ETIDIOH - NEW

{Summary} Situation at a glance Since January 2025, Angola has been experiencing a substantial cholera outbreak . As of 23 March 2025, a total of 8543 cases and 329 deaths (Case Fatality Rate (CFR) 3.9% ) have been reported, with one-third of the deaths occurring in the community. The outbreak has rapidly spread to 16 out of Angola’s 21 provinces , affecting individuals of all age groups , with the highest burden among those under 20 years old . The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, is managing the cholera outbreak response through case detection, deployment of rapid response teams, community engagement and a vaccination campaign. Given the rapidly evolving outbreak, ongoing rainy season, and cross-border movement with neighbouring countries, WHO assesses the risk of further transmission in Angola and surrounding areas as very high. (...) Source: World Health Organization,  https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON562 ____

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 has never been detected in New Zealand . The potential impact of this virus on New Zealand's wild birds would be catastrophic. To expand our knowledge of avian influenza viruses across New Zealand, we sampled wild aquatic birds from New Zealand, its outer islands and its subantarctic territories. Metatranscriptomic analysis of 700 individuals spanning 33 species revealed no detection of H5N1 during the annual 2023-2024 migration. A single detection of H1N9 in red knots (Calidris canutus) was noted. This study provides a baseline for expanding avian influenza virus monitoring in New Zealand. Source: US National Library of Medicine,  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40148670/ ____

February 2025  The development of influenza candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs),  coordinated by WHO, remains an essential component of the overall global  strategy for influenza pandemic preparedness . Selection and development of  CVVs are the first steps towards timely vaccine production and do not imply a  recommendation for initiating manufacture. National authorities may consider the  use of 1 or more of these CVVs for pilot lot vaccine production, clinical trials and  other pandemic preparedness purposes based on their assessment of public health  risk and need. Zoonotic influenza viruses continue to be identified  and evolve both antigenically and genetically, leading to the need for additional  CVVs for pandemic preparedness purposes. Changes in the antigenic and genetic  characteristics of these viruses relative to existing CVVs and their potential risks  to public health justify the need to develop new CVVs. This docume...

{Excerpt} Time Period: March 16 - March 22, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  5 sites ( 1.2% ) -- No Detection :  401 sites ( 98.8% ) -- No samples in last week :  211 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html ____

{England} Small ~53 chicken backyard flock, commercial premises (egg sold). Increased mortality and other clinical signs for HPAI were reported. Samples taken tested positive for HPAI H5N1. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6373 ____

Context and significance Wang et al. provided valuable insights into the epidemiological patterns of avian influenza virus (AIV) spillover and the role of H9N2 in the process. Their analysis highlighted the significant contribution of the internal genes (INGEs) from 12 key strains of H9N2 in facilitating human adaptability by reducing the species barrier between poultry and humans , essentially acting as internal genetic donors for AIV spillover . Due to its low pathogenicity, H9N2 has been neglected in poultry vaccination programs , leading to a lack of vaccines specifically targeting the INGEs of these 12 key strains. Their findings suggest that reducing the prevalence of H9N2 is fundamental to mitigating AIV spillover risks. Highlights •  H9N2 exerts a promoting effect on the spillover of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) •  Expansion of AIV spatial and host ranges reveals an emerging risk of its spillover •  Prevalence of AIVs in human -contacted hosts reveals a re-emerg...

Backyard and farm-reared poultry in Andhra Pradesh State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6344 ____