#Colombia - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 

Within the epidemiological surveillance carried out by the Colombian Agricultural Institute aimed at the early detection of clinical signs consistent with avian influenza, an outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in the village of Porvenir, in the municipality of Puerto Concordia in the department of Meta. The event concerns non-poultry in a backyard, for which respiratory and neurological signs were observed. The National Veterinary Authority activated epidemiological tracing and epidemiological monitoring actions in the area of origin of the affected birds. As a control measure, the stamping out of the birds in the epidemiological unit was carried out, and, as a complementary measure, epidemiological surveillance was strengthened in the surrounding area to identify other possible cases and prevent the spread of the disease.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7345

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#Colombia - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 

Within the epidemiological surveillance carried out by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) aimed at the early detection of clinical signs consistent with avian influenza, an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in the village of Las Mercedes, in the municipality of Guaranda, in the department of Sucre. The event concerns non-poultry in a backyard, where respiratory and neurological signs were observed. The National Veterinary System activated epidemiological tracing and follow-up actions in the area of origin of the affected birds. As a control measure, the stamping out of the birds in the epidemiological unit was carried out and, as a complementary measure, epidemiological surveillance was strengthened in the surrounding area to identify other possible cases and prevent the spread of the disease.

The affected population is composed of birds in a backyard not considered to be poultry which tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The clinical signs observed included respiratory distress and neurological signs. The epidemiological unit is located near wetlands and interacts with wild birds, which is a risk factor for the introduction and spread of the virus.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7073

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Yellow fever - Region of the #Americas (#WHO D.O.N., May 16 '25)

{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 by increased sylvatic transmission cycles. 

The occurrence of yellow fever cases outside of the Amazon basin, combined with high fatality, varying vaccination coverage across affected countries, and limited vaccine supply, contributes to the overall classification of yellow fever risk in the Region of the Americas, especially in endemic countries, as high. 

WHO emphasizes the importance of active surveillance, timely laboratory testing, cross-border coordination, and information sharing. 

Vaccination remains the primary means for the prevention and control of yellow fever. 

WHO continues to support countries in expanding vaccination coverage through routine immunization programs and mass vaccination campaigns to enhance population immunity and reduce the risk of outbreaks.

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON570

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A novel reassorted #swine #H3N2 #influenza virus demonstrates an undetected #human-to-swine #spillover in Latin #America and highlights zoonotic risks

Highlights

• First isolation and molecular evidence of the subtype H3N2 in swine in Colombia.

• Swine H3N2 discovered is phylogenetically divergent from other viruses.

• Colombian H3N2 was originated from an independent human-to-swine spillover.

• Sequence-based analysis reveals this is a novel antigenic variant.

• Due to antigenic variation, Colombian H3N2 possess a relevant zoonotic risk.

Abstract

Influenza A virus (FLUAV) affects a wide range of hosts, including humans and animals, posing a threat to public health. In swine, H3N2 subtype is associated with human-to-swine spillovers of seasonal viruses. In Latin America, the molecular and antigenic characteristics of swine FLUAV H3N2, as well as its phylogenetic origin, are poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the first swine H3N2 detected in Colombia. The origin and lineage of the virus were estimated through phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses. Antigenic characterization was achieved by comparing the amino acid constitution of the HA with previously reported swine FLUAVs and seasonal vaccine strains using a sequence-based method. In addition to HA and NA, internal genes were also characterized. The results showed that the Colombian H3N2 corresponded to a novel phylogenetic and antigenic swine FLUAV variant that emerged due to an independent reverse zoonotic event, likely occurring in Colombia in the early 2000s. The immunodominant epitope in the virus was predominantly present in antigenic epitope A, which showed the highest amino acid variation. Some mutations that alter the N-Glycosylation of antigenic sites at the HA were detected. Internally, the virus exhibited pandemic configuration. This study provides the first evidence of a novel FLUAV in Colombia and describes its origin, variability, and persistence in geographically restricted populations, highlighting the need for strengthen molecular surveillance of the virus in animal populations.

Source: Virology, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0042682225000959?via%3Dihub

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#Genomics of novel #influenza A virus (#H18N12) in #bats, Caribe #Colombia

Abstract

Influenza viruses are highly capable of mutating and adapting in mammalian hosts. While these viruses have been extensively studied in birds, research on their presence in bats has been limited. However, influenza viruses circulating in bats have shown notable molecular divergence. The present study aimed to characterize the phylogenetic, evolutionary, and antigenic relationships of an influenza A virus detected in the fishing bat Noctilio albiventris. As part of a pathogen surveillance study of public health interest, 159 rectal samples were collected from bats in the Colombian Caribbean. The samples were sequenced using RNA-Seq. A genome (eight viral contigs) associated with the Orthomyxoviridae family was identified in a pool. Most segments showed approximately 90% similarity with H18N11, except for the neuraminidase. Analysis of the N protein shows that occupies a basal position relative to the N11 subtype, with its divergence date estimated to be approximately 50 years earlier than the earliest reported N11 sequence. 3D modeling identified three mutations (K363R, T242K, and I139V), which may enhance interaction with the HLA-DR of bats. The analyses and antigenic divergence observed in the N protein of N. albiventris suggests the existence of a new subtype (H18N12) with unknown pathogenicity, which requires further investigation.

Source: Scientific Reports, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-91026-8

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#Bussuquara Virus: A Neglected #Orthoflavivirus with Broad Distribution Across Central and South #America and the #Caribbean

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

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