Pitlessie Fair, David Wilkie (1804)

 

Public Domain.

Source: 

Link: https://www.wikiart.org/en/david-wilkie/pitlessie-fair-1804

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#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, Jan. 24 '26)

 

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#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, Jan. 24 '26)

 

Ann Intern Med

1. SACKS HS
   In older adults, RSV prefusion F vaccine reduced hospitalization for RSV-related respiratory tract disease vs. no vaccine.
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
2. SOUMARE A, Kapfer T, Botrel T, Adda L, et al
   Systemic Corticosteroids, Mortality, and Infections in Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Arch Virol

3. LAI QR, Chen W, Yu GF, Guo YJ, et al
   Molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of human adenovirus in children in Hangzhou (2022-2023).
   Arch Virol. 2026;171:60.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Biochem Biophys Res Commun

4. WU X, Bhatt V, Liu JJ, Hong L, et al
   Single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis reveals differential expressions of ion channels in immunity response to pulmonary COVID-19 infection.
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   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   BMC Pediatr

5. AYKAC K, Demir OO, Sari MC, Kuruc AI, et al
   Hepatitis is an underestimated complication among children with pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza: a single center study.
   BMC Pediatr. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-06481.
   PubMed        
   
   

   
   BMJ

6. RUSSELL MD, Schaffer A, Bechman K, Gibson M, et al
   Time trends in newly recorded diagnoses of 19 long term conditions before, during, and after the covid-19 pandemic: population based cohort study in England using OpenSAFELY.
   BMJ. 2026;392:e086393.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   Epidemiol Infect

7. WANG B, Zhang T, Yi L, Wu Y, et al
   Incidence of community-acquired pneumonia among adults between 2016 and 2023: an observational cohort study.
   Epidemiol Infect. 2026;154:e15.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   
8. DHAWAN S, Pan-Ngum W, MacIntyre CR, Blacksell SD, et al
   Epidemiological indicators of accidental laboratory-origin outbreaks.
   Epidemiol Infect. 2026;154:e16.
   PubMed         Abstract available
   
   

   
   J Infect Dis

9. ZHANG X
   How "Enhanced" Are Enhanced Influenza Vaccines for Neuraminidase? Antigen Content and Baseline Immunity Revisited.
   J Infect Dis. 2026 Jan 23:jiag042. doi: 10.1093.
   PubMed        
   
   
10. ORLINICK B, Mehta S, McAlpine L, Khoshbakht S, et al
    Cerebrospinal Fluid Immune Cell Alterations in Women With Neuropsychiatric Long COVID.
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11. SONG EM, An HM, Kim SE, Shim KN, et al
    Coronavirus Disease 2019 Risk in Patients With Autoimmune Diseases Using Biologics or Small Molecules: A Population-Based Cohort Study.
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12. BIDARI S, Yuan H, Yang W
    Assessing the Transmissibility and Outbreak Risk of Measles in the United States, 2024-2030.
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    J Virol

13. YANG Q, Xue B, Qiu X, Yang K, et al
    Molecular mechanism of resistance to lonafarnib conferred by mutations in the cysteine-rich region of respiratory syncytial virus fusion glycoprotein and discovery of a lonafarnib-derived antiviral PROTAC.
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14. HAWKINS GM, Qing E, Salgado J, Chan P, et al
    A murine coronavirus infection platform identifies proviral and proinflammatory activities of SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein 7a.
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15. FONSECA BF, Robinot R, Michel V, Mendez A, et al
    Stealth replication of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in the nasal epithelium at physiological temperature.
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16. BRIGLEB PH, Sharp B, Lazure L, Livingston B, et al
    Immune history confers antibody- and T cell-dependent cross-protection against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses.
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    Pediatrics

17. BYINGTON CL, Stellwagen L, Bode L, Hooshmand M, et al
    Milk as a Transmission Vehicle for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1).
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    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    PLoS Comput Biol

18. PELLOW R, Comeron JM
    A wavelet-based approach generates quantitative, scale-free and hierarchical descriptions of 3D genome structures and new biological insights.
    PLoS Comput Biol. 2026;22:e1013887.
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19. ADEGBAJU MS, Owo-Odusi O, Wirtz ET, Morenikeji OB, et al
    Structural analysis of antigenic variation and adaptive evolution of the H5N1 neuraminidase gene.
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    PLoS Med

20. TATEMATSU D, Nakamura N, Abe MS, Ishikawa T, et al
    Psychological distress among Japanese high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic: An energy landscape analysis.
    PLoS Med. 2026;23:e1004884.
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21. MONOI A, Endo A, Procter SR, Leuba SI, et al
    The benefits and risks of maternal RSV vaccination on mortality in South Africa: A modeling study.
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    PubMed         Abstract available
    
    

    
    PLoS One

22. ROHNER S, Schnepper R, Meienberg A, Bopp K, et al
    Protocol of the digital long COVID study: A single-center, registry-based, feasibility and clinical evaluation study to investigate a 12-week digital intervention program for people affected by post-COVID-19 condition.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0340385.
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23. PARK J, Koo JH, Kang S
    Urban density and depression during COVID-19 in Seoul: Moderating effects of social participation.
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24. PATEL N, Sharma R, Lingasamy P, Sundararajan V, et al
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25. JOSHI DR, Khanal J, Joshi BM
    Investigating the relationship between teacher efficacy, job satisfaction, and digital resource utilization in assessment practices: Insights from PISA 2018 and 2022.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0339475.
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26. ADENIJI OA, Pappas E, Stenner K, Traynor V, et al
    Weathering the storm of COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of reported changes in first contact physiotherapy services in the UK and Australia.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0340995.
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27. OKUI T
    Age-specific impact of COVID-19 on birth rates in Japan: An interrupted time-series analysis using national vital statistics.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0341340.
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28. LYU Z, Murtaza N
    Impact of crowdfunding, entrepreneurial finance and varieties of entrepreneurial ecosystems after COVID pandemic for rural women.
    PLoS One. 2026;21:e0340966.
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29. MIYAMORI D, Yoshida S, Omori W, Kashima S, et al
    Impact of COVID-19 on new pharmacotherapy for insomnia: A matched cohort study using the national insurance claims database in Japan.
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30. AGASI-IDENBURG C, de Kruif A, Ronteltap A, van Oers S, et al
    Allied health care in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study on the perceptions of non-hospitalized patients and allied health professionals.
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31. NOVAK P, Systrom DM, Witte A, Marciano SP, et al
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32. BELALCAZAR AT, Lasso VM, Alvarez Herazo JD, Clarete A, et al
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33. MACK M, Ye A, Ursu S, Ice R, et al
    HEDGES co-prevents both SARS-CoV-2 and pandemic influenza infection in mice by rapid, durable co-production of twelve different anti-pandemic monoclonal antibodies.
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    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

34. SRINIVASAN S, King J, Collins JM, Colubri A, et al
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35. TE N, Chin AWH, Gu H, Zhirong Jia J, et al
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    Vaccine

36. JEONG O, Choi W, Ahn H, Lee S, et al
    Bromelain-cleaved hemagglutinin production from cell culture-derived influenza viruses enhances vaccine potency quantification by single radial immunodiffusion assay.
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37. LISTER H, Farquharson K, Seale H, Smith LE, et al
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38. CONTARINO F, Fiorilla C, Bella F, Orsi A, et al
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    Virology

39. NGUYEN CT, Nakayama M, Yasui F, Ishigaki H, et al
    Vaccinia virus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prevents lung immunopathology without antibody-dependent enhancement in female rhesus macaques.
    Virology. 2025;616:110778.
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History of Mass Transportation: The Zentralbahn De 110 005-6 Electric Locomotive in Meiringen BE, Switzerland

 

Par Paebi — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1054053

Source: 

Link: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zentralbahn

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#Netherlands: #Antibodies to {#H5N1} #birdflu virus found in dairy #cow (Min. Agriculture, Jan. 24 '26)

{Automatic translation from Dutch to English}

Date: January 23, 2026 

Regarding: Dairy cow with antibodies against bird flu 

Dear Chair, Through this letter, I am informing the House, also on behalf of the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, about the situation surrounding a dairy cow with antibodies against bird flu (highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI). 

No evidence has been found of active virus circulation of bird flu among the dairy cows on this farm in the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân (province of Friesland). 

There are also no signs of bird flu spreading at other dairy farms. 

I am currently conducting follow-up investigations and have asked all involved parties to be alert to any potential signs. 

Situation: 

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) received a report on December 24, 2025, about two sick cats. 

One of these cats tested positive for bird flu. 

The cat in question died on December 26, 2025. 

The second cat tested negative and has fully recovered. 

I informed your House of this in my letter of January 13th, including Parliamentary Document 28807, no. 322. 

Following this report, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) conducted source and contact tracing. 

This revealed a relevant contact with a dairy farm; the cat in question originated from this dairy farm. 

On January 15th, the dairy cattle on this farm were screened. 

Milk samples were taken from several of the cows present, and a sample was also taken from the bulk milk. 

At the time of sampling, no animals showing symptoms of the disease were present on the farm. 

The samples were sent to Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) for analysis. 

The results of the PCR tests, which can detect the virus in milk, were negative for both the individual samples and the bulk milk sample. 

This confirmed that no virus was present among the dairy cattle on the farm. 

In addition, the samples were tested for the presence of antibodies. 

On January 20, the WBVR reported that one cow had antibodies to H5N1 avian influenza. 

The presence of antibodies indicates a previous infection with the virus. 

The cow in question had suffered from mastitis and respiratory problems in December. 

These are Symptoms that can be observed in a dairy cow infected with avian influenza. 

At the time of sampling, this cow had recovered. 

Following this positive antibody test, the NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) revisited the farm on January 22nd. 

During this visit, blood and milk samples were taken from all cattle present. 

A bulk milk sample was also taken again. 

Today, January 23rd, 2026, the PCR results from these tests were received. 

All but five samples were negative. 

The bulk milk was also PCR negative. 

The five remaining individual milk samples resulted in a test error in the laboratory and will be retested this weekend. 

Based on the PCR results known so far, from last week and today, there is no indication of active circulation of avian influenza virus among the dairy cattle on the farm. 

The five final PCR results will be available this weekend. 

If a positive result is unexpectedly obtained, I will inform Parliament immediately. 

In addition, the results of the antibody testing will follow later next week. 

Antibody testing is important to determine whether more animals have been exposed to the virus, which could indicate past virus circulation. 

Other mammals on the farm (such as dogs, cats, and horses) are currently showing no symptoms. 

Avian influenza in dairy cattle: 

As far as we know, antibodies against avian influenza have not previously been demonstrated in dairy cattle in Europe. 

However, since March 2024, there have been numerous avian influenza outbreaks among dairy cattle in the United States (Parliamentary Document 28807, No. 298). 

The virus causing these outbreaks in dairy cattle in America has not been found in Europe to our knowledge. 

The symptoms exhibited by cows with avian influenza are primarily reduced milk production, fever, loss of appetite, and thick, discolored milk. 

The avian influenza virus is primarily excreted in cows' milk. 

Most dairy cows recover from infection and eventually return to their previous milk production levels. 

It is also possible for a cow infected with avian influenza to show no symptoms; even in that case, the cow often sheds the virus. 

An infected cow sheds infectious virus for about two weeks after infection. 

These symptoms are based on experiences in the US.1 

In response to the large number of avian influenza outbreaks among dairy cows in the US, a policy manual for HPAI in dairy cows2 was developed in early 2025. 

Milk Safety 

Previously, the NVWA's Bureau for Risk Assessment and Research (BuRO) conducted research at the request of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) into the management of food and feed safety risks of HPAI virus in milk3. 

In this research It is confirmed that pasteurizing milk completely inactivates the avian influenza virus present. 

The milk is then safe for human consumption and poses no risk to public health or the spread of the virus. 

It is important that raw milk and raw-milk dairy products from cows infected with avian influenza are not consumed. 

Monitoring dairy cattle: 

Individual infection of a dairy cow with the avian influenza virus can occur. 

It is important to know whether this leads to spread within and between farms. 

There are currently no indications that this is the case. 

The basic animal health monitoring program conducts a so-called syndrome surveillance, which involves weekly national and regional monitoring of bulk milk deliveries to determine whether there are any animal health problems in dairy cattle. 

This is a sensitive tool that is particularly valuable when new conditions arise that do not produce specific or noticeable symptoms. 

In addition, the basic monitoring program utilizes pathological examination, and unexplained problems can be reported to the Veekijker (cattle watcher). 

This also makes it possible to identify individual suspected cases of avian influenza infection. 

To date, the basic monitoring has not found any indications that suggest avian influenza infection in dairy cows. 

Naturally, I am closely monitoring the situation and have asked all stakeholders to do so. 

In the short term, I will ask the experts to provide a risk assessment. 

I will also ask experts to analyze possible infection routes and to assess the effectiveness of the monitoring options for HPAI in cattle. 

Furthermore, I have informed stakeholders about this new situation and asked them to report any notable findings. 

Public Health Risk: 

Based on the currently available data, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) estimates the risk to public health to be very low. 

Because the other cows on the farm also tested negative in the PCR test, it seems unlikely that the virus could have spread from the cow to the other cows. 

Due to the cat that previously tested positive near the farm, individuals working or living on the farm were already known to the Municipal Health Service (GGD). 

These individuals have not shown any symptoms consistent with (avian) influenza since then. 

To be on the safe side, all persons exposed to the cow will still be offered testing for an active or past infection. 

Milk on this farm is used only for pasteurized products, meaning any virus present is inactivated and poses no risk of external contamination. 

Furthermore, the milk from the previously infected cow was not processed for human consumption due to the existing mastitis pattern. 

Therefore, the chance that virus from the infected cow has ended up in the milk for human consumption is very small. 

Given the new situation, the RIVM will soon organize a Zoonosis Response Team (RT-Z) in line with the existing zoonosis structure, in which Experts from human and veterinary health will conduct a risk assessment based on the new situation and share it online. 

Finally, the avian influenza situation in our country remains worrying. 

Unfortunately, outbreaks have occurred in recent weeks on both commercial poultry farms and hobby farms. 

Wild birds are also regularly found with avian influenza. 

The fact that a dairy cow has been infected with the avian influenza virus is therefore consistent with these times of high infection pressure. 

Nevertheless, this is a worrying development. I will therefore continue to closely monitor this situation and will conduct further research. I will inform you, together with the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, of relevant developments regarding avian influenza and this case. 

Sincerely, Femke Marije Wiersma, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature

Source: 

Links: Press Release, https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/vogelgriep/nieuws/2026/01/23/antistoffen-vogelgriepvirus-gevonden-bij-melkkoe ; Parliamentary Document: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/vogelgriep/documenten/kamerstukken/2026/01/23/melkkoe-met-antistoffen-tegen-vogelgriep

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Intra-patient #neuraminidase #mutations in avian #H5N1 #influenza virus reduce #sialidase activity to complement weaker hemagglutinin binding and facilitate #human infection

 

Abstract

Clade 2.2 H5N1 influenza viruses have caused an unusually high number of human infections, providing a unique opportunity to investigate early molecular steps associated with host adaptation. Although most work has focused on hemagglutinin (HA), the contribution of neuraminidase (NA) to these early adaptive events has remained unclear. By analyzing publicly available sequences from clade 2.2-infected patients, we identified 20 NA mutations and compared their phenotypes to 20 mutations acquired during diversification in primary human airway cells under drug-free conditions. Most patient-derived NA mutations resulted in modest reductions in sialidase activity, keeping activity within a functional range that supported improved replication in α2,6 sialylglycan (α2,6 Sia)-dominant environments, whereas excessive reduction impaired fitness. Notably, the phenotypes of culture-selected and patient-derived mutations were highly concordant, suggesting that these NA changes arose through natural selection rather than antiviral pressure. Re-analysis of patient sequences further revealed that many adaptive NA mutations co-occur with HA mutations that confer only weak, partial α2,6 Sia binding. Using reverse genetics, we found that such naturally occurring HA/NA mutation pairs acted cooperatively in a receptor–context-dependent manner to support α2,6-associated replication relative to HA-only mutants, placing these variants within a constrained “early-adaptation space” characterized by limited α2,6 engagement and moderately reduced NA activity. Together, these findings indicate that early human adaptation of clade 2.2 H5N1 involves not only HA and PB2, but also incremental, cooperative tuning of NA function. Monitoring coordinated HA–NA evolution may therefore improve risk assessment frameworks for zoonotic influenza viruses poised at early stages of human host adaptation.

Source: 

Link: https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1013863

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#USA, #Wastewater Data for Avian #Influenza #H5 (#CDC, Jan. 23 '26)

 

{Excerpt}

Time Period: January 11, 2026 - January 17, 2026

-- H5 Detection: 6 site(s) (1.1%)

-- No Detection: 519 site(s) (98.9%)

-- No samples in last week: 78 site(s)

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html

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An #H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus #vaccine that elicits cross-protective #antibodies against conserved domains of H5 and N1 glycoproteins

 

Abstract

The continuous evolution and global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses, particularly clade 2.3.4.4b, pose major challenges for pandemic preparedness. This study evaluates a low-dose inactivated split-virus vaccine derived from H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, formulated with an Alum/CpG adjuvant, in a preclinical female mouse model. The vaccine induces strong humoral and cellular immunity, generating high titers of cross-reactive antibodies against diverse H5 hemagglutinin (HA) and across different N1 neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins. The Alum/CpG adjuvant supports substantial antigen dose sparing and promotes a balanced Th1/Th2 profile. Functional assays show potent virus neutralization, neuraminidase inhibition, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, alongside robust antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, efficient control of lung viral replication, and reduced lung inflammation. Vaccinated mice are fully protected from lethal challenge with both homologous H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b and heterologous clade 1 viruses, despite low hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titers. Electron microscopy polyclonal epitope mapping shows serum antibodies recognizing multiple epitopes on homologous HA and NA, with cross-reactivity to conserved epitopes on heterologous proteins, indicating broad recognition. Together, these findings support this vaccine candidate as a promising strategy to provide broad, multifunctional, and durable immunity against current and emerging H5N1 threats.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-68457-6

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#Mpox Multi-country external #situation #report no. 62, published 23 January 2026 (#WHO, summary)

 

Highlights

• All clades of monkeypox virus (MPXV) continue to circulate. 

- Unless mpox outbreaks are rapidly contained and human-to-human transmission is interrupted, there is a risk of sustained community transmission.  

• At the time of reporting, data from the WHO European Region for December 2025 had not yet been submitted; therefore, the information presented below does not include the European Region. 

• In December 2025, 31 countries across five WHO regions (European Region excluded) reported a total of 1040 new confirmed mpox cases, including six deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR] 0.6%). 

- Of these cases, 78% were reported in the African Region. 

- Four regions observed a decline in confirmed cases in December, compared to November 2025, while the Eastern Mediterranean Region reported more cases than the previous month.     

• Fifteen countries in Africa reported active transmission of mpox in the last six weeks (7 December 2025 – 18 January 2026), with 871 confirmed cases, including five deaths (CFR 0.6%). 

- Countries reporting the highest number of cases in this period are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Madagascar, Liberia and Ghana. 

• Four countries, Czechia, Israel, Madagascar and Nepal, and the territory of Mayotte, France, have reported mpox due to clade Ib MPXV for the first time.   

• Outside Africa, community transmission of clade Ib MPXV continues to be reported in France, Italy and Spain. 

- Investigations are ongoing for the case reported in Czechia.  

• Madagascar is reporting an active mpox outbreak, which began in early December 2025 among individuals without recent travel and quickly expanded across the country, which currently is experiencing community transmission of clade Ib MPXV.  

• WHO published ‘Analytical considerations for genomic surveillance of mpox virus’, outlining key considerations for implementing MPXV genomic surveillance, bringing together available evidence and expert input to support the use of pathogen genomics in public health surveillance and response.  

• The report also includes a phylogenetic analysis of MPXV sequences shared on open-source platforms, highlighting the main genetically distinct strains detected in each country since 2022. 

• WHO published the mpox global donor report on 21 January 2026, summarizing donor contributions and funding allocations during the PHEIC period of the mpox response (August 2024– September 2025) across key response priorities 

• On 22 January 2026, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention lifted the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security for mpox.  

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/multi-country-outbreak-of-mpox--external-situation-report--62---23-january-2026

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

 

{England, Suffolk} 

10,532 bird duck breeder flock. Samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Birds presented clinical signs prior to testing.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7217

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

 

Eight wild mute swans in Vaslui Region.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7218

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

 

A wild whooper swan in Pomoravski Region.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7220

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Loss of α2,3-linked #sialoside in the receptor-binding site of a #H5N1 #influenza hemagglutinin identified in a #human patient

 

Abstract

In November 2024, an adolescent female in British Columbia was hospitalized presenting with severe symptoms including respiratory failure due to infection with a novel H5N1 subtype influenza strain (BC24). Using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we show here that the N169 α2,3-linked auto-glycan that is found in the sialic acid binding site of previously studied H5 hemagglutinin (HA) proteins is absent in purified BC24 HA protein, suggesting greatly reduced affinity for α2,3-linked sialosides. Glycan microarray analysis shows that the BC24 HA protein displays reduced or no binding not just to most α2,3-linked sialosides, but also to α2,6-linked sialosides. Full-length BC24 HA expressed in A549 lung alveolar carcinoma cells drives membrane fusion, albeit at significantly lower levels than previous H5 HA proteins, and post-infection sera from the patient display strong binding to BC24 HA and HA proteins from other influenza subtypes. The high virulence of the BC24 strain despite weak receptor binding reveals further complexity in the factors that result in severe disease caused by avian influenza.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Canada Biomedical Research Fund

Canada Excellence Research Chairs, https://ror.org/02tvrwm90

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700419v1

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Using an evolutionary #epidemiological #model of #pandemics to estimate the #infection #fatality ratio for #humans infected with avian #influenza viruses

 

Abstract

The risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza infection to humans is challenging to estimate because many human avian influenza virus (AIV) infections are undetected as they may be asymptomatic, symptomatic but not tested, and as contact tracing is difficult because human-to-human spread is rare. We derive equations that consider the evolutionary mechanisms that give rise to pandemics and are parameterized to be consistent with records of past pandemics. We estimate that thousands of human AIV infections occur worldwide in an average year and estimate the infection fatality ratio as 32 deaths per 10,000 infections (95% confidence interval: [9.6, 75]). We estimate that preventing 20% of animal-to-human influenza spillovers annually would delay pandemic emergence by an average of 9.4 years. There is a high level of uncertainty in our estimates due to the few records of past pandemics, but even so this infection fatality ratio is comparable to SARS-CoV-2 during the recent pandemic and is higher than seasonal human influenza. Preventing human infections with AIV is necessary given the high risk of severe outcomes to individuals and to reduce the risk of pandemics occurring in the future.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

AH was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant (RGPIN 023-05905) and a Catalyst Grant: Avian Influenza OneHealth Research, Enhanced tracking of the circulation of and risk from highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses at the human-wildlife interface from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. JM, ML, and AH were support by an Atlantic Canada Research in the Mathematical Sciences Collaborative Research Group award.

Source: 

Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.21.26344526v1

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Immune history confers #antibody - and T cell-dependent cross-protection against highly pathogenic avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses

 

ABSTRACT

The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian H5 influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4b in cattle has spread across the United States. Mice with pre-existing immunity to H1N1 virus or with a live-attenuated influenza vaccine showed protection against a lethal bovine-derived HPAI H5N1 viral challenge. Notably, ferrets with mixed immunity also demonstrated protection against a feline-derived H5N1 virus, independent of cross-reactive neutralization titers, but antibodies to whole virus were observed. To investigate protective factors, we conducted T cell epitope mapping using published H1N1 viral sequences and found high conservation of key T cell epitopes in the bovine HPAI H5N1 strain. Depletion of T cells in mice prior to and during primary H1N1 infection impacted cross-protective antibodies to H5N1 virus, with CD4 depletion increasing mortality and CD8 depletion mildly impacting morbidity upon H5N1 viral challenge. This underscores the need to investigate memory T cell responses alongside antibodies in assessing preexisting cross-protection to HPAI H5N1 viruses.

Source: 

Link: https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/jvi.02088-25?af=R

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Integrating #Prevention and #Response at the Crossroads of #Henipavirus #Preparedness, Hendra@30 Conference, 2024

 

Abstract

Diseases caused by henipaviruses, exemplified by Hendra virus and Nipah virus, pose a serious risk to public health because of their epidemic potential and high case-fatality rates and the paucity of medical countermeasures to mitigate them. In December 2024, a group of 150 scientists from 16 countries convened in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, to mark the 30th anniversary of the discovery of Hendra virus. The Hendra@30 conference built upon its predecessor conference held in 2019 in Singapore, Nipah@20, by expanding its program across broader disciplines and integrating sessions on human sociology and disease ecology into the main scientific discussions. We describe key highlights from Hendra@30 and reflect on 4 key elements that have advanced henipavirus research and medical countermeasures research and development. We propose that integrating bat ecology into henipavirus research blueprints will enable development of ecologic countermeasures that prevent spillover and will complement existing preparedness and response efforts with evidence-based prevention strategies.

Source: 

Link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/1/25-0979_article

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

 

A wild mute swan in Etelä-Suomen aluehallintovirasto Region.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7213

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

A wild mute swan.  Last outbreak in wild birds in Podkarpackie region was confirmed in February 2025.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7215

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Detection of Avian #Influenza #H5–Specific #Antibodies by Chemiluminescent Assays

 

Abstract

We evaluated 2 electrochemiluminescence serologic assays to detect avian influenza H5 antibodies. Both assays identified H5 antibodies from both serum and dried blood spots and had strong specificity and minimal cross-reactivity in human and avian samples. Such assays can support populationwide serologic surveys aimed at assessing population-level immunity.

Source: 

Link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/1/25-1117_article

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Emerging Respiratory #Virus #Threats from #Influenza D and Canine #Coronavirus HuPn-2018

 

Abstract

In 2009 and again in 2019, public health warnings were confirmed by the emergence, rapid widespread transmission, and lethality of novel influenza and coronaviruses. The world continues to suffer disease from these respiratory viruses. Two newly recognized emergent respiratory viruses, influenza D and canine coronavirus HuPn-2018, have been shown to have considerable potential for causing future human epidemics, but diagnostics and surveillance for the viruses are lacking. We reviewed data regarding influenza D virus and coronavirus canine coronavirus HuPn-2018. Those data strongly indicate that these viruses are major newly recognized threats. However, little is being done to respond to or prevent disease associated with these viruses, warranting the question of whether we will learn from previous pandemics.

Source: 

Link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/1/25-1764_article

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