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Current Bird Flu Situation Updated January 15, 2025​ --  ​​​​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​ :  38 {+1} ​These numbers were last updated on January 15, 2025. California has 1 additional probable case with dairy cow exposure that meets the  Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) ​probable case definiti...

{Edited} Current H5N1 bird flu risk People who are at increased risk include : -- Farmers and workers who work with infected animals or their byproducts -- Backyard bird flock owners -- Animal care workers (e.g., veterinarians, wild animal facility workers) -- Animal health and public health responders. But what factors would influence a change to CDC’s current risk assessment for the general public? What follows is a description of the epidemiological and virologic characteristics of the avian influenza situation that CDC scientists are tracking to formulate the agency’s immediate avian flu risk assessment and further calibrating the avian flu response to protect the public’s health: -- Virus transmission : How is virus spreading and how efficiently does it spread? -- Disease severity : How ill do people with H5N1 bird flu infections become? -- Case distribution: How widespread are cases? -- Effects of genetic changes in the virus : What is the impact of genetic changes to the virus o...

{Excerpt} Exposure Source [ State -  Exposure Associated with Commercial Agriculture and Related Operations: Dairy Herds (Cattle) - Poultry Farms and Culling Operations -- Other Animal Exposure† - Exposure Source Unknown‡ - State Total ] 1) California -  36 - 0 - 0 - 2 -  38 {+1} 2) Colorado -  1 - 9 - 0 - 0 -  10 3) Iowa -  0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -  1 4) Louisiana -  0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -  1 5) Michigan -  2 - 0 - 0 - 0 -  2 6) Missouri -  0 - 0 - 0 - 1 -  1 7) Oregon -  0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -  1 8) Texas -  1  - 0 - 0 - 0 -  1 9) Washington -  0 - 11 - 0 - 0 -  11 10) Wisconsin -  0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -  1 --  Source Total -  40 - 23 - 1 - 3 -  67 {+1} NOTE : One additional case was previously detected in a poultry w...

Abstract Since early 2022 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus infections have been reported in wild aquatic birds and poultry throughout the United States (US) with spillover into several mammalian species 1-6. In March 2024, HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b was first detected in dairy cows in Texas , US and continues to circulate on dairy farms in multiple states7,8. Milk production and quality are diminished in infected dairy cows, with high virus titers in milk raising concerns of exposure to mammals including humans through consumption9-12. Here we investigated routes of infection with bovine HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in cynomolgus macaques , a surrogate model for human infection13. We show that intranasal or intratracheal inoculation of macaques could cause systemic infection resulting in mild and severe respiratory disease , respectively. In contrast, infection by the orogastric route resulted in limited infection and seroconversion of macaques which remained subclinical...

Abstract Neurological manifestations associated with human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infections are rare and varied. Acute encephalitis and encephalopathy are the most common, accounting for 38.8% of all neurological manifestations associated with human B19V. Herein, we report on the clinical features of 13 laboratory-confirmed human cases of B19V-associated encephalitis in Senegal in the framework of a hospital-based surveillance of acute viral encephalitis conducted from 2021 to 2023. Overall, B19V was detected from 13 cerebrospinal fluid samples using specific real time PCR. The mean age was 16.7 years among B19V-positive patients, with a higher prevalence in 0–5-year-old children and the sex ratio (male/female) was 2.25. The B19V-positive patients mainly exhibited hypoleukocytosis, normal glycorrhachia, and normal proteinorrachia in the cerebrospinal fluid. While the main neurological symptoms included meningeal and infectious syndromes . Furthermore, three complete B19V genome sequenc...

 A fattening turkeys farm in Baden-Württemberg Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6188 _____

Abstract The ongoing circulation of influenza A H5N1 in the United States has raised concerns of a pandemic caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza. Although the United States has stockpiled and is prepared to produce millions of vaccine doses to address an H5N1 pandemic, currently circulating H5N1 viruses contain multiple mutations within the immunodominant head domain of hemagglutinin (HA) compared to the antigens used in stockpiled vaccines . It is unclear if these stockpiled vaccines will need to be updated to match the contemporary H5N1 strains. Here we show that a replicating RNA vaccine expressing the HA of an H5N1 isolated from a US dairy cow confers complete protection against homologous lethal challenge in mice. A repRNA encoding the HA of a clade 1 H5 from 2004 (A/Vietnam/1203/2004) as utilized by some stockpiled vaccines, confers only partial protection . Our data highlight the utility of nucleic acid vaccines to be rapidly updated to match emergent viruses of concern w...

Abstract The Eurasian avian-like (EA) H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV) possesses the capacity to instigate the next influenza pandemic , owing to its heightened affinity for the human-type α-2,6 sialic acid (SA) receptor . Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the switch in receptor binding preferences of EA H1N1 SIV remain elusive. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen utilizing EA H1N1 SIV in porcine kidney cells. Knocking out the enzyme gamma glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) reduces virus replication in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the carboxylation modification of viral haemagglutinin (HA) and the adhesion of progeny viruses, ultimately impeding the replication of EA H1N1 SIV. Furthermore, GGCX is revealed to be the determinant of the D225E substitution of EA H1N1 SIV, and GGCX-medicated carboxylation modification of HA 225E contributes to the receptor binding adaption of EA H1N1 SIV to the α-2,6 SA receptor. Taken together, our...

Description of the situation Introduction On 13 January 2025, WHO informed its Member States and IHR State Parties of an outbreak of suspected Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania using our secure web-based platform—the Event Information Site (EIS). Under the International Health Regulations, the EIS is used to issue rapid alerts to Member States of acute and rapidly developing public health risks and events with possible international implications. Summary of the situation On 10 January 2025, WHO received reliable reports from in-country sources regarding suspected cases of MVD in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania. Six people were reported to have been affected , five of whom had died . The cases presented with similar symptoms of headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhoea, haematemesis (vomiting with blood), malaise (body weakness) and, at a later stage of disease, external haemorrhage (bleeding from orifices). As of 1...

Abstract Influenza, a major “One Health” threat , has gained heightened attention following recent reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle and cow-to-human transmission in the USA. This review explores general aspects of influenza A virus (IAV) biology, its interactions with mammalian hosts, and discusses the key considerations for developing vaccines to prevent or curtail IAV infection in the bovine mammary gland and its spread through milk. Source: npj Vaccines,  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-025-01063-7 _____

WASHINGTON, January 13, 2025 – 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 backyard poultry flock in Puerto Rico .   This is the first case of HPAI in domestic birds in Puerto Rico during this outbreak, which began in February 2022. Samples from the flock were tested and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. APHIS is working closely with animal health officials in Puerto Rico 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 proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution. As part of existi...

{Scotland} Backyard flock with 6 hens, approximately 5 months old. Increased mortality and other clinical signs reported. Official samples were H5N1 HPAI positive. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6186 _____

 {Excerpt} -- Avian influenza A(H9N2) : -- 1) Chongqing Municipality : An one-year-old girl with onset on December 13, 2024.  -- 2) Hubei  An eight-year-old girl with onset on November 27, 2024.  -- Avian influenza A(H10N3) :  -- 1) Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region : A 23-year-old woman with onset on December 12, 2024.  Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR,  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk02.pdf _____

Abstract Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has caused a panzootic affecting all continents except Australia , expanding its host range to several mammalian species . In March 2024, H5N1 HPAIV was first detected in dairy cattle and goats in the United States . Over 891 dairy farms across 16 states have tested positive until 25th December 2024, with zoonotic infections reported among dairy workers . This raises concerns about the virus undergoing evolutionary changes in cattle that could enhance its zoonotic potential . The Influenza glycoprotein haemagglutinin (HA) facilitates entry into host cells through receptor binding and pH-induced fusion with cellular membranes. Adaptive changes in HA modulate virus-host cell interactions. This study compared the HA genes of cattle and goat H5N1 viruses with the dominant avian-origin clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in the United Kingdom , focusing on receptor binding, pH fusion, and thermostability. All the tested H5N1 viru...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 10, 2025  *** PRESS RELEASE ***  Contact: SFDPH Media Desk: DPH.Press@sfdph.org  SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) announced today that a presumptive case of H5N1 bird flu has been identified in a San Francisco resident .  The individual is a child who experienced symptoms of fever and conjunctivitis but did not need to be hospitalized and has since fully recovered .  The risk to the general public remains low as there is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission .  SFDPH is encouraging people to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds, especially wild birds and poultry.  Wild birds can be infected with bird flu even if they do not look sick.  If you have found a dead bird , please contact 311.  In addition, as bird flu continues to spread among U.S. dairy cows, SFDPH strongly recommends that individuals not consume raw milk or raw milk products , inc...

Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an important zoonotic pathogen . The aim of this paper is to report one polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive case of MERS-CoV in a 27-year-old man who was involved in a nationwide longitudinal surveillance study of certain zoonotic diseases in Jordan including MERS-CoV. Whole-blood and nasal swab samples were collected from the man and five camels in the vicinity of his living area. The samples were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) to detect MERS-CoV- specific antibodies and MERS-CoV genetic material , respectively. Genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were also performed to detect similarities with known strains of the virus in the region. In January 2021 , an ongoing surveillance study detected a MERS-CoV-positive nasal swab sample from an asymptomatic male and camels using RT-PCR. Phylogenetically, the MERS-CoV isolated in this case b...

{Excerpt} Time Period: December 29, 2024 - January 04, 2025 H5 Detection : 51 sites ( 17.0% ) No Detection : 249 sites ( 83.0% ) No samples in last week :  93 sites Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html ______

Abstract Introduction While it remains impossible to predict the timing of the next influenza pandemic , novel avian influenza A viruses continue to be considered a significant threat. Methods A Phase II study was conducted in healthy adults aged 18–64 years to assess the safety and immunogenicity of two intramuscular doses of pre-pandemic 2017 influenza A( H7N9 ) inactivated vaccine administered 21 days apart. Participants were randomized (n = 105 in each of Arms 1–3) to receive 3.75 μg, 7.5 μg or 15 μg of hemagglutinin (HA) with MF59® adjuvant, or 15 μg of HA unadjuvanted vaccine (n = 57, Arm 4). Results The three MF59 adjuvanted vaccines and the 15 μg unadjuvanted vaccine were safe and well-tolerated. Little antibody activity was detected against the A(H7N9) vaccine antigen after the first vaccination across study Arms. After second vaccination , the three adjuvanted Arms showed increases in hemagglutination inhibition (HAI), neutralizing (Neut), and neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) g...

  BMJ KAST KA, Sidelnik SA, Nejad SH, Suzuki J, et al Management of alcohol withdrawal syndromes in general hospital settings. BMJ. 2025;388:e080461. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis XIANG W, Steinbeis F, Dhindsa K, Kurth F, et al Predicting the risk of intensive care unit admission in patients with COVID-19 presenting in the emergency room: Development and evaluation of the CROSS score. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Jan 10:ciaf006. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol NAKASHITA M, Kurosawa K, Fukusumi M, Irie F, et al Improving the ability of psychiatric hospitals to respond to infectious disease outbreaks: lessons learned from the COVID-19 outbreak response in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2025 Jan 8:1-2. doi: 10.1017/ice.2024. PubMed          VAN REST A, Clarke A, Gounde...

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