ETIDIOH - NEW

On January 31, 2025, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed by whole genome sequence the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1 in dairy cattle .  This confirmation was a result of State tracing and investigation, following an initial detection on silo testing under the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) in Nevada.  USDA APHIS continues to work with the Nevada Department of Agriculture by conducting additional on-farm investigation, testing, and gathering additional epidemiological information to better understand this detection and limit further disease spread.  This is the first detection of this virus genotype in dairy cattle (all previous detections in dairy cattle have been HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 ).  Genotype D1.1 represents the predominant genotype in the North American flyways this past fall an...

Abstract The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly evolved over short timescales, leading to the emergence of more transmissible variants such as Alpha and Delta.  The arrival of the Omicron variant marked a major shift, introducing numerous extra mutations in the spike gene compared with earlier variants. These evolutionary changes have raised concerns regarding their potential impact on immune evasion, disease severity and the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments. In this epidemiological study, we identified two distinct patterns in the protective effect of natural infection against reinfection in the Omicron versus pre-Omicron eras. Before Omicron, natural infection provided strong and durable protection against reinfection, with minimal waning over time. However, during the Omicron era, protection was robust only for those recently infected , declining rapidly over time and diminishing within a year. These results demonstrate that SARS-CoV...

 A wild Barnacle Goose in Rogaland Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6244 _____

The Database of Global Administrative Boundaries (GADM) used by WAHIS, provides Crespellano as the municipality corresponding to the given coordinates. As a matter of fact the location of the infected premises is the municipality of Valsamoggia Domestic cat found dead on 13 January 2025 at a family poultry farm located in the municipality of Valsamoggia (BO). As expected, the virus has the highest genetic similarity to the H5N1 virus sequenced from poultry from the same farm that tested positive on December 31st. These results confirm that the cat likely became infected following direct exposure to infected poultry at the same site where it was found dead. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6243 _____

{Excerpt} In response to the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 , vaccine manufacturers have released updated COVID-19 vaccines annually since 2022. For much of 2024, the global spread was dominated by the JN.1 lineage of viruses,1 which are antigenically quite distant from the XBB.1.5 variant that was used in the previous vaccine booster.2 In August 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration authorised two updated mRNA vaccines (Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna) based on the spike sequence of KP.2 , a subvariant in the JN.1 lineage.3 In the UK and the EU, a KP.2-based mRNA vaccine (BioNTech) was also authorised later in the year.4,5 We have now provided the first indication of the acute boosting effect of updated KP.2 monovalent mRNA vaccines (KP.2 MV) on serum SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in humans. Since the authorisation of the updated vaccine boosters, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved beyond KP.2, with the subvariant KP.3.1.1 becoming dominant globally and the subvariant XEC now gaining tracti...

ABSTRACT In a subset of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals treated with the antiviral nirmatrelvir -ritonavir, the virus rebounds following treatment. The mechanisms driving this rebound are not well understood. We used a mathematical model to describe the longitudinal viral load dynamics of 51 individuals treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, 20 of whom rebounded. Target cell preservation , either by a robust innate immune response or initiation of N-R near the time of symptom onset, coupled with incomplete viral clearance , appears to be the main factor leading to viral rebound. Moreover, the occurrence of viral rebound is likely influenced by the time of treatment initiation relative to the progression of the infection, with earlier treatments leading to a higher chance of rebound . A comparison with an untreated cohort suggests that early treatments with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir may be associated with a delay in the onset of an adaptive immune response . Nevertheless, our model demonstra...

ABSTRACT We present the first documented case of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) subtype H5N5 in an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus). The animal was found dead in Svalbard , Norway, in 2023. Sequence analysis revealed the highest genetic similarity with virus isolates from different avian hosts. Source: Emerging Microbes and Infections,  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/22221751.2025.2456146 _____

 Three wild Hooded Cranes in Izumi Region, Kagoshima city. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6239 _____

{Excerpt} In a global first, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners today launched a first ever vaccine trial for Ebola from the Sudan species of the virus, and at an unprecedented speed for a randomized vaccine trial in an emergency . The principal investigators from Makerere University and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), with support from WHO and other partners, have worked tirelessly to get the trial ready in 4 days since the outbreak was confirmed on 30 January. It is the first trial to assess the clinical efficacy of a vaccine against Ebola disease due to Sudan virus . The speed was achieved through advanced research preparedness, while ensuring full compliance with national and international regulatory and ethical requirements. The candidate vaccine was donated by IAVI , with financial support from WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and...

Abstract The ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses is the largest in history , with unprecedented transmission to multiple mammalian species . Avian influenza A viruses of the H5 subtype circulate globally among birds and are classified into distinct clades based on their hemagglutinin (HA) genetic sequences. Thus, the ability to accurately and rapidly assign clades to newly sequenced isolates is key to surveillance and outbreak response. Co-circulation of endemic, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A(H5) lineages in North American and European wild birds necessitates the ability to rapidly and accurately distinguish between infections arising from these lineages and epizootic HPAI A(H5) viruses. However, currently available clade assignment tools are limited and often require command line expertise, hindering their utility for public health surveillance labs. To address this gap, we have developed datasets to enable A(H5) clade assignments with...

 A wild cygnus species birds in Sachsen-Anhalt Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6234 _____

Forty Mute Swans in Lviv Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6232 _____

Abstract Background :  In 2024, mainland China witnessed a significant upsurge in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases. Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is one of the primary causative agents of HFMD. Long-term monitoring of theCVA16 infection rate and genotype changes is crucial for the prevention and control of HFMD.  Methods :  A total of 40,673 clinical specimens were collected from suspected HFMD cases in Guangdong province from 2018 to 2024, including rectal swabs (n = 27,954), throat swabs (n = 6791), stool (n = 5923), cerebrospinal fluid (n = 3), and herpes fluid (n = 2). A total of 24,410 samples were detected as EV-positive and further typed by RT-PCR. A total of 872 CVA16-positive samples were isolated and further sequenced to obtain the full-length VP1 sequence. Phylogenetic analysis was performed based on viral protein 1 gene (VP1).  Results :  In the first 25 weeks of 2024 , reported cases of HFMD were 1.36 times higher than the mean rates of 2023 ...

 Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/titian/pesaros-madonna-1526 _____

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 main protease, Mpro , is responsible for processing the viral polyproteins into individual proteins, including the protease itself. Mpro is a key target of anti-COVID-19 therapeutics such as nirmatrelvir (the active component of Paxlovid). Resistance mutants identified clinically and in viral passage assays contain a combination of active site mutations (e.g., E166V, E166A, L167F), which reduce inhibitor binding and enzymatic activity, and non-active site mutations (e.g., P252L, T21I, L50F), which restore the fitness of viral replication. To probe the role of the non-active site mutations in fitness rescue, here we use an Mpro triple mutant (L50F/E166A/L167F) that confers nirmatrelvir drug resistance with a viral fitness level similar to the wild-type. By comparing peptide and full-length Mpro protein as substrates, we demonstrate that the binding of Mpro substrate involves more than residues in the active site. Particularly, L50F and other non-active site mutations...

Abstract Background The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), requires that States Parties develop their capacities to detect, assess, and respond to public health threats and report to the World Health Assembly through the States Parties Annual Report (SPAR). The National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plans (PPRP) contribute to countries capacities however there are some discrepancies between both tools. To identify gaps and define priority actions to strengthen pandemic plans, we assessed the concordance between national pandemic preparedness and response plans for respiratory pathogens against the pandemic checklist published in 2023 and the SPAR. Methods In this retrospective, semi-quantitative study , conducted in August 2024, we reviewed the most recent respiratory pandemic plans for 35 PAHO member states and assessed their concordance with (1) actionable guidelines in the World Health Organization pandemic checklist and (2) IHR (2005) core capacities using the late...

Abstract H1N1 influenza viruses are responsible for both seasonal and pandemic influenza . The continual antigenic shift and drift of these viruses highlight the urgent need for a universal influenza vaccine to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Identification and characterization of bnAbs elicited in natural infection and immunization to influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) can provide insights for development of a universal influenza vaccine. Here, we structurally and biophysically characterize four antibodies that bind to a conserved region on the HA membrane-proximal region known as the anchor epitope. Despite some diversity in their VH and VK genes, the antibodies interact with the HA through germline-encoded residues in HCDR2 and LCDR3. Somatic mutations on HCDR3 also contribute hydrophobic interactions with the conserved HA epitope. This convergent binding mode provides extensive neutralization breadth against H1N1 viruses and suggests possible countermeasures against...

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...

  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...

  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....