ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract In this article, we present an assessment of the risk of the potential introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cows in Bulgaria . In the spring of 2024, we witnessed an unprecedented spread of the virus in dairy herds in the USA . This crossing of interspecies barriers by the virus creates a real danger of pandemic manifestations in humans . The continued spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in dairy populations and other mammalian species and efficient animal-to-animal transmission increases the risk of infection and subsequent spread of the virus in human populations. According to registers, as of 1 November 2022, a total of 559,544 cattle were bred in Bulgaria . The total number of dairy cows decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to 197,996. Farms breeding dairy cows as of 1 November 2022 were 12,439, which is 22.1% less than the previous year. The production of cow’s milk in 2022 amounted to 748,278 thousand liters. Traditionally, the largest share in the ...

Abstract The spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus to dairy cows and shedding of high amounts of infectious virus in milk raised public health concerns. Here, we evaluated the decay and thermal stability spectrum of HPAI H5N1 virus in raw milk. For the decay studies , HPAI H5N1 positive raw milk was incubated at different temperatures and viral titers and the thermal death time D-values were estimated. We then heat treated HPAI H5N1 virus positive milk following different thermal conditions including pasteurization and thermization conditions. Efficient inactivation of the virus was observed in all tested conditions, except for thermization at 50C 10 min . Utilizing a submerged coil system with temperature ramp up times that resemble commercial pasteurizers, we showed that the virus was rapidly inactivated by pasteurization and most thermization conditions . These results provide important insights on the food safety measures utilized in the dairy industry. S...

Four backyard poultry outbreaks in Maharashtra State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6250 _____

480 mixed free-range commercial broiler and layer unit. HPAI clinical signs reported, including depression and reduced food and water intake. Samples taken were positive for H5N1. Region: England, Cornwall. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6255 _____

 A poultry farm in Repuplika Srpska.  Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6258 _____

Abstract Enveloped viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) often produce a mixture of virion shapes , ranging from 100 nm spheres to micron-long filaments. Spherical virions use fewer resources, while filamentous virions resist cell-entry pressures such as antibodies . While shape changes are believed to require genetic adaptation , the mechanisms of how viral mutations alter shape remain unclear. Here we find that IAV dynamically adjusts its shape distribution in response to environmental pressures . We developed a quantitative flow virometry assay to measure the shape of viral particles under various infection conditions (such as multiplicity, replication inhibition and antibody treatment) while using different combinations of IAV strains and cell lines. We show that IAV rapidly tunes its shape distribution towards spheres under optimal conditions but favours filaments under attenuation . Our work demonstrates that this phenotypic flexibility allows IAV to rapidly respond to environm...

 {Excerpt} Avian Influenza Report - VOLUME 21, NUMBER 6 - Reporting period: Feb 2, 2025 – Feb 8, 2025 (Week 6), (Published on February 11, 2025)  -- Mainland China: 2 new cases (0 death cases):  - Avian influenza A(H9N2) :  - Hunan Province :  - 1) A two-year-old boy with onset on December 27, 2024.   - 2) A 15-year-old boy with onset on January 8, 2025.  (...) Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR,  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk06.pdf _____

  Ann Intern Med IOANNOU GN, Berry K, Rajeevan N, Li Y, et al Effectiveness of the 2023-to-2024 XBB.1.5 COVID-19 Vaccines Over Long-Term Follow-up : A Target Trial Emulation. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Feb 4. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-01015. PubMed           Abstract available Antiviral Res UEHARA T, Yotsuyanagi H, Ohmagari N, Doi Y, et al Ensitrelvir treatment-emergent amino acid substitutions in SARS-CoV-2 3CL(pro) detected in the SCORPIO-SR phase 3 trial. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jan 30:106097. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106097. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis SMITH EA, Javier GM, Multani A, Beaird OE, et al Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Titers in Cotemporary lots of Intravenous Immune Globulin and Fresh Frozen Plasma Compared to COVID Convalescent Plasma. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 3:ciaf045. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract availa...

  BMC Pediatr KUDLACEK M, Fromel K, Groffik D, Mitas J, et al Individual physical activity preferences of adolescents in the Czech Republic and Poland: a 14-year comparative study reflecting the gender trends and prospective responses to global lifestyle challenges. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:98. PubMed           Abstract available J Infect Dis GOYA S, Wendm ST, Xie H, Nguyen TV, et al Genomic Epidemiology and Evolution of Rhinovirus in Western Washington State, 2021-2022. J Infect Dis. 2025;231:e154-e164. PubMed           Abstract available CHIME N, Anspach B, Jain V, Laajalahti O, et al Phase 3 Study Assessing Lot-to-lot Consistency of RSVPreF3 Vaccine and its Immune Response, Safety, and Reactogenicity When Co-administered with FLU-D-QIV. J Infect Dis. 2024 Jul 5:jiae342. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available BARZAGHI F, Visconti C, Pipiton...

This is a confirmed case of H7N8 HPAI in a free-range commercial egg layer poultry farm . H7N8 virus is genetically related to strains detected in wild birds in Australia but different from the strains detected and eradicated in Australia in 2024. Biosecurity controls ( quarantine ) have been implemented on the farm. A detailed surveillance plan is being developed and epidemiological investigation and tracing is underway. Operational activities have commenced immediately. A Control Area (CA) and Restricted Area (RA) have been declared around the premises. Movement controls are being implemented in the CA and RA. A public information strategy has been employed. All coordinates provided are approximate to the nearest town location. Outbreak location: Victoria State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6249 _____

Unspecified species of domestic birds in Sumy Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6251 _____

 Two Greylag Goose, one Eurasian buzzard, two Eurasian Jackdaw, one Whooper Swan, one Common Guineafowl in Northern Ireland. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6248 _____