ETIDIOH - NEW

  A horse in Jönköping County and one in Norrbotten County , both of which had blisters and sores on the skin on their legs, were found to be infected with a smallpox virus called equine parapoxvirus or horse parapoxvirus . It is an infection that has not previously been detected in the country . The equine parapoxvirus was detected in our neighboring country Finland for the first time in 2021 . The State Veterinary Institute, SVA, has performed DNA analysis of the virus in the Swedish cases and it turned out to be the same type as in Finland. The virus has caused outbreaks in several Finnish stables with severe skin inflammation on the horses' legs, so-called mug or rasp. The typical symptom of parapoxvirus is small blisters (pox) that burst into round sores. The virus is transmitted by direct contact but also via equipment, clothing, hands and objects. Sick horses should be kept isolated from other horses. Use disposable gloves and special clothing when handling.    – T...

  {Excerpt} Avian Influenza Report - Reporting period: February 1, 2026 – February 7, 2026 (Week 6) (Published on February 10, 2026)   -- Avian influenza A(H9N2) :  1) Guangdong Province :  - A 73-year-old woman with onset on January 17, 2026.  2) Hunan Province :  - A 2-year-old boy with onset on December 29, 2025.  -- Avian influenza A(H10N3) : 1) Guangdong Province :  - A 34-year-old man with onset on December 29, 2025.   (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk06.pdf ____

  6 February 2026 Situation at a glance On 3 February 2026, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) for Bangladesh notified WHO of one confirmed case of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in Rajshahi Division .  The patient developed fever and neurological symptoms on 21 January.  Nipah virus infection was laboratory-confirmed on 29 January.  The patient reported no travel history but had a history of consuming raw date palm sap .  All 35 contact-persons are being monitored and have tested negative for NiV and no further cases have been detected to date.  Bangladesh regularly has small NiV outbreaks , with cases reported at different times of the year, though outbreaks tend to occur between December and April corresponding with the harvesting and consumption of date palm sap.  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh has implemented several public health measures.  WHO assesses the overall public health risk pos...

  Abstract A case of H5N6 avian influenza was reported in Anhui Province, China . The viral titers in the patient's lungs and pharynx decreased rapidly after oseltamivir treatment , yet it still fatal . The whole genome sequencing suggested that it derived from four distinct sources and classified within the 2.3.4.4b clade . Source:  Link:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118226000034?via%3Dihub ____

  Highlights •  74% pooled MERS-CoV seroprevalence in African dromedaries •  Highest MERS-CoV RNA incidence (15.3%) observed in juvenile dromedaries •  2.4% pooled MERS-CoV seroprevalence in camel -exposed humans •  African MERS-CoV clade C exhibits unique polymorphisms •  Clade-specific features might explain low MERS-CoV infection rates in Africa Abstract Objective We explored factors contributing to the low human MERS-CoV prevalence in Africa by assessing MERS-CoV epidemiological and genomic features. Methods We followed the PRISMA guidelines. We searched for articles on epidemiological and virological MERS-CoV characteristics in humans and camels in Africa until August 2025. We used a generalised linear mixed-effects model to calculate pooled proportions. We identified relevant polymorphisms in African MERS-CoV lineages compared with the prototypic EMC/2012 and contemporary Arabian MERS-CoV (clade B5). Results We included 53 articles, with 31 used in th...

  Abstract Of 19 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection detected during January 2023–March 2025 in Cambodia , 12 (63%) were detected directly by surveillance for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) or indirectly by testing ill close contacts . SARI surveillance can supplement other surveillance sources for identifying H5N1 cases. Source:  Link:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/3/25-0832_article ____

  Situation at a glance On 26 January 2026, the National IHR Focal Point for India notified WHO of two laboratory‑confirmed cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in West Bengal State .  Both are healthcare workers at the same private hospital in Barasat (North 24 Parganas district).  NiV infection was confirmed at the National Institute of Virology in Pune on 13 January.  One case remains on mechanical ventilation as of 21 January, the other case experienced severe neurological illness but has since improved.  Authorities have identified and tested over 190 contacts , who all tested negative for NiV with support from a mobile BSL‑3 laboratory deployed by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.  No further cases have been detected to date.  This event represents the third NiV infection outbreak reported in West Bengal (previous outbreaks reported in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia in 2007).  Enhanced surveillance and infection prevention and control (I...

  • New human cases {2}:  -- From 20 December 2025 to 22 January 2026 , based on reporting date, the detection of A(H9N2) in three humans was reported officially.  • Circulation of influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals :  -- High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) events in poultry and non-poultry animal species continue to be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).{3}  -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also provides a global update on avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential.{4}  -- Additionally, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses continue to circulate in animal populations.  • Risk assessment {5}:  -- Sustained human to human transmission has not been reported associated with the above-mentioned human infection events.  -- Based on information available at the time of this risk assessment update, the overall public hea...

  DH follows up on Nipah virus infection cluster in India In light of reports indicating a cluster of a Nipah virus infection in a certain region of India, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (January 26) that it has proactively sought further information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian health authorities .  The CHP is also conducting health screenings on inbound travellers from the affected area who exhibit suspected symptoms, with an aim of promptly referring suspected cases to hospitals for investigation.  Currently, there are no imported or local cases of Nipah virus infection in Hong Kong. Preliminary information indicated that a hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, has recorded five confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection since mid-January of this year.  The cluster was mainly due to nosocomial transmission and primarily involved healthcare workers , with no reported deaths or cross-border ...