ETIDIOH - NEW

{Northern Ireland} 56 week-old hens-table egg layers. Positive test for HPAI H5N1, clinical signs presented prior to testing. 10-week-old approx. turkey broilers. Positive test for HPAI H5N1, clinical signs presented prior to testing. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7000 ____

  A poultry farm in Sachsen Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7002 ____

Wild Mute Swans in Kiev Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6994 ____

  Abstract In developing countries particularly in field conditions unfavorable environmental conditions, lack of availability of appropriate transport media (TM) and maintenance of cold chain during transport; sample collection , storage, and transportation is more challenging . Considering these facts, five TM out of which three laboratory-based media named phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 50% glycerol + PBS , and normal saline (NS) and two commercially available media including viral transport medium (VTM), charcoal based viral transport medium (CVTM) were compared to protect infectivity of the H5N1 influenza virus . Spiked fecal sample and allantoic fluid with and without these TM were placed in field simulatory storage and transportation conditions and in every 12 h time interval these samples were tested for virus isolation in embryonated chicken egg inoculation and identification by HA test and RT PCR upto 7 days. Survivability of the virus was detected by calculating the pe...

  Abstract Infectious diseases are often observed to have different epidemiology in different countries , which arises due to various factors including those that are ecological, socioeconomic, and healthcare-related . Such variability can sometimes be best captured through looking at groups of countries that are similar within-group but variable between-group. In this study we use statistical learning methods to generate data-driven disease-centric groupings of countries rather than those developed for administrative or political reasons by e.g. the WHO, World Bank, and the United Nations. In particular, we apply hierarchical clustering to group countries based on shared disease-relevant characteristics for zoonotic H5N1 influenza . Using statistical methods such as classification and regression trees (CART)-based imputation and dynamic tree cutting, the analysis accounts for missing data and identifies epidemiologically (rather than politically or economically) meaningful cluster...

  {By Kandukuru Nagarjun from Bangalore, India - Peacock on tree, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=119724930 } Captive Indian Peafowl birds in Haskovo Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6999 ____

  Abstract The current panzootic of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been catastrophic for wildlife , and following a significant sweep, clade 2.3.4.4b is found in every region aside from Oceania . Herein, we report the results of our third year of targeted surveillance of incoming migratory seabirds and shorebirds into Australia . We did not find evidence of HPAI H5N1 in any of the birds tested , and there were no reports of HPAI H5N1 in wildlife tested through other surveillance schemes in 2024. Unlike previous years, we detected a diversity of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) viruses in shorebirds. Through phylogenetic analysis we revealed that the H3N7 and H4N7 viruses recovered from Red-necked Stints were complex mosaic viruses, comprising segments of Eurasian, Australian shorebird, and Australian waterfowl segments . A H1N7 virus detected comprised a wholly Eurasian introduction , confirming this route for avian influenza viruses into Australian ecos...

  {By Diliff - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1385555 } Following the detection of HPAI H5N1 in a greylag goose found dead near the lake Biel on 4 November 2025, an infected area of 3 km around the three lakes in vicinity of the site of detection has been put in place. Within this area, measures of increased disease awareness, biosecurity and notification obligations have to be followed by poultry owners. A wild Greylag Goose found dead in Bern Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6985 ____

  {England} Mixed commercial premises with 32.7k ducks and 11.6k broilers. Samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Birds presented clinical signs of AI prior to testing. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6987 ____

  Abstract Samples collected from two avian influenza outbreaks in Bagmati Province in central Nepal between January and March 2023 were positive for H5N1 . Full genomes were generated for both viruses, which revealed that one of the viruses was very similar to clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 identified in Bangladesh in 2021/2022. The second virus was a reassortant H5N1 virus consisting of four genes (HA, NA, NP, and M) originating from a clade 2.3.2.1a H5N1 and the remaining four genes (NS, PB1, PB2, and PA) originating from a 2.3.4.4b H5N1 . Notably, this second virus had a high identity with 2.3.2.1a clade viruses identified in humans and cats in India in 2024–2025. These are the first full genome sequences of H5N1 avian influenza viruses from Nepal and given the recent human infections by 2.3.2.1a H5N1 viruses in the region, these data will be of interest to both public health and veterinary authorities. Source: Viruses,  https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/11/1481 ____

  Abstract Mucosal influenza vaccines may provide improved protection against infection and transmission , but their development is hindered by absence of immune correlates of protection . Here, we report a randomized, controlled phase I trial of a recombinant influenza A/H5 (A/Indonesia/05/2005, clade 2.1) hemagglutinin vaccine formulated with a nanoemulsion adjuvant (W805EC). The vaccine is administered intranasally in two doses 28 days apart at three antigen levels. Controls receive unadjuvanted H5 or placebo. Six months later, participants receive an intramuscular boost with unadjuvanted inactivated A/H5N1 (A/Vietnam/1203/2004, clade 1) vaccine. Primary outcomes are solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs), laboratory safety abnormalities, medically-attended AEs, potential immune-mediated conditions, new-onset chronic conditions, and serious AEs. All vaccines are well tolerated. After the intranasal series, hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization responses are...

  A sudden increased mortality in a commercial turkey flock. Samples were collected and submitted to the Irish Central Veterinary Research Laboratory for avian influenza testing. On 4th November 2025 highly pathogenic avian influenza sub. H5N1 was confirmed by the national reference laboratory. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6976 ____

  {By Lukasz Lukasik - The uploader on Wikimedia Commons received this from the author/copyright holder., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=816655 } {Isle of Man} 1 wild bird (common buzzard) was found dead on 27/10/2025. Official samples were taken and tested positive for HPAI H5N1. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6977 ____

  The last outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry in Lubuskie region was confirmed on 11/03/2025. 02/05/2025 is the date of confirmation of the last outbreak in Poland in the spring of 2025. A turkeys slaughterhouse operation in Lubuskie Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6972 ____

  Abstract Influenza is a global health concern, causing over 300,000 deaths worldwide annually . Current vaccines and natural infection mainly elicit antibodies against the variable head domain of the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein. While these antibodies are highly neutralizing, the head domain constantly mutates due to selective pressure , causing the immune response to be strain-specific. Targeting the conserved HA stalk domain , however, has been shown to be a promising approach for a broadly protective vaccine . We previously demonstrated that presenting HA in an inverted orientation on virus-like particles (VLPs) significantly enhanced the induction of stalk-directed, cross-reactive antibodies compared to HA presented in a regular orientation. Here, we evaluated the protective efficacy of the inverted HA vaccine (VLP-HAinv) in mice against homologous, heterologous, and heterosubtypic influenza A virus challenges . VLP-HAinv vaccination in mice provided complete protection a...

  Abstract Emerging infectious diseases can have catastrophic impacts on wildlife populations , yet identifying individuals that survived exposure, especially when external symptoms are absent, remains challenging. Since 2021, a virulent strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b) has caused unprecedented mortality in wild birds across continents . Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) are among the species that suffered significant population declines in Europe and North America . At North America's largest gannet colony ( Bonaventure Island ) dramatic mortality and reproductive failure occurred in 2022. Following this event, researchers noted a subset of gannets displaying irregular iris pigmentation , raising the possibility that this visible change may indicate a lasting effect of infection. Here, we build on earlier observations linking irregular iris pigmentation to HPAIV exposure in gannets using anti-nucleoprotein (NP) and anti-hemagglutinin (H...

  A laying hens farm in Sachsen-Anhalt Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6966 ____

  {Di Sanchezn - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3019282 } Confirmation of HPAI - H5N1 case, at Cygnus olor Port Contanta Dana 55 in the Constanta county. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6968 ____

  Abstract The H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) of clade 2.3.4.4b, which spreads globally via wild birds , has become a major public health concern because it can infect a variety of mammals , including humans . In 2024, infection of dairy cattle with H5N1 HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b was confirmed in the United States , and subsequent human cases were reported. Although these viruses are highly pathogenic in animal models , human infections have generally been mild , revealing a striking discrepancy . Here, we characterized the cattle-derived human H5N1 isolate A/Texas/37/2024 (TX37-H5N1) using three-dimensional human respiratory organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Despite efficient replication , TX37-H5N1 induced minimal interferon and inflammatory cytokine responses . Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed reduced STAT1-mediated transcriptional activity in TX37-H5N1-infected organoids compared to the historic H5N1 human isolate A/Vietn...

  ABSTRACT An increase in the number of human cases of influenza A/H5N1 infection in the USA has raised concerns about the pandemic potential of the virus. Pre-existing population immunity is a key determinant for risk assessment and pandemic potential for any virus. Antibody responses against the bovine A/H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins were measured among a population of influenza-vaccinated or influenza-infected individuals. Modest titers of bovine A/H5N1 HA-binding antibodies and low to undetectable neutralizing antibody titers were detected in a cohort of 73 individuals . Conversely, bovine A/H5N1 NA-binding and neuraminidase-inhibiting antibody titers were comparable to those against a human A/H1N1 NA at baseline . Seasonal influenza vaccination failed to significantly increase antibody titers against both HA and NA glycoproteins of bovine A/H5N1. Recent infection with human A/H1N1 but not A/H3N2 viruses induced significant increases in bovine A/H5N1-n...