ETIDIOH - NEW

  Summary Kyasanur Forest disease is a neglected tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to India's Western Ghats , caused by the Kyasanur Forest disease virus , a flavivirus transmitted by Haemaphysalis spinigera ticks . The virus circulates in a sylvatic cycle among monkeys, rodents, shrews, birds, and ixodid ticks , and is transmitted to humans incidentally via tick bites . Since its discovery in 1957 in Karnataka , Kyasanur Forest disease has spread to other Indian states, driven by deforestation , forest fragmentation , and increased human incursion into wildlife habitats . Clinically, the disease manifests in a biphasic pattern , with haemorrhagic and neurotropic presentations . Although a formalin-inactivated vaccine is available , its efficacy is not promising, and no antivirals have been approved to date. Field reports indicate that mortality in monkeys might serve as an early indicator of forthcoming human outbreaks. The transmission dynamics of Kyasanur Forest diseas...

{Several poultry farms in Uttar Pradesh State.} HPAI (H5N1) was detected in a Live Bird Market from the environmental sample. Hence no cases were observed. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6730 ____

  {By Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116380120 } Nineteen captive Painted Storks in the National Zoological Park, Delhi. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6803 ____

  Two Poultry Farms in the Odisha State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6694 ____

Situation at a glance Between 17 May and 12 July 2025, the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala informed through a series of official press releases about four confirmed cases , including two deaths , due to Nipah virus (NiV) infection in two districts of Kerala State.  NiV infection is a bat-borne disease transmitted to humans through infected animals (such as bats or pigs), contaminated food or, less commonly, through close contact with infected individuals.  Since 1998 NiV outbreaks have been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia , the Philippines , and Singapore .  In India, NiV infections have occurred multiple times since 2001 with outbreaks in West Bengal State in 2001 and 2007, and in Kerala State regularly since 2018.  Since 2018, Kerala has reported a total of nine NiV outbreaks . While the state has a strong healthcare system and improved infection control measures since 2023, it is advisable to maintain strong preparedness a...

Abstract The H1N1 virus commonly causes symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, which have a self-limited course in most cases . Neurological complications are rare, especially in adults. This case illustrates H1N1-associated acute leukoencephalopathy in a young adult with a favorable outcome and no lasting neurological deficits . The initial presentation included fever, sore throat, and myalgia , evolving into neurological symptoms , including dysarthria, nystagmus, and left-sided motor weakness . Comprehensive laboratory tests ruled out common bacterial, viral, or autoimmune causes, while MRI findings suggested acute leukoencephalopathy of infectious or toxic etiology. Although the urine toxicology screen showed traces of phenol , clinical evidence did not correlate with toxic exposure and pointed towards an infectious origin. A throat swab for Influenza/H1N1 PCR confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment with oseltamivir and methylprednisolone led to symptomatic improvement with no sequ...

  New human cases {2}:  -- From 28 May to 1 July 2025 , based on reporting date, the detection of influenza A( H5N1 ) in nine humans , influenza A( H9N2 ) in three humans and influenza A( H10N3 ) in one human were reported officially. Additionally, one human case of infection with an influenza A(H5N1) virus was detected.  Circulation of influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals :  -- High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) events in poultry and non-poultry 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}  Risk assessment {5}:  -- Sustained human to human transmission has not been reported from these events.  -- Based on information available at the time of the risk assessment, the overall public health risk from currently known influenza viruses circulating at t...

 Domestic equidae species in Uttarakhand State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6441 ____

Abstract Background & objectives A three-year-old male child from West Bengal, India , with severe acute respiratory symptoms , was confirmed in the laboratory with LPAI H9N2 virus infection under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - Pan India Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) / Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) surveillance through the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories network. Methods Common respiratory viruses were detected by real-time PCR, followed by subtyping of Influenza A for seasonal and avian viruses. The identified H9N2 virus was isolated and further characterised, including whole genome sequencing. Antibody response was performed in serum samples of the case and family members. Results Complete genome sequencing revealed a G1 lineage (Middle East B sub-lineage). Bayesian evolutionary analyses of the HA gene of Indian H9N2 poultry strains showed three clusters of multiple introductions at the estimated node age of 1999 based on the Human st...

{Excerpt} (...) Samples of a two-year-old girl from Palnadu district’s Narasaraopeta , who died of multi-organ failure at AIIMS-Mangalagiri on March 16, tested positive for H5N1 virus. The confirmation from National Institute of Virology (NIV-Pune) came on March 31. (...) Source: The Hindu,  https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ap-reports-first-human-death-owing-to-h5n1-virus/article69403347.ece ____

 Death was observed in Guinea Fowl in Jharkhand State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6376 ____

House Crows in Bihar State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6391 _____

Backyard and Farmed Poultry in Karnataka State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6366 ____

Highlights •  The present analysis addresses the paucity of genetic information available for the recently emerged KFDV strains. •  As the virus is classified as a highly dangerous pathogen, it is essential to expand the existing genetic information. •  Continuous surveillance of the virus is essential for the development of a vaccine. •  The present study presents new findings on the KFD virus strains that were introduced into circulation in the period 2018-2020. •  The nanopore sequencing technology is presented as a proof of concept for the provision of early warnings in the field. Abstract The future of infectious agent detection and molecular characterization lies in field-forward, on-site strategies . The lack of genomic information for recently circulating Kyasanur Forest Disease virus strains is critical. Kyasanur Forest Virus Disease virus PCR-positive samples from 2018 to 2020 were selected for sequencing. Detailed molecular phylogenetic analyses were ...

Backyard and farm-reared poultry in Andhra Pradesh State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6344 ____

A poultry farm in Telangana Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6323 ____

Highlights •  This is the first report of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus from India. •  Evidence of novel reassortment between H5N1 and low pathogenic H3N8 viruses. •  Absence of H5N1 infection among people with probable exposure. Abstract H5N1 viruses belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b have caused unprecedented outbreaks globally. Outbreaks of H5N1 virus were reported in poultry and wild birds from Kerala (India) in the year 2024. Samples from birds and the environment were collected . Real-time RT-PCR and virus isolation using embryonated chicken eggs were carried out. Eight out of 20 samples were positive for virus isolation. The virus showed avian type receptor specificity using sialidase assay. Full genome sequencing revealed markers associated with high pathogenicity and mammalian adaptation . All the viruses belonged to a single genotype with multiple reassortments , including internal gene segments from an avian influenza (AI) H3N8 virus reported from Kerala . Surveillance am...

Abstract Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis (AHC) is primarily caused by viral infections, with Coxsackievirus A-24v (CV-A24v) being a significant culprit. Enteroviruses , including CV-A24v, are responsible for global AHC outbreaks . Over time, CV-A24v has evolved, and genotype IV (GIV) has become the dominant strain. This study focused on examining the genetic features and evolutionary trends of CV-A24v responsible for the recent AHC outbreak of 2023 in India . Researchers isolated viral strains from ocular swabs and confirmed the presence of CV-A24v using reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and whole-genome sequencing . Genomic comparisons between isolates of 2023 and those from a previous outbreak in 2009 were conducted. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the 2023 isolates formed a distinct cluster within GIV-5 and were related to recent strains from China and Pakistan . The older Indian isolates from 2009 grouped with GIV-3. New subclades, GIV-6 and GIV-7, were also ide...

Abstract In January 2025, the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.2.1a infection was detected in domestic cats and whole-genome sequencing of two cat H5N1 isolates was performed using the Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing platform. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of triple reassortant viruses in cats. Although cat viruses lacked classic mammalian adaptation markers they carried mutations associated with enhanced polymerase activity in mammalian cells and increased affinity for α2-6 sialic acid receptor suggesting their potential role in facilitating infection in cats. The identification of reassortant HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1a viruses in domestic cats in India highlights the urgent need for enhanced surveillance in domestic poultry, wild birds, and mammals, including humans, to track genomic diversity and molecular evolution of circulating strains. Source: BioRxIV,  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.23.638954v1 ____

Note 20/02/2025 : this immediate notification is linked to the avian influenza cases detected in cats and reported in event 6276. HPAI - H5N1 virus was detected in poultry droppings, poultry waste swab, meat cutting table swab, and knife swab collected from the live bird market {in Madhya Pradesh}. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6277 ____