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7 January 2025  A day after the United States reported its first human death from avian flu, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) insisted on Tuesday that the risk to the wider population remains “low”.  WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris told reporters in Geneva that the H5N1 virus causing the disease is “ not circulating in humans but jumping into humans ” who are exposed to poultry or dairy cattle. “ We’re not seeing sustained circulation ,” she insisted. Underlying conditions The man who died of the disease in Louisiana was over 65 and reportedly had underlying medical conditions, Dr. Harris said.  According to the health authorities , he had been exposed to chickens and wild birds . Several dozen people in the US have contracted avian influenza – commonly referred to as bird flu – during the current outbreak, mainly farmworkers in close contact with poultry flocks and cattle herds. Dr. Harris stressed that WHO’s assessment of the risk to the general population “i...

 {Summary} Misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories gain traction in times of uncertainty when little is known about a disease and when trust in government and public institutions is low . Amidst uncertainty, public health-related memes act as a sort of coping mechanism. Memes images, text, or video that serve as a shorthand form of communication—have the potential to spread quickly and widely on social media. While memes can be humorous, perhaps harmless, they can have serious effects at other times, as during the COVID-19 pandemic. One thing they have in common, however, is their transportability from user to user and platform to platform.  Frame analysis of Internet memes is useful for categorizing what we call frames of meaning in digital space. Unlike the agenda-setting function of mass media, in which gatekeepers (e.g., news editors) set the agenda regarding public issues, framing theory in the digital age is more dynamic, as content may take on different ...

Abstract In early 2024, an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza was detected in dairy cattle in the USA . The epidemic remains uncontrolled , with spillbacks into poultry , wild birds and other mammals including humans . Here, we present molecular and virological evidence that the cattle B3.13 genotype H5N1 viruses rapidly accumulated adaptations in polymerase genes that enabled better replication in bovine cells , as well as cells of other mammalian species including humans and pigs . We find evidence of several mammalian adaptations gained early in the evolution of these viruses in cattle including PB2 M631L , which is found in all cattle sequences, and PA K497R, which is found in the majority. Structurally, PB2 M631L maps to the polymerase-ANP32 interface, an essential host factor for viral genome replication. We show this mutation adapts the virus to co-opt bovine ANP32 proteins and thereby enhances virus replication in bovine and primary human airway c...

January 6, 2025 -- CDC is saddened by Louisiana's report that a person previously hospitalized with severe avian influenza A(H5N1) illness ("H5N1 bird flu") has passed away .  While tragic, a death from H5N1 bird flu in the United States is not unexpected because of the known potential for infection with these viruses to cause severe illness and death.  As of January 6, 2025, there have been 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the United States since 2024 and 67 since 2022.  This is the first person in the United States who has died as a result of an H5 infection.  Outside the United States , more than 950 cases of H5N1 bird flu have been reported to the World Health Organization; about half of those have resulted in death. CDC has carefully studied the available information about the person who died in Louisiana and continues to assess that the risk to the general public remains low .  Most importantly, no person-to-person transmission spread has been ...

{Edited} January 06, 2025 The Louisiana Department of Health reports the patient who had been hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana and the U.S. has died .  The patient was over the age of 65 and was reported to have underlying medical conditions .  The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.  LDH’s extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission . This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana.  The Department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Due to patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the final update about the patient.  While the current public health risk for the general public remains low, people who work with birds, poultry or c...

 {Excerpt, edited, original article in Bahasan} KOMPAS.com - The United States recorded its first death from bird flu ( H5N1 ), as recorded by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Monday (6/1/2025) local time. Quoted from the Washington Post , Tuesday (7/1/2025), this case occurred in Louisiana, involving a patient over 65 years old who had comorbidities . (...) Source: Kompas,  https://health.kompas.com/read/25A07073728468/as-laporkan-kasus-kematian-pertama-flu-burung-pada-manusia# ____

Genetic Sequences of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses Identified in a Person in Louisiana What to know -- CDC has sequenced the influenza viruses in specimens collected from the patient in Louisiana who was infected with, and became severely ill from HPAI A(H5N1) virus.  -- The genomic sequences were compared to other HPAI A(H5N1) sequences from dairy cows, wild birds and poultry , as well as previous human cases and were identified as the D1.1 genotype .  -- The analysis identified low frequency mutations in the hemagglutinin gene of a sample sequenced from the patient, which were not found in virus sequences from poultry samples collected on the patient’s property, suggesting the changes emerged in the patient after infection. Background This is a technical summary of an analysis of the genomic sequences of the viruses identified in two upper respiratory tract specimens from the patient who was severely ill from an infection with highly pathogenic avian infl...

Abstract Zoonotic infections (swine-human) caused by influenza A viruses (IAVs) have been reported and linked to close contact between these species . Here, we describe eight human IAV variant infections ( 6 mild and 2 severe cases , including 1 death ) detected in Paraná, Brazil , during 2020–2023. Genomes recovered were closely related to Brazilian swIAVs of three major lineages (1 A.3.3.2/ pdm09, 1B/human-like, and H3.1990.5), including three H1N1v, two H1N2v, two H3N2v and one H1v. Five H1v were closely related to pdm09 lineage , one H1v ( H1N2v ) grouped within 1B.2.3 clade, and the two H3v grouped within a clade composed exclusively of Brazilian H3 swIAV (clade H3.1990.5.1). Internal gene segments were closely related to H1N1pdm09 isolated from pigs . IAV variant rarely result in sustained transmission between people, however the potential to develop such ability is of concern and must not be underestimated. This study brings into focus the need for continuous influenza surveilla...

 A poultry farm in Lisboa Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6164 _____

 A poultry farm in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6165 _____

 Wild Anatidae birds in Hessen Region, Frankfurt am Main. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6166 _____

Abstract Introduction Pandemic influenza vaccine development focuses on the hemagglutinin (HA) antigen for potency and immunogenicity. Antibody responses targeting the neuraminidase (NA) antigen, or the HA stalk domain have been implicated in protection against influenza. Responses to the NA and HA-stalk domain following pandemic inactivated influenza are not well characterized in humans. Material and methods In a series of clinical trials , we determine the vaccines' NA content and demonstrate that NA inhibition (NAI) antibody responses increase in a dose-dependent manner following a 2-dose priming series with AS03-adjuvanted influenza A(H7N9) inactivated vaccine (A(H7N9) IIV). NAI antibody responses also increase with interval extension of the 2-dose priming series or following a 5-year delayed boost with a heterologous adjuvanted A(H7N9) IIV. Neither concomitant seasonal influenza vaccination given simultaneously or sequentially, nor use of heterologous A(H7N9) IIVs in the 2-dos...

Abstract Recent outbreaks of influenza A(H5N1) have affected many mammal species . We report serologic evidence of H5N1 virus infection in horses in Mongolia . Because H3N8 equine influenza virus is endemic in many countries, horses should be monitored to prevent reassortment between equine and avian influenza viruses with unknown consequences. Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-1266_article _____

  Antiviral Res GAO M, Zhang Z, Yao G, Zhang L, et al Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 2'-deoxy-2'-spirooxetane-7-deazapurine nucleoside analogs as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Antiviral Res. 2024 Dec 30:106060. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.106060. PubMed           Abstract available MERCURI FA, Anderson GP, Miller BE, Demaison C, et al Discovery and development of INNA-051, a TLR2/6 agonist for the prevention of complications resulting from viral respiratory infections. Antiviral Res. 2024 Dec 27:106063. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.106063. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ DYER C Psychiatrist is struck off after claiming covid-19 vaccines lacked effectiveness and safety data. BMJ. 2024;387:q2888. PubMed          Clin Chem RAGLOW Z, Lauring AS Virus Evolution in Prolonged Infections of Immunocompromised Individuals. Clin Chem. 20...

  Antiviral Res MAIA AR, Gonzalez L, Bounab B, Grassi L, et al Intranasal exposure to commensal bacterium Rothia mucilaginosa protects against influenza A virus infection. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jan 2:106076. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106076. PubMed           Abstract available Biochem Biophys Res Commun CULIAT C, Soni D, Malkes W, Wienhold M, et al NELL1 variant protein (NV1) modulates hyper-inflammation, Th-1 mediated immune response, and the HIF-1alpha hypoxia pathway to promote healing in viral-induced lung injury. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;744:151198. PubMed           Abstract available Cell PASQUESI GIM, Allen H, Ivancevic A, Barbachano-Guerrero A, et al Regulation of human interferon signaling by transposon exonization. Cell. 2024;187:7621-7636. PubMed           Abstract available J Neurosurg Pediatr LUNDY P, Barkley A, Rahman AKMF, A...

DOVER, Del. (January 5, 2025)—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) has returned results from the Kent County, Del. poultry farm that was announced presumptive positive for H5 avian influenza on January 3, 2025. The poultry affected had highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza (HPAI) of the Eurasian lineage 2.3.4.4b with early indications that the virus is the D1.1 genotype found in wild birds ; however, confirmation of the genotype is determined by sequencing. There is currently no timeline for the receipt of this data by the Delaware Department of Agriculture. All poultry farms in the state should be monitoring flocks for any signs of increased mortality. Producers should pay particular attention to whether birds show signs of respiratory illness or distress, such as sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and/or runny nose. Other signs of HPAI in poultry can include swelling around the eyes, neck, and head; purple discoloration of the wattles, ...

{Excerpt} In the 52nd week of 2024 ( December 23rd to December 29th ), respiratory samples from outpatient influenza-like cases and hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases collected in sentinel hospitals across the country (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) were tested for 10 viruses including the new coronavirus, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, common coronavirus, bocavirus, rhinovirus and enterovirus , as well as multiple respiratory pathogens including Mycoplasma pneumoniae. 1. Test results The pathogens detected positive in respiratory samples of influenza-like cases in outpatient and emergency departments of sentinel hospitals were mainly influenza virus, human metapneumovirus, and rhinovirus ; the pathogens detected positive in respiratory samples of hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases were mainly influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and human metapneumovirus . The specif...

Abstract In 2024, the highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 caused outbreaks in wild birds, poultry, cows, and other mammals in the United States with 61 human cases also reported by the CDC. Detection of influenza A H5 RNA in wastewater has been previously reported in sewersheds in Texas and North Carolina with nearby impacted dairy herds following the emergence of H5N1 in dairy cows. Here, we conduct retrospective testing of total influenza A and H5 hemagglutinin genes in wastewater as well presenting and applying new assays for detection of H1 and H3 genes across a respiratory virus season in an urban California sewershed from September 2023-May 2024. Total influenza A, H1, and H3 were regularly detected, while H5 was first detected in March . We developed a model that uses Monte Carlo simulations and previously published parameters to estimate numbers of infected people, poultry, wild birds, or liters of H5-contaminated milk required to result in measured H5 concentrations in wa...

Abstract Only 2 cases of human adenovirus type 14 (HAdV-14) have been reported in Japan since 1980. We report a 7-year-old girl with acute encephalopathy associated with HAdV-14 infection genetically similar to strains from the United States . The patient had not had contact with international travelers. HAdV-14 surveillance should be strengthened in Japan. Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-1168_article _____

 {Summary} Swine influenza virus (SIV) is a highly contagious pathogen that poses significant economic challenges to the swine industry and carries zoonotic potential , underscoring the need for vigilant surveillance. In this study, we performed a comprehensive genetic and molecular analysis of H3N2 SIV isolates obtained from 372 swine samples collected in Shandong Province, China . Phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct genotypes . The surface genes of both genotypes clustered with the human-like H3N2 lineage , while the internal genes of one genotype clustered with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pdm/09) lineage . In the second genotype, the NS gene clustered with the classical swine (CS) H1N1 lineage , while the remaining internal genes clustered with pdm/09, suggesting stable integration of pdm/09 gene segments into H3N2 SIV. Homology analysis showed over 96% genetic similarity between the isolates and reference strains from China and Brazil , suggesting potential transmission thr...