ETIDIOH - NEW

  Situation at a glance On 4 August 2025, Israel notified WHO of a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) outbreak .  Between February and July 2025, nine genetically linked virus isolates were found in environmental samples from seven sites, mainly in Jerusalem and the Central Region .  No human cases of paralytic polio have been reported.  Israel discontinued routine use of the bivalent oral polio vaccine in March 2025 but continues using inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) as part of the country’s routine immunization schedule.  WHO and partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are supporting national and subnational authorities.  WHO assesses the risk of international spread of this cVDPV1 outbreak in Israel as low, due to strong overall immunity, surveillance, and response systems.  However, the virus is circulating in under-vaccinated, vaccine-sceptic communities with ties to similar groups abroad, posing a potential risk fo...

Aug. 20 Update :   In response to several media inquiries following up on this case, DHSS regrets to confirm that the patient's death occurred on Aug. 19 in a St. Louis area hospital . We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the patient.  Source: Department of Health,  https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODHSS/bulletins/3eebf32 ____

  Abstract We describe isolation and characterization of a novel henipavirus , designated Salt Gully virus , from the urine of pteropid bats in Australia . We noted the virus to be most closely related to Angavokely virus, not reliant on ephrin receptors for cell entry, and of unknown risk for human disease. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/9/25-0470_article ____

Abstract Since late 2021, a panzootic of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus has driven significant morbidity and mortality in wild birds, domestic poultry, and mammals. In North America , infections in novel avian and mammalian species suggest the potential for changing ecology and establishment of new animal reservoirs . Outbreaks among domestic birds have persisted despite aggressive culling, necessitating a re-examination of how these outbreaks were sparked and maintained. To recover how these viruses were introduced and disseminated in North America, we analyzed 1,818 Hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences sampled from North American wild birds, domestic birds and mammals from November 2021-September 2023 using Bayesian phylodynamic approaches. Using HA, we infer that the North American panzootic was driven by ~8 independent introductions into North America via the Atlantic and Pacific Flyways, followed by rapid dissemination westward via wild, migratory birds. Transmission wa...