#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, Feb. 23 '25)

 

Antiviral Res

1. INOUE A, Ichikawa T, Wada D, Maruyama S, et al
   M49L and other drug resistance mutations emerging in individuals after administration of ensitrelvir in Japanese clinical settings.
   Antiviral Res. 2025;236:106118.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
2. ZIAN D, Iaconis D, Nenci S, Crusco A, et al
   The Efficiency of High-Throughput Screening (HTS) and in-silico data analysis during medical emergencies: identification of effective antiviral 3CLpro inhibitors.
   Antiviral Res. 2025 Feb 18:106119. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106119.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Clin Infect Dis

3. LUETKEMEYER AF, Chew KW, Lacey S, Hughes MD, et al
   Ensitrelvir for the Treatment of Nonhospitalized Adults with COVID-19: Results from the SCORPIO-HR, Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
   Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 17:ciaf029. doi: 10.1093.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
4. SIM BZ, Wolfe CR
   Antiviral Trials-Navigating the Shifting Sands of a Pandemic.
   Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 17:ciaf031. doi: 10.1093.
   PubMed        
   
   

   
   Emerg Infect Dis

5. FERREIRA FC, Pervin T, Tang WW, Hediger JA, et al
   Respiratory Shedding of Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.41.1 Lineage among Captive White-Tailed Deer, Texas, USA.
   Emerg Infect Dis. 2025;31:267-274.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
6. DAVIES MA, de Gier B, Guy RL, Coelho J, et al
   Streptococcus pyogenes emm Type 3.93 Emergence, the Netherlands and England.
   Emerg Infect Dis. 2025;31:229-236.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol

7. SUN M, Wu M, Zhang L, Zhou H, et al
   Clinical characteristics of optic neuritis following COVID-19 during Omicron outbreak in China.
   Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2025 Feb 21. doi: 10.1007/s00417-025-06780.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Intensive Care Med

8. OLMOS M, Fuentes N, Busico M, Gallardo A, et al
   Effectiveness of bundle of care on tolerance of awake-prone positioning in patients with acute respiratory failure. A multicenter observational study.
   Intensive Care Med. 2025 Feb 17. doi: 10.1007/s00134-025-07804.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   J Infect

9. AO G, Li T, Wang Y, Balzer N, et al
   The effect of amubarvimab-romlusevimab on clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis.
   J Infect. 2025;90:106442.
   PubMed        
   
   
10. MAZARAKIS N, Toh ZQ, Neal E, Bright K, et al
    The immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety of a bivalent mRNA or protein COVID-19 vaccine given as a fourth dose.
    J Infect. 2025 Feb 18:106447. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106447.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    J Med Virol

11. ZHANG Y, Chen H, Li Y, Luo C, et al
    Animal Models for Long COVID: Current Advances, Limitations, and Future Directions.
    J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70237.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
12. LI Y, Lu J, He L, Jiang C, et al
    Repeated Omicron Infections Overcome T Cell Immune Imprinting to Original SARS-CoV-2.
    J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70264.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
13. FRAENKEL CJ, Thuresson S, Medstrand P, Alsved M, et al
    Comparison of Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Pre-Delta Variants Around Infected Patients.
    J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70258.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
14. KIM J, Han E, Kim J, Kim YJ, et al
    Comparative Evaluation of the PowerChek Respiratory Virus Panel RT-PCR Assay Detecting 16 Respiratory Viruses Including SARS-CoV-2.
    J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70243.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
15. ZHAO Y, He C, Peng M, Li M, et al
    Large-Scale Screening of CD4(+) T-Cell Epitopes From SARS-CoV-2 Proteins and the Universal Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Specific T Cells for Northeast Asian Population.
    J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70241.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
16. HO SY, Zhou YT, Ho SY, Hu YL, et al
    Clinical Characteristics and Severity Predictors of Pediatric Adenovirus Infections.
    J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70248.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
17. HOTA M, Wondeu ALD, Abakar MF, Dezoumbe K, et al
    Integrated Seroprevalence and Genome-Based Study of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Strains in N'Djamena: Insights Into Chad's COVID-19 Epicenter.
    J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70234.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
18. DAMODAR T, Pattabiraman C, Singh B, Jose M, et al
    Microbiological Investigations for Chikungunya Virus in Children With Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in a Non-Outbreak Setting in Southern India.
    J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70233.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    J Virol

19. SOULTSIOTI M, de Jong AWM, Blomberg N, Tas A, et al
    Perturbation of de novo lipogenesis hinders MERS-CoV assembly and release, but not the biogenesis of viral replication organelles.
    J Virol. 2025 Feb 20:e0228224. doi: 10.1128/jvi.02282.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Lancet Infect Dis

20. KRAMMER F, Barclay WS, Beer M, Brown IH, et al
    Europe needs a sustainably funded influenza research and response network.
    Lancet Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 17:S1473-3099(25)00068.
    PubMed        
    
    

    
    N Engl J Med

21. BROWN JR, Seymour JF, Jurczak W, Aw A, et al
    Fixed-Duration Acalabrutinib Combinations in Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
    N Engl J Med. 2025;392:748-762.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Nature

22. MARR LC
    Researchers overlooked airborne diseases for centuries - then COVID-19 changed everything.
    Nature. 2025;638:607-608.
    PubMed        
    
    
23. 
    Learn COVID pandemic lessons - before it's too late.
    Nature. 2025 Feb 18. doi: 10.1038/d41586-025-00498.
    PubMed        
    
    
24. MALLAPATY S
    What sparked the COVID pandemic? Mounting evidence points to raccoon dogs.
    Nature. 2025 Feb 21. doi: 10.1038/d41586-025-00426.
    PubMed        
    
    

    
    Radiology

25. NARAYAN AK, Foster N, Kadom N, Scott JA, et al
    Six Steps to Improving Health Equity Using Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Tools.
    Radiology. 2025;314:e232750.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Science

26. ZASLAVSKY ME, Craig E, Michuda JK, Sehgal N, et al
    Disease diagnostics using machine learning of B cell and T cell receptor sequences.
    Science. 2025;387:eadp2407.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Travel Med Infect Dis

27. FLOREZ L, Echeverri-De la Hoz D, Calderon A, Serrano-Coll H, et al
    Preclinical evaluation of the RBD-Trimeric vaccine: A novel approach to strengthening biotechnological sovereignty in developing countries against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
    Travel Med Infect Dis. 2025;64:102820.
    PubMed         Abstract available

#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, Feb. 23 '25)

 

Antiviral Res

1. SCHREIBER A, Ludwig S
   Host-targeted antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 in clinical development - Prospect or disappointment?
   Antiviral Res. 2025;235:106101.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
2. WU Q, Wu H, Hu Y, Zheng X, et al
   Immune evasion of Omicron variants JN.1, KP.2, and KP.3 to the polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies from COVID-19 convalescents and vaccine recipients.
   Antiviral Res. 2025 Jan 24:106092. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106092.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
3. XU M, Zhang Z, Sun Y, Mai H, et al
   IgA class switching enhances neutralizing potency against SARS-CoV-2 by increased antibody hinge flexibility.
   Antiviral Res. 2025 Jan 17:106082. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106082.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Biochemistry

4. LEE S, Yan S, Dey A, Laederach A, et al
   A Cascade of Conformational Switches in SARS-CoV-2 Frameshifting: Coregulation by Upstream and Downstream Elements.
   Biochemistry. 2025;64:953-966.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
5. DHAKA P, Singh A, Nehul S, Choudhary S, et al
   Disruption of Molecular Interactions between the G3BP1 Stress Granule Host Protein and the Nucleocapsid (NTD-N) Protein Impedes SARS-CoV-2 Virus Replication.
   Biochemistry. 2025;64:823-840.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Cell

6. WANG E, Cohen AA, Caldera LF, Keeffe JR, et al
   Designed mosaic nanoparticles enhance cross-reactive immune responses in mice.
   Cell. 2025;188:1036-1050.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Drug Saf

7. NAMBASA VP, Gunter HM, Adeyemo MB, Bhawaneedin NY, et al
   Empowering African Expertise: Enhancing Safety Data Integration and Signal Detection for COVID-19 Vaccines Through the African Union Smart Safety Surveillance Joint Signal Management Group.
   Drug Saf. 2025;48:233-249.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
8. BOULEFAA D, Bagheri H, Salvo F, Rabier MB, et al
   Early Detection of Hearing Impairment Signals Post-mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination: A Disproportionality Analysis Study on French Pharmacovigilance Database.
   Drug Saf. 2025;48:251-263.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Epidemiol Infect

9. SIMMS I, Charlett A, Colon-Gonzalez FJ, Blomquist PB, et al
   Adapting the Flexible Farrington Algorithm for daily situational awareness and alert system to support public health decision-making during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in England.
   Epidemiol Infect. 2025;153:e28.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
10. HAYES J, Lee SS, Carnevale J, Shamir D, et al
    Performance and functional assessment of the Kimera P-IV point-of-care plasmonic qPCR prototype for ultra rapid pathogen detection of chlamydia trachomatis.
    Epidemiol Infect. 2025;153:e27.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    J Infect

11. MONK EJM, Foulkes S, Munro K, Atti A, et al
    Characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in healthcare workers within the United Kingdom: risk factors for infection during four successive waves.
    J Infect. 2024 Dec 27:106393. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106393.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
12. MENSAH AA, Stowe J, Brown K, LopezBernal J, et al
    COVID-19 reinfection in pregnancy: assessment of Severity and pregnancy outcomes in England.
    J Infect. 2024 Dec 27:106392. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106392.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
13. RUBIO R, Yavlinsky A, Zamudio ME, Molinos-Albert LM, et al
    Initial antigen encounter determines robust T-cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant three years later.
    J Infect. 2024 Dec 31:106402. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106402.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
14. JORDA A, Prager M, Pracher L, Haselwanter P, et al
    Immunogenicity, Safety, and Reactogenicity of Concomitant Administration of the Novavax Vaccine against Omicron XBB.1.5 (NVX-CoV2601) and a 20-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Adults Aged >/=60 Years: A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-contro
    J Infect. 2025 Jan 3:106405. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106405.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
15. ONG DS, Harris M, Hart JD, Russell FM, et al
    Lack of correlation between school reopening and trends in adult COVID-19 hospitalisations and death rates during the Delta and early Omicron periods: an ecological analysis of five countries.
    J Infect. 2025 Jan 6:106390. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106390.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
16. NURMI V, Mayne R, Knight C, Almonacid-Mendoza HL, et al
    Individual patient and donor seroprofiles in convalescent plasma treatment of COVID-19 in REMAP-CAP clinical trial.
    J Infect. 2025 Jan 9:106412. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106412.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
17. WENDEL-GARCIA PD, Ceccato A, Motos A, Franch-Llasat D, et al
    Empirical antibiotic therapy improves outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19: An emulated targeted trial within a prospective, multicentre cohort study.
    J Infect. 2025 Jan 13:106411. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106411.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
18. ROMERO-RAMIREZ A, Somasundaran A, Kontogianni K, Parkes J, et al
    Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert(R) Mpox and STANDARD M10 MPX/OPX for the detection of monkeypox virus.
    J Infect. 2025 Jan 15:106413. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106413.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
19. FENG S, Bibi S, Aley PK, Cappuccini F, et al
    Safety and humoral immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine administered as a fourth dose booster following two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and a third dose of BNT162b2 (COV009): A prospective cohort study.
    J Infect. 2025;90:106423.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
20. BENNETT C, Chau G, Clayton E, Chu L, et al
    Safety and Immunogenicity of Omicron Protein Vaccines in mRNA-Vaccinated Adolescents: A Phase 3, Randomised Trial.
    J Infect. 2025 Jan 26:106428. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106428.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
21. WILLIAMS KV, Krauland MG, Nowalk MP, Harrison LH, et al
    Increasing child vaccination coverage can reduce influenza cases across age groups: An agent-based modeling study.
    J Infect. 2025;90:106443.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    J Infect Dis

22. LEVENE RE, DeVincenzo J, Conery AL, Ahmad A, et al
    EDP-938 Has a High Barrier to Resistance in Healthy Adults Experimentally Infected with Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
    J Infect Dis. 2025;231:e290-e298.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
23. MAVIAN CN, Tagliamonte MS, Bassett M, Alam M, et al
    COVID-19 lineages in a minimally vaccinated island population: Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Haiti.
    J Infect Dis. 2024 Oct 23:jiae520. doi: 10.1093.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
24. HAGER DN, Zhu Y, Sohn I, Stubblefield WB, et al
    Effectiveness of the original monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series against hospitalization for COVID-19-associated venous thromboembolism.
    J Infect Dis. 2024 Oct 15:jiae502. doi: 10.1093.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
25. KANG HM, Kim HJ, Jung J, Ahn JY, et al
    Natural Boosting and the Immunogenicity of the XBB.1.5 Monovalent Vaccine in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Endemic Era: A Longitudinal Observational Study.
    J Infect Dis. 2024 Nov 29:jiae536. doi: 10.1093.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
26. 
    Correction to: An Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus, Clade 2.3.4.4b.
    J Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 17:jiaf085. doi: 10.1093.
    PubMed        
    
    

    
    J Virol Methods

27. FRAISSE A, Guillier L, Cordevant C, Le Poder S, et al
    Impedance-based method for the quantification of infectious SARS-CoV-2.
    J Virol Methods. 2025;333:115110.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
28. HOFF K, Ding X, Liu XL, Lin JY, et al
    Rapid, inexpensive multiplex pathogen detection using resequencing microarrays.
    J Virol Methods. 2025;333:115109.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
29. NGUYEN MA, Williams C, Gard AL, Connor JH, et al
    Endothelial growth media components alter SARS-CoV-2 spike-directed growth kinetics.
    J Virol Methods. 2025;333:115111.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
30. IBRAHIM S, Spackman E, Suarez DL, Goraichuk IV, et al
    Evaluation of an N1 NA antibody-specific enzyme-linked lectin assay for detection of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection in vaccinated birds.
    J Virol Methods. 2025 Feb 14:115127. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2025.115127.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
31. LOPEZ KP, Cool KR, Bold D, Gaudreault NN, et al
    Detection of SARS-CoV-2- specific antibodies in domestic cats using different ELISA tests.
    J Virol Methods. 2025;333:115099.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Minerva Pediatr (Torino)

32. GIALLONARDO M, Uccella S, De Carli F, Nobili L, et al
    Stress symptoms and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a comparative study between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and typically developing children and adolescents.
    Minerva Pediatr (Torino). 2025;77:62-67.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep

33. NARAHARISETTI R, Weinberg M, Stoddard B, Stobierski MG, et al
    Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection of Indoor Domestic Cats Within Dairy Industry Worker Households - Michigan, May 2024.
    MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2025;74:61-65.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    PLoS Comput Biol

34. GAO S, Chakraborty AK, Greiner R, Lewis MA, et al
    Early detection of disease outbreaks and non-outbreaks using incidence data: A framework using feature-based time series classification and machine learning.
    PLoS Comput Biol. 2025;21:e1012782.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
35. SHEN X, Rumack A, Wilder B, Tibshirani RJ, et al
    Nowcasting reported covid-19 hospitalizations using de-identified, aggregated medical insurance claims data.
    PLoS Comput Biol. 2025;21:e1012717.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    PLoS One

36. LI J, Tao L, Zhou Y, Zhu Y, et al
    Identification of biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease and COVID-19 by bioinformatics combining single-cell data analysis and machine learning algorithms.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0317915.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
37. IMTIAZ K, Farooqui N, Ahmed K, Zhamalbekova A, et al
    Analysis of differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases and defensins in the nasopharyngeal milieu of mild and severe COVID-19 cases.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0304311.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
38. OYASU A, Salter-Volz A, Yeh C, Muhammad LN, et al
    Evaluating Covid-19 publications for sex and gender-specific health content: A bibliometric analysis.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0316812.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
39. HUANG X, Gao Q, Wang D
    The impact of top management team tenure heterogeneity on innovation efficiency of declining firms.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0313624.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
40. WANDER PL, Lowy E, Korpak A, Beste LA, et al
    SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with higher chance of diabetes remission among Veterans with incident diabetes.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0317348.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
41. GALAL N, Beshay BY, Soliman O, Ismail MI, et al
    Evaluating the structure-based virtual screening performance of SARS-CoV-2 main protease: A benchmarking approach and a multistage screening example against the wild-type and Omicron variants.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0318712.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
42. MCCONNELL J, Rushton A, Noblet T, Pacey V, et al
    Perceptions, experiences, barriers, facilitators, learning outcomes, and modes of assessment of digital clinical placements for pre-registration physiotherapy students internationally: a systematic review protocol.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0319024.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
43. VASHI B, Pettrone K, Wilson CS, Chenoweth JG, et al
    COVID-19 symptom severity and duration among outpatients, July 2021-May 2023: The PROTECT observational study.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0314518.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
44. PANAZAN O, Gheorghe C
    Impact of geopolitical risks and innovation on global defense stock return.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0312155.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
45. DARJANA D, Wiyono SK, Koesrindartoto DP
    Research on the impact of COVID-19 on the financial system: Evidence from Indonesia.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0301123.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
46. SHI H, Zhang X, Ross TM
    A single dose of inactivated influenza virus vaccine expressing COBRA hemagglutinin elicits broadly-reactive and long-lasting protection.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0308680.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
47. IRGENS MS, O'Neill RM, Ruiz JM
    Multi-level quality assessment of United States COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0319263.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
48. SODHI S, Chamali R, Praveen D, Sharma M, et al
    Does integration matter? an international cross-sectional study on the relationship between perceived public health and primary care integration and COVID-19 vaccination rates.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0317970.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
49. HWANG SH, Chang Y, Bai H, Yun J, et al
    Impact of COVID-19 on admission and in-hospital mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction in Korea: An interrupted time series analysis.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0316943.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
50. SENTIEIRO ML, Cunha Ferreira L, Pires de Miranda M, Araujo Vitoria B, et al
    Couples and parenting dynamics during Covid-19 pandemic: A systematic review of the literature.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0315417.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
51. AZI LMTA, Ferreira TS, Cerqueira-Silva T, Diego LAS, et al
    Prevalence of burnout syndrome in Brazilian anesthesiologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0313538.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
52. TIMONEDA JC, Vera SV
    Behind the mask: Random and selective masking in transformer models applied to specialized social science texts.
    PLoS One. 2025;20:e0318421.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

53. GONZALES JE 2ND, Kim I, Bastiray A, Hwang W, et al
    Evolutionary rewiring of the dynamic network underpinning allosteric epistasis in NS1 of the influenza A virus.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025;122:e2410813122.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Vaccine

54. ZHANG Y, Li X, Yang Y, Yin Y, et al
    Impact of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine on symptoms following omicron variant breakthrough infection.
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126722.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
55. DE OLIVEIRA PMN, Hartmann K, Bhamare C, Lucchesi MBB, et al
    Active vaccine safety surveillance in low- and middle-income countries: Challenges for vaccine manufacturers from emerging countries.
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126727.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
56. DOS SANTOS CVB, Coelho LE, de Noronha TG, Goedert GT, et al
    The impact of vaccination on the length of stay of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Brazil.
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126735.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
57. SHAH RM, Parzen-Johnson S, Sun S, Patel SJ, et al
    Childhood opportunity index and vaccine uptake in pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations.
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126734.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
58. RAINERI D, Mazzucca CB, Moia R, Bruna R, et al
    Impairment of the T cell memory response in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126723.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
59. PROSSER LA, Perroud J, Chung GS, Gebremariam A, et al
    The cost-effectiveness of vaccination against COVID-19 illness during the initial year of vaccination.
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126725.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
60. ADU P, Popoola T, Iqbal N, Roemer A, et al
    A cross-country network analysis of disease infodemics: Looking through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126733.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
61. OKA E, Ueda Y, Yagi A, Machida M, et al
    Challenges to promoting maternal respiratory syncytial virus vaccination in Japan.
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126767.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
62. WANG B, Lassi Z, Andraweera P, Chen G, et al
    Pregnant women's choices for preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
    Vaccine. 2025;48:126790.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
63. MWENDA JM, Mandomando I, Worwui AK, Gacic-Dobo M, et al
    A decade of rotavirus vaccination in the World Health Organization African Region: An in-depth analysis of vaccine coverage from 2012 to 2023.
    Vaccine. 2025 Jan 30:126768. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126768.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
64. CHANG C, Patel H, Ferrari A, Scalzo T, et al
    sa-mRNA influenza vaccine raises a higher and more durable immune response than mRNA vaccine in preclinical models.
    Vaccine. 2025;51:126883.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
65. APPEL AM, Janbek J, Laursen TM, Gasse C, et al
    Dementia and influenza vaccination: Time trends and predictors of vaccine uptake among older adults.
    Vaccine. 2025;51:126864.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
66. TAAFFE J, Goldin S, Lambach P, Sparrow E, et al
    Global production capacity of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines in 2023.
    Vaccine. 2025;51:126839.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    
67. ZHAO T, Liu X, Huang X, Wang L, et al
    Development and evaluation of mosaic VLPs vaccine for enhanced broad-Spectrum immunity against influenza B virus lineages in mice.
    Vaccine. 2025;51:126882.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    Virus Res

68. GHAMMAZ H, Melloul M, Mbarki A, Hemlali M, et al
    Genomic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Morocco: Insights from whole genome sequences collected from 2020 to 2024.
    Virus Res. 2025;353:199530.
    PubMed         Abstract available
    

#Genomics of novel #influenza A virus (#H18N12) in #bats, Caribe #Colombia

Abstract

Influenza viruses are highly capable of mutating and adapting in mammalian hosts. While these viruses have been extensively studied in birds, research on their presence in bats has been limited. However, influenza viruses circulating in bats have shown notable molecular divergence. The present study aimed to characterize the phylogenetic, evolutionary, and antigenic relationships of an influenza A virus detected in the fishing bat Noctilio albiventris. As part of a pathogen surveillance study of public health interest, 159 rectal samples were collected from bats in the Colombian Caribbean. The samples were sequenced using RNA-Seq. A genome (eight viral contigs) associated with the Orthomyxoviridae family was identified in a pool. Most segments showed approximately 90% similarity with H18N11, except for the neuraminidase. Analysis of the N protein shows that occupies a basal position relative to the N11 subtype, with its divergence date estimated to be approximately 50 years earlier than the earliest reported N11 sequence. 3D modeling identified three mutations (K363R, T242K, and I139V), which may enhance interaction with the HLA-DR of bats. The analyses and antigenic divergence observed in the N protein of N. albiventris suggests the existence of a new subtype (H18N12) with unknown pathogenicity, which requires further investigation.

Source: Scientific Reports, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-91026-8

____

A #framework for #tracking global #progress on #preparedness for #respiratory #pandemics

{Summary}

1 Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgency of ensuring that the world is prepared for the next major respiratory pathogen pandemic (1). Corresponding with World Health Assembly resolutions WHA58.5 (2) and WHA74.7 (3), WHO is committed to supporting Member States with pandemic preparedness planning through the provision of guidance and technical assistance. Following on from the PRET Global Meeting in April 2023, WHO has finalized guidance on Preparedness and resilience for emerging threats (PRET) module (1): planning for respiratory pathogen pandemics. This module acknowledges that similar systems and capacities can be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to different respiratory pathogens. The module (4) has three overarching objectives:

- to guide countries and partners in developing or updating their integrated approach to respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness for equitable and robust response;

- to focus attention on the actions needed to strengthen respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness functionally, in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) core capacities; and

- to provide an organizing framework, pragmatic steps and an outline to structure pandemic preparedness and response planning.

A framework is needed to support and analyse respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness globally through the lens of PRET.

The International Health Regulations (IHR) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (5) offers several resources and tools that can be used to assess national core capacities for public health emergencies. To complement this cross-cutting framework, a framework for tracking global progress on respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness is needed to focus on hazard-relevant capacities. Drawing on lessons from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is critical to routinely look at the status of the world’s functional capacities to prevent, prepare and respond to a respiratory pathogen pandemic.

Strengthening overall capacity for health emergency prevention, preparedness response and resilience (HEPR) calls for strengthening five core health emergency components, including: emergency coordination, collaborative surveillance, community protection, clinical care, and access to countermeasures (6). Accordingly, this Framework will support WHO, countries and partners in monitoring progress, identifying gaps and undertaking necessary course corrections across these five areas, helping us to better prepare for a future respiratory pathogen pandemic.

At the time of the next respiratory pathogen pandemic, a framework to monitor pandemic response actions will need to be established in line with the specific context and operational needs.

Objectives

This Framework serves as a tool to track global progress in preparing for future respiratory pathogen pandemics. Its objectives are threefold:

-- to provide a global snapshot on the status of capacities that support preparedness for respiratory pathogen pandemics; y to inform strategic actions and operational decisions for support of respiratory pathogen pandemic planning; and 

-- to stimulate continuous improvement, including course corrections, in respiratory pathogen pandemic planning and preparedness strengthening.

This Framework is primarily intended to reflect preparedness at the global and regional levels, both to track progress and to identify gaps across the five capacity areas of health emergency preparedness. It is not intended to be used for inter- or intraregional comparisons, nor is it intended to be used as a comprehensive national level monitoring framework.

Target audience

This Framework is intended to be used by stakeholders involved in implementing and monitoring respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness. At the global and regional levels, this includes and is not limited to WHO and other United Nations organizations, international and intergovernmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, philanthropic institutions, funding institutions and academia.

While the Framework is not directly intended to be a comprehensive national level tool, stakeholders at the country level may find it useful to contextualize discussions on and/or revisions to national monitoring methods. Interested parties at the country level may include ministries of health and other government agencies as well as cross-sectoral public and private partners, civil society groups, academics, and subnational stakeholders involved in preventing, preparing, and responding to pandemics.

Scope

This Framework interfaces with other preparedness and response frameworks, such as those linked to IHR 2005, to maintain coherence in global monitoring. While the IHR looks at system and capacity preparedness for all health emergencies, this Framework focuses on indicators that reflect preparedness specifically for respiratory pathogen pandemics. This Framework is not intended to comprehensively monitor all relevant technical areas, but rather to give a “snapshot” of the state of global preparedness.

The Framework is organized according to the five HEPR components, namely capacities for: emergency coordination, collaborative surveillance, community protection, clinical care, and access to countermeasures. In alignment with both the IHR 2005 and HEPR frameworks, this Framework consists of a targeted list of indicators that primarily reflect functional capacities of preparedness for respiratory pathogen pandemics.

The indicators included in the Framework have primarily been selected from pre-existing sources – as described in the chapter on methodology – to avoid duplication of efforts and to maximize the feasibility and stability of the monitoring system. The selection criteria for indicators include:

-- reflective of preparedness for respiratory pathogen pandemics;

-- representative of functional, dynamic capacities;

-- has an established data source; and

-- applicable to all WHO Member States.

While the intent is for indicators to focus on respiratory-specific elements, this was not always possible. In cases where respiratory-specific indicators were not available, broader health emergency preparedness proxy indicators have been selected to represent the capacity area. Annex 1 presents an overview of the process of indicator selection.

A few indicators identified as being under development may serve as additional facets of respiratory preparedness. Accordingly, Annex 2 captures potential global indicators that may be monitored in the future, although the data for these indicators are not currently being collected in any standardized manner.

Approach

Preparedness for respiratory pathogen pandemics will be monitored using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. These include through indicators listed in this Framework, as well as through case studies and reviews of implementation collected through a variety of forums. A synthesis of the overall state of preparedness will be summarized and made available through yearly progress reports. This Framework will be in effect from 2024 until 2030. It will be subject to revision over time according to critical needs and to incorporate new respiratory-focused indicators that fit the inclusion criteria and have an established data reporting mechanism. The approach is summarized below:

-- monitoring methods:

- indicators (quantitative)

- country examples (qualitative)

- reporting methods:

- annual progress report

- relevant dashboards

- stakeholder meetings.

(...)

Source: ReliefWeb, https://reliefweb.int/report/world/framework-tracking-global-progress-preparedness-respiratory-pandemics

Original Document: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240094246

____

Genetic Diversity and #Geographic #Spread of #Henipaviruses

Abstract

Henipaviruses, such as Hendra and Nipah viruses, are major zoonotic pathogens that cause encephalitis and respiratory infections in humans and animals. The recent emergence of Langya virus in China highlights the need to understand henipavirus host diversity and geographic spread to prevent future outbreaks. Our analysis of the National Center for Biotechnology Information Virus and VIRION databases revealed ≈1,117 henipavirus sequences and 142 complete genomes. Bats (64.7%) and shrews (11.7%) dominated the host species record, and the genera Pteropus and Crocidura contained key henipavirus hosts in Asia, Australia, and Africa. Henipaviruses found in the Eidolon bat genus exhibited the highest within-host genetic distance. Phylogenetic analysis revealed batborne and rodent- or shrew-derived henipaviruses diverged ≈11,000 years ago and the first known lineage originating in Eidolon genus bats ≈9,900 years ago. Pathogenic henipaviruses diverged from their ancestors 2,800–1,200 years ago. Including atypical hosts and regions in future investigations is necessary to control future outbreaks.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/3/24-1134_article

____

Effect of Prior #Influenza #H1N1pdm09 Virus #Infection on #Pathogenesis and #Transmission of #Human Influenza A(#H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus in #Ferret Model

Abstract

Reports of human infections with an influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus associated with outbreaks in dairy cows in the United States underscore the need to assess the potential cross-protection conferred by existing influenza immunity. We serologically evaluated ferrets previously infected with an influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus for cross-reactive antibodies and then challenged 3 months later with either highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b or low pathogenicity H7N9 virus. Our results showed that prior influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection more effectively reduced the replication and transmission of the H5N1 virus than did the H7N9 virus, a finding supported by the presence of group 1 hemagglutinin stalk and N1 neuraminidase antibodies in preimmune ferrets. Our findings suggest that prior influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection may confer some level of protection against influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4.b virus.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/3/24-1489_article

____

#Influenza A(#H5N1) Immune #Response among #Ferrets with Influenza #H1N1pdm09 #Immunity

Abstract

The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in dairy cattle herds across the United States in 2024 caused several human infections. Understanding the risk for spillover infections into humans is crucial for protecting public health. We investigated whether immunity from influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (pH1N1) virus would provide protection from death and severe clinical disease among ferrets intranasally infected with H5N1 virus from dairy cows from the 2024 outbreak. We observed differential tissue tropism among pH1N1-immune ferrets. pH1N1-immune ferrets also had little H5N1 viral dissemination to organs outside the respiratory tract and much less H5N1 virus in nasal secretions and the respiratory tract than naive ferrets. In addition, ferrets with pH1N1 immunity produced antibodies that cross-reacted with H5N1 neuraminidase protein. Taken together, our results suggest that humans with immunity to human seasonal influenza viruses may experience milder disease from the 2024 influenza A(H5N1) virus strain.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/3/24-1485_article

____

Urban #Coatis (Nasua nasua) Exposure to #Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae

Abstract

We detected neutralizing antibodies, viral RNA, and sialic acid receptors for Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae in urban coatis (Nasua nasua) in Brazil, suggesting exposure and susceptibility. We used hemagglutination inhibition, reverse transcription qualitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry for detection. Increased epidemiologic wildlife surveillance would improve influenza A emergency event response.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/3/23-1640_article

____

#Human #Infection with Avian #Influenza A(#H9N2) Virus, #Vietnam, April 2024

Abstract

In April 2024, Vietnam confirmed its first human case of influenza A(H9N2) in a 37-year-old man, marking a critical point in regional infectious disease monitoring and response. This case underscores the importance of robust surveillance systems and One Health collaboration in managing emerging zoonotic threats.

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-1146_article

____

#Sudan virus #disease - #Uganda

{Excerpt}

Situation at a glance

As of 20 February 2025, a total of nine confirmed cases of Sudan virus disease, including one death have been reported from Uganda, since the outbreak was declared on 30 January 2025. Eight cases received care at treatment centres in the capital Kampala and in Mbale and were discharged on 18 February after two negative tests 72 hours apart. 

As of 20 February 2025, 58 contacts that have been identified are still under follow up in designated quarantine facilities located in Jinja, Kampala,and Mbale. 

Sudan virus disease belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease. It is caused by Sudan virus (SUDV). It is a severe disease with high case fatality ranging from 41% to 70% in past outbreaks. In the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of SVD, the risk of potential serious public health impact is high. Early detection, diagnosis, and optimized supportive care may increase the chance of survival.

Description of the situation

Since the first disease outbreak news on this event was published on 1 February 2025, additional eight laboratory-confirmed cases of Sudan virus disease (SVD) have been reported in Uganda. As of 20 February 2025, a total of nine confirmed cases, including one death have been reported with a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 11%. Cases ages range from 1.5 to 49 years, with a mean age of 27 years and males accounted for 56% of the total cases. The cases were reported from four districts in the country which include Jinja, Kampala, Mbale, and Wakiso.

The first reported case, who was a health worker, had symptom onset on 19 January in epidemiological week 3. The case initially self-medicated with antimalarials and sought care in different health facilities located in Wakiso, Kampala and Mbale districts, as well as a traditional healer in Mbale, before being referred to Mulago referral hospital, where he died on 29 January 2025. Following the detection and confirmation of SVD on 29 January, the case was accorded a safe and dignified burial on 31 January in Mbale.

Following the prompt declaration of the outbreak by the Ministry of Health on 30 January, a detailed case investigation was conducted on the first case including comprehensive contact listing in all the districts where the case travelled. Contacts were quarantined in a designated facility and monitored for 21 days. 

The other eight reported confirmed cases were among the listed contacts and include family members (five cases) and health workers (three) who had direct contact with the first case as they provided care during his illness.  The secondary cases had symptom onset between 29 January to 6 February. All were detected at early onset of their disease by contact tracing team while in quarantine. They were referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital (seven cases) and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (one case) for optimized supportive care and received Remdesivir under the Monitored emergency use of unregistered and experimental interventions (MEURI) protocol. All eight cases were discharged on 18 February 2025 after two negative tests carried out 72 hours apart.

(...)

Based on the WHO criteria to declare the end of a filovirus outbreak, a countdown to the end of the human-to-human transmission can be started from the day after the last possible exposure, in this case, the day following negative tests. Should no additional cases be reported, the outbreak will be declared over in 42 days, that is two incubation periods. Several activities including heightened surveillance for a period of 42 days is recommended to ensure that there are no missed chains of transmission. 

As of 20 February, a cumulative of 299 contacts have been listed from affected districts in the country since the start of the outbreak. Over 75% of contacts have completed the 21-day follow-up period. However, 58 are still being monitored in institutional quarantine facilities to complete a 21-day since the last contact with a confirmed case.  

Alert levels both from the community and the health facilities have been low. Several activities, including training and active case search are ongoing during the 42-day countdown to strengthen surveillance with integrated approach and increase the number of alerts and suspected cases reported, investigated and tested. Mortality surveillance has also been set up since the declaration of the outbreak and will continue in Jinja, Kampala and Mbale.

In addition, retrospective investigations are ongoing to find the source of the outbreak through active case search in and around the community and health facilities where the first case was residing and working. 

This is the sixth outbreak of SVD in Uganda, the most recent outbreak was reported in September 2022 with 164 cases and 55 deaths. 

Epidemiology

Sudan virus disease is a severe disease, belonging to the same family as Ebola virus disease. It is caused by Sudan virus (SUDV) and can result in high case fatality. It is typically characterized by acute onset of fever with non-specific symptoms/signs (e.g., abdominal pain, anorexia, fatigue, malaise, myalgia, sore throat) usually followed several days later by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and occasionally a variable rash. Hiccups may occur. Severe illness may include haemorrhagic manifestations (e.g., bleeding from puncture sites, ecchymoses, petechiae, visceral effusions), encephalopathy, shock/hypotension, multi-organ failure, spontaneous abortion in infected pregnant women. Individuals who recover may experience prolonged sequelae (e.g., arthralgia, neurocognitive dysfunction, uveitis sometimes followed by cataract formation), and clinical and subclinical persistent infection may occur in immune-privileged compartments (e.g., CNS, eyes, testes). 

Person-to-person transmission occurs by direct contact with blood, other bodily fluids, organs, or contaminated surfaces and materials with risk beginning at the onset of clinical signs and increasing with disease severity. Family members, healthcare providers, and participants in burial ceremonies with direct contact with the deceased are at particular risk. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, but typically is 7–11 days. 

Public health response

Health authorities are implementing public health measures, including but not limited to the following:

-- Coordination:

- The Ministry of Health (MoH) has activated the coordination structures at national and subnational levels, including the Incident Management Team and dispatched Rapid Response Teams to the affected districts. Regional Emergency Operation Centers are being activated in Kampala and Mbale districts. In addition, the country has developed a National Response Plan (February - April 2025). The response plan builds on lessons learned from previous outbreaks and deploys the basic minimum packages of activities across the districts according to risk.

-- Surveillance and contract tracing:

- MoH with support from WHO and partners are conducting alert management including the setup of an alert desk with toll free numbers to detect and verify alerts from all over the country that meet the case definition. Since 30 January, 138 alerts have been reported and discarded following negative laboratory testing.

- MoH with support from partners has allocated teams to conduct detailed case investigations around the first reported case and the eight additional cases to identify the source of the outbreak and the chains of transmission.

- MoH has allocated teams to conduct contact listing of confirmed cases with overall daily contact follow-up rates in the last seven days improving to 100%. Following the declaration of the outbreak, MoH with support from WHO has established mortality surveillance with over 400 non-trauma deaths tested in communities and health facilities located in the affected districts and all have tested negative.

- MoH set up a hotline for notification of suspected cases.

- MoH is conducting exit screening of SVD signs and symptoms among travelers at Uganda’s 13 high volume points of entry (POE) including Entebbe International Airport.

-- Case Management:

- MoH with support from WHO and partners have set up three designated isolation and treatment units in Jinja, Kampala and Mbale where the confirmed cases received optimized supportive care and Remdesivir under the Monitored emergency use of unregistered and experimental interventions (MEURI) protocol.

- Suspected SVD cases are also isolated and receiving care at the isolation units while awaiting test results.

- Patients who recovered from the disease will be included in survivor care programme for support and care.

-- Laboratory:

- MoH and partners have strengthened laboratory capacities and deployed a mobile laboratory to Mbale to reduce turnaround time for laboratory results. MoH has performed a full genome sequencing on the sample of the first confirmed case and findings indicating the outbreak is most likely the result of a spillover event.

-- Infection prevention and control:

- MoH organized a safe and dignified burial of the first reported case. 

- In their official press statement, the MoH provided recommendations to health workers, district leaders, and the public to strengthen detection of suspected cases and implement appropriate infection, prevention and control measures. 

- WHO is supporting the national authorities, including through:

-- Risk assessment and investigation.

- Providing operational, financial and technical support to the Ministry of Health to ensure swift response. A total of US$ 3.4 million was released from the Contingency Fund for Emergency for the three levels of WHO to support the government-led SVD response.

- Supporting the national laboratory system to implement sample collection, transport and diagnostic testing.

- Facilitating access to candidate vaccines and therapeutics and supporting launch of the vaccine trial. Rings have been defined around all confirmed cases and their contacts have been invited to consent in the trial.  As part of this support, the "TOKEMEZA SVD" vaccine trial was launched on 3rd February 2025.

- Providing technical and operation assistance for the setup of isolation centers for suspected cases and two Ebola treatment units in Kampala and Mbale.

- Mobilizing logistics to complement government supplies, including IPC supplies, drugs, resuscitation and monitoring equipment, admission packages, and mattresses.

- Deploying a team of 47 experts to Mbale, Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja districts to support across different response pillars including coordination, surveillance, laboratory, logistics, IPC, RCCE, and case management pillars.

- Supporting RCCE efforts to counter misinformation and enhance community engagement through the deployment of two anthropologists.

- Intensified and integrated risk communication and community engagement, including sensitization and training of Village Health Teams, traditional healers, religious leaders and teachers. 

- Collecting social and behavioural data and using evidence to respond to communities’ anxieties and concern, rumours, misinformation and disinformation.

WHO risk assessment

Sudan virus disease (SVD) is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans. Sudan virus (SUDV) was first identified in southern Sudan in June 1976. Since then, the virus has emerged periodically and up to now and prior to this current one, eight outbreaks caused by SUDV have been reported, five in Uganda and three in Sudan. The case fatality rates of SVD have varied from 41% to 70% in past outbreaks.

SUDV is enzootic and present in animal reservoirs in the region. Uganda reported five SVD outbreaks (one in 2000, one in 2011, two in 2012, and one in 2022).  The current outbreak is the sixth SVD outbreak in Uganda. Uganda also reported a Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in 2007 and an Ebola virus disease outbreak exported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019. The latest SVD outbreak in Uganda was declared over on 11 January 2023. A total of 164 cases with 55 deaths were reported in nine districts.

Uganda has experience in Ebola disease outbreaks including SVD, and in the ongoing outbreak, necessary actions have been initiated and implemented quickly for effective control.

In the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of SVD, the risk of potential serious public health impact is high. Community deaths, care of patients in private facilities and hospitals and other community health services as well as at traditional healers with limited protection and infection prevention and control measures entail a high risk of many transmission chains. An investigation is ongoing to determine the source and the scope of the outbreak and the possibility of spread from the capital city, Kampala, to other districts. Exit screening has been set up at different points of entry to reduce the risk of potential exportation of cases to neighbouring countries.

WHO advice

Effective Ebola disease outbreak, including SVD, control relies on applying a package of interventions, including case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a strong laboratory system, implementation of infection prevention and control measures in health care and community settings, safe and dignified burials and community engagement and social mobilization.

Risk communication and community engagement is crucial to successfully controlling SVD outbreaks. This includes raising awareness of symptoms, risk factors for infection, protective measures and the importance of seeking immediate care at a health facility. Sensitive and supportive information about safe and dignified burials is also crucial. Awareness should be built through targeted campaigns and direct work with affected and proximate communities, with special attention to engage with traditional healers, clergy, and community leaders, who are important sources of information for the community. Rapid qualitative assessments should be implemented to collect socio-behavioural data, which can then be utilized to guide the response.  Misinformation and rumours should be addressed to foster trust and promote early symptom reporting. Early initiation of intensive supportive treatment increases the chances of survival. All above-mentioned interventions need to be thoroughly implemented in affected areas to stop chains of transmission and decrease disease mortality. Cases, contacts and individuals in affected areas who present signs and symptoms compatible with case definitions should be advised not to travel and seek early care at designated facilities to improve their chances of survival and limit transmission.

WHO encourages countries to implement a comprehensive care programme to support people who recovered from Ebola disease with any subsequent sequelae and to enable them to access body fluid testing and to mitigate the risk of transmission through infected body fluids by adequate practices.

Collaboration with neighbouring countries should be enhanced to harmonize reporting mechanisms, conduct joint investigations, and share critical data in real-time. Surrounding countries should enhance readiness activities to enable early case detection, isolation and treatment.

A range of candidate vaccines and therapeutics are under different stage of development. Since 2020, WHO has convened scientific deliberations and set up an independent process to review candidate MCMS prioritization and clinical trial designs. One candidate vaccine and two candidate therapeutics (a monoclonal antibody and an antiviral) have been recommended and are available in country and are being assessed (clinical efficacy and safety) through randomized clinical trial protocols.

Thanks to preparedness measures that the government took after the previous outbreak in 2022, and a global research collaboration led by WHO (first MARVAC now FILOVIRUS CORC), a trial of a candidate vaccine was launched just four days after the outbreak was declared. A therapeutics trial will start as soon as national authorities provide approval.

The two vaccines licensed against Ebola virus disease will not provide cross protection against SVD and cannot be used in this outbreak.

WHO advises against any restrictions on travel and/or trade to Uganda based on available information for the current outbreak. 

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON556

____

Human #monoclonal #antibodies that target clade 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 #hemagglutinin

Abstract

The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b has been spreading globally since 2022, causing mortality and morbidity in domestic and wild birds and mammals, including infection in humans, raising concerns about its pandemic potential. We aimed to generate a panel of anti-hemagglutinin (HA) human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the H5 protein of clade 2.3.4.4b. H2L2 Harbour Mice, which express human immunoglobulin germline genes, were immunized with H5 and N1 recombinant proteins from A/mallard/New York/22-008760-007-original/2022 H5N1 virus, enabling the generation of human chimeric antibodies. Through hybridoma technology, sixteen full human mAbs were generated, most of which showed cross-reactivity against H5 proteins from different virus variants. The functionality of the sixteen mAbs was assessed in vitro using hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization assays with viruses containing a clade 2.3.4.4b HA. Fourteen out of the sixteen mAbs neutralized the virus in vitro. The mAbs with the strongest hemagglutination inhibition activity also demonstrated greater neutralizing capacity and showed increased protective effects in vivo when administered prophylactically or therapeutically in a murine H5N1 challenge model. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we identified a cross-clonotype conserved motif that bound a hydrophobic groove on the head domain of H5 HA. Akin to mAbs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, these mAbs could serve as important treatments in case of a widespread H5N1 epidemic or pandemic.

Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.21.639446v1

____

#USA: #Situation #summary of confirmed and probable #human cases of #H5N1 #influenza since 2024 {#Ohio case reclassified from probable to confirmed}

{Excerpt}

[Confirmed cases: State, Dairy  Herds, Poultry Farms and Culling Operations, Other Animal Exposure, Exposure Source Unknown, State Total]

-- National, 41, 24, 2, 3, 70 {+1}

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

8) Ohio, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 {+1}

9) Oregon, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1

10) Texas, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1

11) Washington, 0, 11, 0, 0, 11

12) Wisconsin, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1

13) Wyoming, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1

[Probable Cases: States, Dairy Herds, Poultry Farms and Culling Operations, Other Animal Exposure, Exposure Source Unknown, State Total]

-- National, 1, 5, 0, 1, 7 {-1}

1) Arizona, 0, 2, 0, 0, 2

2) California, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1

3) Delaware, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1

4) Washington, 0, 3, 0, 0, 3

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 Associated with Commercial Agriculture and Related Operations

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

{‡} Exposure source was not able to be identified

(...)

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/?CDC_AAref_Val=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fflu%2Favianflu%2Favian-flu-summary.htm&cove-tab=1

_____

#USA, #Ohio DH Urges #Parents to Protect Their #Kids Following State’s First #Pediatric #Flu #Death of Season

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) today is reporting the state’s first flu-associated pediatric death of the 2024-25 flu season, a teenager under the age of 18 from Allen County.

“Sadly, this tragic death reminds us that influenza, though common, is a serious health threat,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA. 

“We urge parents to protect their kids. It’s not too late for parents and kids to get a flu vaccine. It may very well prevent you or your loved ones from getting seriously ill. And, especially during flu season, it’s important to maintain good hand hygiene and to stay home if you are sick.”

Flu activity usually peaks between December and February. In Ohio, flu activity has been increasing since early December and has increased more rapidly since the beginning of the year. Current activity is very high.

Since the start of the season, more than 9,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported in Ohio, which is well above the five-year average for this time in the season.

Ohio generally reports between one and six influenza-associated pediatric deaths each season.

Flu vaccines are available at most healthcare providers’ offices, local health departments, and retail pharmacies.

Other effective ways to avoid getting or spreading the flu include washing hands frequently or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or coughing or sneezing into elbows, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

More information about flu and flu activity in Ohio is available at www.flu.ohio.gov.

###

Source: Department of Health, https://odh.ohio.gov/media-center/ODH-News-Releases/odh-urges-parents-to-protect-their-kids

____

#Equine #Influenza: #Epidemiology, #Pathogenesis, and Strategies for #Prevention and Control

Abstract

Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the equine influenza virus (EIV), posing a significant threat to equine populations worldwide. EIV exhibits considerable antigenic variability due to its segmented genome, complicating long-term disease control efforts. Although infections are rarely fatal, EIV’s high transmissibility results in widespread outbreaks, leading to substantial morbidity and considerable economic impacts on veterinary care, quarantine, and equestrian activities. The H3N8 subtype has undergone significant antigenic evolution, resulting in the emergence of distinct lineages, including Eurasian and American, with the Florida sublineage being particularly prevalent. Continuous genetic surveillance and regular updates to vaccine formulations are necessary to address antigenic drift and maintain vaccination efficacy. Additionally, rare cross-species transmissions have raised concerns regarding the zoonotic potential of EIV. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and prevention of EI, emphasizing vaccination strategies and addressing the socio-economic consequences of the disease in regions where the equine industry is vital.

Source: Viruses, https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/302

____