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Showing posts from April 14, 2025

Co-Infections with #Orthomarburgviruses, #Paramyxoviruses, and #Orthonairoviruses in Egyptian Rousette #Bats, #Uganda and Sierra Leone

Abstract We report 1.3% (19/1,511) of Egyptian rousette bats (ERBs) in Uganda and Sierra Leone were co-infected with different combinations of Marburg, Sosuga, Kasokero, or Yogue viruses . To prevent infection by those viruses, we recommend avoiding ERB-populated areas, avoiding ERBs and ERB-contaminated objects, and thoroughly washing harvested fruits before consumption. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/5/24-1669_article ____

Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza A(#H5N1) #Outbreak in Endangered #Cranes, Izumi Plain, #Japan, 2022–23

Abstract During the 2022–23 winter season, >1,500 endangered cranes , including hooded crane (Grus monacha) and white-naped crane (Grus vipio), were found debilitated or dead in the Izumi Plain, Japan . Most of the cranes, particularly those collected in November, were infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses; virus shedding was higher from the trachea than from the cloaca . The isolation rate from the cranes’ roost water was not markedly higher than that of previous seasons, suggesting that the viruses might be more effectively transmitted among cranes via the respiratory route than through feces. Most wild bird–derived H5N1 isolates were phylogenetically distinct from viruses isolated on nearby chicken farms , indicating limited relationship between the wild bird and chicken isolates. Serologic analyses suggested that herd immunity had little effect on outbreak subsidence. This study deepens our understanding of the circumstances surrounding the unexpect...

The #WHO #Bacterial Priority #Pathogens #List 2024: a prioritisation study to guide research, development, and public health strategies against antimicrobial resistance

Summary Background The 2017 WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) has been instrumental in guiding global policy, research and development, and investments to address the most urgent threats from antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and it is a key public health tool for the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Since its release, at least 13 new antibiotics targeting bacterial priority pathogens have been approved. The 2024 WHO BPPL aims to refine and build on the previous list by incorporating new data and evidence, addressing previous limitations, and improving pathogen prioritisation to better guide global efforts in combating AMR. Methods The 2024 WHO BPPL followed a similar approach to the first prioritisation exercise, using a multicriteria decision analysis framework. 24 antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens were scored based on eight criteria, including mortality, non-fatal burden, incidence, 10-year resistance trends, preventability, transmissibility,...

The spatiotemporal #ecology of #Oropouche virus across Latin #America: a multidisciplinary, laboratory-based, modelling study

Summary Background Latin America has been experiencing an Oropouche virus (OROV) outbreak of unprecedented magnitude and spread since 2023–24 for unknown reasons. We aimed to identify risk predictors of and areas at risk for OROV transmission. Methods In this multidisciplinary, laboratory-based, modelling study, we retrospectively tested anonymised serum samples collected between 2001 and 2022 for studies on virus epidemiology and medical diagnostics in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru with nucleoprotein-based commercial ELISAs for OROV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies. Serum samples positive for IgG from different ecological regions and sampling years were tested against Guaroa virus and two OROV glycoprotein reassortants (Iquitos virus and Madre de Dios virus) via plaque reduction neutralisation testing (PRNT) to validate IgG ELISA specificity and support antigenic cartography. Three OROV strains were included in the neutralisation testing, a Cuban OROV isolate...

Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza in Northern #Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in the #Netherlands

Abstract We report highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus infection in 10 Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) found dead throughout January and February 2024 in the Netherlands . Five birds were infected with the H5N5 subtype , notable for markers of adaptation to mammals . Continuous infectious disease surveillance remains important in wild birds. Source: US National Library of Medicine,  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40223286/ ____

#Surveillance for #human #infections with avian #influenza A(#H5) viruses: objectives, case #definitions, #testing and reporting (#WHO)

Key points   • The overall objective of continual global surveillance for human infection with avian influenza A(H5) viruses is to detect and characterize any influenza A(H5) viruses infecting humans in order to:  - (1) promptly trigger public health control and response actions,  - (2) assess the trends of such infections and the public health risks posed (including the risk of a pandemic); and  - (3) inform global pandemic preparedness activities.  • Specific surveillance objectives include rapidly detecting human cases of influenza A(H5) virus infection, monitoring the incidence of new cases over time and geographical distribution, assessing and monitoring changes in transmission patterns to promptly detect any unusual events that may signal human-to-human transmission of the virus, characterizing and monitoring changes in any influenza A(H5) viruses infecting humans relative to those circulating in animals to inform control strategies, describing the clinica...