Skip to main content

Posts

#Sudan virus disease - #Uganda

Situation at a glance On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD) following confirmation from three national reference laboratories.  The case presented with signs and symptoms between 20 and 21 January and died on 29 January at the National Referral Hospital in Kampala.  As of 30 January 2025, 45 contacts have been identified , including 34 healthcare workers and 11 family members.  Sudan virus disease belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease. It is caused by Sudan virus (SUDV). It is a severe disease with high case fatality from 41% to 70% in past outbreaks.  In the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of SVD, the risk of potential serious public health impact is high.  Early supportive patient care and treatment may increase the chance of survival from severe disease. Description of the situation On 30 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of Uganda de...

#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, February 1 '25)

  Antiviral Res WU Q, Wu H, Hu Y, Zheng X, et al Immune evasion of Omicron variants JN.1, KP.2, and KP.3 to the polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies from COVID-19 convalescents and vaccine recipients. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jan 24:106092. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106092. PubMed           Abstract available Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol HANKINS RJ, Handke L, Fey PD, Cavalieri RJ, et al Prospective, crossover, comparative study of two methods of chlorhexidine bathing. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2025 Jan 30:1-6. doi: 10.1017/ice.2024. PubMed           Abstract available PISCHEL L, Aguolu OG, Ahmed N, Campbell MM, et al Social mixing patterns of United States healthcare personnel at a quaternary health center: a prospective observational study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2025 Jan 30:1-9. doi: 10.1017/ice.2024. PubMed           Abstract availab...

#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, February 1 '25)

  Biochemistry (Mosc) KOROLEVA ON, Kuzmina NV, Tolstova AP, Dubrovin EV, et al Effect of C- and N-Terminal Polyhistidine Tags on Aggregation of Influenza A Virus Nuclear Export Protein. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2024;89:2238-2251. PubMed           Abstract available BMC Pediatr ZHANG P, Xin M, Bai Y, Ren X, et al Severe central nervous system injury in 9 children with COVID-19. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:63. PubMed           Abstract available Epidemiol Infect BEDNARSKA NG, Smith S, Bardsley M, Loveridge P, et al Trends in general practitioner consultations for hand foot and mouth disease in England between 2017 and 2022. Epidemiol Infect. 2025;153:e22. PubMed           Abstract available J Virol KIRKPATRICK ROUBIDOUX E, Meliopoulos V, Livingston B, Brigleb PH, et al Intraductal infection with H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b influenza virus. J Virol. 2025 Jan 31:e0192724....

Emergence of a novel #reassortant highly pathogenic avian #influenza clade 2.3.4.4b A(#H5N2) Virus, 2024

ABSTRACT Reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N2) clade 2.3.4.4.b viruses were detected from ducks and environmental samples in Egypt , June 2024. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses revealed a novel genotype produced by the reassortment of an A( H5N1 ) clade 2.3.3.4b virus with an A( H9N2 ) G1-like virus. Monitoring the spread of this virus is important. Source: Emerging Microbes and Infections,  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/22221751.2025.2455601#abstract _____

No #Evidence of Anti - #influenza #Nucleoprotein #Antibodies in Retail #Milk from Across #Canada (April to July 2024)

Abstract Following reports of HPAI H5N1 infections of dairy cattle in the United States (US) in March 2024, we established a Pan-Canadian Milk network to monitor retail milk in Canada. Milk samples from across Canada that had previously tested negative for influenza A virus (IAV) RNA were tested for the presence of anti-IAV nucleoprotein (NP) antibodies , as an indicator of past infection of dairy cattle. None of the 109 milk samples tested had evidence of anti-IAV NP antibodies. This is consistent with previous findings from our academic group as well as others including federal testing initiatives that have not found any IAV RNA in milk. Although not surprising given that no cases of H5N1 in cattle have been reported in Canada to date, this work further supports that the extensive outbreak in dairy cattle in the US has not extended northward into Canada, and the integrity of the Canadian milk supply remains intact. Source: MedRxIV,  https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01...

Intraductal #infection with #H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b #influenza virus

LETTER In March 2024, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 of the clade 2.3.4.4b was detected in dairy cows in Texas and has since been detected in several other U.S. states (1). Virus has been detected within cow’s milk , indicating that the mammary epithelium may support viral replication (2). Virus has also been detected on milking machines , leading to a hypothesis that influenza is spreading through fomites from udder to udder instead of the intranasal route (3, 4). There have been studies using cows to better understand mammary infections; however, the cow model is costly and limited (1, 5). We sought to establish a model for intramammary infections of H5N1 and H1N1 influenza virus in mice . (...) Source: Journal of Virology,  https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/jvi.01927-24?af=R _____

Monitoring for Avian #Influenza A(#H5) Virus In #Wastewater, January 19-25 2025

{Excerpt} Time Period: January 19 - January 25, 2025 -- H5 Detection : 33 sites ( 10.1% ) -- No Detection : 295 sites ( 89.9% ) -- No samples in last week : 61 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html _____

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

The laboratory diagnosed type H5 on Thursday, January 23 in one of the sick birds that was sampled in the framework of passive surveillance , on January 24 all birds were culled, on January 29 the laboratory confirmed the detection of Neuraminidase 1 and identification of hemagglutinin genes found in the cleavage site of avian influenza virus type A lineage Goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) subtype H5, clade 2.3.4.4. highly pathogenic. Out of the 408 backyard birds, one died and two became sick in Chiriquí Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6225 ____

#Mexico’s Laboratory-Confirmed #Human Case of #Infection with the #Influenza A(#H5N2) Virus

Abstract In April 2024, the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias of Mexico City identified a case of unsubtypeable Influenza A in a 58-year-old immunocompromised patient with renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy and bacterial peritonitis. Through sequencing the M, NS, NA, NP, and HA complete segments, we identified an H5N2 influenza virus with identity of 99% with avian influenza A(H5N2) from Texcoco, Mexico, in 2024. This case is the first reported with direct evidence of human infection caused by the H5N2 influenza virus; the relationship of the virus with the severity of his condition remains unknown. Source: Viruses,  https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/205 _____

Suspected and confirmed #mpox cases in #DRC: a retrospective #analysis of national epidemiological and laboratory #surveillance data, 2010–23

Summary Background DR Congo has the highest global burden of mpox , a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus . The incidence has risen since 1980, but recent analyses of epidemiological trends are lacking. We aimed to describe trends in suspected and confirmed mpox cases in DR Congo using epidemiological and laboratory mpox surveillance data collected from 2010 to 2023, and provide insights that can better inform the targeting and monitoring of control strategies. Methods We analysed aggregated national epidemiological surveillance data and individual-level laboratory data from 2010 to 2023. We calculated incidence based on suspected cases, case-fatality ratios, and percentage of laboratory-confirmed cases and assessed geospatial trends. Demographic and seasonal trends were investigated using generalised additive mixed models. Findings Between Jan 1, 2010, and Dec 31, 2023, a total of 60 967 suspected cases and 1798 suspected deaths from mpox were reported in DR Congo ( c...

Structure of a #zoonotic #H5N1 #hemagglutinin reveals a #receptor-binding site occupied by an auto-glycan

Summary Highly pathogenic avian influenza has spilled into many mammals, most notably cows and poultry, with several dozen human breakthrough infections. Zoonotic crossovers , with hemagglutinins mutated to enhance viral ability to use human α2-6-linked sialic acid receptors versus avian α2-3-linked ones, highlight the pandemic risk . To gain insight into these crossovers, we determined the cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the hemagglutinin from the zoonotic H5N1 A/Texas/37/2024 strain (clade 2.3.4.4b) in complex with a previously reported neutralizing antibody . Surprisingly, we found that the receptor-binding site of this H5N1 hemagglutinin was already occupied by an α2-3-linked sialic acid and that this glycan emanated from asparagine N169 of a neighboring protomer on hemagglutinin itself. This structure thus highlights recognition by influenza hemagglutinin of an “auto”-α2-3-linked sialic acid from N169, an N-linked glycan conserved in 95% of H5 strains, and adds “aut...

Pre-exposure #antibody #prophylaxis protects #macaques from severe #influenza

Abstract Influenza virus pandemics and seasonal epidemics have claimed countless lives. Recurrent zoonotic spillovers of influenza viruses with pandemic potential underscore the need for effective countermeasures . In this study, we show that pre-exposure prophylaxis with broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) MEDI8852 is highly effective in protecting cynomolgus macaques from severe disease caused by aerosolized highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus infection. Protection was antibody dose–dependent yet independent of Fc-mediated effector functions at the dose tested. Macaques receiving MEDI8852 at 10 milligrams per kilogram or higher had negligible impairment of respiratory function after infection, whereas control animals were not protected from severe disease and fatality. Given the breadth of MEDI8852 and other bnAbs, we anticipate that protection from unforeseen pandemic influenza A viruses is achievable. Source: Science,  https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado64...

#Pasteurisation temperatures effectively inactivate #influenza A viruses in #milk

Abstract In late 2023 an H5N1 lineage of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) began circulating in American dairy cattle.  Concerningly, high titres of virus were detected in cows’ milk , raising the concern that milk could be a route of human infection . Cows’ milk is typically pasteurised to render it safe for human consumption, but the effectiveness of pasteurisation on influenza viruses in milk was uncertain . To assess this, here we evaluate heat inactivation in milk for a panel of different influenza viruses. This includes human and avian influenza A viruses (IAVs), an influenza D virus that naturally infects cattle, and recombinant IAVs carrying contemporary avian or bovine H5N1 glycoproteins . At pasteurisation temperatures of 63 °C and 72 °C , we find that viral infectivity is rapidly lost and becomes undetectable before the times recommended for pasteurisation ( 30 minutes and 15 seconds, respectively ). We then show that an H5N1 HPAIV in milk is effectively i...

#WHO accelerates efforts to support response to #Sudan {hemorrhagic fever} virus disease #outbreak in #Uganda

Brazzaville/Kampala – Following the confirmation of an outbreak of Sudan virus disease – which belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease – in Uganda today, World Health Organization (WHO) is mobilizing efforts to support the national health authorities to swiftly contain and end the outbreak .  WHO is deploying senior public health experts and mobilizing staff from the country office to support all the key outbreak response measures. In addition, the Organization has allocated US$ 1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help accelerate early action, and is readying medical supplies, including personal protective equipment to deliver to Uganda from its Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi.  While there are no licensed vaccines for the Sudan virus disease , WHO is coordinating with developers to deploy candidate vaccines as an addition to the other public health measures. The vaccines will be deployed once all administrative and regulatory approvals are obtai...

#Perpetuation of Avian #Influenza from Molt to Fall #Migration in Wild Swan #Geese (Anser cygnoides): An Agent-Based Modeling Approach

Abstract Wild waterfowl are considered to be the reservoir of avian influenza , but their distinct annual life cycle stages and their contribution to disease dynamics are not well understood. Studies of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus have primarily focused on wintering grounds, where human and poultry densities are high year-round, compared with breeding grounds, where migratory waterfowl are more isolated. Few if any studies of avian influenza have focused on the molting stage where wild waterfowl congregate in a few selected wetlands and undergo the simultaneous molt of wing and tail feathers during a vulnerable flightless period. The molting stage may be one of the most important periods for the perpetuation of the disease in waterfowl, since during this stage, immunologically naïve young birds and adults freely intermix prior to the fall migration. Our study incorporated empirical data from virological field samplings and markings of Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides)...

#NASA Shares #Observations of Recently-Identified Near Earth #Asteroid {2024 YR4}

NASA analysis of a near-Earth asteroid, designated 2024 YR4, indicates it has a more than 1% chance of impacting Earth on Dec. 22, 2032 – which also means there is about a 99% chance this asteroid will not impact. Such initial analysis will change over time as more observations are gathered .   Currently, no other known large asteroids have an impact probability above 1% .  Asteroid 2024 YR4 was first reported on Dec. 27, 2024, to the Minor Planet Center– the international clearing house for small-body positional measurements – by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System station in Chile.  The asteroid, which is estimated to be about 130 to 300 feet wide , caught astronomers’ attention when it rose on the NASA automated Sentry risk list on Dec. 31, 2024.  The Sentry list includes any known near-Earth asteroids that have a non-zero probability of impacting Earth in the future.   An object that reaches this level is not uncommon ; there have been several obj...