#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, March 28 '26)

 

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Arch Virol

2. KIM S, Kim JW, Ayoobi A, Lee S, et al
   A plant gallotannin pentagalloyl d-glucose elicits antiviral activity against influenza A and B viruses through multi-targeting mechanisms.
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Epidemiol Infect

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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   J Gen Virol

5. CHIU HP, Yeo YY, Lai TY, Hung CT, et al
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   J Infect

7. MAZARAKIS N, Toh ZQ, Neal E, Nguyen C, et al
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
8. ZHANG H, Kang Z, Zhang Y, Yang Y, et al
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   J Virol

9. BUTH SA, Marin M, Zhang Y, Avinoam O, et al
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11. LI S, Liu DX
    Interaction of coronavirus E protein with BRD2 plays important regulatory roles in viral replication and induction of pro-inflammatory response.
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12. NOORUZZAMAN M, Butt SL, Rani R, Ye C, et al
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13. LIN S, Chen X, Luo M, Cui X, et al
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14. YAO Q, Mahase V, Hou W, Cruz-Cosme R, et al
    Computational and experimental identification of potential neutralizing peptides derived from human ACE2 against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Lancet

15. JERNIGAN DB, Rivers CM
    Learning from swine influenza, Ebola virus disease, and Legionnaires' disease in 1976.
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    PubMed        
    
    

    
    PLoS One

16. MA X
    Optimizing online teaching effectiveness in elementary education: Exploring multifaceted pathways based fsQCA analysis.
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17. ATAYA F, Alamro A, Alghamdi A, Fouad D, et al
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    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
18. MIKI M, Shimazu Y, Obara RD, Nagamine T, et al
    Assessment of a baloxavir marboxil treatment protocol for high pathogenicity avian influenza in Okinawa Rails, an endangered species endemic to Japan.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0345055.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
19. MATTHYS A, Amelinck L, Smet A, Ysenbaert T, et al
    Internal gene segments from a mouse-adapted influenza B virus confer increased pathogenicity to mice.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0335324.
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20. WANG L, Xia Y, Goh EH, Chen M, et al
    A smoothing and bootstrap-based framework for early outbreak detection.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0345088.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
21. NUNES BP, Crochemore-Silva I, Mielke GI, Vidaletti LP, et al
    Social inequalities in the misbelief of chloroquine's protective effect against COVID-19: results from the EPICOVID-19 study in Brazil.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0341666.
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22. FREITAS NL, Oliveira RD, Santos AKDS, Cunha-Filho M, et al
    Risk assessment for cardiovascular adverse drug events in the ICU: Case study on COVID-19 patients.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0345280.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
23. CORONADO GD, Dickerson JF, Tsou MH, Shivaprakash N, et al
    Temporal and geographic analyses of colorectal cancer screening during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in a federally qualified health center.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0345248.
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24. SUN X, Cappelleri JC, Lupton LL, Moran MM, et al
    Assessment of long COVID symptom burden in patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at a nationwide retail pharmacy.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0345639.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
25. CALANCIE L, Pan Y, Bassarab K, Stowers KC, et al
    Association between local food policy council coverage and longitudinal household food insufficiency during COVID-19, stratified by race, ethnicity, and income.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0345654.
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26. DAGHER M, Abboud A, Saad GE, Itani R, et al
    Predictors of employment attrition in Lebanon during multifaceted crises: The role of chronic diseases - a national cross-sectional study.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0328028.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
27. KAWABATA J, Goto K, Maeda M, Fukuda H, et al
    Comparison of post-discharge mortality and medical expenditures in COVID-19 patients according to mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use: The LIFE study.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0345939.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
28. SIRAPHATWONGKORN A, Methiyothin T, Onuean K, Chinnasarn K, et al
    Forecasting Thailand's mobility trends using Feature Engineered XGBoost for pandemic crisis movement management.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0345547.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

29. SMITH E, Blaabaek EH, Reimer D, Jaeger MM, et al
    Gender gaps in reading increase during unplanned and planned school closures.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026;123:e2523152123.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
30. BATRA H, Luo S, Saunders KO, Higgins JS, et al
    Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 Omicron broadly neutralizing humanized antibodies in different single human V(H)1-2-rearranging mouse models.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026;123:e2537053123.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
31. VRIENDS MBL, Moran E, Calvelo M, Hansen T, et al
    Oseltamivir aziridines are potent influenza neuraminidase inhibitors and imaging agents.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026;123:e2504045123.
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32. BALAKRISHNAN K, Chakraborty S, Chiang C, Stratton CM, et al
    Inhibition of coronaviral exoribonuclease activity by TRIM-mediated SUMOylation.
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33. KADAM RU, Juraszek J, Brandenburg B, Garg D, et al
    Small molecule-constrained paratope mimetic bicyclic peptides as potent inhibitors of group 1 and 2 influenza A virus hemagglutinins.
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34. HARIT A, Mor M, Yefet R, Izhaki-Tavor LS, et al
    Monoclonal antibodies from COVID-19 convalescent patients target cryptic epitopes for broad SARS-CoV-2 neutralization.
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35. VENTURA PC, Dam Jeong Y, Litvinova M, Kummer AG, et al
    VIBES: A multiscale modeling approach integrating within-host and between-hosts dynamics in epidemics.
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    Vaccine

36. FRAWLEY JE, Hutchens J, Wiley K, Mahimbo A, et al
    Uptake of Commonwealth funded influenza vaccines for Australian children aged 6-months to <5 years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Virus Res

37. FERREIRO I, Hurtado J, Bruno A, Cristina J, et al
    On the brink of emergence: an evolutionary approach to Influenza A virus H5N1 isolated from humans.
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    PubMed         Abstract available
    

#Epidemiology of #HMPV and Other Respiratory Viral #Infections Among #Outpatients, 2016–2022

 

Abstract

Background

Most studies of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) epidemiology have been among inpatients. This study examined the epidemiology of HMPV compared with other common viruses among outpatients seeking care for an acute respiratory illness (ARI) during 5 influenza seasons (2016–2017 to 2019–2020, before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and in 2021–2022, during the pandemic).

Methods

Outpatients ≥6 months old seeking care for ARI and presenting with cough of ≤7 days’ duration provided nasal and pharyngeal swab samples, demographic data, and access to electronic medical record data. Samples were tested with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assays for HMPV, influenza, parainfluenza virus (PIV) 1–4, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Student′s t and χ2 tests were used to compare HMPV cases with other ARIs.

Results

After exclusion of 68 coinfections, 7143 patients remained; 2017 had influenza, 762 had RSV, 423 had HMPV, 83 had PIV, 352 had SARS-CoV-2, and 3506 tested polymerase chain reaction negative for all of these viruses. Of all patients with ARI each influenza season, 30.2%–37.1% tested positive for influenza, 11.3%–13.6% for RSV, 4.7%–7.3% for HMPV, and 0.1%–1.9% for PIV. Compared with patients with RSV, those with HMPV less often had congestion, dyspnea, and sore throat. Compared with patients with influenza, those with HMPV were less likely to have fever but more often had congestion or dyspnea and felt worse at 7–14-day follow-up. Children recovered from HMPV faster than adults.

Conclusions

HMPV is an important cause of outpatient ARI during influenza season. Patients with HMPV had slightly different demographic characteristics and symptoms from those with other ARIs.

Source: 

Link: https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/13/3/ofag081/8490265

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A Tale of Two Lenses: #Emergency department indoor - #air hybrid-capture #metagenomics complements #wastewater by adding a human-focused respiratory #virus perspective

 

Abstract

Background: 

Continuous, non-invasive viral surveillance is essential to monitor emerging pathogens and guide public health responses. Most environmental surveillance studies use targeted qPCR approaches, and comparisons between wastewater and indoor air surveillance remain limited. We aimed to compare the utility of emergency department indoor air and urban wastewater for tracking circulating viruses and resolving genomic information. 

Methods: 

We conducted a matched-pair study comparing 19 weekly indoor air samples from the central ventilation exhaust shaft of an emergency department and 19 24-hour composite municipal wastewater samples in Leuven, Belgium, from December 2024 to April 2025. Both sample sets were processed using probe-based hybrid-capture viral metagenomics targeting over 3000 viral species, using influenza A as a clinically relevant test case. 

Findings: 

Wastewater captured higher overall viral diversity (233 versus 106 species) and more complete genomes compared to indoor air, showing a relatively stable composition, mainly of enteric and animal-associated viruses. Indoor air demonstrated lower overall diversity but was enriched for respiratory viruses, including influenza A, coronaviruses, metapneumovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus, and more frequently achieved high genome coverage for these pathogens. Although both sample types permitted influenza A subtype characterization, influenza A genomes from wastewater were often less well covered. When coverage thresholds were met, indoor air supported targeted antiviral resistance-site screening for influenza A and RSV-A. 

Interpretation: 

Wastewater and indoor air generate distinct but complementary viromes. Wastewater acts as a diverse, population-level monitor for One-Health applications, whereas indoor air serves as a targeted, human-centric sentinel system facilitating further genomic characterization for respiratory viruses.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

Mustafa Karatas is supported by a Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) fundamental research scholarship (number: 11P7I24N). C.G., L.C., E.H., S.G. and E.A. acknowledge support from the DURABLE project. The DURABLE project has been funded by the European Union, under the EU4Health Programme (EU4H), project no. 101102733. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. The computing power in this work was provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Centre), financed by the FWO and the Flemish government department EWI.

Source: MedRxIV, https://www.medrxiv.org/

Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.13.26348311v1

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#Human #metapneumovirus: understanding the molecular mechanisms and #pathology of #infection

 

ABSTRACT

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a common and globally prevalent respiratory virus that can cause clinical symptoms ranging from mild respiratory illness to severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia, with substantial morbidity and mortality. HMPV accounts for a substantial health care and economic burden, with high hospitalization rates. Consequently, there is an urgent need for effective preventive and therapeutic interventions. The development of these interventions requires comprehensive knowledge of the virus’s biology, including characteristics, epidemiology, evolution, virus-host interactions, and host immune responses. Despite being discovered nearly 25 years ago, HMPV has remained relatively underrecognized, resulting in limited awareness of its true impact and delays in the development of treatment options. Recent studies have demonstrated the emergence of novel genotypes and provided more insight into viral replication, spread, and host immune responses. In this review, we highlight the clinical significance of HMPV and explore the molecular mechanisms the virus employs throughout the course of an infection.

Source: Journal of Virology, https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/jvi.00284-25?af=R

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Shifting tides: increased #severity despite fewer visits for #infant respiratory #infections across two consecutive post-pandemic winters in Northern #Italy

 

Abstract

This study compares infant (0–24 months) respiratory infection presentations to a Northern Italian paediatric emergency department across two post-pandemic winters (2022–2023 vs 2023–2024). Despite an approximate 44% reduction in visits in 2023–2024 (N=176 in 2023–2024 vs N=317 in 2022–2023), infants in the 2023–2024 season experienced significantly higher proportions of ventilatory support (51.1% vs 32.8%, p<0.001) and intensive care unit admission (15.9% vs 1.9%, p<0.001) than those presenting in 2022–2023, with a non-significant trend towards higher hospitalisation (88.1% vs 81.7%, p=0.052). Respiratory syncytial virus re-emerged as the dominant pathogen (43.2% vs 27.7%, p<0.001) in 2023–2024, alongside increased human metapneumovirus and influenza A H1N1. These findings highlight a concerning shift towards increased severity, underscoring the need for ongoing surveillance.

Source: BMJ Paediatric Open, https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/9/1/e003695

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Resurgence of #human #metapneumovirus in the post #COVID19 era: #pathogenesis, epidemiological shifts, clinical #impact, and future #challenges

Summary

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a respiratory pathogen identified in 2001, is a substantial cause of community-acquired respiratory infections across all age groups. This Review explores the impact of hMPV after the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising its resurgence as a public health concern. Epidemiological shifts, as well as unusual seasonal patterns, increased co-infection rates, and altered age distributions, have been observed globally. Phylogenetic analysis has shown the variation across three distinct periods, especially before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of genotypic distribution. Clinical manifestations of hMPV infection range from asymptomatic to severe lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in vulnerable populations. Specific antivirals or vaccines are currently unavailable; consequently, treatment remains supportive. The development of monoclonal antibodies and vaccines leveraging cross-protective strategies against hMPV and related viruses is underway. This Review advocates prioritising research and public health measures to address the evolving epidemiological and clinical challenges associated with hMPV in the post-COVID-19 era.

Source: Lancet Infectious Diseases, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(25)00240-3/abstract?rss=yes

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#HK CHP investigates severe #paediatric case of #COVID19 co-infected with human #metapneumovirus

{Excerpt}

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 23) received a report of a case of severe paediatric COVID-19 and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection and reminded the public to observe personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. High-risk individuals should receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and receive booster doses at appropriate times to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.

The case involves an eight-month-old girl with good past health, who developed a fever and runny nose since April 19 and sought medical attention from a private doctor the next day. She developed cough and shortness of breath on April 21 and sought medical attention from another private doctor. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan on April 22 and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment on the same day. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus and hMPV upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 co-infectedwith hMPV complicated with croup. She is still hospitalised and is in critical condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had not received COVID-19 vaccine and had no travel history during the incubation period. Two of her household contacts had presented with respiratory symptoms and had recovered.

(...)

Source: Centre for Health Protection, HK PRC SAR, https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/23/P2025042300628.htm

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#Trends of acute respiratory #infection, including human #metapneumovirus, in the Northern Hemisphere

Situation at a glance

In many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections increase at this time of year. 

These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common respiratory viruses, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV), as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae. 

Many countries conduct routine surveillance for acute respiratory infections and common respiratory pathogens. 

Currently, in some countries in the temperate Northern hemisphere, influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI) rates have increased in recent weeks and are above baseline levels, following usual seasonal trends. 

Seasonal influenza activity is elevated in many countries in the Northern hemisphere. 

Where surveillance data is available, trends in RSV detections currently vary by region with decreases reported in most regions except in North America. 

Recently, there has been interest in hMPV cases in China including suggestions of hospitals being overwhelmed. 

hMPV is a common respiratory virus found to circulate in many countries in winter through to spring, although not all countries routinely test and publish data on trends in hMPV . 

While some cases can be hospitalized with bronchitis or pneumonia, most people infected with hMPV have mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold and recover after a few days. 

Based on data published by China, covering the period up to 29 December 2024, acute respiratory infections have increased during recent weeks and detections of seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, RSV, and hMPV, particularly in northern provinces of China have also increased. 

The observed increase in respiratory pathogen detections is within the range expected for this time of year during the Northern hemisphere winter. 

In China, influenza is the most commonly detected respiratory pathogen currently affecting people with acute respiratory infections. 

WHO is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns. 

Chinese authorities report that the health care system is not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered. 

WHO continues to monitor respiratory illnesses at global, regional and country levels through collaborative surveillance systems, and provides updates as needed.

Description of the situation

In many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections increase at this time of year. These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, RSV, and other common respiratory viruses, including hMPV, as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae. The co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens during the winter season can sometimes cause an increased burden on health care systems treating sick persons.

Currently, in some countries in the temperate Northern hemisphere, influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI) rates have increased in recent weeks and are above baseline levels, following usual seasonal trends. 

Influenza activity is elevated in many countries in Europe, Central America and the Caribbean, Western Africa, Middle Africa, and many countries across Asia, with the predominant seasonal influenza type and subtype varying by location, typical for this time of year, except during most of 2020 and 2021, when there was little influenza activity during the COVID-19 pandemic (...). 

SARS-CoV-2 activity as detected in sentinel surveillance and reported to Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), along with wastewater monitoring from the reporting countries, is currently low in countries in the Northern hemisphere following prolonged high level activity during summer months in the Northern hemisphere. 

Where surveillance data is available, trends in RSV activity are variable by region with downward trends observed in most subregions of the Americas, except in North America where RSV activity has increased, and decreases have been observed in the European region in recent weeks. Some countries conduct routine surveillance and report trends for other commonly circulating respiratory pathogens, such as hMPV, and report such information on a routine basis. Some countries in the Northern hemisphere have reported increased trends, varying by virus, in recent weeks, typical for this time of year.  

There has been international interest in a potential increase of respiratory virus transmission in China, particularly hMPV, including suggestions of hospitals being overwhelmed. China has an established sentinel surveillance system for ILI and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), including hMPV, and conducts routine virological surveillance for common respiratory pathogens with detailed reports published weekly on the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.[1] Surveillance and laboratory data for hMPV is not available routinely from all countries.

According to the most recent surveillance data on acute respiratory infections shared by the China CDC with data up to 29 December 2024, there has been an upward trend of common acute respiratory infections, including those due to seasonal influenza viruses, RSV and hMPV – as expected for this time of year during the Northern Hemisphere winter. 

Influenza is currently the most reported cause of respiratory disease, with the highest positivity rate among all monitored pathogens for all age groups except children aged 5-14 years for whom mycoplasma pneumoniae had the highest positivity rate. SARS-CoV-2 activity remains low however with an increase in reported severe COVID-19 cases. 

The predominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant in the country is XDV and its sublineages accounting for  59.1% detection among sequenced samples. ILI activity in China’s northern and southern provinces have been increasing since late 2024, following the previous year’s trends. Current ILI activity in the southern provinces remains below that of the previous two years, while current ILI activity in the northern provinces is similar to levels seen at this time in the previous two years.

China’s reported levels of acute respiratory infections, including hMPV, are within the expected range for the winter season with no unusual outbreak patterns reported. Chinese authorities confirmed that the health care system is not overwhelmed, hospital utilization is currently lower than this time last year, and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered. Since the expected seasonal increase was observed, health messages have been provided to the public on how to prevent the spread of respiratory infections and reduce the impact of these diseases.

Public health response

Based on the expected increase in respiratory infections during the winter season, countries, including China, have been providing health messages to the public on how to prevent the spread of respiratory infections and reduce the impact of disease.

WHO risk assessment

In temperate climates, seasonal epidemics of common respiratory pathogens, including influenza, occur often during winter periods. The observed increases in acute respiratory infections and associated pathogen detections in many countries in the Northern hemisphere in recent weeks is expected at this time of year and is not unusual. The co-circulation of respiratory pathogens may pose a burden to health facilities. 

WHO advice

WHO recommends that individuals in areas where it is winter take normal precautions to prevent the spread and reduce risks posed by respiratory pathogens, especially to the most vulnerable. People with mild symptoms should stay home to avoid infecting other people and rest. 

People at high risk or with complicated or severe symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible. 

Individuals should also consider wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow, practice regular handwashing, and get recommended vaccines as per physician and local public health authorities’ advice.[2]

WHO advises Member States to maintain surveillance for respiratory pathogens through an integrated approach, considering country context, priorities, resources and capacities. WHO has published guidance on integrated surveillance here. WHO has also updated guidance on assessing influenza epidemic and pandemic severity, including the impact on healthcare facilities, here.

Based on the current risk assessment, WHO advises against any travel or trade restrictions related to current trends in acute respiratory infections.

Further information

-- World Health Organization (WHO). Implementing the integrated sentinel surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential by the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. Available at: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/379678

-- WHO fact sheet for Influenza (Seasonal): https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)

-- WHO Routine influenza weekly updates. Available at:https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/surveillance-and-monitoring/influenza-updates

-- WHO Influenza surveillance outputs. Available at: https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/surveillance-and-monitoring/influenza-surveillance-outputs

-- WHO Global COVID-19 Dashboard. Available at:  https://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/cases

-- WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Epidemiological Updates. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports

-- WHO Clinical practice guidelines for influenza. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240097759

-- WHO Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease. Available at: https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/standards-and-specifications/norms-and-standards/vaccine-standardization/respiratory-syncytial-virus-disease https://www.chinacdc.cn/jksj/jksj04_14249/

-- US CDC Human Metapneumovirus. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/human-metapneumovirus/about/index.html

-- American Lung Association. Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) Symptoms and Diagnosis. Available at: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/human-metapneumovirus-hmpv/symptoms-diagnosis

[1] China CDC Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report. Available at: https://www.chinacdc.cn/jksj/jksj04_14249/   

[2] WHO Clinical practice guidelines for influenza. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240097759

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Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON550

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#Avian #flu #risk still ‘low’ after first #US #patient dies from #H5N1 virus: #WHO

7 January 2025 

A day after the United States reported its first human death from avian flu, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) insisted on Tuesday that the risk to the wider population remains “low”. 

WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris told reporters in Geneva that the H5N1 virus causing the disease is “not circulating in humans but jumping into humans” who are exposed to poultry or dairy cattle. “We’re not seeing sustained circulation,” she insisted.

Underlying conditions

The man who died of the disease in Louisiana was over 65 and reportedly had underlying medical conditions, Dr. Harris said. 

According to the health authorities, he had been exposed to chickens and wild birds. Several dozen people in the US have contracted avian influenza – commonly referred to as bird flu – during the current outbreak, mainly farmworkers in close contact with poultry flocks and cattle herds.

Dr. Harris stressed that WHO’s assessment of the risk to the general population “is still low and remains set”. The main concern is for people who work in animal industries because they need to be better protected from infection.

The WHO spokesperson added that the United States was continuing to carry out “a lot of surveillance” in the human and animal population, “in the methods we use for farming, for our food production…all those things need to be combined because indeed it always does pose a risk”.

China respiratory virus is not new

Meanwhile, a respiratory virus gaining ground in China, known as the human metapneumovirus, or hMPV, has been sparking media attention in recent weeks, but it does not represent a new or major threat, Dr. Harris insisted.

The UN health agency spokesperson said that such infections are on the rise in China “as expected during winter”, with seasonal influenza being “by far the most common among them”, as reported by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“China’s reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range for the winter season,” Dr. Harris explained. “Authorities report that hospital utilization is currently lower than this time last year, and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered,” she added.

As for hMPV, it was first identified in 2001 and “has been in the human population for a long time”, Dr. Harris clarified. 

‘Very, very low’ risk

She added that it is a common virus that circulates in winter and spring and usually “causes respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold”. 

Like any of the hundreds of common cold viruses known to exist, it can lead to more serious disease in patients with low immunity, particularly but not limited to newborns and the elderly.

Asked about hMPV’s mortality rate, Dr. Harris described it as “very, very low”. It is not a pathogen that normally leads to deaths in humans, save for the most vulnerable, she concluded, recommending “simple” prevention measures, such as wearing a mask, improving ventilation of closed spaces and handwashing.

Source: United Nations, https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/01/1158776

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#China, National sentinel #surveillance of acute #respiratory infectious #diseases (Week 52, 2024)

{Excerpt}

In the 52nd week of 2024 ( December 23rd to December 29th ), respiratory samples from outpatient influenza-like cases and hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases collected in sentinel hospitals across the country (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) were tested for 10 viruses including the new coronavirus, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, common coronavirus, bocavirus, rhinovirus and enterovirus, as well as multiple respiratory pathogens including Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

1. Test results

The pathogens detected positive in respiratory samples of influenza-like cases in outpatient and emergency departments of sentinel hospitals were mainly influenza virus, human metapneumovirus, and rhinovirus; the pathogens detected positive in respiratory samples of hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases were mainly influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and human metapneumovirus. The specific results are shown in Table 1 , Figure 1 , and Figure 2. The test results showed differences between the north and south regions and between different age groups, as shown in Table 2 and Table 3 .

2. Analysis and health tips

The results showed that the overall acute respiratory infectious diseases are showing a continuous upward trend, and the trends of infections caused by different pathogens are different. Influenza is generally in the seasonal epidemic period, and the influenza virus positive rate is rising rapidly. Among them, the influenza virus positive rate of outpatient influenza-like cases nationwide increased by 6.2% compared with last week ; the level of influenza activity varies among provinces, and the increase in northern provinces is slightly obvious, but still lower than the same period last year. Recently, the positive rate of respiratory syncytial virus in cases aged 0 to 4 years and the positive rate of human metapneumovirus in cases aged 14 years and below have fluctuated upward, and the upward trend is more obvious in northern provinces. The positive rate of rhinovirus continues to decline; the positive rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in northern provinces continues to decline, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in southern provinces is still at a low level. The positive rate of adenovirus fluctuates and declines. Other respiratory pathogens such as the new coronavirus are at a low epidemic level.

We are still in the season of high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases. In order to reduce the spread of diseases and reduce the harm of diseases, the public is advised to take the following protective measures:

( 1 ) Maintain good hygiene habits: cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, towel or elbow when coughing or sneezing; wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission.

( 2 ) Promote a healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet, moderate exercise and adequate rest can help enhance immunity. If you have a fever, cough or other respiratory infection symptoms, it is recommended to rest at home, avoid going to work or school while sick, wear a mask when in contact with family members, and keep the room well ventilated.

( 3 ) Wear a mask scientifically: Wear a mask throughout the medical treatment process; it is recommended to wear a mask in crowded places or when taking public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, subways, etc.).

( 4 ) Actively vaccinate: People with weak immunity (such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases) should be vaccinated with relevant vaccines to prevent respiratory infectious diseases in a timely manner according to vaccination guidelines, including influenza vaccine, new coronavirus vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine. In particular, as the level of influenza activity has increased recently, people of appropriate age who have not received influenza vaccination should be vaccinated as soon as possible. 

(...)

Source: China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.chinacdc.cn/jksj/jksj04_14275/202501/t20250102_303654.html

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