#UK Health Security Agency #update on #the hantavirus #outbreak (May 26 '26)

 

Latest update

    Last week, we confirmed that 10 individuals had left Arrowe Park. 

    An additional 6 individuals left Arrowe Park over the weekend and returned home or to other suitable accommodation to complete their 45-day isolation period. 

    The UK government has also supported the relocation of a British national who was in hospital in the Netherlands, having been previously confirmed to have hantavirus.

    Now that the individual has returned to England, UKHSA will detail this case in its statistical release tomorrow, Wednesday 27 May. 

    It’s important to be aware that this is not a new case and was previously confirmed by WHO on 7 May. 

    The individual was medically evacuated and is being offered full support with strict infection prevention and control measures in place. 

    The risk to the general public remains very low.

    Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, said:

    ''We have worked closely with FCDO and the Dutch authorities to ensure the safe return of a British national who was previously confirmed to have hantavirus and has been receiving care in the Netherlands. It’s important to stress that this is an existing case and the wider risk to the general public remains very low.

    ''As people continue with their isolation period, UKHSA will continue to work with our partners locally, nationally and internationally to ensure everyone has the necessary support in place.

    ''We would like to again stress our thanks and gratitude to everyone at Arrowe Park who has worked so hard during this challenging time.

Source: 

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak

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#Andes #hantavirus #outbreak #Update (ECDC, May 26 '26): One new case confirmed since last report

 

    On 2 May 2026, ECDC was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries. 

    The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus.

    As of 26 May, 13 cases have been reported in total, including 11 confirmed and 2 probable cases. 

    One new case and no new deaths have been reported since the previous update.

    The two recent cases have been classified as confirmed following a revision of the case definition. 

    A confirmed case is now defined, in alignment with WHO, as a person with laboratory confirmation of ANDV by PCR and/or serology.

    The identification of additional cases after former passengers and crew have returned to their home country is expected given the long incubation period of Andes hantavirus and the possibility that some infections occurred on board on the ship. 

    The risk to the EU/EEA general population remains very low.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/hantavirus-infection/surveillance-and-updates/andes-hantavirus-outbreak

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Avian #Influenza #Report. May 17 - 23 '26 (Wk 21) (HK CHP, May 26, 2026): one new #human case of #H9N2 virus infection in #China

 

{Excerpt}

(...)

    ° Avian influenza A(H9N2): 

        -- Yunnan Province: 

            * A three-year-old boy with onset on April 28, 2026. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk21.pdf

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#Human #infection with #Andes #hantavirus: an #update for the general physician

 

Abstract

Orthohantaviruses are zoonotic RNA-viruses transmitted to humans through inhalation of aerosols contaminated by infected rodent excreta. Among hantavirus species, Andes virus (ANDV) owns unique capacity for sustained human-to-human transmission, occurring via respiratory droplets and prolonged close contact with symptomatic individuals, with a median reproductive number exceeding 2 and an incubation period ranging from 9 to 40 days.

ANDV infection can present with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Of them, the most feared is Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe condition characterised by acute respiratory failure, haemodynamic instability, acute kidney injury, hepatic involvement, and dysregulated cytokine release, with high lethality. Disease severity correlates with the degree of neutrophilia, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. No approved antiviral therapy or vaccine currently exists; management remains entirely supportive, centred on oxygen supplementation, haemodynamic stabilisation, and renal replacement therapy when indicated. Case fatality rates reached 32% in a 2018–2019 outbreak, with death occurring a mean of 6.7 days from symptom onset.

The April 2026 outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship — involving passengers of 23 nationalities, with 8 cases (6 confirmed, 2 suspected), and 3 deaths reported as of 11 May 2026 (CFR 38%) — exemplifies how a zoonotic pathogen with limited human-to-human transmissibility can rapidly achieve global reach in the era of mass international rtravel, underscoring the urgent need for clinician awareness, prompt contact tracing, and internationally coordinated outbreak preparedness.

Source: 

Link: https://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(26)00251-7/fulltext

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#Zoonotic #infections and genomic #evolution associated with novel #reassortants swine-origin #influenza A viruses in #Spain

 

Abstract

Influenza A virus (IAV) circulates widely in European pig populations and continues to diversify through frequent introductions from humans, followed by reassortment within swine. Spain represents a particularly dynamic ecological setting due to the coexistence of intensive white pig production, extensive Iberian pig systems, and abundant wild boar populations. This study provides an integrated analysis of IAV evolution and genomic diversity in swine in Spain between 2019 and 2022, expanding on previous surveillance from 2016 to 2019. Sampling across 24 provinces yielded 66 new whole genome sequences from Iberian and white pigs. We identified 18 genotypes, including 11 novel reassortants not detected in our previous survey. Several genotypes, such as H1huN2 G21 and G22, H3N2 G23, and the unusual H3N1 G12, were exclusive to the country. Some genotypes were detected across white pigs, Iberian pigs, and wild boar in Toledo and Badajoz, suggesting viral flow among swine populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed ongoing introductions of H1N1pdm09 from humans into pigs, generating at least five reassortant genotypes (G10, G16 to G19). These lineages incorporated pandemic internal cassettes and, in some cases, human seasonal N2 segments, highlighting the continued role of humans as a source of viral incursions. Conversely, four zoonotic infections (H1N1v) detected in Spain between 2022 and 2026 were linked to genotypes circulating in white pigs, underscoring the bidirectional nature of IAV transmission at the human swine interface. Overall, this study demonstrates that Spain provides ecological conditions conducive to IAV diversification, reassortment, and zoonotic risk. The findings reinforce the need for sustained One Health surveillance.

Competing Interest Statement

The A.G.-S. laboratory has received research support from Avimex, Dynavax, Pharmamar, and Accurius, outside of the reported work within the last three years. A.G.-S. has consulting agreements for the following companies involving cash and/or stock within the last three years: Castlevax, Amovir, Vivaldi Biosciences, Contrafect, Avimex, Pagoda, Accurius, Applied Biological Laboratories, Pharmamar, CureLab Oncology, CureLab Veterinary, Virofend and Prosetta, outside of the reported work. A.G.-S. has been an invited speaker in meeting events within the last three years organized by Seqirus, Novavax and Hipra. A.G.-S. is inventor on patents and patent applications on the use of antivirals and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of virus infections and cancer, owned by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, outside of the reported work. The rest of the authors report no conflicts of interest.

Funder Information Declared

Centre for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis and Transmission (CRIPT), one of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) funded Centres of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), contract #75N93021C00014

Intramural Research Program of the National Library of Medicine at the US National Institutes of Health

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.22.724525v1

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#Italy, #Ebola suspected cases tested negative at Milan's Sacco Hospital (Min. Sal., May 26 '26)

 

Press release number 33 | Press release date May 25, 2026

    The Ministry of Health announces that Ebola tests performed today at the Sacco Hospital in Milan on two people who recently returned from Uganda were negative. 

    As a precaution, the two underwent a specialist clinical evaluation as part of monitoring activities related to the Ebola disease epidemic that has developed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    The Ministry of Health, through its Department of Prevention, is in contact with the Lombardy Region. 

    The Ministry of Health is also participating in the Civil Protection Operations Committee as part of ongoing coordination and monitoring activities. The Ministry will continue to provide official updates based on the evolving epidemiological situation. 

    The risk in Italy remains very low.

Source: 

Link: https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/comunicato-stampa/ebola-test-effettuati-al-sacco-di-milano-sono-negativi/

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Connecting the #region during #crisis: a Community of Practice #response to the MV Hondius #hantavirus #outbreak

 

Abstract

This article describes the rapid activation of the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework Community of Practice following the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak. It highlights regional knowledge-sharing, multidisciplinary engagement, preparedness activities, and the importance of timely communication and collaboration in strengthening readiness and response during emerging public health emergencies.

Source: 

Link: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/1488

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#Italy, #Ebola: Health #monitoring has been activated for some #individuals returning from #Uganda (Min. Salute, May 25 '26)

 

Press release number 32  |  Press release date May 25, 2026

    The Ministry of Health announces, with reference to the Bundibugyo-BVD virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that health investigations are currently underway on several individuals who recently returned from Uganda and are undergoing, as a precaution, specialist clinical evaluation at highly specialized hospitals. 

    Specifically, two individuals with fever symptoms have been transferred to the Sacco Hospital in Milan, a facility equipped with the highest levels of biocontainment and management of high-risk infectious diseases, where diagnostic tests will be performed in accordance with national and international protocols. 

    The other members of the affected households are subject to health surveillance and monitoring by the competent authorities. 

    The Ministry of Health, through its Department of Prevention, is in contact with the Lombardy Region, which has taken immediate action.

    The Ministry is constantly monitoring the evolving situation regarding the Ebola virus in close collaboration with the Regions, the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), the relevant hospitals, national health authorities, and all other relevant bodies. 

    Yesterday, the Ministry of Health's Department of Prevention participated in the meeting of the European Commission's HSC (Health Security Committee) and organized a national coordination point dedicated to the Ebola situation, with the participation of representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and the Interior, the Crisis Unit, the Italian National Institute of Health, the Italian National Health Council, the Interregional Prevention Coordination Unit, the Spallanzani Institute, the Sacco Hospital in Milan, and the Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia.

    The national infectious disease emergency preparedness and response system is fully operational, and all procedures for managing any suspected cases have been activated.

    The Ministry of Health will continue to provide official updates based on the evolving epidemiological situation and ongoing diagnostic results. 

    The risk in Italy remains very low.

 Source: 

Link: https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/comunicato-stampa/ebola-attivato-monitoraggio-sanitario-alcuni-soggetti-rientrati-dalluganda/

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#Hantavirus #seroprevalence and associated factors for exposure in south-central #Uganda

 

ABSTRACT

Orthohantaviruses are largely rodent-borne pathogens that can cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. In Uganda, the risk of human exposure is heightened by known rodent hosts, close human-rodent interaction in rural areas, and poor housing conditions. Despite this risk, data on human exposure remain scarce. This study sought to ascertain the seroprevalence of orthohantavirus exposure and identify associated factors with exposure among residents of the greater Masaka-Rakai region in Uganda. Seropositivity was assessed for orthohantavirus-specific IgG antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with seropositivity. Among 1,199 sera samples, orthohantavirus population-weighted seroprevalence was 7.4% (95% CI: 3.91–10.80). Males had a higher seroprevalence, while higher socioeconomic status was associated with a reduced burden of exposure to orthohantavirus. This study reports evidence of orthohantavirus exposure in Uganda, highlighting a previously underrecognized zoonotic risk in the region likely driven by close contact with rodent reservoirs and poor living conditions. The higher burden among males and lower-burden association with higher socioeconomic status, highlights the need for improved housing, rodent control, and integration of orthohantavirus surveillance into national public health programmes.

Source: 

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/22221751.2026.2665002

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#WHO DG's #remarks at the Virtual Ministerial #Briefing on the #Bundibugyo Ebola #Outbreak – 25 May 2026 (Edited)

 

    Your Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa,

    Thank you so much for your leadership, and for announcing the financial contribution, which is important for Africa CDC.

    Your Excellency Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf,

    Honourable Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar,

    Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya,

    Dear colleagues and friends,

    I thank President Ramaphosa and Chairperson Youssouf for their leadership, and I thank my brother Dr Jean Kaseya for convening this briefing.

    As you know, in the early hours of on Sunday the 17th of May, I declared the Ebola outbreak in DRC a public health emergency of international concern, after consulting the Ministers of Health of both DRC and Uganda, and after the Africa CDC’s notification.

    The outbreak is spreading rapidly.

    So far, 101 cases have been confirmed in DRC, with 10 confirmed deaths.

    But we know the epidemic in DRC is much larger. There are now more than 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths.

    This past Friday, WHO upgraded our risk assessment from high to very high at the national level.

    We continue to assess the risk as high at the regional level and low at the global level.

    Countries bordering DRC are at especially high risk and should take immediate action.

    In Uganda, there are five confirmed cases and one death.

    I appreciate the leadership of President Museveni in cancelling the Martyrs’ Day commemoration to prevent the further spread of the virus.

    As you know, Martyrs’ Day attracts up to 2 million people.

    I thank the governments of DRC and Uganda for their leadership of the response, which WHO is supporting, in close partnership with Africa CDC and many others.

    On Friday, we convened a meeting of African health ministers on the margins of the World Health Assembly to update them and urge them to take action.

    The community based interventions were underlined during the discussion, where there is trust deficit.

    Together with the Africa CDC, WHO is establishing a continental Incident Management Support Team.

    And we are finalizing a multi-agency Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, aligned with the national plans of both DRC and Uganda, and with our partners.

    In the IMST and the Strategic Plan, we have experience with Africa CDC in previous outbreaks.

    WHO is on the ground, supporting national authorities with every pillar of the response, including contact tracing, establishing treatment centres, strengthening laboratory capacity, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, community engagement and more.

    We have also released US$ 3.9 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies.

    Tomorrow I will be travelling to DRC with Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHE Health Emergencies Programme.

    There are several aspects of this outbreak that make it especially challenging.

    First, the delay in detecting the outbreak means that we are now playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic.

    We are urgently scaling up operations, but at the moment, the epidemic is outpacing us.

    Second, as you know, the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu are highly insecure, with intensified fighting in recent months, causing more than 100 000 people to be newly displaced.

    There is also significant distrust of outside authorities among the local population.

    In the past week there have been two security incidents at health facilities.

    Building trust in the affected communities is critical to a successful response, and is one of our highest priorities.

    Third, there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for Bundibugyo virus.

    There have only been two previous outbreaks of Bundibugyo, in Uganda in 2007 and DRC in 2012.

    Last week, WHO convened the leaders of several partner organizations under the interim Medical Countermeasures Network, to review the pipeline of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

    WHO has recommended prioritizing two monoclonal antibodies to advance in clinical trials.

    We are also recommending the evaluation of the antiviral obeldesivir in a clinical trial as post-exposure prophylaxis for people who are high-risk contacts.

    This clinical trial is now being developed jointly with Africa CDC and the Collaborative Open Research Consortium on filovuruses.

    We are also discussing with partners candidate vaccines in the development and manufacturing pipeline.

    Excellencies,

    We are facing an extremely serious and difficult outbreak. It will get worse before it gets better.

    But we know this virus, and we know how to stop it. We have stopped every previous Ebola outbreak, and we will stop this one too.

    As President Ramaphosa said, this can only be done with unity.

    The question is just how quickly we can do it, and how many more lives will be lost before we do.

    WHO is fully committed to working under the leadership of the Governments of DRC and Uganda, side by side with Africa CDC and all other partners.

    We will not rest until we bring this outbreak under control.

    Thank you once again for this opportunity, and for your leadership.

    I thank you.

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-remarks-at-the-virtual-ministerial-briefing-on-the-bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-25-may-2026

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Clade 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 #HPAIV from Migratory #Birds in Beidaihe #Wetland, North #China

 

Abstract

During 2022–2024, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 strain, designated A/Seagull/Hebei/qhd6/2024 (H5N1), was isolated from migratory birds in Beidaihe National Wetland Park, North China. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that its hemagglutinin (HA) gene belongs to the 2.3.4.4b clade, while the neuraminidase (NA) gene and internal genes clustered with strains originating from multiple continents, consistent with a transcontinental reassortment event. The virus also exhibited 90.1–98.1% nucleotide homology with human-derived H5N1 isolates. Molecular characterization identified key virulence-associated mutations, including the classic HPAIV HA cleavage site, HA-T160A (associated with enhanced human receptor-binding capacity), and NA-I117T (potentially linked to drug resistance). BALB/c mouse infection experiments confirmed systemic replication and high pathogenicity of strain qhd6, with a 50% lethal dose (LD50) of 0.95 log10EID50/mL. Antigenic analysis revealed good cross-reactivity with the widely used H5-Re14 vaccine strain. This study reports the identification, in Beidaihe National Wetland Park, of an HPAIV H5N1 strain whose genetic characteristics suggest intercontinental reassortment and indicate cross-species transmission risk. It clarifies the genetic characteristics and pathogenicity of this strain, providing an important theoretical and practical basis for precise surveillance, risk early warning, and comprehensive prevention and control of AIV at migratory bird stopover sites in North China.

Source: 

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/18/6/595

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#Situation #Report of the 17th #Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak / #DRC (WHO/Min. Health, May 25 '26): 904 cases, 119 deaths

 

{Excerpts, automatic translation, edited}

Situation Report of the 17th Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak / DRC - SitRep No. 009/MVB_24/2026

    ° Cumulative Confirmed Cases: 101

    ° Cumulative Deaths Among Confirmed Cases: 10

    ° Cumulative Suspected Cases: 904

    ° Cumulative Suspected Deaths: 119

    ° Occupation Rate Among Suspected Cases: NA

    ° Occupation Rate Among Confirmed Cases:  NA

    ° Recoveries: 0

I. CONTEXT

    -- Ituri Province is located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo and shares a long border with Uganda and South Sudan. 

        - For more than two decades, it has faced a chronic humanitarian crisis linked to armed conflict and recurring population displacements. 

        - It has an estimated population of over 8 million, including more than one million internally displaced persons. 

        - In September 2018, this province was affected by an Ebola virus disease outbreak that was raging in the neighboring province of North Kivu.

    -- The Mongbwalu health zone is one of the 36 health zones in Ituri province. 

        - Considered the starting point of the epidemic, it is located in the Djugu territory, where several armed groups operate. 

        - It is situated 70 km from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, with frequent population movements towards Uganda. 

        - This area is characterized by several construction sites that attract people from other territories within the province and from neighboring provinces.

II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE EPIDEMIC

    -- As of May 5, 2026, social media reported a surge in deaths of unknown cause, with nearly 50 deaths already recorded in the Mongbwalu health zone. 

        - Following confirmation of this alert, the Chief Medical Officer of the Mongbwalu health zone shared the preliminary investigation report on May 9, 2026. 

        - On May 11, 2026, provincial health authorities held an emergency meeting and decided to deploy rapid response teams to Mongbwalu and Rwampara, which had reported suspected deaths from viral hemorrhagic fever among patients admitted to the Rwampara Evangelical Medical Center, who had been transferred from Mongbwalu.

    -- Investigations conducted simultaneously on May 12, 2026, in the Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones by the Rapid Response Teams of the Ituri Provincial Health Division (DPS) revealed that most of the patients or suspected deaths presented with fever, headaches, vomiting, and severe physical asthenia. 

        - Deaths occurred 2 to 3 days after the onset of illness, presenting with hematemesis, epistaxis, or blackish vomit. 

        - During investigations in the Rwampara health zone, 20 samples were collected from suspected cases or deaths. 

        - The majority of those sampled came from the Mongbwalu health zone. 

        - Preliminary tests conducted at the Bunia Laboratory were all negative for Ebola Zaire, dengue, rotavirus, cholera, malaria, Yersinia pestis, medullary tuberculosis, and COVID-19. 

        - These samples were sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa for further testing.

    -- As of May 14, 2026, 13 of these 20 samples had been tested, and 8 were found to be positive for non-Zaire Ebola virus disease at the INRB Kinshasa. 

        - On May 15, 2026, sequencing of positive samples identified the Bundibugyo strain, allowing the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare (MSHPS) to officially declare the 17th Ebola virus disease outbreak.

    -- On May 17, 2026, in consultation with member states, the WHO Director-General determined that the event occurring in the DRC and Uganda met the criteria of the definition set forth in Article 1 of the IHR, and declared it a  Public Health Emergency of International Concern, while specifying that the risk at  the global level was low but high at the regional level. 

    -- On May 18, 2026, the Executive Director of Africa CDC officially declared a Continental Public Health Security Emergency (CPHSE) under Article 3 of its statutes. 

        - This declaration followed an emergency meeting of the Africa CDC Advisory Group, which determined that the worsening outbreak posed an acute risk to continental health security. 

        - As a result, the Continental Incident Management Support Team was activated to provide support to affected and at-risk Member States in their response and preparedness efforts.

III. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION UPDATE

    ° 10 New Confirmed Cases (Mongbwalu: 9 and Katwa: 1)

    ° Cumulative confirmed cases in Ituri as of May 23, 2026: 94 cases, North Kivu: 6 cases and South Kivu: 1 case

    ° Three provinces affected: ITURI, NORTH KIVU and SOUTH KIVU:

    ° ITURI: épicentre avec 7/36 ZS touchées (Rwampara, Bunia, Mongbwalu, Nyankunde, Nizi, Kilo et Aru,)

    ° NORD-KIVU : 3/35 ZS touchées (Goma, Butembo et Katwa)

    ° SUD-KIVU : 1/34 ZS touchée (Miti-Murhesa)

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/rapport-de-situation-de-la-17eme-epidemie-de-la-maladie-virus-ebolardc-sitrep-mve-sitrep-ndeg-009mvb242026

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Predicting #Influenza Virus #Host #Tropism and Zoonotic #Spillover #Risk from #Protein Sequences

 

Abstract

Novel infectious diseases, predominantly originating from non-human animals, pose a significant threat to global public health and economic stability. Avian influenza virus presents an especially significant challenge due to its high mortality rates and spillover capability into new host species. Recent H5N1 spillover events into poultry and cattle resulted in massive economic burden and increased human health risk. Traditional methods of disease surveillance rely on reactive case detection and pathogen characterization, providing insufficient lead time for effective intervention. Computational tools that allow efficient and proactive prediction of zoonotic potential are critical in mitigation of influenza outbreaks and identification of strains with human spillover risk. Existing models predicting influenza virus subtypes or host have been developed; however, the complexity of spillover events, including the non-binary nature of zoonotic potential, limits the capabilities of these models. In the approach reported here, rich protein language model embeddings were generated from ESM-2 for each protein in influenza virus strains and used to predict the protein host tropism probabilities across nine animal families. The protein host tropism model achieved weighted precision and recall scores of 0.95 and 0.95, respectively. We then constructed a zoonotic risk prediction model using the outputs from the protein host tropism prediction model to classify the strains into six classifications: avian, mammal, human, avian-to-human zoonotic, avian-to-mammal zoonotic, or mammal-to-human zoonotic. The average weighted precision and recall scores for this model were 0.90 and 0.90, respectively. This framework advances the prediction of influenza zoonotic risk by being agnostic to influenza subtype, incorporating non-human mammals and mammal zoonotic spillover classifications, and using the full influenza proteome to capture the complexity of spillover dynamics.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.21.726772v1

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Here is a Man (Ecce Homo), Hieronymus Bosch (1475 - 1480)

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

Public Domain.

Source: 

Link: https://www.wikiart.org/en/hieronymus-bosch/this-is-a-human-ecce-homo

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#Andes #hantavirus #outbreak #Update, 24 May 2026 (ECDC, edited): One new case notified since last report

    On 2 May 2026, ECDC was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries. 

    The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus.

    As of 24 May, 12 cases have been reported in total, including 10 confirmed and 2 probable cases. 

    One new case and no new deaths have been reported since the previous update.

    The cruise ship M/V Hondius is currently docked in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, undergoing sanitation.

    The identification of additional cases after former passengers and crew have returned to their home country is expected given the long incubation period of Andes hantavirus and the possibility that some infections occurred on board on the ship. 

    The risk to the EU/EEA general population remains very low.

___

    ° Confirmed cases: 10

    ° Probable cases: 2

    ° Suspected cases: 0

    ° Number of deaths: 3

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/hantavirus-infection/surveillance-and-updates/andes-hantavirus-outbreak

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Dairy #cows infected with #influenza #H5N1 reveals low infectious dose and #transmission #barriers

 

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus exhibits a strong tropism for the bovine mammary gland, challenging our understanding of influenza A virus host range and tissue specificity. We performed experimental studies with an influenza A(H5N1) B3.13 genotype virus in female lactating dairy cattle to define the infectious dose, routes of exposure, and factors linked to morbidity and mortality. Here, we demonstrate that intramammary inoculation with as few as 10 TCID50 establishes a robust infection and shedding of high-titer virus in milk. Despite this low infectious dose, H5N1 does not readily transmit via contaminated milking equipment and close contact with infected animals. High-dose intramammary exposure results in severe disease and mortality, while respiratory and oral exposures are less likely to establish productive infection and associated morbidity. This study challenges current hypotheses of H5N1 transmission on dairy farms, raising important questions about potential agent, host, or environmental cofactors contributing to viral spread.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-73490-6

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Spatiotemporal #Dynamics of Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza #H5 Virus Introductions and Regional Spread in the Republic of #Korea

 

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses from clade 2.3.4.4 have caused recurrent outbreaks in poultry since 2014. In the Republic of Korea, clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have driven five epidemic waves, yet the factors underlying HPAI introduction and farm-to-farm spread remain poorly understood. We compiled hemagglutinin gene sequences of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses from wild birds and poultry in the Republic of Korea (October 2016–March 2024) and reconstructed dispersal dynamics using Bayesian phylogeography. Dispersal patterns suggest that domestic duck farms in the western provinces likely form a key interface for spillover from wild birds into poultry. Mixed-effects generalized linear models showed that both wild-to-poultry and farm-to-farm transition rates were positively associated with the number of poultry farms in the destination province, while wild-to-poultry rates were further associated with higher avian influenza virus infection probability among wild birds. Wild-to-poultry transition rates were lower in 2020–2024 than in 2016–2018, which may reflect strengthened interventions. These findings suggest that poultry farm abundance and introduction pressure from wild birds jointly shape the spatial dynamics of HPAI introduction and spread. More broadly, these factors may provide operational indicators to guide risk-based surveillance and control strategies.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.21.726857v1

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Understanding the emergence of the #influenza #H3N2 K #subclade in its historical and evolutionary context

Abstract

The emergence in 2025/26 of the influenza A/H3N2 K substrain (H3N2/K) was the cause of significant public health concern. This genetically divergent virus was assessed to have a strongly decreased reactivity to contemporary vaccine strains. Respectively prolonged and early influenza seasons in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres contributed to concerns about vaccine efficacy. Here we retrospectively assessed the genetic and antigenic properties of this virus, combining epidemiological surveillance data, computational antigenic analysis, and serological data using samples from a well-stratified UK cohort. In contrast to initial indications, we found that despite the genetic distinctiveness of H3N2/K the virus had undergone limited antigenic change, suggesting that its emergence was instead the result of selection for non-antigenic properties. We confirmed previous results showing that contemporary vaccines produced an enhanced neutralising response to H3N2/K but, in a stratified serological analysis, showed that responses to the J and K substrains were age-dependent, largely driven by patterns of vaccination. Our results have implications for antigenic surveillance and for public communication strategies in future influenza seasons.

Competing Interest Statement

PRM declares funding by MSD. EH has received an honorarium for advisory board work for Seqirus.

Funder Information Declared

Medical Research Council, MR/Y03368X/1, MC_UU_0034/1, MC_UU_0034/2, MC_UU_0034/3, MC_UU_0034/5, MC_UU_0034/6

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.21.726823v1

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#Andes virus on a cruise #ship: person-to-person #transmission and an empty #pipeline

 

{Extract}

The outbreak of Andes virus aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius with 10 cases, three deaths, and more than 440 contacts including passengers of 23 nationalities, is a stark reminder that neglected zoonotic viruses can rapidly become international public health emergencies.

A WHO-led emergency scientific consultation on May 15, 2026, convened experts to assess the situation and coordinate research priorities.1 The outbreak in the ship might have potentially involved up to three generations of person-to-person transmission from a single index case, with two epidemic peaks during 18 days and one asymptomatic PCR-positive case. The meeting highlighted three urgent realities: the Andes virus can sustain person-to-person transmission, the medical countermeasure pipeline remains immature, and existing scientific networks require urgent support.

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Source: 

Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(26)00283-5/fulltext?rss=yes

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History of Mass Transportation: Electric Multiple Unit 58 of Romanian Railways in Cluj-Napoca station

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

By Dr 2005 - Wk Ro, http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagine:58-0001-6-P4105-Cluj-001.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2246047

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_stock_of_the_Romanian_Railways

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