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ABSTRACT Since 2020, H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have been rapidly spreading in wild birds but have also caused a large number of mammalian infections and more than 70 known human cases . Importantly, this H5N1 clade has also crossed the species barrier into dairy cattle in the US in late 2023/early 2024. The neuraminidase (NA) protein of the N1 subtype can feature truncations in its stalk domain, which have been identified as putative virulence factors in poultry but seem to have a negative impact on transmission in mammals. Since its emergence, the vast majority of HPAI H5N1 A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996-lineage isolates have featured this truncated version of the NA stalk domain. Here, we report that this changed with the 2020 expansion of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 and that the majority of isolates—including the strains circulating in dairy cattle—feature a long NA stalk domain . Source: mBio,  https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.03989-24 _...

{Excerpt} Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge, driving waves of COVID-19. The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 took a surprising turn in 2023 with the emergence of BA.2.86, a BA.2-descendant harbouring multiple spike (S) protein mutations, enhancing antibody evasion. Subsequently, several BA.2.86-derived lineages emerged, with JN.1 dominating early and the JN.1-derived variants KP.3.1.1 and XEC dominating late in 2024 . Currently, LP.8.1 is on the verge of becoming dominant. This study provides a preliminary virological characterisation of LP.8.1 and its sublineage LP.8.1.1. (...) Source: Lancet Infectious Diseases,  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(25)00113-6/fulltext?rss=yes ____

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting the first death from measles in the ongoing outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle regions.  The school-aged child who was not vaccinated was hospitalized in Lubbock last week and tested positive for measles. As of Feb. 25, 124 cases of measles have been confirmed in the outbreak since late January. Most of the cases are in children . Eighteen people have been hospitalized over the course of the outbreak. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness , which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. During a measles outbreak, about one in five people who get sick will need hospital care and one in 20 will develop pneumonia. Rarely, measles can lead to swelling of the brain and death. It can also cause pregnancy complications, such as premature birth and babies with low birth weight. Measles can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread...

{Excerpt, Feb. 26 2025 Update} 1) HPAI H5N1 was detected in a Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) found dead in the Municipality of Rimini, province of Rimini, Emilia Romagna region. 2) HPAI H5N1 was detected in an Eurasian buzzard (common buzzard) (Buteo buteo) found dead in the Municipality of Pramaggiore, province of Venezia, Veneto region 3) HPAI H5N1 was detected in a Eurasian buzzard (common buzzard) (Buteo buteo) found dead in the Municipality of Galzignano Terme, province of Padova, Veneto region 4) HPAI H5N1 was detected in a yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) found dead in the Municipality of Padova, province of Padova, Veneto region. 5) HPAI H5N1 was detected in a yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) found dead in the Municipality of Stanghella, province of Padova, Veneto region. 6) HPAI H5N1 was detected in a Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) found dead in the Municipality of Porto Recanati, province of Macerata, Marche region. "The Database of Global Adm...

Abstract Since 2020, the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus clade 2.3.4.4b has turned into the largest documented panzootic to date , reaching the sub-Antarctic region and Antarctica via the tip of South America in 2023. Here, we describe its recent arrival into the Indian Ocean sub-Antarctic archipelagos of Crozet and Kerguelen , where we first detected the virus in October 2024 in dead southern elephant seals, king penguins, gentoo penguins, brown skuas and kelp gulls . While the panzootic is ongoing, it has already caused unprecedented and alarming mortalities of southern elephant seals. We collected brain swabs from various seal and bird carcasses, subsequently isolated the virus and obtained 25 novel HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b sequences. Our phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses show that there have been independent introductions of the virus to Crozet and Kerguelen, from the distant South Georgia Islands in the Southern Atlantic , and not from the more n...

{Original text in Khmer} Ministry of Health Press Release A Fatal Case of #H5N1 #influenza in a 2-Year-7-Month-Old Child The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to inform the public that there are a  case of bird flu in a 2-year-old 7-month-old child has been confirmed positive for the influenza virus  H5N1 by the National Institute of Public Health on February 25, 2025. Location : Tangak Village, Romchek Commune, Preah Sdach District, Prey Veng Province. According to doctors , the child died on February 25, 2025 due to the parents  took the child to the hospital, when him developed a serious condition, including fever, cough, fatigue, and difficulty retreating. Severe breathing . According to the investigation, the patient's house has a family chicken farm and there are dead chickens.  About 15 of them were sick and the children were sleeping and playing in the basement near the chicken coop. The national and subnational emergency response teams of ...