ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract Background The direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on life expectancy (LE) and years of life lost with and without disability remain unclear. Accounting for pre-pandemic trends in morbidity and mortality, we assessed these impacts in 18 European countries, for the years 2020–2022. Methods and Findings We used multi-state Markov modeling based on several data sources to track transitions of the population aged 35 or older between eight health states from disease-free, combinations of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, dementia, and disability, through to death . We quantified separately numbers and rates of deaths attributable to COVID-19 from those related to mortality from other causes during 2020–2022, and estimated the proportion of loss of life expectancy and years of life with and without disability that could have been avoided if the pandemic had not occurred. Estimates were disaggregated by COVID-19 versus non-COVID causes of deaths, calendar...

Captive birds: 39 chickens, 23 ducks, 17 pheasants, 4 swans, 3 guinea fowls, 3 geese, 2 pigeons, 1 jay, 1 falcon in Kharkiv Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6329 ____

Summary -- What is already known about this topic? -  Persons with occupational exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus–infected dairy cattle are at increased risk for infection. -- What is added by this report? -  During September 30–December 24, 2024, a total of 38 persons received a positive test result for HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in California ; 37 were dairy farm workers with occupational exposure to sick cows. One, a person aged <18 years with an undetermined exposure , was the first pediatric patient detected with influenza A(H5) infection in the United States. -- What are the implications for public health practice? -  Public health agencies should investigate influenza-like illness or conjunctivitis in workers with occupational exposure to animals infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus. Thorough investigations of all human HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections are necessary to identify potential exposure sources, including monitoring the virus for co...

Abstract The novel H10N3 avian influenza virus (AIV) has infected four individuals since 2021 and caused severe respiratory damage , posing a significant threat to public health . However, its pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Our findings revealed that H10N3 infection induces severe lung damage and causes death in mice , even at low doses. The elevated levels of multiple pro-inflammatory factors in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly increased during infection, displaying hallmarks of a cytokine storm . Transcriptome sequencing further revealed systematic activation of inflammation-related pathways, predicting that viral infection induces multiple forms of programmed cell death , including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis . Protein-level validation showed that the activation of key cell death markers, including Caspase-3, GSDMD, and MLKL , significantly increased as the infection progressed, with their dynamic changes correlating strongly with the e...

Highlights •  Scientific question :  Cross-species transmission of influenza A viruses from swine to humans occurs occasionally because their tracheal epitheliums possess both sialic acid α-2,6-Gal and α-2,3-Gal receptors . In 2011, the first human case of swine influenza virus infection in the mainland of China was detected in Jiangsu Province . Subsequently, the Eurasian avian-like H1N1 swine influenza virus (EAH1N1 SIV) had sporadically crossed the host barrier and infected humans, raising public concern for its pandemic potential. •  Evidence before this study :  A/Jiangsu/1/2011 (H1N1v) was first discovered in 2011 and belongs to the G1 genotype. The G4 and G5 genotypes that appeared successively in 2013 are recombinant H1N1 swine influenza viruses. The EAH1N1 SIVs from 2016 to the present are dominated by the G4 genotype, with hemagglutination (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes derived from the EAH1N1 SIVs, non-structural protein (NS) genes derived from the trip...

Situation at a glance This is the bi-annual update on the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).  From 6 September 2024 to 28 February 2025, four laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection , including two deaths, were reported to WHO by the Ministry of Health of the KSA.  One of the four cases was a secondary case exposed to the virus in a healthcare facility (nosocomial transmission).  Close contacts of the four cases were followed up by the Ministry of Health.  No additional secondary cases have been detected.  The notification of these four cases does not alter the overall risk assessment, which remains moderate at both the global and regional levels.  The reporting of these cases shows that the virus continues to pose a threat in countries where it is circulating in dromedary camels, particularly those in the Middle East. Description...

Situation at a glance On 13 March 2025, the Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania declared the end of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak.  This declaration came after two consecutive incubation periods (a total of 42 days) since the last person confirmed with MVD died on 28 January 2025 and was given a safe and dignified burial, in accordance with WHO recommendations.  No new confirmed cases were reported since then.  The outbreak was declared on 20 January 2025 . As of 12 March 2025, two confirmed and eight probable cases were reported by the Ministry of Health from Biharamulo district in Kagera region. All 10 cases died (case fatality ratio 100%), including eight who died before the confirmation of the outbreak. A total of 272 contacts that were listed for monitoring completed their 21-day follow-up as of 10 February 2025. WHO, through its country office, and partners provided technical, operational and financial support to the government to contai...

Highlights •  First isolation and molecular evidence of the subtype H3N2 in swine in Colombia . •  Swine H3N2 discovered is phylogenetically divergent from other viruses. •  Colombian H3N2 was originated from an independent human-to-swine spillover. •  Sequence-based analysis reveals this is a novel antigenic variant . •  Due to antigenic variation , Colombian H3N2 possess a relevant zoonotic risk. Abstract Influenza A virus (FLUAV) affects a wide range of hosts, including humans and animals, posing a threat to public health . In swine, H3N2 subtype is associated with human-to-swine spillovers of seasonal viruses . In Latin America , the molecular and antigenic characteristics of swine FLUAV H3N2, as well as its phylogenetic origin, are poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the first swine H3N2 detected in Colombia . The origin and lineage of the virus were estimated through phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses . Anti...

Highlights •  This is the first report of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus from India. •  Evidence of novel reassortment between H5N1 and low pathogenic H3N8 viruses. •  Absence of H5N1 infection among people with probable exposure. Abstract H5N1 viruses belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b have caused unprecedented outbreaks globally. Outbreaks of H5N1 virus were reported in poultry and wild birds from Kerala (India) in the year 2024. Samples from birds and the environment were collected . Real-time RT-PCR and virus isolation using embryonated chicken eggs were carried out. Eight out of 20 samples were positive for virus isolation. The virus showed avian type receptor specificity using sialidase assay. Full genome sequencing revealed markers associated with high pathogenicity and mammalian adaptation . All the viruses belonged to a single genotype with multiple reassortments , including internal gene segments from an avian influenza (AI) H3N8 virus reported from Kerala . Surveillance am...