ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Background Bats are recognized as natural reservoir hosts for numerous viruses and are believed to be the evolutionary origin of alpha- and beta-coronaviruses (CoVs), such as SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and possibly MERS-CoV. MERS-related beta-CoVs have been identified in bat species from Africa, America, Asia, and Europe. In this study, we describe the first detection and characterization of a MERS-related beta-CoV in Danish brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus). Methods Fecal samples collected through a national surveillance program were screened using pan-CoV RT-qPCRs. Positive samples underwent ORF1b sequencing, microarray analysis and Illumina MiSeq sequencing, followed by metagenomic assembly of full-length genomes. A global phylogenetic tree was used to determine placement within the Coronaviridae family and local maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis clarified subgroup placement. The receptor-binding potential of the spike protein to human DPP4, ACE2, and bat ACE...

Summary Background Little epidemiological evidence exists on the protective effects of the JN.1 -adapted mRNA vaccines against COVD-19 hospitalisation and death. In this study, we estimated vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalisation and death. Methods This nationwide, register-based, cohort study included all Danish residents older than 65 years on Oct 1, 2024 . We used Denmark's national COVID-19 surveillance system and comprehensive population-based registers, which are updated daily and linked via the unique civil registration number assigned to all residents. To minimise differences between the comparison groups with regard to vaccination history, participants were required to have completed a primary vaccination course in 2021 and have received the 2023–24 XBB.1.5-adapted vaccine between Oct 1, 2023, and Jan 15, 2024. Participants with a recent recorded infection, or a vaccine dose since the previous season and prior to study start, were excluded. COVID-19 hospital...

Credit: Wikipedia. By Bengt Nyman from Vaxholm, Sweden - Larus canus 2203, CC BY 2.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49877446 ___ On the 16th of January 2025, a herring gull was found dead near a wildlife care station. The gull was received at National Reference Laboratory on the 13th of May 2025, and samples from the bird tested positive for HPAI H5N1 on the 20th of June 2025. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6574 ____

On 31 March 2025 a clinical suspicion was reported to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. The affected poultry holding consists of 24 hens. On 1 April 2025 highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 was confirmed by the national reference laboratory. A 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone has been established. The culling was completed on 1 April 2025. Carcasses will be disposed of by rendering. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6392 ____

Abstract In 2018, a single detection of a novel reassortant swine influenza A virus (swIAV) was made in Denmark . The hemagglutinin (HA) of the virus was from the H1N1 pandemic 2009 (H1N1pdm09) lineage and the neuraminidase (NA) from the H1N1 Eurasian avian-like swine lineage (H1N1av). By 2022, the novel reassortant virus (H1pdm09N1av) constituted 27% of swIAVs identified through the Danish passive swIAV surveillance program . Sequencing detected two H1pdm09N1av genotypes; Genotype 1 contained an entire internal gene cassette of H1N1pdm09 origin, Genotype 2 differed by carrying an NS gene segment of H1N1av origin . The internal gene cassette of Genotype 2 became increasingly dominant, not only in the H1pdm09N1av population, but also in other Danish enzootic swIAV subtypes. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes from H1pdm09N1av viruses revealed a monophyletic source , a higher substitution rate compared to other H1N1pdm09 viruses and genetic differences with human seasonal and other swi...

Summary Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been on a downward trend since May, 2022, but it continues to cause substantial numbers of hospital admissions and deaths . We describe this burden in the 2 years since May, 2022, and compare it with the burden of influenza in Denmark. Methods This observational cohort study included residents in Denmark from May 16, 2022, to June 7, 2024. Data were obtained from national registries, including admissions with COVID-19 or influenza (ie, having a positive PCR test for either virus from 14 days before and up to 2 days after the hospital admission date), deaths, sex, age, COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status, comorbidities , and residence in long-term care facilities. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) to compare rates of hospital admissions between COVID-19 and influenza. To compare the severity of COVID-19 versus influenza among patients admitted to hospital, we used the Kaplan–Meier e...

 Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.11.627926v1?rss=1  Abstract In 2018, a single detection of a novel reassortant swine influenza A virus (swIAV) was made in Denmark . The hemagglutinin (HA) of the virus was from the H1N1 pandemic 2009 (H1N1pdm09) lineage and the neuraminidase (NA) from the H1N1 Eurasian avian-like swine lineage (H1N1av). By 2022, the novel reassortant virus (H1pdm09N1av) constituted 27 % of swIAVs identified through the Danish passive swIAV surveillance program. Sequencing detected two H1pdm09N1av genotypes ; Genotype 1 contained an internal gene cassette of H1N1pdm09 origin , Genotype 2 differed by carrying an NS gene segment of H1N1av origin . The internal gene cassette of Genotype 2 became increasingly dominant, not only in the H1pdm09N1av population, but also in other Danish enzootic swIAV subtypes . Phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes from H1pdm09N1av viruses revealed a monophyletic source , a higher substitution rat...