ETIDIOH - NEW

 {Excerpt} -- Avian influenza A(H9N2) : -- 1) Chongqing Municipality : An one-year-old girl with onset on December 13, 2024.  -- 2) Hubei  An eight-year-old girl with onset on November 27, 2024.  -- Avian influenza A(H10N3) :  -- 1) Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region : A 23-year-old woman with onset on December 12, 2024.  Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR,  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk02.pdf _____

Abstract Crocodilians are susceptible to a range of virus infection including influenza A virus (IAV). However, little is known about the ecology and epidemiology of IAV in crocodile species. This study aimed to investigate IAV infection in farmed Siamese crocodiles in central Thailand . We collected plasma samples and pharyngeal swab samples from Siamese crocodiles residing in 13 crocodile farms in 9 provinces of central Thailand during 2019. Additional archival plasma samples of Siamese crocodiles collected in 2012 and 2018 were also included in the study. Plasma samples were screened for influenza A antibodies by a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay and positive were evaluated by a cytopathic effect/hemagglutination based- microneutralization (MN) assay . Swab samples were tested for influenza viral RNA by a real-time RT-PCR assay targeting the influenza matrix (M) gene. Among 246 tested plasma samples, the overall seroprevalence of antibodies against IAV in farmed Siamese croco...

Abstract Despite extensive experience with influenza surveillance in humans in Senegal , there is limited knowledge about the actual situation and genetic diversity of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) circulating in the country, hindering control measures and pandemic risk assessment . Therefore, as part of the “ One Health ” approach to influenza surveillance, we conducted active AIV surveillance in two live bird markets (LBMs) in Dakar to better understand the dynamics and diversity of influenza viruses in Senegal, obtain genetic profiles of circulating AIVs , and assess the risk of emergence of novel strains and their transmission to humans. Cloacal swabs from poultry and environmental samples collected weekly from the two LBMs were screened by RT-qPCR for H5, H7, and H9 AIVs . Subsequently, a subset of H9-positive samples was selected for whole sequencing. From December 2023 to October 2024, 499 samples were tested, and AIV was detected in 58.3% of them. Among these, A/H9N2 was the o...

Abstract A switch from avian-type α-2,3 to human-type α-2,6 receptors is an essential element for the initiation of a pandemic from an avian influenza virus . Some H9N2 viruses exhibit a preference for binding to human-type α-2,6 receptors . This identifies their potential threat to public health . However, our understanding of the molecular basis for the switch of receptor preference is still limited. In this study, we employed the random forest algorithm to identify the potentially key amino acid sites within hemagglutinin (HA), which are associated with the receptor binding ability of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV). Subsequently, these sites were further verified by receptor binding assays. A total of 12 substitutions in the HA protein (N158D, N158S, A160N, A160D, A160T, T163I, T163V, V190T, V190A, D193N, D193G, and N231D) were predicted to prefer binding to α-2,6 receptors . Except for the V190T substitution, the other substitutions were demonstrated to display an affinity for pr...

Abstract The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) is widely prevalent in poultry and wild birds globally , with occasional transmission to humans . In comparison to other H9N2 lineages, the BJ/94 lineage has raised more public health concerns; however, its evolutionary dynamics and transmission patterns remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that over three decades (1994–2023), BJ/94 lineage has undergone substantial expansion in its geographical distribution , interspecies transmission , and viral reassortment with other AIV subtypes, increasing associated public health risks . These changes were primarily driven by the emergence of a dominant genotype G57. In the first decade, G57 emerged in East China and rapidly adapted to chickens and spread across China . Since 2013, the G57 genotype has expanded beyond China into eight other countries and reassorted with various AIV subtypes to form new zoonotic reassortants . Chickens have played a key role in the gen...

 {Excerpt} Influenza at the human-animal interface   Summary and risk assessment, from 2 November to 12 December 2024   • New human cases : From 2 November to 12 December 2024, the detection of influenza A(H5) virus in 16 humans and influenza A( H9N2 ) virus in nine humans were reported officially.   • Circulation of influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals: High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) events in poultry and non-poultry continue to be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also provides a global update on avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential.   • Risk assessment : Based on information available at the time of the risk assessment, the overall public health risk from currently known influenza viruses at the human-animal interface has not changed remains low . Sustained human to human transmission has not been reported from these eve...

 {Excerpt} Abstract   Between 21 September and 6 December 2024 , 657 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) and A(H5N5) virus detections were reported in domestic (341) and wild (316) birds across 27 countries in Europe . Many HPAI outbreaks in domestic birds were clustered in areas with high poultry density and characterised by secondary farm-to-farm spread . Waterfowl , particularly the mute swan , were primarily affected during this reporting period, with HPAI virus detections focused on south-eastern Europe . Notably, A(H5N5) viruses expanded their geographic and host range, resulting in a surge in detections and mortality events described in gulls and crows . No new HPAI virus detections in mammals were reported in Europe during this reporting period, but the number of dairy cattle farms reportedly affected in the United States of America (USA) rose to > 800 in 16 States, and HPAI virus was identified in two pigs in a mixed-species farm. Between 21 September ...