ETIDIOH - NEW

  {Excerpt} Time Period: February 15, 2026 - February 21, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  4 site(s) ( 0.8% ) -- No Detection :  495 site(s) ( 99.2% ) -- No samples in last week :  110 site(s) (...) Source: US CDC,  https://www.cdc.gov/ Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  Abstract Wastewater testing for SARS-CoV-2 provided useful public health information during the COVID-19 pandemic yet was underutilized in rural communities . We addressed this gap by implementing wastewater surveillance and assessing its performance in 10 communities in Eastern Kentucky . We collected wastewater samples 1–2 times weekly at 10 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from May 2021 until April 2023 and measured SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations using polymerase chain reaction testing . We calculated time-lagged correlations between wastewater concentrations and county-level reported COVID-19 cases by site. We developed a generalized linear model to estimate COVID-19 incidence from wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentrations. The 10 participating WWTPs served 2430 to 35,575 customers , and 90% were in rural counties. We cumulatively analyzed 818 wastewater samples . Correlations between wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentrations and COVID-19 cases were significant at seven of the WWTPs ...

  Abstract As part of its role in the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received 12,180 human influenza-positive samples during 2024 . Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic, and antiviral susceptibility properties . Selected viruses were propagated in qualified cells or embryonated hens’ eggs for potential use in seasonal influenza virus vaccines. During 2024 , influenza A( H1N1 )pdm09 and A( H3N2 ) viruses predominated , accounting for 33% and 42%, respectively, of all viruses received, compared to 5% for influenza B/Victoria . Of note, one influenza A(H5N1) virus was also received in 2024 . The majority of A(H1N1)pdm09 (98%), A(H3N2) (88%) and influenza B (100%) viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically and genetically similar to the respective WHO recommended vaccine strains for the Southern Hemisphere in 2024...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: February 08, 2026 - February 14, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  9 site(s) ( 1.9% ) -- No Detection :  466 site(s) ( 98.1% ) -- No samples in last week :  171 site(s) The H5 detections at sewershed IDs 809 and 912 in Michigan are false detections resulting from a data error. These will be corrected in the next update. (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  Abstract Despite Antarcticas geographic isolation, the first incursion of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was detected in the 2023/24 austral summer . Surveillance for HPAI H5N1 in Antarctica remains patchy due to logistical, financial, and infrastructure challenges , with many suspected cases remaining unconfirmed , and few viral genomes sequences available to date. Through the 2024/25 austral summer we undertook five sampling expeditions to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula facilitated by cruise ships/operators. Across more than 500 faecal environmental samples collected from apparently healthy penguins and marine mammals , we found no detectable evidence of HPAI H5N1 . However, HPAI H5N1 was detected in all but one of the skua carcasses sampled , which, in most cases, were found within meters of penguin sub-colonies . All HPAI H5N1 viral genomes sequences from skuas on the Antarctic Peninsula fell within a single lineage, which included those ge...

  Abstract FluSurvey is a participatory surveillance system used to monitor trends in influenza and other respiratory viruses through weekly symptom surveys among the UK population. We aimed to characterise the wider impact of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) among FluSurvey participants and assess correlations of ILI with other established influenza surveillance systems . We included data reported by FluSurvey participants over the 2023-24 and 2024-25 winter seasons . Using weekly symptoms surveys, we derived ILI episodes and estimated the proportion reporting healthcare service use , medication use, impact on daily life, absenteeism and use of tests. We applied existing data methods (omitting first report and weighting to the age-sex structure of England) and assessed cross-correlations of weekly FluSurvey ILI rates with the national surveillance of GP ILI consultations , influenza hospital admissions, and influenza PCR test positivity at time lags of up to +/-2 weeks. There were 3...

  Situation at a glance Recombination of monkeypox virus (MPXV) strains has been documented in recent months , with two cases of a recombinant strain comprising clade Ib and IIb MPXV reported.  Recombination is a known natural process that can occur when two related viruses infecting the same individual exchange genetic material , producing a new virus.  The first case was detected in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereafter “United Kingdom”), with travel history to a country in South-East Asia , and the second in India , with travel history to a country in the Arabian Peninsula .  Detailed analysis of the virus genomes shows that the two individuals fell ill several weeks apart with the same recombinant strain , suggesting that there may be further cases than are currently reported .  Both cases had similar clinical presentation to that observed for other clades.  Neither patient experienced severe outcomes.  Contact tracing...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: February 01, 2026 - February 07, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  8 site(s) (1.7%) -- No Detection :  475 site(s) (98.3%) -- No samples in last week :  166 site(s) The H5 detections at sewershed IDs 809 and 912 in Michigan are false detections resulting from a data error. These will be corrected in the next update . (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  {Excerpt} Time Period: January 25, 2026 - January 31, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  4 site(s) ( 0.9% ) -- No Detection :  458 site(s) ( 99.1% ) -- No samples in last week :  192 site(s) The H5 detections at sewershed IDs 809 and 912 in Michigan are false detections resulting from a data error. These will be corrected in the next update. (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  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 ____

  Risk statement    -- The scope of this Rapid Risk Assessment is to reassess the epidemiological situation of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus ( MERS-CoV ) following the recent exportation (in December 2025) of cases from the Arabian Peninsula to France and three healthcare-associated clusters reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2024–2025.  -- These events, together with the continued occurrence of sporadic cases in Arabian Peninsula countries, highlight the ongoing risk of international spread to non-endemic countries and reflect the persistent circulation of MERS-CoV in the Middle East .   -- Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic virus transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels , which are the natural host of the virus.  -- First identified in humans in 2012 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Jordan , MERS-CoV causes a viral respiratory infect...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: January 18, 2026 - January 24, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  4 site(s) ( 0.9% ) -- No Detection :  437 site(s) ( 99.1% ) -- No samples in last week:  204 site(s) (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  Abstract The Caucasus region, including Georgia, is an important intersection for migratory waterbirds , offering potential for avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission between populations from different geographic areas. In 2022 and 2023, wild ducks were sampled during autumn migration events in Georgia to study the genetic relationships and molecular characteristics of influenza strains. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to compare the sampled strains to reference sequences from Africa, Asia, and Europe , allowing assessment of genetic relationships and virus transmission between migratory birds. Protein language modeling identified potential co-infections. Of 225 duck samples, 128 tested positive for the influenza M gene . 55 influenza-positive samples underwent whole-genome sequencing, revealing significant diversity. Analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) segment showed notable differences among subtypes. Most samples were H6N1 and H6N6 , but co-infections with comb...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: January 11, 2026 - January 17, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  6 site(s) ( 1.1% ) -- No Detection :  519 site(s) ( 98.9% ) -- No samples in last week:  78 site(s) (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  {Excerpt} Time Period: January 04, 2026 - January 10, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  8 site(s) ( 1.5% ) -- No Detection :  541 site(s) ( 98.5% ) -- No samples in last week :  66 site(s) (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  Abstract Influenza A viruses exhibit broad host tropism, infecting multiple species including humans, avian species, and swine. Swine influenza virus (SIV), while primarily circulating in porcine populations , demonstrates zoonotic potential with sporadic human infections . In this investigation, we identified two H1N1 subtype swine influenza A virus strains designated A/swine/China/SD6591/2019(H1N1) (abbreviated SD6591) and A/swine/China/SD6592/2019(H1N1) (abbreviated SD6592) in Shandong Province , China. The GenBank accession numbers of the SD6591 viral gene segments are PV464931-PV464938, and the GenBank accession numbers corresponding to each of the eight SD6592 viral gene segments are PV464939-PV464946. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses suggest potential evolutionary differences between the isolates. SD6591 displayed a unique triple-reassortant genotype : comparative nucleotide homology assessments demonstrated that the PB2, PB1, NP, NA, HA, and NEP genes shared the hi...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: December 28, 2025 - January 03, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  3 site(s) ( 0.7% ) -- No Detection :  428 site(s) ( 99.3% ) -- No samples in last week :  111 site(s) (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____