ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has caused a panzootic affecting all continents except Australia , expanding its host range to several mammalian species . In March 2024, H5N1 HPAIV was first detected in dairy cattle and goats in the United States . Over 891 dairy farms across 16 states have tested positive until 25th December 2024, with zoonotic infections reported among dairy workers . This raises concerns about the virus undergoing evolutionary changes in cattle that could enhance its zoonotic potential . The Influenza glycoprotein haemagglutinin (HA) facilitates entry into host cells through receptor binding and pH-induced fusion with cellular membranes. Adaptive changes in HA modulate virus-host cell interactions. This study compared the HA genes of cattle and goat H5N1 viruses with the dominant avian-origin clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in the United Kingdom , focusing on receptor binding, pH fusion, and thermostability. All the tested H5N1 viru...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 10, 2025  *** PRESS RELEASE ***  Contact: SFDPH Media Desk: DPH.Press@sfdph.org  SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) announced today that a presumptive case of H5N1 bird flu has been identified in a San Francisco resident .  The individual is a child who experienced symptoms of fever and conjunctivitis but did not need to be hospitalized and has since fully recovered .  The risk to the general public remains low as there is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission .  SFDPH is encouraging people to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds, especially wild birds and poultry.  Wild birds can be infected with bird flu even if they do not look sick.  If you have found a dead bird , please contact 311.  In addition, as bird flu continues to spread among U.S. dairy cows, SFDPH strongly recommends that individuals not consume raw milk or raw milk products , inc...

Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an important zoonotic pathogen . The aim of this paper is to report one polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive case of MERS-CoV in a 27-year-old man who was involved in a nationwide longitudinal surveillance study of certain zoonotic diseases in Jordan including MERS-CoV. Whole-blood and nasal swab samples were collected from the man and five camels in the vicinity of his living area. The samples were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) to detect MERS-CoV- specific antibodies and MERS-CoV genetic material , respectively. Genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were also performed to detect similarities with known strains of the virus in the region. In January 2021 , an ongoing surveillance study detected a MERS-CoV-positive nasal swab sample from an asymptomatic male and camels using RT-PCR. Phylogenetically, the MERS-CoV isolated in this case b...

{Excerpt} Time Period: December 29, 2024 - January 04, 2025 H5 Detection : 51 sites ( 17.0% ) No Detection : 249 sites ( 83.0% ) No samples in last week :  93 sites Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html ______

Abstract Introduction While it remains impossible to predict the timing of the next influenza pandemic , novel avian influenza A viruses continue to be considered a significant threat. Methods A Phase II study was conducted in healthy adults aged 18–64 years to assess the safety and immunogenicity of two intramuscular doses of pre-pandemic 2017 influenza A( H7N9 ) inactivated vaccine administered 21 days apart. Participants were randomized (n = 105 in each of Arms 1–3) to receive 3.75 μg, 7.5 μg or 15 μg of hemagglutinin (HA) with MF59® adjuvant, or 15 μg of HA unadjuvanted vaccine (n = 57, Arm 4). Results The three MF59 adjuvanted vaccines and the 15 μg unadjuvanted vaccine were safe and well-tolerated. Little antibody activity was detected against the A(H7N9) vaccine antigen after the first vaccination across study Arms. After second vaccination , the three adjuvanted Arms showed increases in hemagglutination inhibition (HAI), neutralizing (Neut), and neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) g...