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Showing posts from February 5, 2026

Detecting #Influenza #H5N1 Viruses through Severe Acute Respiratory #Infection #Surveillance, #Cambodia

  Abstract Of 19 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection detected during January 2023–March 2025 in Cambodia , 12 (63%) were detected directly by surveillance for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) or indirectly by testing ill close contacts . SARI surveillance can supplement other surveillance sources for identifying H5N1 cases. Source:  Link:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/3/25-0832_article ____

#Oropouche virus infects primary #human #intestinal #organoids and is inhibited by type I and III interferon treatment

  ABSTRACT Oropouche virus (OROV), a neglected arbovirus, has historically been considered a self-limiting infection associated with febrile illness . However, the recent surge in cases since late 2023 has been marked by atypical outcomes , highlighting its underestimated clinical impact . Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea have also been reported, but the prevalence and mechanistic insight remain largely elusive. Here, through a meta-analysis of 12 identified clinical studies , we revealed a pooled prevalence of diarrhea as 15% (95% CI, 10%–20%) among the Oropouche patient population. In primary human intestinal organoid-based experimental models , we demonstrated productive infection by both a recent patient isolate (OROV-2024) and a historical strain (Be An19991). This is shown by the accumulation of intracellular OROV RNA, release of infectious particles, and immunostaining of OROV glycoprotein Gc. Interestingly, OROV infection mildly triggered the expression of type II...

Genomic #Evolution of #Influenza A Virus During the 2024-2025 Season, the Johns Hopkins Health System: Antigenic Drift Reduces Serum Neutralization

  Abstract Introduction Seasonal influenza causes significant global morbidity, mortality, and economic burden . Ongoing viral evolution can lead to vaccine mismatch and the emergence of antiviral resistance , highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance. The 2024–2025 influenza season was characterized by high incidence and increased hospitalizations. Methods We analyzed influenza A virus (IAV) genomes and clinical characteristics from the 2024–2025 season . Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 648 influenza A–positive clinical specimens collected between October 2024 and April 2025. Results Hemagglutinin (HA) sequences were recovered from 74.23% (481/648) of samples and used for subtyping and phylogenetic analysis. A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses co-circulated , representing 55.5% and 44.5% of cases, respectively. Among A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, the HA1 substitution T120A , located near the Sa antigenic site , increased more than twofold compared with the prior season. Ci...

Post-exposure #prophylaxis with #favipiravir among #household close contacts to confirmed #COVID19 cases: A cluster-randomized trial (PEPfavi)

  Abstract Background Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains a key driver of community spread , with secondary attack rates in Thai households reaching approximately 50 %. There is limited evidence supporting the efficacy of antiviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in this context. Methods The phase 2/3, open-label, (1:1) cluster-randomized controlled trial in Thailand , 168 household close contacts from 76 index cases were enrolled to receive either favipiravir-PEP (FPV-PEP) (1600–2000 mg/day for 7 days) or usual care. The efficacy of FPV-PEP was investigated in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection after contact with index cases. Results The incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was lower in the FPV-PEP group than in the usual care group (7.32 % vs. 14.47 %), although the difference was not statistically significant . A trend toward fewer early positive rapid diagnostic test results on day 3 was observed in the FPV-PEP group. Symptom development was less frequent among FPV...

Protective Efficacy of a #Hemagglutinin-Based #mRNA #Vaccine Against #H5N1 #Influenza Virus Challenge in Lactating Dairy #Cows

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has spread to over 1,080 dairy farms across 18 states in the United States, resulting in 41 human infections and posing serious risks to both animal and public health . To address these risks, a hemagglutinin-based mRNA–lipid nanoparticle vaccine was developed , and its safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy in high-yielding lactating dairy cows were evaluated. The vaccine was well tolerated, had no adverse effects on health or milk production , and induced strong antibody responses . Two weeks after the second immunization, all the immunized cattle were fully protected against a high-dose H5N1 virus challenge . Notably, two-thirds of the cattle were still completely protected even at the 19th week after the first vaccination , when their serum antibody levels were very low. These data demonstrate that the mRNA vaccine confers robust, lasting protection against H5N1 virus in lactating dairy cows, providing a foundatio...

#Antigenic #Drift and Antivaccine Shift in the 2025–2026 #Influenza Season

  {Summary} Recent headlines about influenza have reported a “super flu” causing a “record-breaking season” that is “overwhelming hospitals.” Although less dramatic, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal substantial influenza activity : the agency estimated that there were more than 20 million cases of influenza illness, 270,000 influenza-related hospitalizations , and 11,000 deaths from influenza in the United States through January 24, 2026. These numbers aren’t extraordinary as compared with those from previous seasons, but some indicators of influenza activity and severity have been remarkable. (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2600395?query=TOC ____