#Brazil, Ministry of #Health rules out case of {#H5N1} #birdflu virus infection in a #worker from Rio Grande do Sul

The Ministry of Health reports that a suspected case of Avian Influenza has been ruled out in a worker at a farm in the municipality of Montenegro (RS), where an outbreak of the disease was identified in birds.

On the afternoon of Tuesday (20/05), Fiocruz, the reference laboratory for this type of analysis, confirmed that the test for the disease was negative. At this time, there are no other suspected or under investigation cases in Brazil.

The Ministry of Health, together with the State Health Department of Rio Grande do Sul, is monitoring all people who may have been exposed to the virus through direct contact with infected birds to monitor their health status, start treatment immediately at the first symptoms and preventative surveillance of possible contacts.

There are no records of transmission of the disease from one person to another worldwide.

The risk of human infection is low and does not occur through the consumption of meat or eggs, but rather through direct contact with sick birds or contaminated environments. Therefore, the most effective preventive measure is to avoid contact with dead or sick birds.

The Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) and the State Health Department of Rio Grande do Sul to provide all necessary support for actions related to the first case of bird flu on a commercial farm in the municipality of Montenegro (RS).

To ensure a rapid response to possible outbreaks, the Ministry of Health launched, in December 2024, the National Contingency Plan for the Health Sector for Avian Influenza, which guides the ministry's actions, including integrated surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, assistance and health communication.

In this sense, Brazil is working on different fronts to prepare for a possible risk of cases in humans. The Ministry of Health, through the SUS , has the capacity to perform laboratory tests, maintains a stock of the medicine to treat the different types of influenza (Oseltamivir) and, if necessary, has the technology to produce vaccines.

Understand how the suspected case was ruled out

The investigation into the suspected case began on May 18, when the worker at the Montenegro (RS) farm, who was already being monitored by state surveillance and the Ministry of Health, showed the first symptoms. Treatment began immediately and the sample was sent to Fiocruz, in Rio de Janeiro.

The PCR test was initially performed, which identifies specific genetic material from the influenza virus – if positive, other tests are performed to identify the type of influenza, including avian flu. In the case in question, the initial test was negative for any type of influenza.

For those who work with wild animals, it is recommended to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) after identifying infected animals or those with symptoms suggestive of avian influenza, such as gloves, N95 mask or higher and eye protection, in addition to care such as hand hygiene, avoiding touching eyes, mouth and nose and changing clothes after contact with infected animals.

Ministry of Health

Source: Ministry of Health, https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2025/maio/ministerio-da-saude-descarta-caso-de-gripe-aviaria-em-um-trabalhador-do-rio-grande-do-sul

____

#Neuroinvasive #Oropouche virus in a patient with #HIV from extra-Amazonian #Brazil

{Excerpt} A novel reassortant Oropouche virus (OROV) lineage (with medium [M], large [L], and small [S] RNA segments : M1L2S2) has driven Brazil's largest and most geographically widespread OROV epidemic , expanding beyond the endemic Amazon basin to establish local transmission across multiple Brazilian states and other previously unaffected Latin American countries . The rapid spread of this lineage underscores its evolutionary potential and reinforces its significance as a public health threat .1 Similar to chikungunya and Zika viruses, expanding arboviruses can exhibit unexpected clinical and epidemiological shifts , including vertical transmissions , neuroinvasive effects, and potentially fatal outcomes.2–4 Although OROV typically causes self-limited febrile illness, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests neurotropic potential .5 This Correspondence describes the first confirmed case of neuroinvasive OROV infection caused by the emergent M1L2S2 lineage in ext...

No evidence of immune #exhaustion after repeated #SARS-CoV-2 #vaccination in vulnerable and healthy populations

Abstract Frequent SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in vulnerable populations has raised concerns that this may contribute to T cell exhaustion , which could negatively affect the quality of immune protection. Herein, we examined the impact of repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on T cell phenotypic and functional exhaustion in frail older adults in long-term care (n = 23), individuals on immunosuppressive drugs (n = 10), and healthy adults (n = 43), in Canada . Spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell levels did not decline in any cohort following repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, nor did the expression of exhaustion markers on spike-specific or total T cells increase. T cell production of multiple cytokines (i.e. polyfunctionality) in response to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 did not decline in any cohort following repeated vaccination. None of the cohorts displayed elevated levels of terminally differentiated T cells following multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. Thus, repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was...

Chimeric #hemagglutinin and #M2 #mRNA #vaccine for broad #influenza subtype protection

Abstract Since multiple and unpredicted influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics and even high-risk pandemics , developing a universal influenza vaccine is essential to provide broad protection against various influenza subtypes. Combined with the mRNA lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated (mRNA-LNP) vaccine platform and chimeric immunogen strategy , we developed a novel cocktail mRNA vaccine encoding chimeric HAs (cH5/1-BV, cH7/3) and intact M2 (termed Fluaxe), which confers broad protection against major circulating IAVs and IBVs , as well as highly pathogenic avian influenza . Two-dose intramuscular immunization of Fluaxe in mice elicited cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies , T cell responses, and long-lived immunity, resulting in robust protection against multiple lethal influenza virus infections and severe acute lung injuries . In particular, intramuscular administration stimulated systemic immunity together with a prominent lung tropism of memory cells . Moreover, Fluaxe immuniza...

ETIDIOH - NEW

Search This Blog