ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract On November 2, 2018, a person-to-person transmission outbreak of Andes virus (Orthohantavirus andesense) began in the small town of Epuyén, Argentina . The strain demonstrated a high capacity for sustained transmission among the human population requiring the implementation of quarantine measures , rigorous contact tracing , isolation of close contacts, and active clinical monitoring to prevent further spread. In this study, we report the isolation of this strain, which we name the ARG-Epuyén strain , directly from a clinical sample after just three passages in cell culture. Complete sequencing revealed only a single amino acid change post-isolation , suggesting that this strain can be considered a non-adapted wild-type Andes virus , marking a critical step toward the development of medical countermeasures against this emerging pathogen. The pathogenicity and transmissibility potential of ARG-Epuyén were evaluated in hamsters , the only animal model for Hantavirus Pulmonary Sy...

Abstract Genomic sequencing of re-emerging highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus detected in Argentina in February 2025 revealed novel triple-reassortant viruses containing gene segments from Eurasian H5N1 and low pathogenic viruses from South and North American lineages . These findings underscore continued evolution and diversification of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in the Americas. Source: BioRxIV,  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.23.655175v1 ____

Abstract In this work, we performed the genetic characterization of a new variant of orthohantavirus associated with a fatal case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome , outside the known endemic region, in northwestern Argentina . We first confirmed an orthohantavirus infection by ELISA , testing for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies. Then, we extracted RNA from 100 microliters of serum, the only sample available, followed by RT-PCR. The amplicons were sequenced using Sanger and next-generation sequencing technology. We obtained partial sequences of 1253 bp, 799 bp and 1675 bp from the S-, M- and L-segments, respectively, showing low sequence identities with all the previously characterized hantaviruses (10.9%, 13.5% and 15.1% of the divergence, respectively). The phylogenetic analysis showed that this virus belongs to the Orthohantavirus andesense species (ANDV), and among the ANDV-like variants, it is more closely related to the Lechiguanas clade . Similar percentages of divergence...

National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA) received a notification concerning a high mortality of birds and signs consistent with high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard . The suspicion was immediately addressed and samples were taken for analysis. The samples tested positive for HPAI H5. The affected species are chickens, ducks and turkeys . The affected premises are adjacent to a body of water , so contact with wild birds is presumed. Stamping out, sanitary burial, cleaning and disinfection of all the birds in the premises will be carried out. We will update the quantitative data in subsequent follow-up reports. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6272 _____

Abstract In 2023, an unprecedented outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 resulted in the death of thousands of pinnipeds along the Argentinean coast , raising concerns about its ecological and epidemiological impact . Here, we present clinical, pathological, and molecular findings associated with HPAI H5N1 infection in pinnipeds from Chubut, Argentina . Necropsies were conducted on three South American Sea Lions (SASLs) (Otaria flavescens) and one Southern Elephant Seal (SES) (Mirounga leonina), followed by histopathological, immunohistochemical and RT-sqPCR analyses. Neurological clinical signs were observed in two SASLs, with one also exhibiting respiratory distress . Neuropathological findings included lymphoneutrophilic meningoencephalomyelitis and choroiditis, neuronal necrosis , gliosis, hemorrhages , and perivascular cuffing. Viral antigen was localized in neurons, glial cells, choroid plexus epithelial cells, ependymal cells, and the neuropil. Systemic manif...

Abstract Bussuquara virus (BSQV) was first discovered in the Brazilian Amazon in 1956 . It is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) in the genus Orthoflavivirus , family Flaviviridae . Since its discovery, BSQV has been sporadically detected across the South ( Brazil, Columbia, and Argentina ) and Central ( Panama and Mexico ) America and the Caribbean ( Grenada ), but there is minimal BSQV surveillance due to limited public health awareness and a lack of specific or sensitive diagnostics. BSQV exposure has been reported in a wide range of host and vector species , including humans . Little information is available in the literature and herein we summarize the published historical findings on BSQV and suggest a pathway for future studies to better understand its potential emergence into human populations. Source: Viruses,  https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/183 _____