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Showing posts with the label horses

Re-Emergence of #Usutu Virus and Spreading of #WestNile Virus #Neuroinvasive Infections During the 2024 Transmission Season in #Croatia

Abstract Neuroinvasive arboviruses such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and Toscana virus (TOSV) have (re-)emerged with increasing incidence and geographic range . We analyzed the epidemiology of arboviral infections in Croatia during the 2024 transmission season. A total of 154 patients with neuroinvasive diseases (NID), 1596 horses , 69 dead birds , and 7726 mosquitoes were tested. Viral RNA was detected using RT-qPCR. IgM/IgG-specific antibodies were detected using commercial ELISA or IFA, with confirmation of cross-reactive samples by virus neutralization test. RT-qPCR-positive samples were Sanger sequenced. Arboviral etiology was confirmed in 33/21.42% of patients with NID. WNV was most frequently detected (17/11.03%), followed by TBEV (10/6.49%), USUV (5/3.24%), and TOSV (1/0.64%). WNV infections were reported in regions previously known as endemic, while in one continental county, WNV was recorded for the first time. USUV infec...

Multiple introductions of #equine #influenza virus into the #UK resulted in widespread #outbreaks and #lineage #replacement

Abstract Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are prime examples of emerging viruses in humans and animals. IAV circulation in domestic animals poses a pandemic risk as it provides new opportunities for zoonotic infections. The recent emergence of H5N1 IAV in cows and subsequent spread over multiple states within the USA, together with reports of spillover infections in humans, cats and mice highlight this issue. The horse is a domestic animal in which an avian-origin IAV lineage has been circulating for >60 years . In 2018/19, a Florida Clade 1 (FC1) virus triggered one of the largest epizootics recorded in the UK , which led to the replacement of the Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) Florida Clade 2 (FC2) lineage that had been circulating in the country since 2003. We integrated geographical, epidemiological, and virus genetic data to determine the virological and ecological factors leading to this epizootic. By combining newly-sequenced EIV complete genomes derived from UK outbreaks with existi...

Did #horses act as intermediate #hosts that facilitated the emergence of 1918 #pandemic #influenza?

Abstract The ecological factors that led to the 1918 influenza pandemic remain unknown. We hypothesise that horses acted as intermediate hosts spreading a pre-pandemic avian-origin virus before 1918. This is supported by reports describing a large epizootic of unusually severe equine influenza beginning in 1915. Furthermore, the high horse demand during WWI resulted in one of the biggest equine mobilisations in North America between 1914 and 1918. This extensive movement of horses provided abundant opportunities for virus reassortment between pre-pandemic avian and human influenza viruses. Archived equine tissues or serum samples will be needed to test this hypothesis. Source: Journal of Infectious Diseases,  https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiaf197/8115353?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false ____

#Japan - Equine #influenza virus (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

 <Outbreaks 1-3> In early April, Livestock Hygiene Service Centres (LHSCs) in Kumamoto Prefecture received notifications from farmers with animals presenting clinical signs and collected samples. On 8 April, the LHSCs confirmed positive for Equine Influenza by RT-PCR. Genotyping is currently underway. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6420 ____

Evidence of #Influenza A(#H5N1) #Spillover #Infections in #Horses, #Mongolia

Abstract Recent outbreaks of influenza A(H5N1) have affected many mammal species . We report serologic evidence of H5N1 virus infection in horses in Mongolia . Because H3N8 equine influenza virus is endemic in many countries, horses should be monitored to prevent reassortment between equine and avian influenza viruses with unknown consequences. Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-1266_article _____