ETIDIOH - NEW

  ABSTRACT The H5N1 strain of influenza A virus (IAV) continues to cause severe infections in a range of avian and mammalian species , including sporadic but concerning cases in humans. There is growing concern that circulating H5N1 strains could lead to widespread human outbreaks . Research with highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses is restricted to Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccine vectors expressing heterologous viral proteins from Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, Lassa virus, etc., have previously been shown to be safe and effective in animal models and human clinical trials . Here, we report the development of a recombinant VSV expressing the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of H5N1 IAV (H5N1-VSV), which serves as a versatile platform to study various aspects of H5N1 IAV biology. H5N1-VSV replicated robustly to titers comparable to those of the full H5N1 virus in multiple cell lines. In mice , H5N1-VSV vaccination was safe, elicit...

Abstract Introduction :  Recent intercontinental spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A( H5N1 ) among kept and wild birds, and transmission to mammalian hosts , including cattle and humans , has heightened the need to review public health risk assessments . Biosecurity is essential for limiting disease spread, but how widely practices are implemented is not fully known.  Methods :  Here, we report on uptake of biosecurity measures and risk perception of avian influenza virus (AIV) in the context of preventing zoonotic transmission to persons potentially at high risk of exposure. Questionnaire data from 225 people in contact with birds in the UK (Avian Contact Study, May to July 2024) was analysed.  Results :  We found hand washing after contact with birds was the most common biosecurity measure implemented (89%, 196/218), followed by using disinfecting footwear dips (78%, 170/218). Individuals in contact with a higher number of birds were more like...

{Summary} HIGHLIGHTS •  The investigation demonstrated a high level of tolerance of EBOV to thermal disinfection. •  A water-bath is recommended and the tubes should be fully submerged during the process. •  The established inactivation guidelines should be followed very strictly. Dear Editor, Viruses of the genus Orthoebolavirus cause sporadic outbreaks of severe haemorrhagic fever, with case fatality rates ranging from 25% to 90% (Mahanty and Bray, 2004). Six species of the virus (Orthoebolavirus zairense, sudanense, bundibugyoense, taiense, restonense, and bombaliense) have so far been identified (Biedenkopf et al., 2023). Among these, Orthoebolavirus zairense , commonly known as Ebola virus (EBOV), stands out as the most virulent . Given its high contagiousness and lethality, EBOV must be manipulated under biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) conditions, as stipulated by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China's list of human pathogenic microorganisms. P...