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

 

A poultry farm in Sachsen Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7002

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

Wild Mute Swans in Kiev Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6994

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Comparative evaluation of different #transport #media for #H5N1 highly pathogenic avian #influenza virus

 

Abstract

In developing countries particularly in field conditions unfavorable environmental conditions, lack of availability of appropriate transport media (TM) and maintenance of cold chain during transport; sample collection, storage, and transportation is more challenging. Considering these facts, five TM out of which three laboratory-based media named phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 50% glycerol + PBS, and normal saline (NS) and two commercially available media including viral transport medium (VTM), charcoal based viral transport medium (CVTM) were compared to protect infectivity of the H5N1 influenza virus. Spiked fecal sample and allantoic fluid with and without these TM were placed in field simulatory storage and transportation conditions and in every 12 h time interval these samples were tested for virus isolation in embryonated chicken egg inoculation and identification by HA test and RT PCR upto 7 days. Survivability of the virus was detected by calculating the percent infectivity and analysed by logistic regression analysis. NS, PBS, and CVTM, were most effective media in maintaining the integrity of the test virus. These media are easily available and economical and less complex to prepare. A significant difference was found in survivability of the virus only in VTM in between allantoic fluid and fecal sample.

Source: Scientific Reports, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-15987-6

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Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of INO-4500, a synthetic #DNA-based #vaccine against #Lassa virus, in a phase 1b clinical trial in healthy Ghanaian adults

 

Abstract

Background: 

Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa, with no licensed vaccines or targeted treatments available, highlighting a critical gap in global health preparedness. T cell-mediated immunity plays a central role in viral control and survival. Synthetic DNA vaccines offer a promising strategy to induce both humoral and cellular immunity against LF.

Methods: 

A Phase 1b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of INO-4500, a DNA vaccine encoding the Lassa virus (Josiah strain) glycoprotein precursor (GPC). A total of 220 healthy adults were randomized to receive either 1 mg or 2 mg of INO-4500 (intervention), or placebo, administered intradermally (ID) followed by electroporation (EP) at Day 0 and Week 4. Safety was evaluated through Week 48. Primary immunogenicity endpoints included humoral and cellular immune responses at multiple timepoints post-vaccination.

Results: 

INO-4500 was well tolerated, with no Grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) deemed to be related to the intervention; 88.6% of all TEAEs were Grade 1. No cases of attributable hearing loss were reported. INO-4500 groups demonstrated statistically significant increases in Lassa virus GPC-specific binding antibodies at Weeks 6 and 12 compared to placebo, with the 2 mg group eliciting the strongest responses. T cell responses remained elevated above baseline through Week 48 in both INO-4500 groups, indicating durable cellular immunity.

Conclusions: 

DNA vaccine INO-4500 was well tolerated and elicited durable humoral and cellular immune responses in healthy adults. These findings support further clinical development of INO-4500 as a potential preventive vaccine to reduce LF-associated morbidity and mortality in endemic regions.

Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04093076

Source: Frontiers in Immunology, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1658549/full

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Clustering #Countries on #Development Indicators Reveals Structure Relevant for #H5N1 #Mortality Analysis

 

Abstract

Infectious diseases are often observed to have different epidemiology in different countries, which arises due to various factors including those that are ecological, socioeconomic, and healthcare-related. Such variability can sometimes be best captured through looking at groups of countries that are similar within-group but variable between-group. In this study we use statistical learning methods to generate data-driven disease-centric groupings of countries rather than those developed for administrative or political reasons by e.g. the WHO, World Bank, and the United Nations. In particular, we apply hierarchical clustering to group countries based on shared disease-relevant characteristics for zoonotic H5N1 influenza. Using statistical methods such as classification and regression trees (CART)-based imputation and dynamic tree cutting, the analysis accounts for missing data and identifies epidemiologically (rather than politically or economically) meaningful clusters. Applying health metric relevant indicators, we cluster the countries of the world and using a Bayesian approach compute CFRs of zoonotic H5N1 influenza before comparing across clusters. We find that countries with stronger healthcare systems and lower poverty rates tend to have lower and more stable CFRs, whereas resource-limited settings face higher fatality risks.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

MKA was supported by the Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future. TH was supported by the Wellcome Trust (227438/Z/23/Z) and the Medical Research Council (UKRI483).

Source: MedRxIV, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.08.25339808v1

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Le Stryge, Charles Meryon (1853)

 

Public Domain.

Source: WikiArt, https://www.wikiart.org/en/charles-meryon/le-stryge

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History of Mass Transportation: The Renault Autorail Type NF des Chemins de Fer d'Intérêt Local de l'Yonne (CFY)

 

Par Auteur inconnu — Ligne de Sens à Nogent sur Seine in Les Forums de Passions Métrique et Etroite, Beitrag aus dem Jahre 2013. Siehe auch Renault Typ NF im Modellbau-Wiki., Domaine public, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70650101

Source: Wikipedia, https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autorail_Renault

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Long-term consequences of #monkeypox virus #infection or modified vaccinia virus Ankara #vaccination in #Belgium ...

 

Summary

Background

Given the continued global circulation of monkeypox virus (MPXV), we aimed to assess the long-term clinical consequences of MPXV infection and the continued presence of the virus in saliva, semen, and the anorectum. We also aimed to compare long-term antibody dynamics after MPXV infection with modified vaccinia Ankara–Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccination.

Methods

In this mixed retrospective and prospective cohort study, adults with acute MPXV infection at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp, Belgium) were enrolled in a clinical registry (MPX-COHORT) from May 13, 2022, with follow-up at 1 month after infection. On Oct 3, 2022, we initiated a long-term follow-up study (POQS-FU-PLUS) to extend follow-up of people with mpox and to establish a parallel cohort of adults who received MVA-BN vaccination between Aug 3, 2022, and Jan 4, 2023. Participants were eligible for the second cohort if they received two doses of MVA-BN, unless they had previous smallpox vaccination, in which case one dose of MVA-BN sufficed. POQS-FU-PLUS visits were prospectively scheduled 8, 16, and 24 months after infection or vaccination. During these visits, participants with mpox underwent physical and mental health assessments and provided saliva, anorectal swabs, and serum and optionally semen (at month 8 only); people vaccinated with MVA-BN provided serum only. Missing serum samples were supplemented by biobanked serum samples collected during routine clinic visits within the same timeframe, as were serum samples predating MPXV infection and MVA-BN vaccination. Saliva, anorectal swabs, and semen were tested by MPXV PCR, and serum samples were tested for vaccinia virus (VACV) lysate, MPXV-E8L binding, and MPXV neutralising antibodies. Results were compared between people with MPXV infections and MVA-BN vaccination, taking into account childhood smallpox vaccination. The main outcomes were the in-depth clinical description of people with mpox, including complications, the long-term physical and mental health consequences of mpox, and antibody concentrations 8 months after MPXV infection and MVA-BN vaccination.

Findings

Of 250 individuals with MPXV infection, 237 were enrolled (199 prospectively and 38 retrospectively). Of 1728 people with MVA-BN vaccines, 210 were enrolled (209 prospectively and one retrospectively). Of people with MPXV infection, 112 (47%) of 237 attended follow-up at 8 months, 134 (57%) at 16 months, and 63 (27%) at 24 months. For people vaccinated with MVA-BN, 205 (98%) of 210 attended follow-up at 8 months, 161 (77%) at 16 months, and 144 (69%) at 24 months. The median age of all participants was 40 years (IQR 33–48). The majority (425 [96%] of 443) identified as men. Scarring occurred in 33 (46%) of 71 patients with mpox at month 8, 17 (30%) of 57 at month 16, and 20 (32%) of 63 at month 24. Other symptoms largely resolved within a year. All saliva and anorectal MPXV PCR were negative at follow-up (69 swabs were collected at 8 months, 51 at 16 months, and 63 at 24 months; upper 95% CI 5%, 7%, and 6% respectively); semen MPXV PCR at month 8 was negative for all 23 swabs (upper 95% CI 15%). At month 8, among participants not vaccinated against smallpox during childhood, MVA-BN induced lower binding antibody concentrations than MPXV infection (0·39 fold-change, 95% CI 0·25–0·62, p<0·0001 for VACV antibodies; 0·60 fold-change, 95% CI 0·46–0·79, p=0·0017 for MPXV-E8L antibodies); MPXV neutralising antibodies were detected in only 4% (95% CI 1–17%) of people with MVA-BN vaccines; and intradermal vaccination elicited lower binding antibody concentrations than subcutaneous vaccination (0·26 fold-change, 95% CI 0·17–0·39, p<0·0001 for VACV antibodies; 0·54 fold-change, 95% CI 0·37–0·77, p=0·0009 for MPXV-E8L antibodies).

Interpretation

Individuals previously infected with MPXV show strong and durable immunological memory lasting up to 2 years after infection, in contrast to the less robust and shorter-lived response observed after MVA-BN vaccination. These findings suggest that MPXV infection confers long-term protection against reinfection, whereas vaccine-induced immunity can wane over time and requires boosting. Further studies are needed to determine whether booster doses can enhance the durability of immunological memory in previously vaccinated individuals. Should booster vaccination prove beneficial, targeted revaccination campaigns will be necessary to maintain population-level protection.

Funding

Research Foundation–Flanders; Department of Economy, Science and Innovation Flanders; and Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development.

Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(25)00545-6/fulltext?rss=yes

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Detection and genetic characterization of #alphacoronaviruses in co-roosting #bat species, southeastern #Kenya

 

Abstract

Bats are associated with some of the most significant and virulent emerging zoonoses globally, yet research and surveillance of bat pathogens remains limited across parts of the world. We surveyed the prevalence and genetic diversity of coronaviruses from bats in Taita Hills, southeastern Kenya, as part of ongoing surveillance efforts in this remote part of eastern Africa. We collected fecal and intestinal samples in May 2018 and March 2019 from 16 bat species. We detected one genus of coronavirus (alphacoronavirus), with an overall RNA prevalence of 6.5% (30/463). The prevalence of coronavirus RNA was 3.8% (9/235) and 11.6% (21/181) for the two most captured free-tailed bat species, Mops condylurus and M. pumilus respectively, with no detections from other bat species (0/90). Phylogenetic analyses based on the partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene and whole genome sequences revealed that the sequences clustered together and were closely related to alphacoronavirus detected in free tailed bats in Eswatini, Nigeria and Rhinolophus simulator bats in South Africa. The sequences were more distantly related to alphacoronavirus isolated from Chaerophon plicatus bat species in Yunnan province, China and Ozimops species from southwestern Australia. These findings highlight coronavirus transmission among bats that share habitats with humans and livestock, posing a potential risk of exposure. Future research should investigate whether coronaviruses detected in these bats have the potential to spillover to other hosts.

Author summary

Bats are known to carry several zoonotic pathogens with potential to cause serious illnesses and death in humans. Yet, surveillance on the pathogens they carry remains limited in much of the world. We studied the prevalence and diversity of coronaviruses from bats in Taita Hills, southeastern Kenya to better understand the circulation of these viruses and inform disease preparedness. We detected alphacoronaviruses in urban Mops condylurus and M. pumilus bat species. The bat alpha coronaviruses we detected were closely related to alphacoronaviruses that have been previously detected in bats elsewhere in Africa and distantly related to alphacoronavirus detected from Chaerophon plicatus bat species in Yunnan province, China and Ozimops species from southwestern Australia. This work demonstrates coronavirus circulation among bats that share habitats with people and livestock providing conditions that can lead to spillover. Identifying whether coronaviruses detected in these bats have the potential to infect other hosts is critical for developing countermeasures and mitigating potential outbreaks.

Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0012805

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History of Mass Transportation: The Brissonneau et Lotz 05 Diesel Locomotive at the cemetery F´derik in February 2025

 

By Matthias-Tf - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=161756539

Source: Wikipedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Brissonneau_et_Lotz_locomotives

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

 

{By Kandukuru Nagarjun from Bangalore, India - Peacock on tree, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=119724930}

Captive Indian Peafowl birds in Haskovo Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6999

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Simultaneous #outbreaks of #Ebola, #cholera, #mpox, and #measles in #DRC in 2025

 

{Excerpt}

On Sept 4, 2025, the DR Congo Government and Ministry of Health announced a new Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Bulape health zone (Kasai province), marking the end of over 15 years without any reported cases of Ebola virus disease in this region. As of Sept 14, 2025, there were 35 confirmed Ebola virus disease cases and 16 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 45·7%.1,2 This unexpected resurgence in a region with insufficient preparedness capacity raises serious concerns about potential regional spread, including towards neighbouring Angola.

At the same time, DR Congo is experiencing one of the most severe cholera outbreaks of the past decade, with a total of 48 139 cases and 1443 deaths reported between Jan 1 and Aug 24, 2025, resulting in a case fatality rate of 3%.3 By epidemiological week 33, high case fatality rates were reported in the provinces of Kwilu (76 cases, 26 deaths; 44%), Sankuru (42 cases, 6 deaths; 14%), and Equateur (224 cases, 19 deaths; 8%).3

DR Congo also continues to be the global epicentre of mpox. Between Jan 1 and Sept 14, 2025, DR Congo has reported 16 879 confirmed mpox cases and 43 deaths.4 Response efforts have been challenged by factors such as persistent endemic conditions, gaps in surveillance, and poor access to vaccines.

(...)

Source: The Lancet, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02100-2/fulltext?rss=yes

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#Surveillance of migratory #shorebirds and #seabirds in 2024 in #Australia reveals incursions of a diversity of low pathogenicity avian #influenza viruses, but HPAI #H5N1

 

Abstract

The current panzootic of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been catastrophic for wildlife, and following a significant sweep, clade 2.3.4.4b is found in every region aside from Oceania. Herein, we report the results of our third year of targeted surveillance of incoming migratory seabirds and shorebirds into Australia. We did not find evidence of HPAI H5N1 in any of the birds tested, and there were no reports of HPAI H5N1 in wildlife tested through other surveillance schemes in 2024. Unlike previous years, we detected a diversity of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) viruses in shorebirds. Through phylogenetic analysis we revealed that the H3N7 and H4N7 viruses recovered from Red-necked Stints were complex mosaic viruses, comprising segments of Eurasian, Australian shorebird, and Australian waterfowl segments. A H1N7 virus detected comprised a wholly Eurasian introduction, confirming this route for avian influenza viruses into Australian ecosystems. These results provide further evidence for the key role of long-distance migratory shorebirds in introducing novel LPAI viruses into Oceania. While our focus on northern migration routes remained appropriate for HPAI H5N1 surveillance in 2024, the continued spread of HPAI H5N1 to sub-Antarctic Islands demands consideration of a potential southern incursion route for Oceania in future.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Australian Research Council, DP190101861

Wildlife Health Australia

Australian Department of Health

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.06.687052v1

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Structural basis for a potent #human neutralizing #antibody targeting a conserved epitope on the #H7 #hemagglutinin head

 

Significance

The high-resolution cryo-EM structure indicates that the human antibody 6Y13 binds strongly to a conserved pan-H7 epitope on the hemagglutinin head, distinct from the receptor-binding site and lateral patch. However, 6Y13 can broadly neutralize H7 viruses, fully protect H7N9-infected mice, and potently block receptor binding through mechanisms, independent of Fc-mediated steric hindrance.

Abstract

Zoonotic H7N9 avian influenza virus infection remains a global concern because of its pandemic potential. Therefore, developing effective antibodies and vaccines against H7N9 is vital for preventing and controlling major outbreaks. Here, we isolated a human VH3-30 gene-encoded antibody, designated 6Y13, from a survivor of H7N9 infection. This antibody recognized the hemagglutinins (HAs) of the representative H7 subtype zoonotic viruses spanning two decades of antigenic evolution and potently neutralized epidemic H7N9 viruses in vitro. Moreover, 6Y13 conferred complete protection in mice against lethal H7N9 challenge in both prophylactic and therapeutic experiments. Structural analysis by cryoelectron microscopy indicated that 6Y13 binds to a unique conserved site on the HA head, distinct from the receptor-binding site and lateral patch. Nevertheless, 6Y13 efficiently blocked viral receptor binding without interfering with HA receptor binding, independent of Fc-mediated steric hindrance. Our findings provide a promising therapeutic candidate against pan-H7 subtype viruses and are beneficial for the design of H7 subtype influenza vaccine immunogens.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2503008122

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

 

{By Diliff - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1385555}

Following the detection of HPAI H5N1 in a greylag goose found dead near the lake Biel on 4 November 2025, an infected area of 3 km around the three lakes in vicinity of the site of detection has been put in place. Within this area, measures of increased disease awareness, biosecurity and notification obligations have to be followed by poultry owners.

A wild Greylag Goose found dead in Bern Region.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6985

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

 

{England}

Mixed commercial premises with 32.7k ducks and 11.6k broilers. Samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Birds presented clinical signs of AI prior to testing.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6987

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#Zoonotic Implications of the Co-Circulation of Clade 2.3.4.4b and 2.3.2.1a #H5N1 Avian #Influenza Viruses in #Nepal in 2023

 

Abstract

Samples collected from two avian influenza outbreaks in Bagmati Province in central Nepal between January and March 2023 were positive for H5N1. Full genomes were generated for both viruses, which revealed that one of the viruses was very similar to clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 identified in Bangladesh in 2021/2022. The second virus was a reassortant H5N1 virus consisting of four genes (HA, NA, NP, and M) originating from a clade 2.3.2.1a H5N1 and the remaining four genes (NS, PB1, PB2, and PA) originating from a 2.3.4.4b H5N1. Notably, this second virus had a high identity with 2.3.2.1a clade viruses identified in humans and cats in India in 2024–2025. These are the first full genome sequences of H5N1 avian influenza viruses from Nepal and given the recent human infections by 2.3.2.1a H5N1 viruses in the region, these data will be of interest to both public health and veterinary authorities.

Source: Viruses, https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/11/1481

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An #intranasal adjuvanted, recombinant #influenza A/ #H5 #vaccine primes against diverse #H5N1 clades: a phase I trial

 

Abstract

Mucosal influenza vaccines may provide improved protection against infection and transmission, but their development is hindered by absence of immune correlates of protection. Here, we report a randomized, controlled phase I trial of a recombinant influenza A/H5 (A/Indonesia/05/2005, clade 2.1) hemagglutinin vaccine formulated with a nanoemulsion adjuvant (W805EC). The vaccine is administered intranasally in two doses 28 days apart at three antigen levels. Controls receive unadjuvanted H5 or placebo. Six months later, participants receive an intramuscular boost with unadjuvanted inactivated A/H5N1 (A/Vietnam/1203/2004, clade 1) vaccine. Primary outcomes are solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs), laboratory safety abnormalities, medically-attended AEs, potential immune-mediated conditions, new-onset chronic conditions, and serious AEs. All vaccines are well tolerated. After the intranasal series, hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization responses are minimal. However, adjuvanted H5 recipients show significant increases in mucosal and serum IgG/IgA, surface plasmon resonance antibody binding, memory B and CD4 T cell activity, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Following H5N1 boost, participants mount robust responses across measurements and have microneutralization responses against diverse H5N1 clades (including circulating clade 2.3.4.4b). Findings demonstrate successful mucosal priming and broad cross-clade responses. This intranasal vaccine supports further exploration of mucosal immune biomarkers and may accelerate development of intranasal influenza vaccines. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05397119

Source: Nature Communications, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-64686-3

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