ETIDIOH - NEW

Summary H5Nx viruses remain a threat to human health . Over the past few years, the H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b has rapidly spread to 6 continents, leading to massive avian and mammalian host deaths . In late March 2024, H5N1 was first identified in lactating dairy cows in the United States and has spread to 16 states, affected hundreds of herds , and caused over 50 known human infections . In this review, we discuss the origins of 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses and how they are evolving to better infect mammals, with an emphasis on receptor-binding characteristics . Understanding changes in receptor binding and mutations in the viral genome that allow for sustained spread in mammals can inform public health measures and prevent future influenza virus epidemics and pandemics. (...) Source: PLoS Pathogens,  https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1012847 _____

Abstract Influenza is a major infectious disease challenge affecting animal and human health globally, and wild birds are historically the primary reservoirs of all the known Influenza A virus subtypes. Here, we detected the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in exotic and aquatic birds in three different locations in Nigeria. On the 8th of February 2021, exotic birds: Yellow Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), Sultan chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), Lakenvelder chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), and Common pheasant (Phasianus calchicus), imported from Libya and transported across the Niger Republic border to Nigeria, were presented to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, for screening. Also, a family in Lagos State bought some exotic aquatic birds from a live bird market in Sokoto State , Nigeria, where sudden death was recorded with the birds showing few clinical signs. Similarly, the sudden death of some aquatic birds was reported in Mandela Parks and ...

A 1.4 million egg laying and rearing flock . Increased mortality and other clinical signs were reported. Samples taken tested positive for HPAI H5N1. England, Shropshire Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6209 _____

A 13,316 commercial turkey fattening unit . Increased mortality and other clinical signs were reported. Samples taken and tested positive for HPAI H5N1. England, East Riding of Yorkshire Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6206 _____

A 240 free-range layer unit . Increased mortality and other clinical signs were reported. Samples taken and tested positive for HPAI H5N1. England, East Sussex Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6207 _____

Abstract In a patient on immunosuppressant treatment , SARS-CoV-2 RNA was documented in different extra-respiratory samples over several months in the absence of positive determinations in upper respiratory samples . Whole -genome sequencing of these samples showed the acquisition of different single-nucleotide polymorphisms over time, suggesting viral evolution and thus viral viability. Source: Viruses,  https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/147 _____

Abstract The effectiveness of poultry vaccination in preventing the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (AIVs) has been debated, and its impact on wild birds remains uncertain. Here, we reconstruct the movements of H5 subtype AIV lineages among vaccinated poultry , unvaccinated poultry, and wild birds, worldwide, from 1996 to 2023. We find that there is a time lag in viral transmission among different host populations and that movements from wild birds to unvaccinated poultry were more frequent than those from wild birds to vaccinated poultry . Furthermore, our findings suggest that the HA (hemagglutinin) gene of the AIV lineage that circulated predominately in Chinese poultry experienced greater nonsynonymous divergence and adaptive fixation than other lineages. Our results indicate that the epidemiological, ecological, and evolutionary consequences of widespread AIV vaccination in poultry may be linked in complex ways and that much work is needed to better under...

{Excerpts} (...) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a gag order to the CDC, FDA and other departments by its acting secretary, informing them to terminate external communications before February 1, except for serious situations related to health and safety . What do the FDA and CDC usually say? Nothing much, nothing that affects people's livelihood. They just send out a press release to tell everyone that a new drug has been approved, or issue new regulations, such as the previous rule that prohibits the use of red dye No. 3 in food. If it hadn't been released before Trump took office, it would not be released now. There is even less content worth reading about the CDC , which only talks about the latest epidemics and how to deal with them, which are obviously not important. How can it be more important than the virtual currency issued by Trump's family? HHS is the Department of Health and Human Services, and releasing information to the publi...