Public Domain.
Source: WikiArt, https://www.wikiart.org/en/joshua-reynolds/three-ladies-adorning-a-term-of-hymen-1773
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Sunday, July 6, 2025
Three Ladies Adorning a Herm of Hymen, Joshua Reynolds (1773)
I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
#Neuraminidase #imprinting and the age-related #risk of zoonotic #influenza
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza of the H5N1 subtype has shown recent unprecedented expansion in its geographic and host range, increasing the pandemic threat. The younger age of H5N1 versus H7N9 avian influenza in humans has previously been attributed to imprinted pre-immunity to hemagglutinin stalk (HA2) epitopes shared with group 1 (H1N1, H2N2) versus group 2 (H3N2) influenza A subtypes predominating in the human population before versus after 1968, respectively. Here we review the complex immuno-epidemiological interactions underpinning influenza risk assessment and extend the imprinting hypothesis to include a potential role for cross-protective neuraminidase (NA) imprinting. We compare H5N1 distributions and case fatality ratios by age and birth cohort (as proxy for HA2 and/or NA imprinting epoch) not only to H7N9 but also H5N6 and H9N2 avian influenza, representing more varied conditions of zoonotic influenza relatedness to human subtypes of the past century. We show homosubtypic NA imprinting likely further modulates the age-related risk of zoonotic H5N1 and H9N2, with implications for pandemic risk assessment and response.
Source: MedRxIV, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.03.25330844v1
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Saturday, July 5, 2025
History of Mass Transportation: the FS ALe 582 EMU
Di Johannes Smit - https://www.flickr.com/photos/johannes-j-smit/3336090235/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112400120
Source: Wikipedia, https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotrice_FS_ALe_582
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
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PubMed Abstract available
Am J Respir Crit Care Med
I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, July 5 '25)
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Progress in CRISPR/CAS13-Mediated Suppression of Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection in in vitro and in vivo Models.
Biochemistry (Mosc). 2025;90:786-803.
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Paxlovid for the treatment of severe or critical COVID-19 in children.
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Global, regional, and national characteristics of the main causes of increased disease burden due to the covid-19 pandemic: time-series modelling analysis of global burden of disease study 2021.
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A multicenter study to assess the performance of the point-of-care RT-PCR Cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B nucleic acid test for use on the Cobas Liat system in comparison with centralized assays across healthcare facilities in the United States.
J Clin Microbiol. 2025 Jul 2:e0145924. doi: 10.1128/jcm.01459.
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Validation and multi-site deployment of a lyophilized qRT-PCR reagent for the molecular diagnosis of avian influenza and rabies in Sub-Saharan African regions.
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Analysing genome sequences and associated metadata during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq revealed points to be improved: An observational retrospective study.
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Effects of COVID-19 convalescence on pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer: A retrospective cohort study.
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Examining doctors' business analytics capabilities in using the electronic medical record system for decision-making effectiveness in intensive care units: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PubMed
Biochemistry (Mosc)
I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Avian #Influenza A(#H5N1) - #Cambodia (#WHO D.O.N., July 5 '25)
Situation at a glance
Between 1 January and 1 July 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified by Cambodia’s International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) of 11 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus.
Seven of the 11 cases were reported in June, an unusual monthly increase.
Avian influenza A(H5N1) was first detected in Cambodia, in December 2003, initially affecting wild birds.
Since then, 83 cases of human infection with influenza A(H5N1), including 49 deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR] of 59%), have been reported in the country.
While the virus continued to circulate in avian species, no human cases were reported between 2014 and 2022, after which, the virus re-emerged in humans in February 2023.
Since the re-emergence of human A(H5N1) infections in Cambodia in 2023, a total of 27 cases have been reported (six in 2023, 10 in 2024, and 11 to date in 2025), of which 12 were fatal (CFR 44%).
Seventeen of the cases occurred in children under 18 years old.
Avian influenza A(H5N1) is circulating in wild birds, poultry and some mammals around the world, and occasional human infections following exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments are expected to occur.
In cases detected in Cambodia, exposure to sick poultry, often poultry kept in backyards, has been reported.
According to the IHR, a human infection caused by a novel influenza A virus subtype is an event that has the potential for high public health impact and must be notified to the WHO.
Based on currently available information, WHO assesses the current risk to the general population posed by this virus as low.
For those occupationally exposed to the virus, such as farm workers, the risk is low to moderate, depending on the measures in place.
WHO routinely reassesses this risk to factor in new information.
Description of the situation
Between 1 January and 1 July 2025, the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) of the Kingdom of Cambodia notified WHO of 11 laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (clade 2.3.2.1e- formerly classified as 2.3.2.1c; from cases where virus sequences are available to date) including six deaths [CFR: 54%].
These cases are reported from the provinces of Siem Reap (4), Takeo (2), Kampong Cham (1), Kampong Speu (1), Kratie (1), Prey Veng (1), Svay Rieng (1).
Of the total cases reported in 2025, seven cases were reported in June 2025.
Males account for 63% of the cases. Of the 11 cases, three cases were reported in less than five-year-olds, two cases were between the age of 5 and 18 years and six cases were reported in the age group 18-65 years.
All cases had exposure – handling or culling - of sick poultry, often kept in backyards.
Avian influenza A(H5N1) was detected for the first time in Cambodia in December 2003, initially affecting wild birds. Between 2014 and 2022, there were no reports of human infection with A(H5N1) viruses. However, the re-emergence of human infections with A(H5N1) viruses in Cambodia was reported in February 2023. Since this re-emergence, Cambodia has reported 27 cases of laboratory confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) including 12 fatalities (CFR 44%).
The cases have been reported from eight provinces: Kampong Cham (1), Kampong Speu (1), Kampot (3), Kratie (3), Prey Veng (6), Svay Rieng (4), Siem Reap (5), Takeo (4).
(...)
Epidemiology
Animal influenza viruses typically circulate within animal populations, but some have the potential to infect humans. Human infections are predominantly acquired through direct contact with infected animals or exposure to contaminated environments. Based on the original host species, influenza A viruses can be categorized such as avian influenza, swine influenza, and other animal-origin influenza subtypes.
Human infection with avian influenza viruses may result in a spectrum of illness, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract symptoms to severe, life-threatening conditions.
Clinical manifestations include conjunctivitis, respiratory, gastrointestinal symptoms, encephalitis (brain swelling), and encephalopathy (brain damage).
In some cases, asymptomatic infections with the A(H5N1) virus have been reported in individuals with known exposure to infected animals and environments.
A definitive diagnosis of human avian influenza infection requires laboratory confirmation. WHO regularly updates its technical guidance on the detection of zoonotic influenza, utilizing molecular diagnostic methods such as RT-PCR.
Clinical evidence indicates that certain antiviral agents, particularly neuraminidase inhibitors (e.g., oseltamivir, zanamivir), have been shown to shorten the duration of viral replication and improve patient outcomes in some cases. This antiviral agent should be administered within 48 hours of symptom onset.
From 2003 to 1 July 2025, 986 cases of human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1), including 473 deaths (CFR 48%), have been reported to WHO from 25 countries.
Almost all of these cases have been linked to close contact with infected live or dead birds, or contaminated environments.
From 2003 to the present, 83 cases of human infection with influenza A(H5N1), including 49 deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR] of 59%), have been reported in Cambodia.
Public health response
The Ministry of Health's national and sub-national rapid response teams have deployed to conduct further investigations and respond to the outbreak. This is being implemented in coordination with the local authorities, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
Investigations have focussed on identifying the source of transmission in both humans and animals, conducting enhanced surveillance, detecting suspected cases, and preventing community transmission;
-- Close contacts were monitored for their health status;
-- Health education campaigns were conducted for affected villages.
- Animal Health:
-- The investigation and response team from the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP) and the sub-national animal health team conducted outbreak investigation and response to poultry outbreaks, in coordination with Ministry of Health, provincial health departments and local authorities.
-- Investigation on and response to the poultry outbreaks, with the response interventions focusing on disinfection and limiting animal movement across villages;
-- Community awareness and health education to affected communities;
-- Surveillance and monitoring on poultry diseases in affected villages.
WHO risk assessment
From 2003 to 1 July 2025, a total of 986 human cases of infection of influenza A(H5N1) have been reported globally to WHO from 25 countries, including this case. Almost all of these have been linked to close contact with A(H5N1) infected live or dead birds or mammals, or contaminated environments. Human infection can cause severe disease with a high mortality rate: of the 986 infections reported globally, there have been 473 deaths (CFR 48%).
In this event, cases have been reported from seven provinces in 2025. All cases have reported direct exposure to sick/dead poultry. While human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out, the more likely source of exposure of these cases is infected poultry of contaminated environment.
Based on information available at this time, the overall public health risk from currently known influenza viruses circulating at the human-animal interface has not changed and remains low.
For those occupationally exposed to the virus, such as farm workers, the risk is low to moderate, depending on the measures in place.
Additional cases in persons with exposure to sick/dead poultry is to be expected.
The occurrence of sustained human-to-human transmission in this event based on currently available information is currently considered unlikely.
This can, however, change and the risk assessment will be reviewed as needed if additional information becomes available.
Close analysis of the epidemiological situation, further characterization of the most recent influenza A(H5N1) viruses in both human and animal populations, and serological investigations are critical to update associated risk assessments for public health and promptly adjust risk management measures.
Current seasonal influenza vaccines are unlikely to protect humans against infections with influenza A(H5N1) viruses.
Vaccines against influenza A(H5) infection in humans have been developed and licensed in some countries. WHO continues to update the list of zoonotic influenza candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs), which are selected twice a year at the WHO consultation on influenza virus vaccine composition, and on an ad hoc basis as needed. The list of such CVVs is available on the WHO website, see reference below. In addition, the genetic and antigenic characterization of contemporary animal and zoonotic influenza viruses are published here.
This risk assessment will be reviewed as needed if additional information becomes available.
WHO advice
Based on available information, this event does not change WHO recommendations on public health measures and influenza surveillance.
Given the observed extent and frequency of avian influenza in poultry, wild birds and some wild and domestic mammals, the public should avoid contact with any sick or dead animals.
The public should avoid contact with high-risk environments, such as live animal markets/farms and live poultry or surfaces that might be contaminated by poultry droppings.
Individuals should report deceased birds and mammals or request their removal by contacting local wildlife or veterinary authorities.
Eggs, poultry meat and other poultry products should be properly cooked and handled during food preparation.
Handling sick or dead poultry including slaughtering, butchering, and preparing poultry for consumption, should be avoided.
Additionally, maintaining good hand hygiene through frequent hand washing with soap or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended.
Any person exposed to potentially infected animal or contaminated environments and feels unwell should seek health care promptly and inform their healthcare provider of their possible exposure.
WHO does not recommend special traveler screening at points of entry or other restrictions due to the current situation of influenza viruses at the human-animal interface.
In the case of a confirmed or suspected human infection caused by a novel influenza A virus with pandemic potential, including avian influenza viruses, a thorough epidemiologic investigation of the history of animal exposure, travel, and contact tracing should be conducted even while awaiting the confirmatory laboratory results.
The epidemiologic investigation should also include early identification of unusual events that could signal person-to-person transmission of the novel virus. Clinical samples collected from confirmed or suspected cases should be tested and sent to a WHO collaborating centre (WHOCC) for further characterization. Additional samples should be collected from animals, the environment or any foods suspected to be sources of infection.
State Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005) are required to immediately notify WHO of any laboratory-confirmed case of a recent human infection caused by a new subtype of influenza virus. Evidence of illness is not required for this notification. WHO has updated the influenza A(H5) confirmed case definition on the WHO website.
Further Informations
-- Ministry of Health Cambodia press release. 1 July 2025: https://moh.gov.kh/kh/notice/detail/183
-- World Health Organization Global influenza programme, human-animal interface: https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/avian-influenza
-- World Health Organization Monthly Risk Assessment Summary: Influenza at the human-animal interface: https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/avian-influenza/monthly-risk-assessment-summary
-- World Health Organization Avian Influenza Weekly Update: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/surveillance/avian-influenza
-- Protocol to investigate non-seasonal influenza and other emerging acute respiratory diseases: https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/WHO-WHE-IHM-GIP-2018.2
-- Surveillance for human infections with avian influenza A(H5) viruses: objectives, case definitions, testing and reporting: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/B09337
-- Public health resource pack for countries experiencing outbreaks of influenza in animals: revised guidance: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240076884
-- Implementing the integrated sentinel surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential by the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240101432
-- Case definitions for the four diseases requiring notification in all circumstances under the International Health Regulations (2005): https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/case-definitions-for-the-four-diseases-requiring-notification-to-who-in-all-circumstances-under-the-ihr-(2005)
-- Evidence-based risk management along the livestock production and market chain: Cambodia: https://www.fao.org/publications/card/en/c/CA7319EN/
-- Disease Outbreak News. 2 September 2024: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON533
-- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Animal Production and Health Division (NSAH): https://www.fao.org/agriculture/animal-production-and-health/en
-- World Animal Health Organisation (WOAH). World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5754?reportId=174349&fromPage=event-dashboard-url
Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON575
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Friday, July 4, 2025
#IAEA #DG #Statement on #Situation in #Ukraine - #Update 300 (July 4 '25)
Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has lost all off-site power for the ninth time during the military conflict and now relies on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needs, underlining the extremely fragile nuclear safety situation at the site, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.
The plant’s connection to its last remaining 750 kilovolt (kV) power line was cut at 17:37 local time today. While the cause was not immediately known, it coincided with air raid alarms in the region, Director General Grossi said, citing information from the Ukrainian nuclear regulator.
It was the first time the ZNPP suffered a complete loss of off-site power since 2 December 2023.
The IAEA team based at the site, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant (NPP), reported that 18 emergency diesel generators immediately started operating to generate the electricity the plant needs to be able to cool the reactors and the spent fuel pools. The plant has diesel fuel for at least 10 days on-site, and arrangements in place to secure further supplies.
“What was once virtually unimaginable – that a major nuclear power plant would repeatedly lose all of its external power connections – has unfortunately become a common occurrence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. Almost three and a half years into this devastating war, nuclear safety in Ukraine remains very much in danger,” Director General Grossi said.
“Our team on the ground will continue to follow the situation very closely and report on further developments there. For now, the plant’s diesel generators are providing the necessary electricity,” he said.
The ZNPP’s six reactors have been in cold shutdown since 2024 but still require cooling water for their reactor cores and spent fuel pools. The ZNPP lost the connection to its last remaining 330 kV back-up power line on 7 May, leaving the plant dependent on its sole 750 kV line. Before the conflict, it had ten off-site power lines available, highlighting the extent to which nuclear safety has deteriorated since February 2022.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-300-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
#Risk posed by the #HPAI virus #H5N1, Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b. genotype B3.13, currently circulating in the #US
Abstract
The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 in U.S. dairy cattle marks a significant shift in the virus' host range and epidemiological profile. Infected cattle typically exhibit mild clinical signs, such as reduced milk production, mastitis and fever, with morbidity generally below 20% and mortality averaging 2%. Transmission within farms is primarily driven by contaminated milk and milking procedures, while farm‐to‐farm spread is mainly linked to cattle movement and shared equipment. The virus demonstrates high replication in mammary glands, with infected cows shedding large quantities of virus in milk for up to 3 weeks, even in the absence of clinical signs. Shedding through other routes appears limited. Infected cattle develop virus‐specific antibodies within 7–10 days, offering short‐term protection, though the duration and robustness of immunity remain unclear. Between March 2024 and May 2025, the virus was confirmed in 981 dairy herds across 16 U.S. states, with California particularly affected. Risk factors identified for between‐farm spread include cattle movement, shared equipment and contact with external personnel, while biosecurity measures, including waste management and wildlife deterrence, may reduce the risk of virus introduction. In response to the outbreaks, U.S. authorities implemented strict movement controls, mandatory testing and enhanced biosecurity protocols. Potential pathways of introduction of HPAI B3.13 virus into EU via trade from US could be the import of lactating cows and bovine meat, although strict trade regulations, absence of animal import and limited virus detection in meat, especially in muscle tissue, do not support this occurrence. Import of products containing raw milk could also be potential pathways for virus introduction. Migratory birds – particularly waterfowl – pose potential pathways for introduction during seasonal migrations. The detection of mammalian‐adaptive mutations and zoonotic cases underscores the virus' public health relevance and the need for research, surveillance and cross‐sectoral preparedness.
Source: US National Library of Medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12223544/
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Leveraging #risk #communication and community engagement and lessons from previous #outbreaks to strengthen a Public Health response: A case study of #DiseaseX in the Panzi region, #DRC
Abstract
On 08 December 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of Disease X in the Panzi Health Zone, Kwango province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This unknown pathogen, with 406 cases and 31 deaths at the time of its declaration, predominantly affects children under 5 years. Disease X, hypothesised to be a zoonotic ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus, poses significant challenges because of limited healthcare infrastructure, gaps in risk communication and ineffective community engagement. This opinion article aims to explore these challenges and advocate for the urgent need for culturally tailored, inclusive communication strategies that foster trust and empower local communities in responding to outbreaks. Key approaches highlighted include mobilising local leaders, utilising mobile laboratories for decentralised diagnostics and improving sample collection techniques. Drawing on lessons from previous epidemics, such as COVID-19 and Ebola, this article emphasises the importance of robust surveillance systems, community engagement and effective risk communication, skilled health workforce and collaborative management frameworks. Strengthening early warning systems and ensuring equitable access to diagnostic and treatment resources are essential for mitigating future outbreaks of unknown diseases in resource-limited settings.
Source: Journal of Public Health Africa, https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/1322
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
#Epidemiology and phylogenomic characterisation of two distinct #mpox #outbreaks in #Kinshasa, #DRC, involving a new #subclade Ia lineage: a retrospective, observational study
Summary
Background
Clade I monkeypox virus is endemic in DR Congo. We aim to describe the epidemiological trends of the cocirculating subclades Ia and Ib mpox outbreaks in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
Methods
This retrospective observational study included suspected and laboratory-confirmed mpox cases reported between Jan 1, 2023, and Oct 31, 2024, in Kinshasa. Skin lesion swabs or blood samples were collected as part of a routine countrywide mpox surveillance programme. To confirm the diagnosis of mpox, all samples were tested at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) using real-time PCR. Whole-genome sequencing was conducted for phylogenomic analysis and assessment of APOBEC3 type mutations. Samples that remained unassigned to subclade Ia or Ib after whole-genome sequencing and real-time PCR were labelled as an unknown subclade.
Findings
As part of routine disease surveillance, 1479 suspected mpox cases were reported in Kinshasa. Samples were collected from 1314 suspected mpox cases and tested by PCR at the INRB. 440 (34%) of 1314 suspected cases had PCR confirmed mpox, with the first confirmed mpox case detected on Aug 18, 2023. 262 (60%) of 440 cases were male, 172 (39%) were female, and six (1%) were unknown, and the median age was 26 years (IQR 19–34). The epidemiological curve suggests two distinct periods during the 2023–24 outbreaks in Kinshasa. Between Aug 18, 2023, and June 30, 2024 (period 1), 218 suspected mpox cases underwent investigation and 24 (11%) were PCR confirmed as mpox; all cases were identified as subclade Ia. After a decline in suspected and confirmed cases in early 2024, the first confirmed subclade Ib mpox case in Kinshasa was reported on July 1, 2024. Between July 1 and Oct 31, 2024 (period 2), 1096 suspected mpox cases were reported and 416 (38%) were PCR confirmed as mpox. In-depth epidemiological case investigations during period 1 identified three small, self-limiting transmission chains between August and September, 2023. Case investigation data were available for 127 cases with PCR confirmed mpox, including clinical symptom data available for 61 (64%) of 95 with subclade Ia. The most commonly reported symptoms were fever (49 [80%] of 61) and skin rash (48 [79%]). The most common lesion locations were genital or anorectal (35 [64%] of 55 cases with available data). Case investigation data were available for 32 cases with subclade Ib mpox, including clinical symptom data available for 21 (66%) with subclade Ib. The most commonly reported symptoms were skin rash (18 [86%] of 21) and fever (12 [57%]). Genital or anorectal involvement was reported in 13 (68%) of 19 cases with available lesion location data. Genomic analysis shows five separate self-limiting clusters of subclade Ia (group II sampled from August, 2023, to August, 2024) and two larger clusters (occurring from July, 2024, to October, 2024, in period 2) belonging to subclade Ia (group II) and subclade Ib. 32 (68%) of 47 mutations for subclade Ia cluster outbreak and 28 (72%) of 39 mutations for subclade Ib outbreak were consistent with APOBEC3 driven changes.
Interpretation
Sustained human-to-human transmission occurred after repeated self-limiting introductions of subclade Ia documented since 2023, which has cocirculated with subclade Ib in Kinshasa from July, 2024. Increased APOBEC3 driven changes in the new subclade Ia lineage support a shift towards human-to-human transmission. These findings reveal important changes in mpox transmission dynamics and suggests that any monkeypox virus subclade has the potential to cause sustained human outbreaks when favourable transmission conditions are met.
Source: Lancet, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00294-6/abstract?rss=yes
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
The #consequences of letting avian #influenza run rampant in #US #poultry
Abstract
As of 20 May, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in more than 173.1 million birds since the outbreak began in January 2022. The secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr., has suggested allowing the unmitigated spread of HPAI in turkeys and chickens to identify surviving birds—a sentiment supported by Brooke Rollins, secretary of the USDA, which, along with state-level departments of agriculture, has jurisdiction over animal disease outbreaks (1). This approach would be dangerous and unethical. Allowing a highly lethal, rapidly evolving, and contagious virus to run a natural course of infection in poultry would lead to unnecessary suffering of poultry and put other susceptible animals on and near affected farms at risk. It would prolong exposure for farmworkers, which could increase viral adaptation and transmission risks for poultry, other peridomestic animals, and humans.
Source: Science, https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adx8639
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Analysis of the #surveillance results of avian #influenza in the external #environment of #Huzhou city from 2017 to 2023
Abstract
Background
Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by the influenza A virus, which can infect a variety of domestic,wild birds and even cross the species barrier and infect humans.To understand the contamination of avian influenza virus in the external environment of poultry in Huzhou City from 2017 to 2023 and to assess the risk of human infection with avian influenza.
Methods
A total of 3,400 environmental specimens from five types of venues in Huzhou City were collected and tested for influenza A virus nucleic acid using fluorescent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results
From 2017 to 2023, with 15.44% overall positive rate of influenza A virus. The predominant subtype of avian influenza virus was H9 (accounting for 54.67%). The peak of positive influenza virus detection rates occurred in winter and spring seasons every year. The venue with highest positive rate was poultry slaughtering and processing plants (41.83%), followed by urban and rural live poultry markets (35.48%); among all types of specimens, the highest positive rate was detected in swab specimens from the surfaces of poultry slaughtering or display tables (47.37%), followed by wastewater from poultry washing (45.83%), and surfaces of cages (27.65%).
Conclusion
The contamination of avian influenza virus in the poultry environment in Huzhou City is relatively severe, with diverse subtypes. There is a potential risk of human infection with avian influenza virus, and real-time monitoring of avian influenza virus in the poultry environment needs to be strengthened.
Source: PLoS One, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0326382
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Notes from the Field: #Parvovirus B19 #Activity — #USA, January 2024–May 2025 (MMWR)
Summary
-- What is already known about this topic?
- Parvovirus B19 (B19) is a respiratory virus that can cause adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant women and persons who are immunocompromised or have chronic hemolytic blood disorders. After relatively low rates during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2021–2023, B19 activity in 2024 exceeded that of prepandemic years.
-- What is added by this report?
- Data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program indicated that the proportion of sera specimens positive for B19 antibodies during January–May 10, 2025, was higher than during the same period in 2024, suggesting a sustained increase in B19 transmission.
-- What are the implications for public health practice?
- Health care providers should have a heightened suspicion of and consider providing testing for B19 infection among groups at high risk for severe outcomes, including pregnant women with compatible symptoms or exposure to B19. Among pregnant women, health care providers should remain vigilant for fetal complications related to B19 infection. Pregnant women and persons at increased risk for complications from B19 infection might consider using additional prevention strategies (e.g., wearing a mask around other persons).
Abstract
Parvovirus B19 (B19) is a respiratory virus primarily transmitted through the air by persons with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. B19 infection causes mild illness in most persons but can result in adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant women or severe disease in persons who are immunocompromised or have chronic hemolytic blood disorders. No antiviral medication exists to treat B19 infection. B19 activity typically peaks in the second quarter of the year (April–June). After low rates during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021–2023), B19 activity in 2024 exceeded prepandemic years, and CDC released a Health Advisory in August 2024 (1,2).
Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7423a3
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Little #boy in SW #Cambodia becomes 12th victim of #H5N1 #birdflu in 2025
PHNOM PENH, July 3 (Xinhua) -- A five-year-old boy from southwest Cambodia's Kampot province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza, bringing the number of cases to 12 so far this year, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Thursday.
"A laboratory result from the National Institute of Public Health showed on July 3 that the boy was positive for H5N1 virus," the statement said. "The patient has the symptoms of fever, cough, and dyspnea, and he is currently being rescued by a team of doctors."
The victim lives in Kamakor village of Angkor Chey district.
Source: Xinhua, https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20250703/a96b269ca29f41238c41884f8b390782/c.html
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
#India - #Equine #influenza #H3N8 virus (Inf. with) - Immediate notification
Domestic equidae species in Uttarakhand State.
Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6441
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
An ancient #influenza #genome from #Switzerland allows deeper #insights into host #adaptation during the 1918 flu #pandemic in #Europe
Abstract
Background
From 1918 to 1920, the largest influenza A virus (IAV) pandemic known to date spread globally causing between 20 to 100 million deaths. Historical records have captured critical aspects of the disease dynamics, such as the occurrence and severity of the pandemic waves. Yet, other important pieces of information such as the mutations that allowed the virus to adapt to its new host can only be obtained from IAV genomes. The analysis of specimens collected during the pandemic and still preserved in historical pathology collections can significantly contribute to a better understanding of its course. However, efficient RNA processing protocols are required to work with such specimens.
Results
Here, we describe an alternative protocol for efficient ancient RNA sequencing and evaluate its performance on historical samples, including a published positive control. The phenol/chloroform-free protocol efficiently recovers ancient viral RNA, especially small fragments, and maintains information about RNA fragment directionality through incorporating fragments by a ligation-based approach. One of the assessed historical samples allowed for the recovery of the first 1918 IAV genome from Switzerland. This genome, derived from a patient deceased during the beginning of the first pandemic wave in Switzerland, already harbours mutations linked to human adaptation.
Conclusion
We introduce an alternative, efficient workflow for ancient RNA recovery from formalin-fixed wet specimens. We also present the first precisely dated and complete influenza genome from Europe, highlighting the early occurrence of mutations associated with adaptation to humans during the first European wave of the 1918 pandemic.
Source: BMC Biology, https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-025-02282-z
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Development of a broad-spectrum #subunit #vaccine against #H9N2 avian #influenza using HA stem domain scaffold and snoopligase system
Abstract
H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) is a globally prevalent pathogen that causes economic losses in poultry and poses zoonotic threats. Due to antigenic drift and shift, traditional inactivated vaccines often show reduced efficacy. This study presents a novel subunit vaccine based on a conserved HA6 scaffold derived from the hemagglutinin stem domain and coupled with a fusion peptide epitope (fPE) via Snoopligase-mediated ligation. The HA6 protein was validated by its binding to the broad-spectrum antibody CR6261, and the fPE-HA6 fusion construct incorporated T- and B-cell epitopes. Immunization trials in a chicken demonstrated that fPE-HA6 induced stronger humoral and cellular immune responses than individual immunogens. Upon challenge with H9N2 strains YZ4 and SN, the fusion vaccine significantly reduced viral shedding, demonstrating broad-spectrum protection. These findings highlight the potential of HA6 as a modular scaffold for influenza vaccines and the utility of Snoopligase technology in developing broadly protective immunogens against antigenically variable viruses.
Source: npj Vaccines, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-025-01191-0
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Introducing a #framework for within-host dynamics and #mutations #modelling of #H5N1 #influenza #infection in #humans
Abstract
Avian influenza A(H5N1) poses a public health risk due to its pandemic potential should the virus mutate to become human-to-human transmissible. To date, reported influenza A(H5N1) human cases have typically occurred in the lower respiratory tract with a high case fatality rate. There is prior evidence of some influenza A(H5N1) strains being a small number of amino acid mutations away from achieving droplet transmissibility, possibly allowing them to be spread between humans. We present a mechanistic within-host influenza A(H5N1) infection model, novel for its explicit consideration of the biological differences between the upper and lower respiratory tracts. We then estimate a distribution of viral lifespans and effective replication rates in human H5N1 influenza cases. By combining our within-host model with a viral mutation model, we determine the probability of an infected individual generating a droplet transmissible strain of influenza A(H5N1) through mutation. For three mutations, we found a peak probability of approximately 10−3 that a human case of H5N1 influenza produces at least one virion during the infectious period. Our findings provide insights into the risk of differing infectious pathways of influenza A(H5N1) (namely avian–human versus avian–mammal–human routes), demonstrating the three-mutation pathway being a cause of concern in human cases.
Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society Interface, https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2024.0910
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Increase in #H5N1 #vaccine #antibodies confers cross-neutralization of highly pathogenic avian #influenza H5N1
Abstract
H5N1, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, presents pandemic risks due to its ability to adapt and spread among mammalian species. Vaccination may control its spread, but the effectiveness of existing H5N1 vaccines against circulating strains, especially clade 2.3.4.4b, remains uncertain. In this study, we assess neutralizing antibody responses to global circulating H5N1 strains, using sera from individuals vaccinated with an inactivated H5N1 vaccine (NCT00535665). Neutralization is measured against 17 pseudoviruses, representing circulating and vaccine H5 strains. Our results indicate that broad protective effects are observed only when high antibody titers are achieved by vaccination. Correlation analysis estimates that a pseudovirus-based neutralization titer of at least 1:980 is required to achieve a cross-protection rate above 60%. The findings suggest that the current H5N1 vaccine can elicit cross-neutralization of circulating H5N1 strains, if high antibody titers are achieved. Until updated H5N1 vaccines are developed, this vaccine may serve as a bridging measure.
Source: Nature Communications, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60714-4
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Weak #compliance with #Nigeria’s #wildlife #trade ban imposed to curb #mpox #spillovers
Abstract
Zoonotic diseases pose global public health threats, prompting various interventions to limit their emergence and spread. One increasingly common response by governments has been to ban wildlife hunting, trade and consumption. However, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of wildlife trade bans. Here we assess compliance with Nigeria’s wildlife trade ban—enacted to curb the spread of mpox (formerly monkeypox)—by analysing approximately 4.5 years of wild meat sales data from 19 vendors in southeast Nigeria (988 vendor-months) alongside interviews with vendors and law enforcement officials. After matching the sales data by time of year, we found no significant differences before and after the ban in the number of vendors selling wild meat per week, the weekly mass of wild meat sold, or the weekly price per kilogram of wild meat; however, the total weekly sales price was higher post-ban. These findings, supported by interview insights, indicate widespread non-compliance by vendors, questioning the ban’s effectiveness. We propose that successful regulations require clear enforcement mechanisms, active public engagement and economic incentives to improve compliance. This study provides valuable insights for designing effective interventions to mitigate zoonotic spillovers.
Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society, Biological Sciences, https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2025.0471
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
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Abstract In autumn 2025, highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus, genotype EA-2024-DI.2.1 , caused systemic infecti... -
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