ETIDIOH - NEW

ABSTRACT Following two human infections with the H10N3 avian influenza virus (AIV) in 2021 and 2022, a third case was discovered in Yunnan, China , in 2024, raising concerns about the potential for future pandemics . Recent studies have indicated that novel H10N3 viruses are highly pathogenic in mice and can be transmitted between guinea pigs via respiratory droplets without prior adaptation. However, the biological characteristics of novel H10N3 in poultry have not been fully elucidated. Our findings revealed that H10 subtype AIVs are predominantly prevalent in waterfowl . Notably, H10N8 and H10N3 viruses that have infected humans were primarily isolated from chickens . For the first time, double basic hemagglutinin cleavage sites (motif PEIKQGR↓GL) were identified in novel H10N3 AIVs, which exhibit enhanced replication in chickens , and can be transmitted between chickens through direct contact and respiratory droplets . Animal experimental studies demonstrated that ducks are also su...

 {Excerpt} WASHINGTON, December 16, 2024 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Bossier Parish, Louisiana.  This is the first case of HPAI in domestic birds in Louisiana during this outbreak, which began in February 2022. Samples from the flock were tested at the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Louisiana on a joint incident response and will provide appropriate support as requested.  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk associated with these avian influenza detections in birds remains low.  As a reminder, the ...

Abstract Sepsis , characterized as life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from dysregulated host responses to infection , remains a significant challenge in clinical practice . Despite advancements in understanding host-bacterial interactions , molecular responses, and therapeutic approaches, the mortality rate associated with sepsis has consistently ranged between 10 and 16%. This elevated mortality highlights critical gaps in our comprehension of sepsis etiology. Traditionally linked to bacterial and fungal pathogens, recent outbreaks of acute viral infections , including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus ( MERS-CoV ), influenza virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( SARS-CoV-2 ), among other regional epidemics, have underscored the role of viral pathogenesis in sepsis, particularly when critically ill patients exhibit classic symptoms indicative of sepsis. However, many cases of viral-induced sepsis are frequently underdiagnosed because standar...

Abstract The influenza A H1N1pdm09 virus continues to be a significant pathogen , posing potential risks to both animal and human health due to its zoonotic potential . Italy , which has one of the largest swine populations in Europe , plays a crucial role in monitoring the evolution of influenza viruses in livestock. This study aims to address the existing knowledge gaps regarding the genetic diversity and transmission dynamics of H1N1pdm09 circulating in Italian swine populations. Utilizing whole genome sequencing and dynamic modeling , we conducted a comprehensive analysis of virus samples collected from swine farms across Italy. Our results reveal that multiple independent viral introductions have occurred into the country, with most cases resulting in self-limited infections and limited onward transmission . However, six distinct transmission clusters were identified, suggesting instances of sustained viral spread. These clusters were found across multiple regions of Italy, highli...

Abstract Evaluating the trade-off hypothesis for the evolution of virulence using empirical data poses significant challenges. The hypothesis suggests that pathogens evolve to maximize transmissibility, but fatality imposes limits as there are diminishing gains in transmissibility . In this study, we analyzed a secondary dataset of influenza virus infections in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), categorized by Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) subtypes . Subgroups defined by the H7/N9 and H7/N7 combinations exhibited fatality rates of approximately 30% and reached cumulative viral titers close to 7.5 (log10 titer/mL). These levels represent intermediate fatality rates , as the H5/N6 and H5/N1 subgroups had higher fatality rates but reached lower cumulative viral titers. Using cumulative viral titer as a proxy for potential secondary transmissions, the analysis suggests that intermediate fatality rates are associated with higher numbers of secondary transmissions . However, there ...

Virus untyped. Unspecified domestic equidae species in South Darfur. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6097 ___

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses with H5 hemagglutinin (HA) genes (clade 2.3.4.4b) are causing an ongoing panzootic in wild birds . Circulation of these viruses is associated with spillover infections in multiple species of mammals , including a large, unprecedented outbreak in American dairy cattle . With limited testing of dairy herds, there is an unmet need for genomic surveillance . Infected cattle can shed high amounts of HPAI H5N1 viruses in milk , allowing detection in pasteurized retail dairy samples. Over a 2-month sampling period in one Midwestern city , we obtained dairy products processed in 20 different states . Here we demonstrate that a tiled-amplicon sequencing approach produced over 90% genome coverage at greater than 20x depth from 5 of 13 viral RNA positive samples. A combination of RT-qPCR testing and sequencing from retail dairy prod- ucts can be a useful component of a One Health framework for responding to the avian influenza outbreak in ...

Abstract This study evaluated influenza A virus (IAV) detection and genetic diversity over time , specifically at the human–swine interface in breeding and nursery farms . Active surveillance was performed monthly in five swine farms in the Midwest United States targeting the employees , the prewean piglets at sow farms, and the same cohort of piglets in downstream nurseries. In addition, information was collected at enrollment for each employee and farm to assess production management practices, IAV vaccination status, diagnostic procedures, and biosecurity . Farm employee and swine samples were screened by IAV reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-rtPCR), followed by IAV subtyping RT-rtPCR and whole genome sequencing on PCR-positive samples. This study showed higher positivity of IAV RNA detection in nursery pigs compared to prewean pigs, and more whole genome sequences were also obtained in the nursery phase. Surveillance of farm employees revealed two detect...

Two cases of bird flu have been reported in San Joaquin County, California, local health officials said. According to a press release issued Friday and reported by the Sacramento Bee , health officials with San Joaquin County Public Health Services said both cases were farm workers who were exposed to infected animals . Both people are showing mild symptoms and are recovering, officials said, adding that there are 34 total confirmed cases across California. In a warning posted on Facebook, health officials said bird flu was “spreading in several farms such as poultry and cattle” and urged residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. Precautions include the use of protective equipment when handling poultry, dairy cattle or other animals that may be infected, and when handling raw and unpasteurized milk. (...) There are currently 60 confirmed cases of bird flu in the country . While most of the cases are in California , other states with confirmed cases include Col...

Abstract Following confirmation of the first case of the ongoing U.S. HPAI H5N1 epizootic in commercial poultry on February 8, 2022, the virus has continued to devastate the U.S. poultry sector and the pathogen has since managed to cross over to livestock and a few human cases have also been reported. Efficient outbreak management benefits greatly from timely detection and proper identification of the pathways of virus introduction and spread. In this study, we used changes in mortality rates as a proxy for HPAI incidence in a layer, broiler and turkey flock together with diagnostic test results to infer within-flock HPAI transmission dynamics. Mathematical modeling techniques, specifically the Approximate Bayesian Computation algorithm in conjunction with a stochastic within-flock HPAI transmission model were used in the analysis. The time window of HPAI virus introduction into the flock (TOI) and the adequate contact rate (ACR) were estimated. Then, using the estimated TOI together w...

 {Excerpt} HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) announced today the first influenza-associated death in a Hawaiʻi resident under the age of 18 during this influenza, or flu season.  This child was a Hawaiʻi County resident with underlying medical conditions .  While specimens were not available for subtyping beyond the positive influenza result, medical and exposure history pointed to seasonal influenza as the most likely cause of illness.  This case is not believed to be associated with the recent wastewater detection of H5 in Hilo .  Out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further information about the child is being released. “It is always a tragedy to lose any life, and we all feel it even more deeply when it is one of our keiki,” said DOH Director Dr. Kenneth Fink. “Seasonal influenza remains a significant health concern. If you or your loved ones have not received the flu vaccine this season, I hope you will consider doing so to help prote...

 Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  LINK  <||>  {Excerpt} Exposure Source { State -  Cattle - Poultry - Unknown -  State Total } 1) California -  33 - 0 - 1 -  34 {+2} 2) Colorado -  1 - 9 - 0 -  10 3) Michigan -  2 - 0 - 0 -  2 4) Missouri -  0 - 0 - 1 -  1   5) Oregon -  0 - 1 - 0 -  1   6) Texas -  1 - 0 - 0 -  1 7)   Washington -  0 - 11 - 0 -  11  --  Source Total -  37 - 21 - 2 -  60  NOTE : One additional case was previously detected in a poultry worker in Colorado in 2022. Additional cases meeting the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) probable case definition have been reported by states: 1 case with dairy cow exposure (CA) , 3 cases with poultry exposure (WA) , and 2 cases with ...

 Source: Department of Health,  LINK  <||> {Excerpt} December 13, 2024 The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has detected the first presumptive positive human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana. The individual is a resident of southwestern Louisiana and is currently hospitalized .  LDH's Office of Public Health is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the epidemiologic investigation. The investigation identified that the individual had exposure to sick and dead birds that are suspected to have been infected with H5N1. H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds. In the United States, outbreaks of the currently circulating H5N1 avian influenza viruses in wild birds and poultry have been ongoing since 2022. As of December 13, 2024, 60 confirmed human cases of H5N1 have been reported across the U.S., with the majority linked to ex...

 Source: Department of Health,  LINK  <||> {Excerpt} Updated December 13, 2024​  * ​​The current risk to the public remains low. * No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California. * People rarely get bird flu , but those who interact​ with infected dairy cows, poultry, or wildlife ​have a greater risk of infection.​​ * Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus.​​ * CDPH is working to protect public health related to bird flu. We monitor infection data, evolving science, and the people affected. Our knowledge will change as we learn more . We are committed to reducing the impact to those at highest risk. Human Cases in Califo​rnia​ ​​​​​​​Confirmed Human Cases​:  34 {+2}  ​These numbers were last updated on December 13, 2024. California has 1 additional probable case with dairy cow exposure that meets the  Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) ​pr...

 Source: MedRxIV,  LINK  <||>  Abstract Background   The ongoing H5N1 panzootic in mammals has amplified zoonotic pathways to facilitate human infection . Characterising key epidemiological parameters for H5N1 is critical should this become widespread.  Aim   To identify and estimate critical epidemiological parameters for H5N1 from past and current outbreaks, and to compare their characteristics with human influenza subtypes.  Methods   We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for systematic reviews reporting parameter estimates from primary data or meta-analyses. To address gaps, we searched Google Scholar for studies of any design providing relevant estimates. We estimated the basic reproduction number for the outbreak in the US and estimated the serial interval using data from previous household clusters in Indonesia . We also applied a branching process model to simulate transmission chain size and duration to assess if sim...

 Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  LINK  <||> {Excerpt} Two probable cases of influenza A(H5) virus infection were reported to CDC this week by the Arizona Department of Health Services. To date, human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) virus has not been identified in the United States. These cases occurred among two adult workers, ≥ 18 years of age, performing depopulation activities at a commercial poultry facility where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus had been detected. While being monitored by local public health, these patients developed illness during the weeks ending November 23 and November 30, respectively. Both patients reported respiratory symptoms . One patient also reported conjunctivitis . Specimens were collected from the patients and initially tested positive with high CT values at public health laboratories using the CDC influenza A(H5) assay. The specimens were negative for influenza A(H5) virus...

 Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  LINK  <||> {Excerpt} Time Period: December 01 - December 07, 2024 H5 Detection:   60 sites (18.9%) No Detection:  257 sites (81.1%) No samples in last week : 14 sites

 Source: WOAH,  LINK  <||> Wild birds of different species in Baden-Württemberg. ___

 Source: US National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39668388/  Abstract Human cases of avian influenza A(H5N2) and A(H5N1) viruses associated with outbreaks in birds and mammals are increasing globally, raising concerns about the possibility of a future avian influenza pandemic . We conducted a systematic review examining 30 reported cases of avian influenza in pregnant women . We found high mortality rates for mothers (90.0%, 27/30) and their babies (86.7%, 26/30) when women were infected with avian influenza virus during pregnancy. Despite being a high-risk population and having worse health outcomes across multiple pandemics , pregnant women are often excluded from vaccine trials . However, as the risk for a new pandemic increases and human vaccines against avian influenza are developed, early inclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials can inform the risk-benefit analysis for both the mother and their newborn infant. Early inclusion of pregnan...

 Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.11.627926v1?rss=1  Abstract In 2018, a single detection of a novel reassortant swine influenza A virus (swIAV) was made in Denmark . The hemagglutinin (HA) of the virus was from the H1N1 pandemic 2009 (H1N1pdm09) lineage and the neuraminidase (NA) from the H1N1 Eurasian avian-like swine lineage (H1N1av). By 2022, the novel reassortant virus (H1pdm09N1av) constituted 27 % of swIAVs identified through the Danish passive swIAV surveillance program. Sequencing detected two H1pdm09N1av genotypes ; Genotype 1 contained an internal gene cassette of H1N1pdm09 origin , Genotype 2 differed by carrying an NS gene segment of H1N1av origin . The internal gene cassette of Genotype 2 became increasingly dominant, not only in the H1pdm09N1av population, but also in other Danish enzootic swIAV subtypes . Phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes from H1pdm09N1av viruses revealed a monophyletic source , a higher substitution rat...