_Bundala.jpg)
{By Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116380120}
Nineteen captive Painted Storks in the National Zoological Park, Delhi.
Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6803
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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.
Abstract
Since 2015, French poultry production is threatened almost every year by a reintroduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses. The duck sector was the most concerned by this crisis but other sectors such as broiler, layer and turkey were also affected by outbreaks. The objective of this work was to assess the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus transmission from one farm to another within the French broiler and layer production network. This study used the WOAH risk assessment framework. After drawing up a scenario tree of virus transmission from one farm to another, data were collected through a literature review or through experts elicitation. Three questionnaires were developed according to the experts field of expertise: avian influenza, broiler and layer sectors. The experts estimates were combined using a beta distribution weighted by their confidence level. A Monte Carlo iteration process was used to combine the different probabilities of the scenario tree and to assess the transmission risk. In the broiler sector, the highest transmission probabilities were observed if the exposed farm was an indoor broiler farm and the source a broiler farm (indoor or free-range). The high transmission probability between broiler farms integrated within the same association suggests that integration is an important risk factor. Person movement, transport of feed and manure management were the pathways with the highest transmission probabilities between two integrated indoor broiler farms with good biosecurity levels. In the layer sector, the highest transmission probabilities were observed if the source farm was a free-range farm and the exposed farm a production farm (indoor or free-range). The pathways with the highest transmission probabilities were egg transport and person movement. The sensitivity analysis showed that the exposed farm's biosecurity had a significant impact on the transmission probability. Our results provide an insight on the role of each type of farms in the virus spread within the French broiler and layer production sectors and will be useful for the implementation of control measures such as movement restriction or vaccination.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.11.612235v5
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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.
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) infection during pregnancy is associated with stillbirth and preterm birth, possibly by disrupting placental and fetal immunity. To investigate this, pregnant pigtail macaques were inoculated with IAV [A/California/07/2009 (H1N1)] and examined at necropsy 5 days post-infection (N=11) versus uninfected controls (N=16). Stillbirth occurred in 18% of infected pregnancies but not in controls. While vertical transmission was not observed, low levels of viral RNA were detected in two placentas. Maternal IAV infection was associated with increased placental IL-1β and IFN-β levels and an upregulated type I interferon and integrated stress transcriptional response. Fetuses exposed to IAV had greater frequencies of innate immune cells in lymph nodes and CD4+ T cells in lungs. These results suggest that placental and fetal immune environments undergo immune activation independent of the severity of maternal lung infection. Influenza vaccination during pregnancy may protect against potentially harmful effects on fetal development.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Funder Information Declared
National Institutes of Health, https://ror.org/01cwqze88, AI164588, AI176777, AI007509
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, https://ror.org/00k86s890, OD010425, TR002318, GM007266, OD011123
Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.06.675688v1
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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.
A backyard village poultry in Ardebil Region.
Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6849
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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.
{By JJ Harrison - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5014480}
A slaugthter geese farm in Wielkopolskie Region.
Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6852
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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.
{By Aviceda - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4017548}
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In accordance with the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Article 10.4.1, point 4, this outbreak does not change the disease-free status of Sweden as these are wild birds, and therefore do not fall within the WOAH definition of poultry.
A Mediterranean Gull was found dead. It was sent to the Swedish Veterinary Agency for laboratory analysis as part of the national surveillance program for avian influenza.
Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6853
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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.
Abstract
Increase in the occurrence of human H5N1 spillover infections resulting from dissemination of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus into bird and mammal populations raises concerns about HPAI adapting to become human transmissible. Studies identified hemagglutinin (HA) acid stability and receptor preference as essential traits that shape host tropism. Mutations that increase HA stability and affinity for α-2,6-linked sialic acids have been shown to confer airborne transmissibility in a ferret model, however mechanisms of activation of H5 subtype HA have not been probed and the effect of adaptive mutations on HA function has been largely inferred from static structures. Here, we use hydrogen/deuterium-exchange mass spectrometry to dissect activation dynamics for two ancestral HPAI H5 HA, their matched HA with adaptive mutations, and a contemporary H5 HA. By measuring dynamics, we identify variation in active site flexibility among the HA and demonstrate that adaptive mutations result in suppression of fusion peptide dynamics and stabilization of a key subunit interface involved in activation. The contemporary H5 isolated from a recent human spillover case exhibits a relatively protected fusion peptide and moderately depressed pH of activation compared to the HAs examined in this study. Our studies of activation dynamics in the H5 HAs in conjunction with prior analysis of H1 and H3 HA reveal subtype-specific patterns that correlate with adaptive mutation sites and indicate underlying physical constraints on influenza HA adaptation.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Funder Information Declared
NIH Common Fund, https://ror.org/001d55x84, R01AI165808, T32-GM007750
Hope Barnes Fellowship
Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.06.680362v1
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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.
Abstract
In July 2025, China witnessed its most significant chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak since 2010. As of August 1, with over 6,000 cases reported in Foshan city, Guangdong Province. Although the clinical manifestations have been relatively mild, the rapid transmission within communities warrants our attention. In this context, we emphasize our current knowledge and the necessary actions to take. Specifically, we identify critical gaps in CHIKV control efforts and assess the effectiveness of current measures. These include vector management strategies, viral genomic surveillance, the deployment of newly approved vaccines, and the development of antiviral agents. Overall, to effectively control the epidemic of CHIKV, we require a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy for its prevention and management.
Source: PLoS Pathogens, https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1013556
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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.
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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According to article 10.4.1.4 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Member Countries should not impose bans on the trade in poultry commodities in response to notification on the presence of any influenza A virus in birds other than poultry.
A wild black-headed gull in Vordingborg.
Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6846
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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.
Highlights
• UniFluVec, an H1N1pdm vaccine candidate, includes NS1 and NEP modifications to boost attenuation and immunity.
• UniFluVec protects ferrets from H5N1, enhancing clearance, limiting lung damage, and ensuring 100 % survival after one dose.
• Replication-deficient UniFluVec shows cross-protection, supporting its potential as a pre-pandemic intranasal vaccine.
Abstract
Background
The emergence of new influenza strains with unpredictable antigenic properties poses a significant vaccination challenge. The increasing incidence of human H5 infections underscores the urgent need for effective pre-pandemic vaccines.
Methods
The UniFluVec and UniFluVec-wtNS1 viruses were designed as H1N1pdm vaccine candidates. Both viruses contained a heterologous A/Singapore/1/57-like (H2N2) NEP gene, which served as an attenuation factor. UniFluVec additionally carried a truncated to 124 amino acids NS1 gene, and an insertion of conserved influenza sequences. UniFluVec-wtNS1 retained the wild-type NS1 gene. The impact of NS1 and NEP modifications on attenuation and phenotypic markers was assessed in cells and mice. Safety and prophylactic efficacy were assessed in ferrets following a single intranasal immunisation with the maximum feasible dose (8.7 log10 EID50), followed by challenge with the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) A/Indonesia/5/2005 (H5N1).
Results
Modifications in NS1 and NEP independently and synergistically induced a temperature-sensitive phenotype and enhanced type I/II interferon response, resulting in a highly attenuated vaccine profile. UniFluVec, incorporating both modifications within the NS genomic segment, demonstrated superior viral clearance, reducing lung damage, and ensuring 100 % survival in infected animals.
Conclusion
The replication-deficient UniFluVec vector demonstrates safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy against the heterologous HPAIV strain in ferrets following a single intranasal administration.
Source: Vaccine, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X25010928?via%3Dihub
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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.
Abstract
The H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has caused severe global losses, reaching South America in 2022 and Antarctica in 2024. Here we synthesize outbreak reports submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) by South American countries and document the virus's unprecedented expansion into Antarctica, affecting wild birds, wild mammals, and domestic poultry. More than 6 million domestic birds died or were culled, mostly from commercial operations. Of the 11 South American countries that reported H5N1 to WOAH, 10 reported infections in wild birds, spanning 104 species, 59.62% of which are migratory and predominantly non-trans-equatorial. Marine mammal cases occurred after wild bird detections, with the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) most affected, and several Antarctic bird species with migratory behavior were also reported in South America. To complement outbreak data, we examined available genomic sequences through phylogenetic and time-calibrated Bayesian analyses, which revealed multiple introduction events, viral diversity across regions, and evidence of interspecies transmission dynamics. These findings highlight the extensive ecological reach of H5N1 in the Southern Hemisphere and underscore the urgent need for a One Health approach that strengthens wildlife and backyard-poultry surveillance while fostering coordinated regional action to control and prevent further spread of HPAI.
Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.03.680239v1
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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.
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.
Abstract
Viral diseases cause significant economic losses within the equine population. Horses are susceptible to equine coronavirus (ECoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), although only ECoV has been associated to clinical disease. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time in Algeria, the seroprevalence of ECoV and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the prevalence of ECoV infection in horses. In 2022, a total of 299 serum samples was collected from horses aged 1 to 27 years. Serological analysis for the presence of ECoV and SARS-CoV-2 was performed using a validated in-house and a commercially available ELISA, respectively. In addition, fecal samples of these animals were tested for the presence of ECoV RNA by RT-qPCR. SARS-CoV-2-ELISA positive sera with high S/P ratios and negative samples close to the doubtful threshold were retested using a virus neutralization test (VNT). The seroprevalence of ECoV and SARS-CoV-2 in the tested horses was 63.5% (190/299) and 4.3% (13/299), respectively. Among CoVs-seropositive horses, six were seropositive for both ECoV and SARS-CoV-2, thus 6/10 sera were VNT positive, including two ELISA-negative samples for SARS-CoV-2. ECoV seroprevalence varied according to age, breed and sex. None of the fecal samples tested positive for ECoV. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were confirmed by VNT in six samples (2%). One SARS-CoV-2-positive serum tested by ELISA and confirmed through VNT was cytotoxic for VERO cells. This study is the first to report the circulation of ECoV and SARS-CoV-2 in the Algerian horse population. Further studies are necessary to isolate and obtain molecular characterisation of ECoV and SARS-CoV-2 from horses in Algeria.
Source: Veterinary Research Communications, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11259-025-10928-0
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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.
Von A.M.Hurrell - Photographer - A.M.Hurrell, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=423388
Source: Wikipedia, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizerische_Lokomotiv-_und_Maschinenfabrik
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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.
Int J Infect Dis
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.
Am J 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.
Situation at a glance
In 2025, a resurgence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease was noted in a number of countries, including some that had not reported substantial case numbers in recent years.
Between 1 January and 30 September 2025, a total of 445 271 suspected and confirmed CHIKV disease cases and 155 deaths were reported globally from 40 countries, including autochthonous and travel imported cases.
Some WHO Regions are experiencing significant increases in case numbers compared to 2024, although others are currently reporting lower case numbers.
This uneven distribution of cases across regions makes it challenging to characterize the situation as a global rise, however, given the ongoing outbreaks reported globally in 2025, the potential for further spread remains significant.
CHIKV disease can be introduced into new areas by infected travelers and local transmission may be established if there is the presence of Aedes mosquito and a susceptible population.
The risk is heightened by limited population immunity in previously unaffected areas, favorable environmental conditions for vector breeding, gaps in surveillance and diagnostic capacity, and increased human mobility and trade.
Strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing vector surveillance and control, and improving public health preparedness are essential to mitigate the risk of further transmission.
Prior to 2025, current or previous autochthonous transmission of CHIKV has been reported from 119 countries and territories.
A total of 27 countries and territories across six WHO regions have established competent populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes but have not yet reported autochthonous CHIKV transmission.
Additional countries have established populations of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can also transmit CHIKV, and in which transmission efficiency is enhanced for CHIKV lineages with the E1 226V mutation.
The presence of these vectors poses a continuous threat of chikungunya introduction and spread in previously unaffected areas.
Increased CHIKV transmission is driven by multiple factors that include:
- the expanded geographic distribution of Aedes mosquitoes related to transportation in conveyances and
- climate change,
- unplanned urbanization,
- poor water management, and
- weakened vector surveillance and control.
CHIKV disease typically causes high population attack rates. In smaller settings such as islands, the transmission dynamics can be temporarily interrupted once a proportion of the population becomes infected and subsequently immune.
In larger populations however, where enough individuals remain immunologically susceptible, transmission can persist over time, leading to sustained outbreaks.
These outbreaks often place a significant burden on healthcare systems due to the number of affected individuals.
Countries differ in their ability to detect and report chikungunya and other vector-borne diseases, with many outbreaks identified only retrospectively, hindering effective public health responses.
Early detection of cases, particularly in persons at risk for severe CHIKV disease, and timely access to appropriate medical care are essential for minimizing clinical complications and reducing mortality.
The variation in distribution of cases across regions highlights the importance of continued investment in surveillance, preparedness, and response capacities to address evolving regional dynamics.
WHO continues to call on all countries to strengthen their healthcare and laboratory systems to enable rapid detection, timely reporting, and effective response to chikungunya outbreaks.
(...)
Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON581
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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.
{Summary}
-- During current epidemiological week (from 25 September to 1rst October 2025), 38 new confirmed human infection with West Nile Virus have been reported.
-- Since the beginning of the epidemic season, 718 confirmed cases have been recorded in Italy (they were 680 in the last bulletin), of these:
- 341 were West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND): 15 in Piedmont, 51 Lombardy, 30 Veneto, 4 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1 Liguria, 27 Emilia-Romagna, 11 Tuscany, 1 Marche, 84 Latium, 2 Molise, 79 Campania, 2 Apulia, 2 Basilicata, 5 Calabria, 2 Sicily, 25 Sardinia,
- 57 were asymptomatic cases in blood donors,
- 309 were West Nile Fever cases (1 imported from Kenya, 1 Egypt, and one Maldives),
- 4 asymptomatic cases,
- 7 unspecified cases.
-- Among confirmed cases, there have been 49 fatalities: 7 in Piedmont, 5 Lombardy, 2 Emilia-Romagna, 18 Latium, 14 Campania, 2 Calabria, 1 Sardinia.
- The Case-Fatality Rate in WNND cases was 14.4% (it was 20% in 2018 and 14% in 2024.
-- This season 10 confirmed Usutu virus human infections have been recorded: 2 in Piedmont, 3 Lombardy, 2 Veneto, 3 Latium.
(...)
Source: High Institute of Health, https://www.epicentro.iss.it/westnile/bollettino/Bollettino_WND_2025_12.pdf
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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.
Abstract
In China, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H3N8 virus is widespread among chickens and has recently caused three zoonotic infections, with the last one in 2023 being fatal. Here we evaluated the relative pandemic risk of this 2023 zoonotic H3N8 influenza virus, utilizing our previously published decision tree. Serological analysis indicated that a large proportion of the human population does not have any cross-neutralizing antibodies against this H3N8 strain. LPAI H3N8 displayed a dual affinity for a2-3 and a2-6 sialic acids and replicated efficiently in human bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore, we observed H3N8 transmission via direct contact but not aerosols to ferrets with pre-existing H3N2 immunity. Although pre-existing H3N2 immunity resulted in a shortened disease course in ferrets, it did not reduce disease severity or replication in the respiratory tract. This study suggests that this zoonotic H3N8 strain has moderate pandemic potential and emphasizes the continued need for avian influenza surveillance.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.02.679960v1
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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.
