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

{England} Small ~53 chicken backyard flock, commercial premises (egg sold). Increased mortality and other clinical signs for HPAI were reported. Samples taken tested positive for HPAI H5N1.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6373

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Early-warning #signals and the role of #H9N2 in the #spillover of avian #influenza viruses

Context and significance

Wang et al. provided valuable insights into the epidemiological patterns of avian influenza virus (AIV) spillover and the role of H9N2 in the process. Their analysis highlighted the significant contribution of the internal genes (INGEs) from 12 key strains of H9N2 in facilitating human adaptability by reducing the species barrier between poultry and humans, essentially acting as internal genetic donors for AIV spillover. Due to its low pathogenicity, H9N2 has been neglected in poultry vaccination programs, leading to a lack of vaccines specifically targeting the INGEs of these 12 key strains. Their findings suggest that reducing the prevalence of H9N2 is fundamental to mitigating AIV spillover risks.

Highlights

• H9N2 exerts a promoting effect on the spillover of avian influenza viruses (AIVs)

• Expansion of AIV spatial and host ranges reveals an emerging risk of its spillover

• Prevalence of AIVs in human-contacted hosts reveals a re-emergence risk in humans

Summary

Background

The spillover of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) presents a significant global public health threat, leading to unpredictable and recurring pandemics. Current pandemic assessment tools suffer from deficiencies in terms of timeliness, capability for automation, and ability to generate risk estimates for multiple subtypes in the absence of documented human cases.

Methods

To address these challenges, we created an integrated database encompassing global AIV-related data from 1981 to 2022. This database enabled us to estimate the rapid expansion of spatial range and host diversity for specific AIV subtypes, alongside their increasing prevalence in hosts that have close contact with humans. These factors were used as early-warning signals for potential AIV spillover. We analyzed spillover patterns of AIVs using machine learning models, spatial Durbin models, and phylogenetic analysis.

Findings

Our results indicate a high potential for future spillover by subtypes H3N1, H4N6, H5N2, H5N3, H6N2, and H11N9. Additionally, we identified a significant risk for re-emergence by subtypes H5N1, H5N6, H5N8, and H9N2. Furthermore, our analysis highlighted 12 key strains of H9N2 as internal genetic donors for human adaptation in AIVs, demonstrating the crucial role of H9N2 in facilitating AIV spillover.

Conclusions

These findings provide a foundation for rapidly identifying high-risk subtypes, thus optimizing resource allocation in vaccine manufacture. They also underscore the potential significance of reducing the prevalence of H9N2 as a complementary strategy to mitigate chances of AIV spillovers.

Source: Med, https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(25)00066-2?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666634025000662%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

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

Backyard and farm-reared poultry in Andhra Pradesh State.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6344

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#Measles - #USA (WHO D.O.N., March 27 '25)

Situation at a glance

On 11 March 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) received a report from the International Health Regulation (2005) (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) of the United States of America (United States) on the ongoing measles outbreak in the country, notified under IHR because it is an unusual event with potential significant public health impact, with the number of cases and deaths in 2025 exceeding the numbers in previous years. Additionally, cases linked to the outbreak in the State of Texas, United States, have been reported in Mexico. Measles is a highly contagious, airborne viral disease that can lead to severe complications and death. From 1 January to 20 March 2025, 17 States have reported a total of 378 cases of measles, including two deaths - the first deaths related to measles in the United States in a decade. The majority of cases are in children who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status, and the overall hospitalization rate is 17%. In 2025, within the larger public health event, there are three distinct measles outbreaks reported, accounting for 90% (341/378) of reported cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (US CDC) and other government agencies are working to control the outbreaks. In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the United States, since then imported cases of measles have been detected in the country, as the disease remains endemic in many parts of the world. WHO is working closely with countries in the WHO Region of the Americas to prevent the spread and reintroduction of measles.

Description of the situation

On 11 March 2025, the NFP of the United States notified to WHO an ongoing outbreak of measles in the United States.

From 1 January to 20 March 2025, 378 cases have been reported from 17 States including: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Two deaths have also been reported, one confirmed in Texas and one under investigation in New Mexico. The majority of cases are in children who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. The hospitalization rate is 17%.  

Ninety percent of the 378 cases (341 cases) have been associated with three distinct outbreaks (defined as three or more related cases) reported in 2025, while the remainder are sporadic cases that are part of the larger outbreak.

From late January until 14 March 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 259 cases in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. Of these, 34 patients have been hospitalized, and 257 (99%) were unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status. In February 2025, an unvaccinated school-aged child who lived in the Texas outbreak area died of measles. This was the first death in the United States related to measles in a decade.

As of 14 March, the New Mexico Department of Health reported 35 cases of measles. Of the 35 cases, 28 were unvaccinated, two were vaccinated, and five had unknown vaccination status.

From 1 January 2025 to 20 March 2025, the US CDC reported 128 measles DNA sequences. Texas submitted 92 identical DNA sequences in genotype D8; while 10 DNA sequences from New Mexico and one DNA sequence from Kansas were identical to those from Texas. Texas also reported three genotype D8 sequences (a total of 19 D8 sequences have been reported from the affected States) with single nucleotide substitutions. Additionally, a total of five distinct genotype B3 sequences were reported from the States of Alaska, California, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.

The source of this outbreak is unknown. Currently, there is no evidence of decreased vaccine effectiveness or changes in the virus that would result in increased severity.

In 2000, measles was declared eliminated[1] in the United States and, since then, imported cases of measles have been detected in the country since the disease remains endemic in many parts of the world.  The United States last verified the ongoing elimination of measles in 2024. In 2023, the vaccination coverage rate for two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine among children in kindergarten in the United States was 92.7%.

Epidemiology

Measles is a highly contagious acute viral disease which affects individuals of all ages and remains one of the leading causes of death among young children globally. The mode of transmission is airborne or via droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of infected persons.

Initial symptoms, which usually appear 10-14 days after infection, include high fever, usually accompanied by a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, cough and tiny white spots inside the mouth. The rash usually appears 10-14 days after exposure and spreads from the head to the trunk to the lower extremities. A person is infectious from four days before up to four days after the appearance of the rash. There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles and most people recover within 2-3 weeks.

Measles is usually a mild or moderately severe disease. However, measles can lead to complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, secondary ear infection, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), blindness, and death. Postinfectious encephalitis can occur in about one in every 1000 reported cases. About two or three deaths may occur for every 1000 reported cases.

Immunization against measles prevents measles and its complications.

Public health response

Federal, State, local health authorities and community partners in the United States are implementing the following public health measures to control the outbreak: US CDC escalated to a level 3 Incident Management Structure on 3 March 2025 to provide remote technical assistance on diagnostics, post-exposure prophylaxis, healthcare infection and prevention, case investigation and confirmation, and communication support. The Texas Department of State Health Services is leading the investigation in Texas. US CDC deployed subject matter experts to assist the response. WHO has issued epidemiological alerts and updates due to the increase in measles cases in several countries in the WHO Region of the Americas that started in 2024. WHO continues to monitor the situation and work closely with countries in the Region of the Americas to support their vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response efforts to prevent the spread and reintroduction of measles and to protect the health of the entire population.

WHO risk assessment

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that affects individuals of all ages and remains one of the leading causes of death among young children globally. The transmission mode is airborne or via droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 10-14 days after infection, include high fever, usually accompanied by a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, cough and tiny white spots inside the mouth. A rash develops several days later, usually starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards. A patient is infectious four days before the start of the rash to four days after the appearance of the rash. There is no specific antiviral treatment approved for measles; most people recover within 2-3 weeks. Measles can also cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection, and pneumonia, which are more common in children under 5 years and adults more than 20 years of age. Measles can be prevented by immunization.

In 2016, the Region of the Americas was the first WHO Region to be declared free of the endemic transmission of measles by the International Expert Committee for Documenting and Verifying Measles, Rubella and the Congenital Rubella Syndrome in the Americas. Nevertheless, maintaining the Region free of measles is an ongoing challenge due to the permanent risk of importation and reintroduction of the virus.

The public health risk in the Region of the Americas for measles is considered high due to the persistence of the circulation of the virus from imported cases, which have resulted in a limited number of outbreaks, with several generations of cases and the appearance of cases associated with pre-existing outbreaks in new geographical areas. Additionally, an increase in the susceptible population due to persistently low vaccination coverage related to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increased vaccine hesitancy in some communities and sectors of the population, and limited access to health services, particularly for vulnerable populations.

WHO advice

WHO recommends maintaining sustained homogeneous coverage of at least 95% with the first and second doses of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV) and strengthening integrated epidemiological surveillance of measles and rubella to achieve timely detection of all suspected cases in public and private healthcare facilities.

WHO recommends strengthening epidemiological surveillance and preparedness and response capacities in high-traffic border areas to rapidly detect and respond to suspected measles cases. Providing a rapid response to imported measles cases to avoid the re-establishment of endemic transmission through the activation of rapid response teams trained for this purpose and by implementing rapid response protocols when there are imported cases. Once a rapid response team has been activated, continued coordination between the national, sub-national and local levels must be ensured, with continuous and effective communication channels across all levels. During outbreaks, it is recommended to establish adequate hospital case management and infection prevention and control capacity to avoid health care-associated infection transmission, with appropriate referral of patients to airborne infection isolation rooms (for any level of care) and avoiding contact with other patients in waiting rooms and/or other hospital rooms.

WHO recommends providing broad access to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination to maintain high vaccination rates of the general population and to ensure individuals at high risk of exposure are up-to-date on this vaccination, such as health and care personnel and international travellers. Individuals living in outbreak areas within the United States should follow local public health guidance. Globally, between 2000 and 2023, vaccination successfully prevented an estimated 60 million deaths[2] and decreased an estimated measles death from 800 062 in 2000 to 107 500 in 2023, which is an 87% decrease.[3]

In all settings, consideration should be given to providing susceptible contacts with post-exposure prophylaxis, including a dose of MCV or normal human immunoglobulin (NHIG) (if available) for those at risk and in whom the vaccine is contraindicated. In well-resourced settings, MCV should be provided to susceptible contacts within 3 days. For contacts for whom vaccination is contraindicated or is not possible within 3 days post-exposure, consideration can be given to providing NHIG up to 6 days post-exposure. Infants, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised should be prioritized.

WHO recommends maintaining a stock of the measles-rubella (MR) and/or MMR vaccine, and syringes/supplies for responding to imported cases. Facilitating access to vaccination services according to the national scheme to incoming and outgoing international travellers, including individuals due to perform activities, domestically or abroad, in areas with ongoing measles outbreaks, displaced populations, indigenous populations, or other vulnerable populations.

WHO advises international travellers to check and update their vaccination status against measles prior to departure, including when planning to travel to the United States. Unvaccinated individuals from areas in the United States experiencing measles outbreaks, with knowledge of exposure to measles cases and/or presenting signs and symptoms compatible with measles virus infection, should consult local health authorities before undertaking an international voyage. At present, no additional measures that significantly interfere with international traffic are warranted.

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON561

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Highly pathogenic avian #influenza #H5N1: #history, current #situation, and #outlook

ABSTRACT

The H5N1 avian panzootic has resulted in cross-species transmission to birds and mammals, causing outbreaks in wildlife, poultry, and US dairy cattle with a range of host-dependent pathogenic outcomes. Although no human-to-human transmission has been observed, the rising number of zoonotic human cases creates opportunities for adaptive mutation or reassortment. This Gem explores the history, evolution, virology, and epidemiology of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 relative to its pandemic potential. Pandemic risk reduction measures are urgently required.

Source: Journal of Virology, https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/jvi.02209-24?af=R

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Establishing #Methods to #Monitor #Influenza A #H5N1 Virus in Dairy #Cattle #Milk, #Massachusetts, #USA

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus has caused a multistate outbreak among US dairy cattle, spreading across 16 states and infecting hundreds of herds since its onset. We rapidly developed and optimized PCR-based detection assays and sequencing protocols to support H5N1 molecular surveillance. Using 214 retail milk samples from 20 states for methods development, we found that H5N1 virus concentrations by digital PCR strongly correlated with quantitative PCR cycle threshold values; digital PCR exhibited greater sensitivity. Metagenomic sequencing after hybrid selection was best for higher concentration samples, whereas amplicon sequencing performed best for lower concentrations. By establishing these methods, we were able to support the creation of a statewide surveillance program to perform monthly testing of bulk milk samples from all dairy cattle farms in Massachusetts, USA, which remain negative to date. The methods, workflow, and recommendations described provide a framework for others aiming to conduct H5N1 surveillance efforts.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/13/25-0087_article

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A #coronavirus assembly #inhibitor that targets the viral #membrane protein

Abstract

The coronavirus membrane protein (M) is the main organizer of coronavirus assembly. Here, we report on an M-targeting molecule, CIM-834, that blocks the assembly of SARS-CoV-2. CIM-834 was obtained through high-throughput phenotypic antiviral screening followed by medicinal-chemistry efforts and target elucidation. CIM-834 inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 (including a broad panel of variants) and SARS-CoV. In SCID mice and Syrian hamsters intranasally infected with SARS-CoV-2, oral treatment reduced lung viral titres to nearly undetectable levels, even (as shown in mice) when treatment was delayed until 24 h before the end point. Treatment of infected hamsters prevented transmission to untreated sentinels. Transmission electron microscopy studies show that virion assembly is completely absent in cells treated with CIM-834. Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy reveals that CIM-834 binds and stabilizes the M protein in its short form, thereby preventing the conformational switch to the long form, which is required for successful particle assembly. In conclusion, we have discovered a new druggable target in the replication cycle of coronaviruses and a small molecule that potently inhibits it.

Source: Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08773-x

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Detection of #antibodies against #influenza A viruses in #cattle

ABSTRACT

Unexpected outbreaks caused by the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in dairy cows in the United States (US) have raised significant veterinary and public health concerns. When and how the H5N1 HPAIV was introduced into dairy cows and the broader epidemiology of influenza A virus (IAV) infections in cattle in the US remain unclear. Herein, we performed a retrospective study to screen more than 1,700 cattle serum samples collected from different bovine breeds in the US from January 2023 to May 2024 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) targeting the nucleoprotein (NP) to detect IAV infections, and the positive samples were further tested by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. Results showed that 586 of 1,724 samples (33.99%) from 15 US states were seropositive by the NP ELISA assay, including 78 samples collected in 2024 and 508 samples collected in 2023. Moreover, the HI assay revealed that 45 of these ELISA-positive samples were positive to human seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 and swine H3N2 and H1N2 viruses, and some were positive to two or three tested IAVs. Surprisingly, none of these ELISA-positive samples were HI positive for the circulating bovine H5N1 strain. Our results demonstrate that IAVs other than H5N1 can infect cattle, infections are not limited to dairy cows, and that bovine infections with swine and human IAVs have occurred prior to the H5N1 outbreaks. All results highlight the value in monitoring IAV epidemiology in cattle, as the viruses might adapt to cattle and/or reassort with the currently circulating H5N1 HPAIV, increasing risk to humans.

IMPORTANCE

Influenza A virus (IAV) is an important zoonotic pathogen that can infect different species. Although cattle were not historically considered vulnerable to IAV infections, an unexpected outbreak caused by H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in dairy cows in the United States (US) in early 2024 has raised significant concerns. When and how the virus was introduced into dairy cows and the wider impact of IAV infections in cattle in the US remain unclear. Our retrospective serological screen provided evidence of human and swine H1 and H3 IAV infections in different cattle breeds in addition to dairy cows, although no H5N1 infection was detected. Our results underline the necessity to monitor IAV epidemiology in cattle, as reassortment of IAVs from different species may occur in cattle, generating novel viruses that pose threats to public and animal health.

Source: Journal of Virology, https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/jvi.02138-24?af=R

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#Italy - #SARS-CoV-2 in #animals (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

A mink farm in Lombardy Region.

The minks were controlled in the framework of a national surveillance plan.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6367?reportId=173318&fromPage=event-dashboard-url

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#Transmission of #bovine #H5N1 virus in a #hamster #model

LETTER

Transmission among mammals of bovine highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses, which have caused outbreaks in US dairy cattle (1–3), has been demonstrated in ferrets by our group (4, 5) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (6). These studies showed that these viruses can be transmitted among ferrets via respiratory droplets, albeit with lower efficiency than seasonal human influenza viruses. In contrast, bovine HPAI H5N1 viruses spread easily among ferrets through direct contact (3 of 3 [100%] ferrets) (6). Although ferrets are frequently used for influenza virus transmission (7–9) and vaccine efficacy (10, 11) studies, they demand considerable housing space and personnel and can be difficult to handle. Here, we investigated the transmissibility of the bovine HPAI H5N1 virus A/Texas/37/2024 (TX/37), which was 100% lethal in ferrets inoculated with as little as 10 plaque-forming units (PFUs) (5) by using a hamster model. 

(...)

Bovine HPAI H5 virus was thus found to be highly pathogenic and highly transmissible by direct contact in hamsters, although we did not detect respiratory droplet transmission. Therefore, hamsters have potential as a small animal model for analyzing the protective effect of vaccines or antiviral drugs against bovine HPAI H5 virus infection.

(...)

Source: Journal of Virology, https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00147-25

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Quantifying #viral #pandemic #potential from experimental #transmission #studies

Abstract

In the past two decades, two pandemic respiratory viruses (H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2) have emerged via spillover from animal reservoirs. In an effort to avert future pandemics, surveillance studies aimed at identifying zoonotic viruses at high risk of spilling over into humans act to monitor the `viral chatter' at the animal-human interface. These studies are hampered, however, by the diversity of zoonotic viruses and the limited tools available to assess pandemic risk. Methods currently in use include the characterization of candidate viruses using in vitro laboratory assays and experimental transmission studies in animal models. However, transmission experiments yield relatively low-resolution outputs that are not immediately translatable to projections of viral dynamics at the level of a host population. To address this gap, we present an analytical framework to extend the use of measurements from experimental transmission studies to generate more quantitative risk assessments. Specifically, we develop modeling approaches for estimating transmission parameters and gauging population-level emergence risk using within-host viral titer data from index and contact animals. To illustrate the use of these approaches, we apply them to two recently published influenza A virus (IAV) ferret transmission experiments: one using influenza A/California/07/2009 (H1N1pdm09) and one using influenza A/Hong Kong/1/1968 (H3N2). We find that, when controlling for viral titers, the H3N2 virus tends to be less transmissible than the H1N1 virus. Because of this difference in infectiousness and more robust replication of H1N1 in ferrets, we further find that the H1N1 virus has a higher projected reproduction number than the H3N2 virus and therefore more likely to cause an epidemic following introduction. Incorporating estimates of the generation interval for each virus, we find that the H1N1 virus has a higher projected epidemic growth rate than the H3N2 virus. The methods we present to assess relative pandemic risk across viral isolates can be used to improve quantitative risk assessment of other emerging viruses of pandemic concern.

Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.24.645081v1

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Promising effects of #duck #vaccination against highly pathogenic avian #influenza, #France 2023-24

Abstract

The ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b has caused widespread poultry mortality and raised concerns about zoonotic pandemics and wildlife conservation. France recently adopted a preventive vaccination strategy, vaccinating domestic ducks with inactivated and mRNA vaccines. This study evaluates the impact of this campaign on reducing HPAI H5 outbreaks. Using predictive modeling based on previous outbreak data, the expected number of outbreaks in 2023-24 without vaccination was significantly higher than the observed cases, indicating a 95.9% reduction attributable to vaccination. These findings suggest that vaccination effectively mitigated the HPAI H5 outbreak in France.

Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.28.609837v3

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#Bangladesh - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification [FINAL]

 A poultry farm in Khulna Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6351

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Jamaican fruit #bats’ competence for #Ebola but not #Marburg virus is driven by intrinsic differences

Abstract

Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) are zoonotic filoviruses that cause hemorrhagic fever in humans. Correlative data implicate bats as natural EBOV hosts, but neither a full-length genome nor an EBOV isolate has been found in any bats sampled. Here, we model filovirus infection in the Jamaican fruit bat (JFB), Artibeus jamaicensis, by inoculation with either EBOV or MARV through a combination of oral, intranasal, and subcutaneous routes. Infection with EBOV results in systemic virus replication and oral shedding of infectious virus. MARV replication is transient and does not shed. In vitro, JFB cells replicate EBOV more efficiently than MARV, and MARV infection induces innate antiviral responses that EBOV efficiently suppresses. Experiments using VSV pseudoparticles or replicating VSV expressing the EBOV or MARV glycoprotein demonstrate an advantage for EBOV entry and replication early, respectively, in JFB cells. Overall, this study describes filovirus species-specific phenotypes for both JFB and their cells.

Source: Nature Communications, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58305-4

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#Togo - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification [FINAL]

A poultry farm in Maritime Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6361

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#UK, #England: Confirmed findings of #influenza of #avian origin in captive #mammals (as of March 25 '25)

Sheep, March 2025

One domestic sheep (Ovis aries) tested positive for influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in March 2025. The case was identified following routine surveillance of farmed livestock on a premises in Yorkshire where highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) had been confirmed in other captive birds. The single animal was a ewe with signs of mastitis but no other clinical signs. The milk was positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the blood tested positive for H5 antibodies.  

All affected birds and the infected ewe were humanely culled to mitigate the risk of further disease spread. Further official testing of the remaining flock of sheep were all negative for the presence of avian influenza virus.

Source: DEFRA, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bird-flu-avian-influenza-findings-in-captive-mammals/confirmed-findings-of-influenza-of-avian-origin-in-captive-mammals

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Murine #betacoronavirus #spike protein: A major #determinant of #neuropathogenic properties

Highlights

The current review highlights the following major findings from the literature.

1.The genomic control of pathogenic properties of murine β-coronavirus.

2.Plausible mechanism of virus-induced neuroinflammatory demyelination and axonal loss.

3.Spike protein as a major determinant of MHV-induced neuropathogenesis.

4.The minimal essential motif in fusion peptide responsible for neuropathogenesis.

5.mCoV research sheds light on hCoV neuropathogenesis and helps design anti-virals.

Abstract

Coronaviruses have emerged as a significant challenge to human health. While earlier outbreaks of coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV posed serious threats, the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has heightened interest in coronavirus research due to its pulmonary pathology, in addition to its neurological manifestations. In addition, the patients who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection show long-term symptoms such as anosmia, brain fog and long COVID. A major hurdle in studying these viruses is the limited availability of specialized research facilities, emphasizing the need for prototype virus-based models to investigate the pathophysiology. The mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a member of the β-coronavirus family, serves as an excellent model to unravel the mechanisms underlying virus-induced pathogenesis. This review highlights two decades of research efforts aimed at understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of coronavirus-induced diseases, focusing on the development of targeted recombinant strains to identify the minimal essential motif of the spike protein responsible for fusogenicity and neuropathogenicity. By synthesizing findings from these studies, the review identifies the most promising therapeutic targets against coronaviruses, paving the way for the development of pan-coronavirus antivirals.

Source: Virology, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0042682225001126?via%3Dihub

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Still Life with Cheeses, Almonds and Pretzels (Clara Peeters, Date: 1615)

 

Public Domain.

Source: WikiArt, https://www.wikiart.org/en/clara-peeters/still-life-with-cheeses-almonds-and-pretzels-1615

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Young #boy in #Cambodia contracts #H5N1 #birdflu

PHNOM PENH, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A three-year-and-six-month boy from northeast Cambodia's Kratie province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza, raising the number of cases to three so far this year, said a Ministry of Health's statement on Sunday.

The boy had been brought to the hospital in a critical condition with fever, cough, and dyspnea, it said, adding that he is receiving medical treatment with the utmost care from a team of doctors.

"According to queries, the patient's family raised chickens and about five chickens had died, as some others were sick, and his family members cooked the dead poultry for food," the statement said.

Health authorities are looking into the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the patient in order to prevent an outbreak in the community, it added.

Among the three human cases of H5N1 so far this year, two had died, and all patients reportedly had a history of recent exposure to sick or dead poultry prior to their illness.

H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans, and its symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and severe respiratory illness.

From 2003 to date, there were 75 cases of human infection with H5N1 influenza, including 45 deaths in the Southeast Asian country, according to the ministry. 

Source: Xinhua, https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20250323/1f0f1f46e5e34791b617f3a738f7fe8c/c.html

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#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, March 22 '25)

 

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   Evolution of ophthalmological care in adult with diabetes in France between 2010 and 2022: a nationwide study.
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6. CHEN B, Li S
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