ETIDIOH - NEW

  A poultry farm in Hauts-de-France Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6875 ____

  Abstract Since 2015, French poultry production is threatened almost every year by a reintroduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses . The duck sector was the most concerned by this crisis but other sectors such as broiler, layer and turkey were also affected by outbreaks. The objective of this work was to assess the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus transmission from one farm to another within the French broiler and layer production network. This study used the WOAH risk assessment framework . After drawing up a scenario tree of virus transmission from one farm to another, data were collected through a literature review or through experts elicitation. Three questionnaires were developed according to the experts field of expertise: avian influenza, broiler and layer sectors. The experts estimates were combined using a beta distribution weighted by their confidence level. A Monte Carlo iteration process was used to combine the different probabilities...

  Abstract Since winter 2022/23, high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype euBB, has caused extensive mortality among wild birds . This genotype emerged in France in spring 2022 through reassortment between a gull-adapted low-pathogenicity virus and HPAIV H5N1. Phylogeographic and spatiotemporal analyses show that transmission into German breeding colonies of black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and common terns (Sterna hirundo) involved multiple independent incursions, likely via black-headed gulls returning from wintering grounds in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France . It spilled over into common terns, which breed in shared colonies with black-headed gulls, and led to high adult mortality in both species in 2023 (at least 8,137 black-headed gulls and 614 common terns; >3% of the breeding population), followed by significant breeding pair declines in 2024 (-15.9% in black-headed gulls, -5.8% in common terns). Increased immunity...

  By Florian Pépellin - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36916592 Source: Wikipedia,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNCF_Class_X_4500 ____

  By Gonioul - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3584482 Source: Wikipedia,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekarski_system ____

By Bengt Nyman from Vaxholm, Sweden - Larus canus 2203, CC BY 2.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49877446 Wild birds {Herring Gulls} found dead through SAGIR network. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6672 ____

Abstract Since 2021, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus has affected wild bird populations globally . Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus), a species hitherto considered unexposed, experienced an HPAI H5N1 outbreak in 2022 in southern Europe , leading to moderate mortality and reduced breeding success . The integration of virological, serologic, phylogenetic, and ecologic data revealed a short yet intense viral circulation and a probable common source of infection . The dissemination across Spain and France was likely caused by frequent interpopulation movements of birds. This integrated overview of the 2022 HPAI outbreak in vultures provides novel insights into the role of large-scale movements of wild birds in the spread of such disease. Understanding the epidemiologic dynamics of HPAI H5N1 in these scavenger species is crucial because the birds play vital roles in ecosystem functioning. Their susceptibility to this virus highlights potential broader ecol...

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza causes substantial poultry losses and zoonotic concerns globally . Duck vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza began in France in October 2023. Our assessment predicted that 314–756 outbreaks were averted in 2023–2024, representing a 96%–99% reduction in epizootic size, likely attributable to vaccination. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/7/24-1445_article ____

Abstract Since 2015, French poultry production is threatened almost every year by a reintroduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses . The duck sector was the most concerned by this crisis but other sectors such as broiler, layer and turkey were also affected by outbreaks. The objective of this work was to assess the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus transmission from one farm to another within the French broiler and layer production network. This study used the WOAH risk assessment framework . After drawing up a scenario tree of virus transmission from one farm to another, data were collected through a literature review or through experts' elicitation. Three questionnaires were developed according to the experts' field of expertise: avian influenza, broiler and layer sectors. The experts' estimates were combined using a beta distribution weighted by their confidence level. A Monte Carlo iteration process was used to combine the different prob...

Highlights •  A large B19V French outbreak of an unexpected magnitude occurred, with a monthly rate that has reached 21.4%. •  During this outbreak, 50% of infected pregnant women exhibited fetal complications. •  Phylogenetic analysis revealed the co-circulation of several B19V lineages of genotype 1a, the main epidemic lineage of which emerged in 2017. Abstract Background The human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infections cycle occurs in 3- to 4-year periods and is responsible for benign childhood erythema infectiosum . It is also associated with transient aplastic crisis in patients with underlying hemolytic diseases and with severe fetal sometimes fatal infection . This study investigated the epidemiological, clinical and molecular characteristics of an unusually large 2023-2024 outbreak of B19V. Methods . Laboratory-confirmed cases were retrospectively and prospectively recorded at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, France , between January, 2018 and November, 2023 an...

Abstract The continuous spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses poses significant challenges, particularly in regions with high poultry farm densities where conventional control measures are less effective. Using phylogeographic and phylodynamic tools , we analysed virus spread in Southwestern France in 2020-21, a region with recurrent outbreaks. Following a single introduction, the virus spread regionally, mostly affecting duck farms , peaking in mid-December with a velocity of 27.8 km/week and an effective reproduction number between farms (Re) of 3.8, suggesting the virus can spread beyond current control radii. Transmission declined after late December following preventive culling. Farm infectiousness was estimated around 9 days. Duck farm density was the main driver of virus spread and we identified farm density and proximity thresholds required to maintain effective control (Re < 1). These findings offer actionable guidance to support regional biosecurity and to...

Abstract The ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b has caused widespread poultry mortality and raised concerns about zoonotic pandemics and wildlife conservation . France recently adopted a preventive vaccination strategy , vaccinating domestic ducks with inactivated and mRNA vaccines . This study evaluates the impact of this campaign on reducing HPAI H5 outbreaks. Using predictive modeling based on previous outbreak data, the expected number of outbreaks in 2023-24 without vaccination was significantly higher than the observed cases, indicating a 95.9% reduction attributable to vaccination . These findings suggest that vaccination effectively mitigated the HPAI H5 outbreak in France. Source: BioRxIV,  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.28.609837v3 ____

Abstract Objective In recent years, there has been increased awareness of the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on adult health, especially in elderly patients. Unlike influenza infection, its presentation and patient outcomes are not well studied. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes in emergency department patients infected by RSV vs influenza. Methods This was a multicenter retrospective study in seven emergency departments (ED) in France . Patients with a laboratory-confirmed RSV or influenza infection in the ED were included between January 2017 and December 2022. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality truncated at day 28. Secondary endpoints included one year occurrence of thrombo-embolic event, acute coronary syndrome, and stroke. Results 3397 patient charts were screened , and 3224 were analyzed. Of these, 551 (17%) patients had RSV-positive PCR, and 2673 (83%) had influenza-positive PCR. Patients with RSV were older (median age 73 vs.68; dif...

Summary Background An epidemic of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has been observed in France since September, 2023. We aimed to describe the characteristics of adults hospitalised for M pneumoniae infection and identify factors associated with severe outcomes of infection. Methods MYCADO is a retrospective observational study including adults hospitalised for 24 h or more in 76 hospitals in France for a M pneumoniae infection between Sept 1, 2023, and Feb 29, 2024. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected from medical records. We identified factors associated with severe outcomes of infection, defined as a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission or in-hospital death, using multivariable logistic regression. Findings 1309 patients with M pneumoniae infection were included : 718 (54·9%) were men and 591 (45·1%) were women; median age was 43 years (IQR 31–63); 288 (22·0%) had chronic respiratory failure; 423 (32·3%) had cardiovascular comorbidities; and 105 (8·0%) h...

Abstract Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Europe have raised questions regarding the epidemiological role of commensal wild birds on free-range poultry farms . This study aimed to assess the prevalence of avian influenza viruses (AIV), avulaviruses, coronaviruses and Chlamydia sp. in commensal wild birds on a free-range duck farm in southwestern France and to evaluate possible transmission events at the wild‒domestic interface . From 2019 through 2021, a longitudinal study was conducted on wild birds, domestic ducks and their shared environment on farms. Commensal wild birds were captured and sampled for blood and swabs, and fresh feces from cattle egrets visiting the farm were collected. In parallel, domestic ducks were sampled, and environmental samples were collected. The presence of the four pathogens was tested by q(RT-)PCR, and the immunity of wild birds to AIV and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was tested by ELISA. Wild birds were found to shed AIV and Chl...

 Two poultry farms in Normandie Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6127 _____

{Extract} Since late 2023, more than 10 000 locally acquired cases of Oropouche virus have been reported in the Americas .1 Here, we describe the first cluster of Oropouche virus imported into France from Cuba , where transmission has been ongoing since at least May, 2024.2 Oropouche virus infection was documented in a group of five women (patients 1–5, confirmed cases) travelling to Cuba with two infants (patients 6–7, suspect cases) between July 28 and Aug 14, 2024. During their stay, patients 1–5 developed a dengue-like syndrome lasting 2–11 days, presenting symptoms similar to those described in the literature for Oropouche virus infection (appendix p 8).3 After recovery, patients 1, 2, and 5 experienced symptom relapse upon their return to France; the observed relapse rate aligns with recent estimates suggesting that 60% of patients with Oropouche virus experience a biphasic illness (appendix pp 7–8).4 During relapse, patient 1 sought medical advice, becoming the first diagnosed O...

Abstract Since 2016, epizootics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus have threatened the poultry sector in Europe . Because conventional prevention and control measures alone were insufficient in some contexts, the European Commission authorized poultry vaccination in 2023 . Subsequently, France launched a nationwide duck vaccination campaign combined with a comprehensive surveillance plan. We used a mathematical model to simulate the transmission of HPAI viruses in vaccinated duck flocks and assess the effectiveness of a wide range of surveillance strategies. Sampling and testing dead ducks every week (enhanced passive surveillance) was the most sensitive (≈90%) and the most timely strategy. Active surveillance through monthly testing of a cross-sectional sample of live ducks was the least sensitive and timely strategy. Thus, we advise focusing HPAI surveillance efforts on enhanced passive surveillance and reducing active surveillance of live ducks. Source: Emerging Infec...