#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife, daily update (DAFF, September 17 '26)

 

{Extract}

(...)

Event data

   ° 572 Positive events

    ° 45,746 Hotline reports

As of 4pm AEST, 16 September 2026, Australia has 572 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

    § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

    § 301 in South Australia (SA)

    § 40 in New South Wales (NSW)

    § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

    § 180 in Victoria (VIC)

    § 38 in Tasmania (TAS)

    § 1 in Other Territories*

{*} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government as at 17:00 AEST daily. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the relevant state or territory government. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

___

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

____

#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife {daily update} (DAFF, September 16 '26)

 

{Excerpts}

(...)

Event data

       ° 551 Positive events

     ° 45,115 Hotline reports

    As of 4pm AEST, 15 September 2026, Australia has 551 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

    § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

    § 299 in South Australia (SA)

    § 32 in New South Wales (NSW)

    § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

    § 169 in Victoria (VIC)

    § 38 in Tasmania (TAS)

    § 1 in Other Territories*

{*} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government as at 17:00 AEST daily. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the relevant state or territory government. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

___

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

___

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

____

#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife (DAFF, as of September 14 '26)

 

{Excerpt, Summary}

(...)

Event data

    ° 542 *Positive events

    ° 44,354 Hotline reports

    As of 4pm AEST, 14 September 2026, Australia has 542 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

    ° 10 in Western Australia (WA)

    ° 295 in South Australia (SA)

    ° 32 in New South Wales (NSW)

    ° 2 in Queensland (QLD)

    ° 165 in Victoria (VIC)

    ° 37 in Tasmania (TAS)

    ° 1 in Other Territories*

    ° * Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government as at 17:00 AEST daily. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the relevant state or territory government. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

___

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

___

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

____

Co-occurrence #networks from #wetland #bird #surveys predict #H5N1 genetic similarity between wild birds with strong effects of time, space and viral clustering

 

Abstract

The emergence of zoonotic and epizootic diseases has had devastating consequences for human and animal health, including wildlife conservation. Yet, surveillance of multi-host disease systems is particularly challenging due to complex transmission pathways across many species. Social network analysis has been applied to simple transmission systems, but empirical applications to wild, multi-species systems are scarce. Here, we combined high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viral genomes, a zoonotic virus of pandemic potential, with a large citizen-science database of wild bird co-occurrence to test how multi-species social network structure predicts transmission dynamics. We linked viral genetic distance, 20,103 pairwise comparisons between 214 unique genomes from 172 dyads of 20 host species, to co-occurrence network metrics for those species. Both relative species association and raw co-occurrence frequency predicted lower maximum viral genetic divergence, more similar viruses between more associated species, beyond what would be expected through random mixing and independently of sequencing effort. Time and space between samples were also strong predictors of genetic similarity. Our results suggest that network models can be used to detect pathogen transmission through communities of wild birds, offering real prospects for wildlife disease surveillance and prediction.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.06.17.659947v5

____

#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife (DAFF, as of September 13 '26)

 

{Excerpt, Summary}

(...)

    As of 4pm AEST, 11 September 2026, Australia has 521 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

    ° 10 in Western Australia (WA)

    ° 286 in South Australia (SA)

    ° 25 in New South Wales (NSW)

    ° 2 in Queensland (QLD)

    ° 162 in Victoria (VIC)

    ° 36 in Tasmania (TAS)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government as at 17:00 AEST daily. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the relevant state or territory government. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

(...)

Positive events by species

{As of September 13 2026}

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

___

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

____

#Genomic characterization of Lao #Mobatvirus strains reveals host-associated clustering in Southeast Asian #bats

 

ABSTRACT

While members of the genus Orthohantavirus are well-established human pathogens, the zoonotic potential of bat-associated hantavirids, particularly those within the genus Mobatvirus, remains largely unresolved. To investigate the genetic diversity of these lineages in Southeast Asia, we conducted an expanded surveillance programme in Lao PDR from May 2023 to October 2025 in bat populations and wild animals from local wet markets. Using molecular screening and deep sequencing to characterize hantavirids from bat populations and wild animals from local wet markets, we identified 20 positive samples across four bat species, recovering coding-complete genomes for multiple novel variants. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that these viruses clustered within Mobatvirus, resolving into two major subclades. The first subclade clustered with Quezon and Robina viruses found in fruit-eating bats. The second subclade further split into two lineages corresponding to Ðakrông and Xuân Sơn viruses, which are associated with trident and leaf-nosed bats, respectively. Despite the strong host association observed, the detection of these viruses in a wet market highlights this setting as a potential human exposure interface. These findings significantly expand the known diversity of mobatviruses in Laos and highlight the urgent need for serological surveillance in at-risk human populations to assess the potential for spillover.

Source: 

Link: https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/jgv.0.002333

____

Increasing spatial scale of #analysis weakens and can mask the #dilution effect for #hantaviruses

 

Abstract

Despite its major implications for biodiversity conservation and public health, the generality of a protective effect of biodiversity on zoonotic pathogen transmission (i.e., the dilution effect) remains strongly debated. This controversy may partly arise from the diversity of analytical approaches used, but also from the spatial scales at which studies are conducted. Here, we explicitly test whether increasing the spatial scale of analysis affects the detection of the relationship between hantavirus infection prevalence and rodent species richness, using a global dataset spanning multiple regions. Although the association between species richness and infection prevalence remains negative across all spatial scales, we show that the magnitude of the dilution effect progressively weakens as spatial aggregation increases and can become statistically non-significant at coarse spatial resolutions. These results, which are consistent across world regions, indicate that the dilution effect is likely a general feature of hantavirus–rodent systems, but that its empirical detection is highly sensitive to the spatial scale of analysis. Our findings highlight how large-scale spatial aggregation can mask underlying ecological processes and emphasize the need to carefully match spatial scale to the biological mechanisms under investigation when testing biodiversity–disease relationships. Finally, we discuss the ecological and methodological mechanisms that may obscure dilution effects and outline why scale-explicit approaches are essential for robust inference in biodiversity-disease research.

Source: 

Link: https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0007045

____

#USA, #Oregon: Avoid #contact with #bats to reduce #rabies exposure risk (Dept. of Health, July 31 '26)

 

July 30, 2026

    PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) are urging people to prevent exposure to rabies while highlighting the importance of bats and other wildlife to the state’s ecosystems.

    So far, 22 bats have tested positive for rabies in 2026, according to OHA data. That means the state has matched – and is poised to surpass – its record for the number of bats that test positive for rabies in a single year. Bats have carried the rabies virus in their populations for thousands of years and are well known to carry rabies today, but generally at a very low level. Nevertheless, they account for the most human exposures to the virus more than any other species in the U.S.

    The highest number of animals testing positive for rabies since 2000 was in 2006, when 22 bats and two foxes were found to be carrying the disease. In 2023, 20 bats tested positive for the virus.

    Emilio DeBess, DVM, public health veterinarian at OHA’s Public Health Division, said the more contact someone has with bats, the higher the risk of exposure to rabies.

    “Unfortunately, when people find a dead or dying bat, they may pick it up with their hands because they want to help it, or maybe they’re just curious,” DeBess said. “When a bat or other wild animal is sick or dying with rabies, there’s an increased chance they will bite or transmit the virus in other ways.”

    Colin Gillin, DVM, ODFW state wildlife veterinarian, agrees that bats and other wildlife rarely bite people but may do so if they are sick or feel threatened. Oregon bats, in particular, eat only insects—about 1,000 insects every hour—and avoid people.

    “Bats provide important ecosystem services in Oregon, but also globally with insect control, seed dispersal, and pollination of specific plants, supporting agriculture and forest systems,” Gillin said. “And like many animals that can carry disease, bats can also prevent or suppress disease by reducing mosquitoes and other vectors that carry human and animal pathogens.”

    ° What to do if you find a bat

        § Bats are protected wildlife, which makes it illegal to harm or keep them. If you see a bat that appears to be sick:

            * Stay calm, do not touch it, and keep people and pets away.

            * When the sick or dead bat is indoors, do not release the bat. It may have exposed someone or a pet to rabies. If it is safe to do so, place a container or box over the bat.

           * When the sick or dead bat is outdoors and may have exposed someone to rabies, cover it with a box or bucket to keep it in place, if safe to do so. Finding a dead bat does not require any action unless someone was bitten or scratched before the bat died.

            * Contact your local health authority or veterinarian for your area right away to discuss potential exposures to humans or pets.

            * If there are multiple sick or dead bats observed in an area, report it to ODFW.

        § When a person or pet has been bitten or scratched by an animal that may have rabies, report this exposure immediately to your local animal regulation services or local public health authority. Seek medical care immediately from a medical provider or veterinarian.

            * Teach children to avoid all contact with bats and other wildlife.

            * Avoid bats seen in the wild, such as while hiking.

            * Make sure your dog or cats' vaccinations are up to date, whether they are indoor or outdoor pets.

            * Unvaccinated pets that come into contact with a bat may be quarantined for up to four months, or euthanized.

            * Protect your home from bats by covering vents, chimneys, and other entry points with screens.

            * If you have roosting (nesting) bats living in your attic or other areas of your house, call a wildlife control operator (WCO). ODFW is unable to respond to homeowner requests for bat removal.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/Avoid-contact-with-bats-to-reduce-rabies-exposure-risk.aspx

____

#SARS-CoV-2 #Surveillance in Free-Ranging #Wildlife in New England and #Virginia, #USA, 2022–2025

 

Abstract

Since its emergence in 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected a wide range of animal species, including wildlife. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection has been widely reported in wildlife, particularly in white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) across the United States, data on viral circulation in New England wildlife remain limited. Here, we investigated active SARS-CoV-2 infection and serological evidence of previous exposure in free-ranging wildlife from New England and Virginia. We examined samples from 1646 animals representing 29 wildlife species, collected through wildlife rehabilitation centers, clinics, and hunter harvests in New England and Virginia between 2022 and 2025. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in three WTD from Massachusetts and Vermont. Phylogeographic analysis showed that the Vermont WTD SARS-CoV-2 sequences were closely related to contemporaneous human SARS-CoV-2 sequences from the same region, consistent with a possible human-to-deer spillover event. Serological screening by ELISA detected SARS-CoV-2 reactive samples in nine individuals from three species, including Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), Eastern coyote (Canis latrans), and raccoon (Procyon lotor), providing putative evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure. However, neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant were detected in only a single Eastern cottontail. Overall, these findings indicate sporadic SARS-CoV-2 detection and limited serological evidence of prior exposure among wildlife sampled in New England and Virginia, and highlight the importance of continued surveillance to detect spillover events, monitor viral evolution, and assess the potential risks associated with wildlife reservoirs.

Source: 

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/18/8/832

____

Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza #H5N5 in a Polar #Bear and Atlantic #Walrus, #Svalbard, 2026, with Widespread Seroconversion in Polar Bears

 

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) subtype H5N5 was detected in a one-year-old polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and an adjacent adult Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), both found deceased in Raudfjorden, Svalbard. This represents the first confirmed case of HPAI in a European polar bear and the second in an Atlantic walrus. Viral genomes were nearly identical and harbored PB2-E627V, a marker associated with mammalian adaptation. Several polar bears, including the deceased individual, had previously been observed feeding on the walrus carcass. Antibodies against H5 were detected in 75% of polar bears in 2023 (n=36) and 97% in 2024-2025 (n=65), suggesting extensive circulation of HPAIV in the population following the first detections in birds in Svalbard in 2022, whereas no antibodies were detected in samples from 2014-2022 (n=243).

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Project OH4Surveillance, funded by the European Union, Grant Agreement No 101132473

Morris Animal Foundation, Grant ID# D25ZO-430; KJB

Norwegian Veterinary Institute, 12311 SvalVilt

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.20.739480v1

____

Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza #H5N1 in South #America, 2022–2025: Spread, Affected Species, and Southward Expansion into the #Antarctic Region

 

Abstract

The H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has caused severe global losses, reaching South America in 2022 and Antarctica in 2024. Here, we synthesize outbreak reports submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health by South American countries and overseas territories in this continent, and document the virus’s unprecedented expansion into Antarctica, affecting wild birds, wild mammals, and domestic poultry. Phylogenetic and time-calibrated Bayesian analyses were performed on available genomic sequences. Over 6 million domestic birds were lost, mostly from commercial operations. Of the 11 South American countries and overseas territories that reported H5N1 to WOAH, 10 reported infections in wild birds, spanning 104 species, 59.62% of which are migratory and predominantly non-trans-equatorial. Marine mammal outbreaks followed wild bird detections, with the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) being the most reported species. Several Antarctic bird species with migratory behavior were also reported in South America. Genomic analyses revealed multiple introduction events, regional viral diversification, and patterns consistent with repeated cross-species spillover events. These findings highlight H5N1’s extensive ecological reach in the Southern Hemisphere and underscore the urgent need for a One Health approach that strengthens wildlife and backyard-poultry surveillance, alongside coordinated regional action to control and prevent further HPAI spread.

Source: 

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/18/7/764

____

Inter-population #connectivity of southern elephant #seals and the likely intra-species #transmission #pathways of high pathogenicity avian #influenza

 

Abstract

High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has spread beyond birds to affect seals across the Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic region, with southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) particularly devastated. The virus, likely introduced via spillover from infected migratory birds, has killed tens of thousands of adult seals and pups throughout most of their range, though Macquarie Island remains unaffected so far. We used twenty years of elephant seal movement data from the southern Indian and Pacific oceans to assess whether seal-to-seal transmission could spread HPAI H5N1 between breeding colonies, despite the vast distances separating them (Marion Island, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Macquarie Island). There was substantial overlap in seals' at-sea distributions during their winter post-moult trips, when seals travel for weeks at average speeds of 3.5 km/h. Two transmission pathways were examined: (1) terrestrial "stepping stone" routes, where infected seals could pass the virus between colonies during short intervals to remain infectious were feasible from Marion Island to Kerguelen but not from Kerguelen to Macquarie Island; and (2) at-sea encounters between seals, which occurred frequently enough to enable transmission. The findings suggest that once established at Macquarie Island, the virus could potentially spread further to New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands and mainland New Zealand. While seal-to-seal transmission appears possible, we conclude this is unlikely. Nonetheless, understanding at-sea contact rates enhances knowledge of H5N1 epidemiology and demonstrates the value of combining long-term population monitoring with movement data to understand wildlife disease dynamics.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Integrated Marine Observing System, https://ror.org/010x3gp67

CNRS

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.07.737127v1

____

#Filovirus #Surveillance in Communities Bordering Equatorial Guinea, #Marburg #Outbreak, #Cameroon, 2023

 

Abstract

After the 2023 Equatorial Guinea Marburg virus (MARV) outbreak, surveillance of 181 persons in southern Cameroon detected MARV antibodies in 3 persons and Ebola virus antibodies in 7. Testing of 289 captured bats, including 158 Rousettus aegyptiacus bats, did not detect MARV RNA. Enhanced surveillance for regional filovirus spillover risks is warranted.

Source: 

Link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/8/26-0117_article

____

#Genomic #Surveillance Uncovers the Silent #Spread of Avian #Influenza Virus #H5N1 2.3.4.4b Among Wild #Birds and #Mammals Along #Brazil’s Southern Coast

 

Abstract

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are widely distributed and have a wide range of hosts. Recently, the number of cases of infection associated with the circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 2.3.4.4b has raised concerns about its high transmission capacity in birds and mammals. This study analyzed swabs from bird and mammal species from the coast of Paraná and the northwest region of São Paulo, Brazil, for the presence of AIV in animals that did not present clinical or histopathological lesions of infection that indicated the need for molecular characterization during monitoring. Of the 661 animals analyzed, three tested positive, two of which were birds (Sula leucogaster and Thalasseus acuflavidus) while one was a mammal (Otaria flavescens) (0.45%, CI 95%: 0.16–1.33). A complete genome sequence of H5N1 AIV was obtained from a brown booby (Sula leucogaster) from the Paraná coast (GISAID accession number: EPI_ISL_1897537). Our study reinforces the importance of continuous genomic surveillance, especially in AIV hosts that do not show signs of infection, to enhance the One-Health assessment approach.

Source: Viruses, https://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/18/7/738

____

Maintenance of #Hokkaido virus, a genotype of #Orthohantavirus puumalaense, in the #rodent host Myodes rufocanus bedfordiae under natural conditions

 

ABSTRACT

A variety of orthohantaviruses (family Hantaviridae) have preferred natural host species, with transmission among hosts generally thought to occur through direct physical contact and inhalation of virus-contaminated excreta, although the infection to the other species occasionally occurs. Despite extensive experimental studies, the mechanisms of orthohantavirus maintenance and transmission under natural conditions remain unclear. In this study, field surveys were conducted in a forest in Tobetsu, Hokkaido, Japan, between 2022 and 2025 to capture gray red-backed voles (Myodes rufocanus bedfordiae), the natural host of Hokkaido virus (HOKV), a genotype of Orthohantavirus puumalaense. Among 199 captured rodents, 23 were positive for HOKV infection. Five individuals were positive for viral RNA but negative for anti-HOKV IgG antibodies on ELISA and IFA and exhibited low neutralizing antibody titers and low IgG avidity indexes (≤26%), suggesting acute infection. In contrast, 18 individuals were positive for viral RNA and showed high antibody titers on ELISA, IFA, and neutralization tests, as well as high IgG avidities (≥64%); these individuals were considered persistently infected. High levels of viral RNA and antigens were consistently detected in the lungs, kidneys, and spleen during both potential acute and persistent phases of HOKV infection by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Infectious HOKV was also recovered from oral swabs (8/8), urine (3/6), and feces (4/6) of individual rodents captured in 2024. These findings showed that HOKV can persist at high viral loads in host organs and be excreted throughout the course of infection, contributing to the long-term maintenance of orthohantavirus in natural host populations.

Source: Journal of Virology, https://journals.asm.org/journal/jvi

Link: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00321-26

____

Avian #influenza #overview March–May 2026 (ECDC, Summary, June 26 '26)

26 June 2026

Publication series: Avian influenza overview

    

    Between 28 February and 4 June 2026, 949 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus detections were reported in domestic (186) and wild (763) birds in 30 countries in Europe.

Abstract

    The downward trend in the number of detections observed at the end of the previous reporting period continued and is expected to persist throughout the summer. 

    While the number of HPAI A(H5N1) outbreaks in domestic birds remained at a low level, except in a few countries, A(H9N2) virus of clade G5.5 was detected in poultry in Europe for the first time. 

    Following the intense circulation of HPAI viruses in waterfowl in recent months, sporadic detections were reported in mammals, particularly in wild carnivores, including the detection of A(H5N5) virus in a polar bear and a walrus in Norway. 

    Outside Europe, the focus of HPAI virus detections shifted from North to South America, where a large number of outbreaks and mortality events in swans were reported. 

    Between 28 February and 4 June 2026, 19 cases of avian influenza virus infection were publicly reported in humans (including three fatal cases) in six countries and territories: Bangladesh (two cases with A(H5N1), one fatal), Cambodia (three cases with A(H5N1), one fatal), India (one case with A(H5N1)), Italy (one imported case with A(H9N2)), China (10 A(H9N2) cases and one fatal A(H5N6) case), and Taiwan (one A(H7N7) case). 

    Most human cases reported exposure to poultry or a poultry environment prior to detection or onset of illness. 

    Human infections with avian influenza viruses remain rare and no sustained human-to-human transmission has been documented. 

    The risk posed by avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses currently circulating in Europe remains low for the general public in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) and low-to-moderate for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments.

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/avian-influenza-overview-march-may-2026

____

#Biodiversity and emerging infectious #threats: the microbial dark matter of Southwest #China

 

Abstract

Southwest China is a global biodiversity hotspot, and its complex and diverse ecosystems harbor vast amounts of “microbial dark matter.” This paper systematically examines the distribution characteristics of microbial dark matter in hosts such as arthropods, mammals, and birds, as well as in environments including soil, hot springs, and high-altitude lakes, with a particular focus on the cross-species transmissibility and pathogenic potential of emerging pathogens. Research indicates that new microbial species in the Southwest exhibit significant geographic concentration and host specificity: Yunnan Province is a core hotspot, while the Tibet Autonomous Region contributes a wealth of microbial resources due to its extreme environments, with arthropods and mammals accounting for the highest proportion of novel species. Regarding public health risks, eight novel pathogens with evidence of human infection have been identified, spanning the three major groups of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The cross-species transmission potential of some pathogens (such as DPRV rhabdovirus, PPV arenaviridae, Luxi hantavirus, Banna virus and a novel Babesia species) has been confirmed through serological surveys or molecular testing. Deepening the exploration of microbial dark matter and risk early warning in this region will provide critical scientific support for public health safety monitoring.

Source: 

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1846062/full

____

#Nipah Virus Shedding in #Urine from Fruit #Bats, #SriLanka, 2018–2019

 

Abstract

Nipah virus causes outbreaks in humans with high case-fatality rates. In this study, we confirmed the presence of Nipah virus in Sri Lanka in Pteropus medius fruit bats, one of the known natural reservoir species. Sequences we generated were genetically related to Nipah virus strains from outbreaks in southern India.

Source: 

Link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/7/25-1567_article

____

Mass #mortality of southern elephant #seals during multi-species #outbreak of HPAI #H5N1 on sub - #Antarctic Heard Island

 

Abstract

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) has spread across the sub-Antarctic, causing significant wildlife impacts. We report its first detection in an Australian external territory, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, which supports over one million breeding seabirds and seals. Drone and ground surveys (October 2025, January 2026), combined with viral genome analysis, confirmed infection with Influenza A H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b at Heard Island. Drone surveys revealed mass mortality in southern elephant seals, with 8,573 pups (62%) recorded dead across Heard Island by the final surveys. Mortality increased at an average rate of 5.6% per day in a subset of harems, and the highest observed mortality in a harem was 97%. Based on the average (76%) mortality in the final surveys, total estimated pup mortality at Heard Island was 13,359 (from a total population of 17,364 pups), though this may be an underestimate as mortality was ongoing at this time. HPAI was detected in six of nine species tested and, we suspect, led to elevated mortality in king and gentoo penguins. Phylogenetic analysis indicates the virus was introduced from Crozet Islands, with an estimated arrival around August 2025. These data show the continued easterly spread of HPAI around the sub-Antarctic, with severe but heterogeneous impacts across taxa. Our results demonstrate the value of drones for large scale monitoring, underscoring the need for continued and enhanced HPAI surveillance across the Southern Ocean.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.06.16.732752v1

____

Data #gaps of international #databases on HPAI #H5 in #wildlife in the #Americas: implications for #surveillance, research, and #conservation

 

Abstract

Global efforts to prevent and mitigate the impacts of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5 on domestic animals, humans, and wildlife rely on timely and transparent information that is both accurate and interpretable across countries and sectors. International epidemiological and genomic databases, such as the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), the Global Animal Disease Information System (EMPRES-i+), the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), and the National Center for Technological Bioinformation Virus Portal (NCBI) provide essential information for surveillance, research, and decision-making. To evaluate how well these resources capture recent wildlife impacts, we consolidated information from these databases and complementary public sources including government reports, scientific literature, and news articles, on wildlife mortality associated with HPAI H5 in the Americas from November 2021 to July 2024. The consolidated dataset comprised 615,883 wild birds (287 spp.) and 63,409 wild mammals (39 spp.). In comparison, WAHIS represented 16,902 wild birds (261 spp.) and 6,323 wild mammals (31 spp.) while EMPRES-i+ captured a substantially smaller portion of affected host diversity for both wild birds (105 spp.) and wild mammals (27 spp.). Genomic databases (GISAID and NCBI) represented 7,027 whole genome equivalents of H5 viruses from wild birds (175 spp.) and 371 from wild mammals (26 spp.). These discrepancies indicate that international databases, while essential, provide an incomplete picture of HPAI impacts on wildlife, with significant geographic and taxonomic asymmetries attributable to differences in surveillance capacity, reporting practices, sequencing effort, and data-sharing pathways. Studies and management strategies relying on these resources without complementary validation may therefore mistake data gaps for real-world epidemiological patterns. Strengthening data reporting standards, improving validation procedures, and integrating international databases with national reports, scientific publications, and other sources will enhance the reliability of epidemiological analyses and support more effective One Health surveillance, risk assessment, and conservation action.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.30.728949v1

____