency for laboratory analysis as part of the national surveillance program for avian influenza.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7871

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#USA, #Wastewater Data for Avian #Influenza #H5 (US CDC, Oct. 2 '26)

 

{Excerpts}

(...)

Notice

    CDC competitively awarded a new wastewater testing contract to Verily Health, Inc. (Verily) on September 28, 2026. There will be a brief gap in wastewater data affecting ~200 sites as sampling, testing, and reporting are restarted.

(...)

A(H5) detections in the past week

Time Period: September 20, 2026 - September 26, 2026

    -- A(H5) Detection: 7 site(s) (1.9%)

    -- No Detection: 363 site(s) (98.1%)

    -- No samples: 239 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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Seasonal #surveillance in #humans in 2026 for #WNV - Weekly Report (ECDC, Oct. 2 '26): 1,765 cases so far, of which 721 in #Italy

 

{Extract}

Week 40, 2026 |  Published on 2 October 2026, based on data submitted up until and including 30 September 2026.

Current situation

    ° Since the beginning of the 2026 transmission season, and as at 30 September, 202 areas affected by West Nile virus (WNV) have been identified in 16 countries across Europe.

    ° These areas are located in: 

        § Italy (67), 

        § France (25), 

        § Greece (24), 

        § Romania (24), 

        § the Netherlands (15), 

        § Serbia (10), 

        § Spain (6), 

        § Belgium (5), 

        § Croatia (5), 

        § North Macedonia (5), 

        § Hungary (4), 

        § Kosovo (4), 

        § Austria (3), 

        § Germany (3), 

        § Albania (1) and 

        § Cyprus (1).

    

    ° This week, 16 areas are reported as affected for the first time this season. (...)

    ° The 16 countries have reported 1 765 locally acquired human cases of WNV infection: 

        § Italy (721 cases), 

        § Greece (420 cases, of which 6 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § Spain (131 cases), 

        § France (128 cases), 

        § Romania (117 cases), 

        § North Macedonia (70 cases), 

        § the Netherlands (57 cases, of which 2 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § Serbia (53 cases), 

        § Croatia (15 cases), 

        § Belgium (14 cases), 

        § Cyprus (13 cases), 

        § Austria (8 cases), 

        § Kosovo (7 cases), 

        § Hungary (5 cases), 

        § Germany (4 cases) and 

        § Albania (2 cases)

(...)

Source: 

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

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

 {Extracts}

{By Estormiz - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=90634774}

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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(...)

    ° According to article 10.4.1.4 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Member Countries should not impose bans on the trade in poultry commodities in response to notification on the presence of any influenza A virus in birds other than poultry.

    ° Nine Wild Common pheasants in Guldborgsund area.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7870

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