ETIDIOH - NEW

  "Thanks to the epidemiological surveillance network active in the region , the first European {imported} case of avian influenza of the H9 subtype has been identified in a patient arriving from abroad ," said the Regional Councilor for Welfare. The Lombardy Region immediately activated coordination procedures with the Ministry of Health and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) to ensure the utmost rigor in managing the case and monitoring contacts. The councilor added :  "The patient is currently hospitalized in isolation at San Gerardo Hospital in Monza . In addition to treatment for the viral infection, the medical team is managing other comorbidities the patient is suffering from. The epidemiological investigation was promptly conducted by ATS Brianza , while the molecular analyses that allowed for the precise identification of the virus were performed by the University of Milan and confirmed by the Regional Center for Infectious Diseases (composed of the Director...

Weekly epidemiological record   20 MARCH 2026, 101th YEAR, No 12, 2026, 101, 53–56 http://www.who.int/wer   Executive Summary   The WHO Expert Working Group on Surveillance of Influenza Antiviral Susceptibility (AVWG) supports the WHO GISRS by providing practical guidance for monitoring antiviral susceptibility of seasonal and emerging influenza viruses through global surveillance efforts .  The 14th WHO-AVWG meeting was held in virtual format on 10-12 June 2025 .  Update on susceptibility of seasonal influenza viruses to approved antiviral agents   From approximately May 2024 to May 2025 , five WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) and two National Influenza Centres (NICs) reported co-circulation of influenza A(H1N1) pdm09, A(H3N2), and B/Victoria viruses.  A(H1N1)pdm09 dominated in Eastern Asia {1}. Elevated frequency of influenza neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor (NAI) reduced inhibition/ highly reduced inhibition (RI/HRI) was identified among A(H1N1)pdm09 vir...

  ABSTRACT H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) remain a significant economic burden on poultry production and a persistent zoonotic threat . Hemagglutinin (HA), a surface glycoprotein mediating viral entry and pathogenesis , critically depends on thermostability for its function. Our previous study indicated that recent H9N2 AIVs have experienced a reduction in hemagglutination activity and exhibit low HA thermostability ; however, the underlying molecular determinants for this instability remain poorly defined. To address this gap, we employed an in vitro-directed evolution approach to identify HA mutations that enhance thermostability. By subjecting a diverse HA mutant library to iterative heat selection at 48°C , we isolated several HA-stabilizing mutations , including L29I, N133S, N210D, G266R, D387N, A423T, and E509G, and confirmed their effect by site-directed mutagenesis. Further characterization revealed a complex interplay between HA stability, receptor binding specificity...

  February 2026  WHO convenes technical consultations {1} in February and September each year to recommend viruses for inclusion in influenza vaccines {2} for the northern hemisphere (NH) and southern hemisphere (SH) influenza seasons, respectively.  This recommendation relates to the influenza vaccines for use in the NH 2026-2027 influenza season .  A recommendation will be made in September 2026 relating to vaccines that will be used for the SH 2027 influenza season.  WHO guidance for choosing between the NH and SH formulations for countries in tropical and subtropical regions is available on the WHO Global Influenza Programme website {3}.   National or regional authorities approve the composition and formulation of influenza vaccines used in each country.  National public health authorities are responsible for making recommendations regarding the use of the vaccine.  WHO has published recommendations on the prevention of influenza {4}....

  {Excerpt} Avian Influenza Report - Reporting period: February 1, 2026 – February 7, 2026 (Week 6) (Published on February 10, 2026)   -- Avian influenza A(H9N2) :  1) Guangdong Province :  - A 73-year-old woman with onset on January 17, 2026.  2) Hunan Province :  - A 2-year-old boy with onset on December 29, 2025.  -- Avian influenza A(H10N3) : 1) Guangdong Province :  - A 34-year-old man with onset on December 29, 2025.   (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk06.pdf ____

  • New human cases {2}:  -- From 20 December 2025 to 22 January 2026 , based on reporting date, the detection of A(H9N2) in three humans was reported officially.  • Circulation of influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals :  -- High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) events in poultry and non-poultry animal species continue to be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).{3}  -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also provides a global update on avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential.{4}  -- Additionally, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses continue to circulate in animal populations.  • Risk assessment {5}:  -- Sustained human to human transmission has not been reported associated with the above-mentioned human infection events.  -- Based on information available at the time of this risk assessment update, the overall public hea...

{Excerpt}  Avian influenza A(H9N2) :  -- Guangdong Province :  1) An individual with onset in November 2025.  -- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region :  2) An individual with onset in November 2025.  -- Hubei Province:  3) An individual with onset in November 2025.  (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk51.pdf ____

  Influenza at the human-animal interface  Summary and risk assessment, from 6 November to 19 December 2025 {1} -- New human cases {1,2}:  - From 6 November to 19 December 2025, based on reporting date , the detection of influenza A( H5N1 ) in one human , A( H5N5 ) in one human , A( H9N2 ) in seven humans , and an influenza A( H1N1 ) variant virus in one human were reported officially.  - In addition , one human case of infection with an influenza A( H1N2 ) variant virus was detected.  -- Circulation of influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals :  - High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) events in poultry and non-poultry animal species continue to be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).{3}  - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also provides a global update on avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential.{4}  - Additionally, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses as well a...