ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Oropouche fever (OF), caused by Oropouche virus (OROV), has expanded beyond its Amazonian range into Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil, raising concern about transmission in extra-Amazonian Atlantic Forest landscapes . Critical gaps persist regarding Culicoides vector communities , anthropophily , and climate-sensitive transmission risk in these newly affected regions. We conducted targeted entomological surveys outbreak-driven by human OF cases , standardized across five MG communities using CDC light traps and Protected Human Attraction (PHA) to characterize Culicoides composition. Females of Culicoides underwent RT-qPCR for OROV (n = 819) and physiological assessment (n = 312). We developed an entomological alert framework that integrates blood-fed abundance, minimum infection rate (MIR) upper confidence bounds, and environmental drivers (i.e., mean temperature, relative humidity and precipitation) via generalized additive mixed models , which explained 68% of the variability...

  The Official Veterinary Service (OVS) of the state of Mato Grosso received a notification of a suspected case influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity in domestic birds from a multi-species backyard , on December 20, 2025. Official Laboratory (LFDA-SP) analysis confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus, clade 2.3.4.4b. The premises have been placed under quarantine. Birds will be culled, and carcasses, products, and any potentially contaminated materials will be destroyed. The OVS is currently conducting an epidemiological investigation in the surrounding area. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7147 ____

  Summary Background Chikungunya outbreaks have recurred in Brazil since 2014 . Building on earlier 28-day post-vaccination data , we now report 12-month safety and immunogenicity results of the VLA1553 vaccine in Brazilian adolescents. Methods In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial , generally healthy adolescents aged 12–17 years were recruited at ten sites across Brazil. Individuals were excluded for immune-mediated or chronic arthritis or arthralgia, who are are immunologically compromised, or any recent live vaccines. Random allocation via simple block randomisation in a 2:1 ratio was stratified by baseline IgG and IgM serostatus by ELISA to receive a single intramuscular dose of VLA1553 or placebo . Assessed in the per-protocol population 28 days after vaccination, the primary endpoint was the proportion of baseline seronegative participants with chikungunya virus neutralising antibody levels assessed by a serum dilution achieving a 50% plaque redu...

  Summary Background The first chikungunya virus (CHIKV) vaccine is now licensed in Brazil, the country that reports the most cases of CHIKV globally ; however, the optimal use of the vaccine remains unclear owing to a poor understanding of CHIKV epidemiology and population immunity . We aimed to combine the distribution of cases and deaths reported since 2014 with seroprevalence studies to inform mathematical models that estimate the underlying rates of infection by state and year, and the underlying patterns of disease and death by age and sex. Methods We quantified the annual CHIKV infection and disease burden between 2014 and 2024 in each of the 27 federative units of Brazil using a mathematical model in a Bayesian framework that integrated serological surveys (n=12) and confirmed CHIKV disease cases (n=488 234) and CHIKV deaths (n=1719) reported between January, 2014, and September, 2024. Using this base, we estimated the potential impact of a vaccine over the period 2025–29 h...

  By Dornicke - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5162139 Source: Wikipedia,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henschel_%26_Son ____

Abstract Previous studies have identified various pathogens in seabirds, notably coronaviruses (CoVs) and influenza A viruses (IAVs), due to their potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality . The Cagarras Island Archipelago Natural Monument , located near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , serves as nesting site for two species, the magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) and the brown booby (Sula leucogaster). Despite its ecological importance, no prior studies have investigated viral infections in these species, which share habitat interfaces with densely populated human areas . To address this gap, we sampled and tested seabirds for CoVs and IAVs from January 2022 to April 2024. Birds were captured and identified by species, age, and sex. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs , as well as blood samples , were collected. Viral RNA was extracted using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit, and the presence of IAVs was screened via real-time RT-PCR, while CoVs were screened using semi-nested...

{Excerpt} A novel reassortant Oropouche virus (OROV) lineage (with medium [M], large [L], and small [S] RNA segments : M1L2S2) has driven Brazil's largest and most geographically widespread OROV epidemic , expanding beyond the endemic Amazon basin to establish local transmission across multiple Brazilian states and other previously unaffected Latin American countries . The rapid spread of this lineage underscores its evolutionary potential and reinforces its significance as a public health threat .1 Similar to chikungunya and Zika viruses, expanding arboviruses can exhibit unexpected clinical and epidemiological shifts , including vertical transmissions , neuroinvasive effects, and potentially fatal outcomes.2–4 Although OROV typically causes self-limited febrile illness, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests neurotropic potential .5 This Correspondence describes the first confirmed case of neuroinvasive OROV infection caused by the emergent M1L2S2 lineage in ext...

Highlight Brazil’s first confirmed H5N1 outbreak in commercial poultry marks a critical shift in South America’s avian influenza landscape. The event calls for strengthened coordination between animal and human health sectors, improved border surveillance, and early-warning systems to reduce zoonotic risk in regions with growing poultry production and international connectivity. Source: Journal of Travel Medicine,  https://academic.oup.com/jtm/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jtm/taaf050/8153894?redirectedFrom=fulltext ____

Abstract Oropouche virus (OROV), historically endemic to the Amazon, had spread to nearly all Brazil states by 2024 ; Espírito Santo emerged as a transmission hotspot in the Atlantic Forest biome . We characterized the epidemiologic factors driving OROV spread in nonendemic southeast Brazil, analyzing environmental and agricultural conditions contributing to viral transmission. We tested samples from 29,080 suspected arbovirus-infected patients quantitative reverse transcription PCR for OROV and dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and Mayaro viruses . During March‒June 2024, the state had 339 confirmed OROV cases, demonstrating successful local transmission . Spatial analysis revealed that most cases clustered in municipalities with tropical climates and intensive cacao, robusta coffee, coconut, and pepper cultivation . Phylogenetic analysis identified the Espírito Santo OROV strains as part of the 2022–2024 Amazon lineage. The rapid spread of OROV outside the Amazon highlights its adaptive pot...

The Ministry of Health reports that a suspected case of Avian Influenza has been ruled out in a worker at a farm in the municipality of Montenegro (RS), where an outbreak of the disease was identified in birds .  On the afternoon of Tuesday (20/05), Fiocruz, the reference laboratory for this type of analysis , confirmed that the test for the disease was negative. At this time, there are no other suspected or under investigation cases in Brazil. The Ministry of Health, together with the State Health Department of Rio Grande do Sul , is monitoring all people who may have been exposed to the virus through direct contact with infected birds to monitor their health status, start treatment immediately at the first symptoms and preventative surveillance of possible contacts .  There are no records of transmission of the disease from one person to another worldwide. The risk of human infection is low and does not occur through the consumption of meat or eggs, but rather through direct...

 The Official Veterinary Services (OVS) received a notification of acute mortality and neurological signs in swans in a zoo. Laboratory analysis identified H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b. OVS is conducting an epidemiological investigation of the event. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6485 ____

  The Official Veterinary Services (OVS) received a notification of acute mortality, neurological and digestive signs in a breeder farm . From the start of the OVS investigation, the premise was quarantined, including suspension of the movement of birds and products. Laboratory analysis identified H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b. OVS is conducting an epidemiological investigation of the event and implementing the restrictions and measures in accordance with the National Contingency Plan for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6484 ____

{Summary} Situation at a glance From 29 December 2024 and as of 26 April 2025 (with data for Ecuador updated as of 2 May 2025), a total of 212 confirmed human cases of yellow fever , including 85 deaths , have been reported to WHO by five countries in the Region of the Americas ( case fatality rate (CFR) 40% ).  The cases have been reported in the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru .  The 212 confirmed yellow fever cases reported so far in 2025 represent a threefold increase compared to the 61 confirmed cases reported in 2024.  WHO is supporting affected countries in implementing coordinated actions to respond to the yellow fever cases and outbreaks.  This includes:  - enhancing preventive measures,  - strengthening surveillance and case management,  - improving risk communication and community engagement, and  - implementing immunization activities.  The current yellow fever situation in the Americas is driven...

{Excerpt} Situation at a glance As of 18 April 2025, a total of 2318 measles cases , including three deaths , have been confirmed in six countries in the WHO Region of the Americas , an 11-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024 .  The majority of cases have occurred among people between 1 to 29 years , who are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status .  Additionally, most cases are imported or linked to importation.  Measles is a highly contagious, airborne viral disease that can lead to severe complications and death.  Although it is preventable with two doses of the vaccine, over 22 million children worldwide did not receive their first dose of the vaccine in 2023. This has contributed to a global rise in measles cases in 2024, which heightens the risk of imported infections, particularly from unvaccinated travellers arriving from areas where the virus is actively circulating.  WHO is working closely with countries in the WHO Region...

Abstract Oropouche fever is caused by the Oropouche virus (OROV; Bunyaviridae , Orthobunyavirus), one of the most frequent arboviruses that infect humans in the Brazilian Amazon . This year, an OROV outbreak was identified in Brazil , and its vertical transmission was reported, which was associated with fetal death and microcephaly. We describe the clinical manifestations identified in three cases of congenital OROV infection with confirmed serology (OROV-IgM) in the mother-newborn binomial . One of the newborns died , and post-mortem molecular analysis using real-time RT-qPCR identified the OROV genome in several tissues . All three newborns were born in the Amazon region in Brazil , and the mothers reported fever, rash, headache, myalgia, and/or retro-orbital pain during pregnancy . The newborns presented with severe microcephaly secondary to brain damage and arthrogryposis , suggestive of an embryo/fetal disruptive process at birth . Brain and spinal images identified overlapping su...

Abstract We describe introduction of the 2022–2023 Oropouche virus lineage from Brazil , which has caused large-scale outbreaks throughout Brazil , into the Amazon Region of Peru . This lineage is co-circulating with another lineage that was circulating previously. Our findings highlight the need for continued surveillance to monitor Oropouche virus in Peru. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/4/24-1748_article ____

Abstract We detected neutralizing antibodies, viral RNA, and sialic acid receptors for Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae in urban coatis (Nasua nasua) in Brazil , suggesting exposure and susceptibility. We used hemagglutination inhibition, reverse transcription qualitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry for detection. Increased epidemiologic wildlife surveillance would improve influenza A emergency event response. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/3/23-1640_article ____

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 _____

Abstract Zoonotic infections (swine-human) caused by influenza A viruses (IAVs) have been reported and linked to close contact between these species . Here, we describe eight human IAV variant infections ( 6 mild and 2 severe cases , including 1 death ) detected in Paraná, Brazil , during 2020–2023. Genomes recovered were closely related to Brazilian swIAVs of three major lineages (1 A.3.3.2/ pdm09, 1B/human-like, and H3.1990.5), including three H1N1v, two H1N2v, two H3N2v and one H1v. Five H1v were closely related to pdm09 lineage , one H1v ( H1N2v ) grouped within 1B.2.3 clade, and the two H3v grouped within a clade composed exclusively of Brazilian H3 swIAV (clade H3.1990.5.1). Internal gene segments were closely related to H1N1pdm09 isolated from pigs . IAV variant rarely result in sustained transmission between people, however the potential to develop such ability is of concern and must not be underestimated. This study brings into focus the need for continuous influenza surveilla...