ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) have historically exhibited low levels of infection and antibodies to avian influenza virus (AIV). The recent global expansion of clade 2.3.4.4b A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza virus H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) has resulted in large-scale mortalities across diverse waterbird taxa including cormorants . We sampled 32 and 29 Double-crested Cormorants breeding in the Chesapeake Bay, US , during the summers of 2023 and 2024, respectively, to assess HPAI H5N1 infection and AIV antibodies. Although no mortality was observed in the area, one bird sampled in 2023 was infected with HPAI H5N1. Additionally, 21/31 individuals in 2023 and 10/25 individuals in 2024 for which sera were collected had AIV antibodies . Based on additional testing using hemagglutination inhibition, virus neutralization , and an enzyme-linked lectin assay , 94 and 100% (2023 and 2024, respectively) of the seropositive birds tested positive for ...

Abstract After nearly a decade without reported human A/H5N1 infections , Cambodia faced a sudden resurgence with 16 cases between February 2023 and August 2024, all caused by A/H5 clade 2.3.2.1c viruses . Fourteen cases involved a novel reassortant A/H5N1 virus with gene segments from both clade 2.3.2.1c and clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. The emergence of this novel genotype underscores the persistent and ongoing threat of avian influenza in Southeast Asia . This study details the timeline and genomic epidemiology of these infections and related poultry outbreaks in Cambodia. Source: MedRxIV,  https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.04.24313747v2 _____

 One Cygnus species wild bird in Sachsen Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6245 _____

Abstract Since early-2024 unprecedented outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b have been ongoing in dairy cattle in the United States with significant consequences for the dairy industry and public health. Estimation of key epidemiological parameters is required to support outbreak response, including predicting the likely effectiveness of interventions and testing strategies. Here we pool limited publicly available data from three studies of naturally and experimentally infected dairy cattle. We quantify Ct value trajectories of infected dairy cattle and the relationship between Ct value and the log-titre of infectious virus, a proxy for infectiousness. We estimate that following infection peak Ct values are rapidly reached within 1--2 days with a population mean Ct value of 16.9 (13.2, 20.5). We identify a critical threshold Ct value of 21.5 (20.1, 23.6), with values of Ct value above this threshold representing little-to-no infectious viral load. Finally,...

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...