ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract In 2023, Finland faced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza caused by clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses , which spread from wild birds to fur farms . Vaccinations of individuals at-risk , such as fur and poultry farm workers , veterinarians, and laboratory workers , began in June 2024 using the MF59-adjuvanted inactivated (H5N8) vaccine manufactured by Seqirus (based on clade 2.3.4.4b A/Astrakhan/3212/2020). We investigated antibody responses following a two-dose vaccination regimen in 39 subjects. Vaccination induced comparable levels of functional antibodies both against the vaccine virus and two clade 2.3.4.4b viruses, either associated with outbreaks in fur animals in Finland or cattle in the United States . Upon two doses of the vaccine for previously unvaccinated people, the seroprotection rate against the vaccine virus was 83 % (95 % CI 70-97 %, titer ≥20) and 97 % (95 % CI 90-100 %, titer ≥40) using microneutralization or hemagglutinin inhibition assays , resp...

Summary -- What is already known about this topic? -  Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infections have been detected in humans exposed to infected dairy cattle. -- What is added by this report? -  Public health officials conducted a serosurvey among 150 bovine veterinary practitioners. Three practitioners had evidence of recent infection with HPAI A(H5 ) virus, including two without exposures to animals with known or suspected HPAI A(H5) virus infections and one who did not practice in a U.S. state with known HPAI A(H5) virus–infected cattle. -- What are the implications for public health practice? -  These findings suggest the possible benefit of systematic surveillance for rapid identification of HPAI A(H5) virus in dairy cattle, milk, and humans who are exposed to cattle to ensure appropriate hazard assessments. Abstract The current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) clade 2.3.4.4.b viruses, genotype B3.13, among dairy cattle...

Abstract In 2018, a single detection of a novel reassortant swine influenza A virus (swIAV) was made in Denmark . The hemagglutinin (HA) of the virus was from the H1N1 pandemic 2009 (H1N1pdm09) lineage and the neuraminidase (NA) from the H1N1 Eurasian avian-like swine lineage (H1N1av). By 2022, the novel reassortant virus (H1pdm09N1av) constituted 27% of swIAVs identified through the Danish passive swIAV surveillance program . Sequencing detected two H1pdm09N1av genotypes; Genotype 1 contained an entire internal gene cassette of H1N1pdm09 origin, Genotype 2 differed by carrying an NS gene segment of H1N1av origin . The internal gene cassette of Genotype 2 became increasingly dominant, not only in the H1pdm09N1av population, but also in other Danish enzootic swIAV subtypes. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes from H1pdm09N1av viruses revealed a monophyletic source , a higher substitution rate compared to other H1N1pdm09 viruses and genetic differences with human seasonal and other swi...

Abstract In an epidemiologic investigation of Enterovirus (EV) infections in a Verona hospital , September 2022–September 2024, we detected EV-C105 in six pediatric patients with upper respiratory symptoms between March and May 2023. The primary objective was to describe the local incidence of EV cases. The secondary objective was to perform Sanger’s genomic characterization and the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of EV-C105. The proportion of positive EV results was calculated based on routine molecular method testing. An available cohort of 114 underwent Sanger sequencing, and the six EV-C105 were characterized with WGS. Overall, 96% EV results were from the upper respiratory tract . The total proportion of positives in children was 83%. Out of the typed 114, 90% were Rhinoviruses and 9%, EVs . Notably, six pediatric cases were EV-C105 , placing together in a unique cluster with 99% of nucleotides belonging to the European lineage with the highest Average Nucleotide Identity, including...

 {February 13 2025} Latest update A new case of clade Ib mpox has been detected in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) can confirm .  The case was detected in London and the individual is now under specialist care at the Royal Free Hospital High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit. They had recently returned from Uganda , where there is currently community transmission of clade Ib mpox. The UKHSA and NHS will not be disclosing any further details about the individual. The risk to the UK population remains low . In the context of the outbreak in parts of Africa, we expect to see the occasional imported case of clade Ib mpox in the UK. This is the eighth case of clade Ib mpox confirmed in England since October 2024. This case has no links to the previous cases identified in England. Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. Contacts will be offered testing and vaccination where needed to prevent further infections and they w...

A poultry farm in Chhattisgarh State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6261 _____

Wild Anatidae birds in Bremen Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6264 _____

{Excerpt} On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus (SUDV). The outbreak was declared just 3 hours after laboratory confirmation at two national reference laboratories, consistent with International Health Regulations. The index case was detected at Mulago Specialized National Hospital in Kampala, Uganda1. (...) Source: Nature Medicine,  https://www.nature.com/articles/d41591-025-00012-0 _____

Abstract Understanding the transmission routes of high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is crucial for developing effective control measures to prevent its spread. In this context, windborne transmission , the idea that the virus can travel through the air over considerable distances, is a contentious concept and, documented cases are rare. Here, though, we provide genetic evidence supporting the feasibility of windborne transmission . During the 2023-24 HPAI season, molecular surveillance identified identical H5N1 strains among a cluster of unrelated commercial farms about 8 km apart in the Czech Republic . The episode started with the abrupt mortality of fattening ducks on one farm and was followed by disease outbreaks at two nearby high-biosecurity chicken farms. Using genetic, epizootiological, meteorological and geographical data , we reconstructed a mosaic of events strongly suggesting wind was the mechanism of infection transmission between poultry in at least two independen...

Abstract Background For decades after the identification of mpox in humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1970, the disease was largely confined to the rural areas of Central and West Africa and thus did not garner broad attention. On August 13, 2024, mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a notice that was followed the next day by a declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization. Methods In this study we analyzed all mpox cases and deaths , based on clinical or laboratory diagnosis, that were reported to the Africa CDC from January 1, 2022, to October 30, 2024, to identify temporal variations, geographic distributions, and epidemiologic trends. Results From January 1, 2022, to August 18, 2024, a total of 45,652 mpox cases were clinically diagnosed and laboratory-confirmed in 12 African countries . These ca...