ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract The ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses is the largest in history , with unprecedented transmission to multiple mammalian species . Avian influenza A viruses of the H5 subtype circulate globally among birds and are classified into distinct clades based on their hemagglutinin (HA) genetic sequences. Thus, the ability to accurately and rapidly assign clades to newly sequenced isolates is key to surveillance and outbreak response . Co-circulation of endemic, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A(H5) lineages in North American and European wild birds necessitates the ability to rapidly and accurately distinguish between infections arising from these lineages and epizootic HPAI A(H5) viruses. However, currently available clade assignment tools are limited and often require command line expertise, hindering their utility for public health surveillance labs. To address this gap, we have developed datasets to enable A(H5) clade assignments wit...

Backyard reared poultry in Camarines Norte Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6167 ______

 {Summary} At a glance -- H5N1 bird flu is caused by viruses that can infect cows and other animals but most commonly affect birds and poultry .  -- People who work with infected animals or their byproducts (for example, raw milk ), might get sick from the virus.  -- For example , dairy and poultry workers might get sick with H5N1 bird flu.  -- Your employer should develop a workplace health and safety plan and share it with you.  -- CDC updated this page to add information about worker exposure levels (low, medium, and high).  -- We also added detail about how to use the right personal protective equipment safely for each exposure level. (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/farm-workers.html _____

Abstract Despite extensive experience with influenza surveillance in humans in Senegal , there is limited knowledge about the actual situation and genetic diversity of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) circulating in the country, hindering control measures and pandemic risk assessment . Therefore, as part of the “ One Health ” approach to influenza surveillance, we conducted active AIV surveillance in two live bird markets (LBMs) in Dakar to better understand the dynamics and diversity of influenza viruses in Senegal, obtain genetic profiles of circulating AIVs , and assess the risk of emergence of novel strains and their transmission to humans. Cloacal swabs from poultry and environmental samples collected weekly from the two LBMs were screened by RT-qPCR for H5, H7, and H9 AIVs . Subsequently, a subset of H9-positive samples was selected for whole sequencing. From December 2023 to October 2024, 499 samples were tested, and AIV was detected in 58.3% of them. Among these, A/H9N2 was the o...

 A poultry farm in Lisboa Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6164 _____

 A poultry farm in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6165 _____

DOVER, Del. (January 5, 2025)—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) has returned results from the Kent County, Del. poultry farm that was announced presumptive positive for H5 avian influenza on January 3, 2025. The poultry affected had highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza (HPAI) of the Eurasian lineage 2.3.4.4b with early indications that the virus is the D1.1 genotype found in wild birds ; however, confirmation of the genotype is determined by sequencing. There is currently no timeline for the receipt of this data by the Delaware Department of Agriculture. All poultry farms in the state should be monitoring flocks for any signs of increased mortality. Producers should pay particular attention to whether birds show signs of respiratory illness or distress, such as sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and/or runny nose. Other signs of HPAI in poultry can include swelling around the eyes, neck, and head; purple discoloration of the wattles, ...

{Excerpt} DOVER, Del. (January 3, 2025) – The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced this morning that preliminary testing of a commercial broiler flock in Kent County , Del., has returned presumptive positive H5 from the University of Delaware’s Lasher Laboratory in Georgetown, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Additional samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for further confirmation. State officials have quarantined the affected premises , and the birds on the property are being depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the affected flock will not enter the food system. Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds through nasal and eye secretions and manure. The virus can be spread from flock to flock, including flocks of wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, equipment, and the clothing and shoes of ca...

Abstract Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is endemic worldwide and causes immunosuppression in chickens . We hypothesized that a previous history of IBDV in chickens would render them more susceptible to infection by influenza A viruses (IAVs) from aquatic waterfowl reservoirs . To model this, we inoculated 14 day old specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens with a low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) virus strain from a mallard ( A/Mallard/Alberta/156/01 (H3N8) ) and compared replication and shedding between immunocompetent chickens and chickens that had immune dysregulation due to a prior IBDV infection with strain F52/70 (genogroup A1B1) at 2 days of age. The mallard IAV strain replicated in the upper respiratory tract of the chickens , and virus was shed from the oropharyngeal cavity , but there was no shedding from the cloaca , and no transmission to sentinel chickens . Replication of the mallard IAV in the chicken host was associated with amino acid substitutions in the po...

 {Excerpt, edited} What Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza A virus (HPAI H5N1) remains a low risk to the general public , and public health experts in the United States believe that available treatments and vaccines , as well as those in development, are sufficient to prevent severe disease . However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its federal partners remain focused on monitoring the virus and evaluating changes , according to leading officials at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the NIH. In a commentary published in the New England Journal of Medicine , NIAID Director Jeanne M. Marrazzo, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael G. Ison, M.D., M.S ., chief of the Respiratory Diseases Branch in NIAID’s Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, say people should find a balance between enhanced vigilance and “business as usual” with respect to HPAI H5N1 . Since 1996, HPAI H5N1 influenza viruses have circulated in at least 23 countri...

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a viral disease caused by some H5 and H7 subtypes of influenza virus type A in most species of birds, especially poultry. HPAI viruses are amongst the most challenging viruses that threaten both human and animal health . Consequently, various strategies such as the use of vaccines have been proposed to control the disease. After a catastrophic pandemic and the failure of conventional methods (elimination and extermination) in Iran , multiple vaccines has been used to control the disease. This study investigates the immunogenicity of two recombinant inactivated commercial vaccines of H5N1 and H5N3 subtypes in laying pullet flocks in Tehran Province, Iran . From 32 halls in 6 breeding units of laying pullets, 3200 sera and 800 tracheal and cloacal swabs were collected. After collecting the samples, Serum neutralisation (SN) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests were conducted on sera to determine the serum titers of H5 specific an...

ABSTRACT   Background :  Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) has been endemic in Egypt for almost two decades , profoundly impacting both the poultry industry and public health. Egypt stands as a prominent epicenter for HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in Africa , marked by the highest number of positive human cases. Despite continuous governmental efforts, prior research underscored the inadequacy of strategies in controlling the virus spread.  Aim :  This study identified spatiotemporal patterns and high-risk clusters of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks at the subdistrict level.  Methods :  This study involved trial tracking of HPAI H5N1 endemicity dynamics , enabling tailored interventions at a regional level based on robust epidemiological investigations to address the persistent challenge of HPAI H5N1 in Egypt. This study illuminated spatiotemporal outbreak dynamics, with specific attention on Menofia governorate.  Results :  Despite the region’s early pou...

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

 Backyard poultry in Tiranë Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6130 _____

Abstract The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) is widely prevalent in poultry and wild birds globally , with occasional transmission to humans . In comparison to other H9N2 lineages, the BJ/94 lineage has raised more public health concerns; however, its evolutionary dynamics and transmission patterns remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that over three decades (1994–2023), BJ/94 lineage has undergone substantial expansion in its geographical distribution , interspecies transmission , and viral reassortment with other AIV subtypes, increasing associated public health risks . These changes were primarily driven by the emergence of a dominant genotype G57. In the first decade, G57 emerged in East China and rapidly adapted to chickens and spread across China . Since 2013, the G57 genotype has expanded beyond China into eight other countries and reassorted with various AIV subtypes to form new zoonotic reassortants . Chickens have played a key role in the gen...

 A poultry farm in Bayern Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6131 _____

Abstract The H3 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) stands out as one of the most prevalent subtypes, posing a significant threat to public health . In this study, a novel triple-reassortant H3N3 AIV designated A/chicken/China/16/2023 (H3N3), was isolated from a sick chicken in northern China . The complete genome of the isolate was determined using next-generation sequencing, and the AIV-like particles were confirmed via transmission electron microscopy. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses revealed that HA and NA genes of the H3N3 isolate clustered within the Eurasian lineage of AIVs, exhibiting the closest genetic relationship with other H3N3 AIVs identified in China during 2023. Interestingly, the HA and NA genes of the nove H3N3 isolate were originated from H3N8 and H10N3 AIVs , respectively, and the six internal genes originated from prevalent H9N2 AIVs. These findings indicated the novel H3N3 isolate possesses a complex genetic constellation , likely arising from multiple reassor...

Abstract Clade 2.3.2.1 of the H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) evolved into several subclades. However, the effect of glycosylation on the biological characteristics of hemagglutinin (HA) and/or neuraminidase (NA) from H5N1 AIVs remains unclear. Here, we determined that the global prevalence of clade 2.3.2.1 H5N1 AIVs with deglycosylated residue 158 on HA (HA158-) and glycosylated residue 88 on NA (NA88+) were predominant via multiple sequence analysis. The deglycosylation of residue on NA 88 (NA88-) was observed in clade 2.3.2.1a (new) and clade 2.3.2.1e H5N1 AIVs. Interestingly, NA88- was coupled with the acquisition of 158 glycosylation sites on HA (HA158+) in clade 2.3.2.1e H5N1 AIVs from China , and clade 2.3.2.1a (new) H5N1 AIVs exhibiting the HA158-NA88- pattern were predominant in Bangladesh . Meanwhile, the temporal distribution of strain HA158+ NA88- was highly consistent with the implementation of Re-6 vaccine in China . The recombinant H5N1 AIVs constructed using a reverse ...

 {Excerpts} SACRAMENTO, the United States -- California's battle against avian influenza A (H5N1) intensified amid spreading infections across dairy farms and a growing number of human infection, including two newly confirmed cases in Stanislaus and Los Angeles counties. The virus, commonly known as bird flu , has infected 659 of California's 984 dairy operations since August, with one-quarter of these cases emerging in the past month alone, according to California authorities. The rapid spread through the state's dairy industry prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency last week to protect agricultural workers and public health. (...) The outbreak's human impact has grown increasingly severe , with California reporting at least 36 confirmed cases -- more than half of the nation's total of 65, according to the latest report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Tuesday, though the actual count is likely higher as recent local confirma...

Summary   Avian influenza is not a new disease , but the emergence of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96 lineage (Gs/GD) has necessitated fundamental changes to prevention and control strategies for this disease. No longer just an avian disease, avian influenza is capable of causing severe disease in humans and is considered a potential human pandemic threat requiring One Health approaches . In addition, Gs/GD HPAI viruses have developed the capacity to be carried across and between continents by migratory birds . Given the persistence of the current A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in wild birds , enhanced measures to prevent and control infection will be needed. In most countries, infection in poultry can be eliminated, although questions will remain about the sustainability of repeated stamping out. Systematic preventive vaccination should be seriously considered as a method for reducing the number of outbreaks. HPAI will not be elimina...