#Germany - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

Wild Anatidae birds in Bremen Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6264

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#Sudan #Ebola virus disease #outbreak in #Uganda — a role for cryptic transmission?

{Excerpt}

On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus (SUDV). The outbreak was declared just 3 hours after laboratory confirmation at two national reference laboratories, consistent with International Health Regulations. The index case was detected at Mulago Specialized National Hospital in Kampala, Uganda1.

(...)

Source: Nature Medicine, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41591-025-00012-0

_____

#Genetic #data and #meteorological conditions: unravelling the windborne #transmission of #H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian #influenza between commercial #poultry #outbreaks

Abstract

Understanding the transmission routes of high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is crucial for developing effective control measures to prevent its spread. In this context, windborne transmission, the idea that the virus can travel through the air over considerable distances, is a contentious concept and, documented cases are rare. Here, though, we provide genetic evidence supporting the feasibility of windborne transmission. During the 2023-24 HPAI season, molecular surveillance identified identical H5N1 strains among a cluster of unrelated commercial farms about 8 km apart in the Czech Republic. The episode started with the abrupt mortality of fattening ducks on one farm and was followed by disease outbreaks at two nearby high-biosecurity chicken farms. Using genetic, epizootiological, meteorological and geographical data, we reconstructed a mosaic of events strongly suggesting wind was the mechanism of infection transmission between poultry in at least two independent cases. By aligning the genetic and meteorological data with critical outbreak events, we determined the most likely time window during which the transmission occurred and inferred the sequence of infected houses at the recipient sites. Our results suggest that the contaminated plume emitted from the infected fattening duck farm was the critical medium of HPAI transmission, rather than the dust generated during depopulation. Furthermore, they also strongly implicate the role of confined mechanically-ventilated buildings with high population densities in facilitating windborne transmission and propagating virus concentrations below the minimum infectious dose at the recipient sites. These findings underscore the importance of considering windborne spread in future outbreak mitigation strategies.

Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.12.637829v1

_____

Evolving #Epidemiology of #Mpox in #Africa in 2024

Abstract

Background

For decades after the identification of mpox in humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1970, the disease was largely confined to the rural areas of Central and West Africa and thus did not garner broad attention. On August 13, 2024, mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a notice that was followed the next day by a declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization.

Methods

In this study we analyzed all mpox cases and deaths, based on clinical or laboratory diagnosis, that were reported to the Africa CDC from January 1, 2022, to October 30, 2024, to identify temporal variations, geographic distributions, and epidemiologic trends.

Results

From January 1, 2022, to August 18, 2024, a total of 45,652 mpox cases were clinically diagnosed and laboratory-confirmed in 12 African countries. These cases resulted in 1492 deaths (case fatality rate, 3.3%). From 2022 to 2024, weekly laboratory-confirmed mpox cases increased by a factor of 2.8 (from 176 to 489 cases), whereas all weekly reported cases (including those with a clinical diagnosis) increased by a factor of 4.3 (from 669 to 2900 cases). The DRC, which had reported approximately 88% of mpox cases in Africa in 2024, had 19,513 cases before the emergency declaration, with a case fatality rate of 3.1% — a weekly average of 591 cases as compared with 281 in 2023. In 2024, six African countries reported their first imported mpox infections, with Burundi also reporting local transmission.

Conclusions

The high mpox disease burden in Africa, especially in the DRC — with a rising number of cases, high case fatality rate, and high degree of spread to other previously mpox-free African countries — is cause for increased international concern. Case detection, contact tracing, public health measures, and affordable vaccines are needed to implement interventions in the DRC to reduce the risk of global spread of the virus.

Source: New England Journal of Medicine, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2411368?query=TOC

_____

A brief #history of #human #infections with #H5Ny avian #influenza viruses

Abstract

The H5 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) presents a continued threat to human health, intensifying with the H5N1 outbreak in cattle herds and onward transmission to humans. In this commentary, we offer a brief history of and explore recent advances in H5Ny AIVs and their impact on public health.

Source: Cell Host Microbe, https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/abstract/S1931-3128(25)00028-9?rss=yes

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#Risk #Assessment of Spread of the #Influenza А Virus in #Cows in South #Bulgaria

Abstract

In this article, we present an assessment of the risk of the potential introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cows in Bulgaria. In the spring of 2024, we witnessed an unprecedented spread of the virus in dairy herds in the USA. This crossing of interspecies barriers by the virus creates a real danger of pandemic manifestations in humans. The continued spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in dairy populations and other mammalian species and efficient animal-to-animal transmission increases the risk of infection and subsequent spread of the virus in human populations. According to registers, as of 1 November 2022, a total of 559,544 cattle were bred in Bulgaria. The total number of dairy cows decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to 197,996. Farms breeding dairy cows as of 1 November 2022 were 12,439, which is 22.1% less than the previous year. The production of cow’s milk in 2022 amounted to 748,278 thousand liters. Traditionally, the largest share in the total yield of cow’s milk is occupied by the south-central region with 25.9%, followed by the southeastern region with 18.5%. Due to potential risk factors such as the high concentration of dairy cows in high-risk areas for avian influenza A, the possibility of HPAI jumping the interspecies barrier and spreading in dairy herds in Bulgaria is very high. We therefore set out to assess the risk of virus penetration in these herds.

Source: Viruses, https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/246

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#Thermal #inactivation spectrum of #influenza A #H5N1 virus in raw #milk

Abstract

The spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus to dairy cows and shedding of high amounts of infectious virus in milk raised public health concerns. Here, we evaluated the decay and thermal stability spectrum of HPAI H5N1 virus in raw milk. For the decay studies, HPAI H5N1 positive raw milk was incubated at different temperatures and viral titers and the thermal death time D-values were estimated. We then heat treated HPAI H5N1 virus positive milk following different thermal conditions including pasteurization and thermization conditions. Efficient inactivation of the virus was observed in all tested conditions, except for thermization at 50C 10 min. Utilizing a submerged coil system with temperature ramp up times that resemble commercial pasteurizers, we showed that the virus was rapidly inactivated by pasteurization and most thermization conditions. These results provide important insights on the food safety measures utilized in the dairy industry.

Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.21.614205v2

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#India - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

Four backyard poultry outbreaks in Maharashtra State.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6250

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#UK - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification {Cornwall}

480 mixed free-range commercial broiler and layer unit. HPAI clinical signs reported, including depression and reduced food and water intake. Samples taken were positive for H5N1. Region: England, Cornwall.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6255

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#Bosnia and Herzegovina - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

 A poultry farm in Repuplika Srpska. 

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6258

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#Influenza A virus rapidly adapts #particle #shape to #environmental pressures

Abstract

Enveloped viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) often produce a mixture of virion shapes, ranging from 100 nm spheres to micron-long filaments. Spherical virions use fewer resources, while filamentous virions resist cell-entry pressures such as antibodies. While shape changes are believed to require genetic adaptation, the mechanisms of how viral mutations alter shape remain unclear. Here we find that IAV dynamically adjusts its shape distribution in response to environmental pressures. We developed a quantitative flow virometry assay to measure the shape of viral particles under various infection conditions (such as multiplicity, replication inhibition and antibody treatment) while using different combinations of IAV strains and cell lines. We show that IAV rapidly tunes its shape distribution towards spheres under optimal conditions but favours filaments under attenuation. Our work demonstrates that this phenotypic flexibility allows IAV to rapidly respond to environmental pressures in a way that provides dynamic adaptation potential in changing surroundings.

Source: Nature Microbiology, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-025-01925-9

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#China reported two additional #human infection with avian #influenza virus A #H9N2 (HK CHP, Feb. 11 '25)

 {Excerpt}

Avian Influenza Report - VOLUME 21, NUMBER 6 - Reporting period: Feb 2, 2025 – Feb 8, 2025 (Week 6), (Published on February 11, 2025) 

-- Mainland China: 2 new cases (0 death cases): 

- Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

- Hunan Province: 

- 1) A two-year-old boy with onset on December 27, 2024.  

- 2) A 15-year-old boy with onset on January 8, 2025. 

(...)

Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk06.pdf

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#Australia - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H7N8 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

This is a confirmed case of H7N8 HPAI in a free-range commercial egg layer poultry farm. H7N8 virus is genetically related to strains detected in wild birds in Australia but different from the strains detected and eradicated in Australia in 2024. Biosecurity controls (quarantine) have been implemented on the farm. A detailed surveillance plan is being developed and epidemiological investigation and tracing is underway. Operational activities have commenced immediately. A Control Area (CA) and Restricted Area (RA) have been declared around the premises. Movement controls are being implemented in the CA and RA. A public information strategy has been employed. All coordinates provided are approximate to the nearest town location. Outbreak location: Victoria State.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6249

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#Ukraine - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

Unspecified species of domestic birds in Sumy Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6251

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#UK - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 Two Greylag Goose, one Eurasian buzzard, two Eurasian Jackdaw, one Whooper Swan, one Common Guineafowl in Northern Ireland.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6248

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#USA, Confirmed #human #H5N1 #influenza virus case #summary since 2024, by state and exposure source: One new case in #Nevada (Feb. 10 '25)

{Excerpt}

[State - Exposure Source: Exposure Associated with Commercial Agriculture and Related Operations: Dairy Herds (Cattle) - Poultry Farms and Culling Operations - Other Animal Exposure† - Exposure Source Unknown‡ - State Total]

1) California - 36 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 38

2) Colorado - 1 - 9 - 0 - 0 - 10

3) Iowa - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1

4) Louisiana - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 1

5) Michigan - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2

6) Missouri - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1

7) Nevada - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 {+1}

8) Oregon - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1

9) Texas - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1

10) Washington - 0 - 11 - 0 - 0 - 11

11) Wisconsin - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1

-- Source Total - 41 - 23 - 1 - 3 - 68 {+1}

NOTE: One additional case was previously detected in a poultry worker in Colorado in 2022. Louisiana reported the first H5 bird flu death in the U.S.

{†} Exposure was related to other animals such as backyard flocks, wild birds, or other mammals

{‡} Exposure source was not able to be identified

Probable human case summary during the 2024 outbreak, by state and exposure source

When a case tests positive for H5 at a public health laboratory but testing at CDC is not able to confirm H5 infection, per Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) guidance, a case is reported as probable.

-- Probable cases with commercial poultry exposure (e.g., poultry farms or culling operations):

1) Washington (3)

2) Arizona (2)

-- Probable cases with commercial dairy (cattle) exposure:

1) California (1)

-- Probable cases with exposure source unknown:

1) Delaware (1)

Confirmed and probable cases are typically updated by 5 PM EST on Mondays (for cases confirmed by CDC on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday), Wednesdays (for cases confirmed by CDC on Monday or Tuesday), and Fridays (for cases confirmed by CDC on Wednesday and Thursday). Affected states may report cases more frequently.

(...)

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm

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Novel #H16N3 avian #influenza viruses isolated from migratory #gulls in #China in 2023

Abstract

As a rare subtype of avian influenza virus, H16 viruses are predominant in gulls but rarely found in domestic birds. The low prevalence of H16 viruses has limited our understanding of their epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics. In this study, we isolated three novel H16N3 viruses from migratory gulls in East Asian–Australasian Flyway in eastern China in 2023, which are significantly different from previously identified isolates. To fully understand the epidemiology and genetics characteristics of the global H16 viruses, we compared the host divergence of several rare subtypes and determined that the H13 and H16 subtypes were predominantly pooled into different species of gulls by sharing their internal genes, whereas the waterfowl of Anatidae served as the primary natural reservoirs of the H8, H11, H12, H14, and H15 subtypes. Detailed phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary divergence of globally circulating H16 viruses and their frequent gene reassortment. Furthermore, the gull origin H13 and H16 viruses collectively served as gene donors for the newly emerged highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses because the H13/H16-like PA, NP, and NS genes have been introduced into circulating H5N1 viruses since May 2022 in Europe. To date, the H5N1 reassortants containing the H13/H16-like gene segments have been detected in wild and domestic birds and resulted in mammal and human infections. These results improve our knowledge of the ecology and genetics of H16 viruses and emphasize the need for surveillance to monitor the emergence of novel avian influenza viruses in migratory birds.

Source: Frontiers in Microbiology, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1543338/full

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Reduction of #Influenza A Virus #Prevalence in #Pigs at Weaning After Using Custom-Made Influenza #Vaccines in the Breeding #Herds of an Integrated Swine #Farm System

Abstract

Vaccination is a common influenza A virus (IAV) control strategy for pigs. Vaccine efficacy depends on strain cross-protection and effective vaccination program implementation. We evaluated a multi-faceted IAV vaccination strategy which included (a) monthly surveillance of pigs at weaning, (b) selection of epidemiologically relevant strains from farms under surveillance, (c) updating IAV strains in custom-made vaccines, and (d) seasonal mass vaccination with custom-made vaccines given to sows in 35 farrow-to-wean farms within an integrated swine farm system. Reduction of IAV in pigs from vaccinated sows was determined by monthly monitoring of farms for 30 months by IAV rRT-PCR (PCR) testing of nasal wipes collected from litters of piglets at weaning. Hemagglutinin (HA) nucleotide and amino acid (AA) sequence homology of the circulating and vaccine strains was determined by pairwise alignment and AA comparison at antigenic sites. Of the 35 farms monitored, 28 (80%) tested positive at least once, and 481 (5.75%) of 8352 PCR tests were IAV positive. Complete HA sequences were obtained from 54 H1 (22 H1-δ_1B.2.1, 28 H1-γ_1A.3.3.3, and 4 H1-pdm_1A.3.3.2 clades) and 14 H3 (12 IV-A 3.1990.4.1 and 2 IV-B 3.1990.4.2 clades) circulating IAV strains. During the study, custom-made vaccines were updated three times (eight strains total) and administered to sows at five distinct time periods. The HA AA similarity between vaccine and circulating strains ranged from 95% to 99%; however, the 0 to 71% similarity at HA antigenic sites prompted the vaccine updates. Herd IAV prevalence decreased from 40% (14/35) to 2.9% (1/35), accompanied by a numerical reduction in IAV-positive samples post-vaccination. Our results support having a comprehensive approach to controlling influenza in swine herds that includes surveillance, vaccination, and careful program implementation to reduce IAV in pigs.

Source: Viruses, https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/240

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