ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract In this article, we present an assessment of the risk of the potential introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cows in Bulgaria . In the spring of 2024, we witnessed an unprecedented spread of the virus in dairy herds in the USA . This crossing of interspecies barriers by the virus creates a real danger of pandemic manifestations in humans . The continued spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in dairy populations and other mammalian species and efficient animal-to-animal transmission increases the risk of infection and subsequent spread of the virus in human populations. According to registers, as of 1 November 2022, a total of 559,544 cattle were bred in Bulgaria . The total number of dairy cows decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to 197,996. Farms breeding dairy cows as of 1 November 2022 were 12,439, which is 22.1% less than the previous year. The production of cow’s milk in 2022 amounted to 748,278 thousand liters. Traditionally, the largest share in the ...

Abstract The spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus to dairy cows and shedding of high amounts of infectious virus in milk raised public health concerns. Here, we evaluated the decay and thermal stability spectrum of HPAI H5N1 virus in raw milk. For the decay studies , HPAI H5N1 positive raw milk was incubated at different temperatures and viral titers and the thermal death time D-values were estimated. We then heat treated HPAI H5N1 virus positive milk following different thermal conditions including pasteurization and thermization conditions. Efficient inactivation of the virus was observed in all tested conditions, except for thermization at 50C 10 min . Utilizing a submerged coil system with temperature ramp up times that resemble commercial pasteurizers, we showed that the virus was rapidly inactivated by pasteurization and most thermization conditions . These results provide important insights on the food safety measures utilized in the dairy industry. S...

Four backyard poultry outbreaks in Maharashtra State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6250 _____

480 mixed free-range commercial broiler and layer unit. HPAI clinical signs reported, including depression and reduced food and water intake. Samples taken were positive for H5N1. Region: England, Cornwall. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6255 _____

 A poultry farm in Repuplika Srpska.  Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6258 _____

Abstract Enveloped viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) often produce a mixture of virion shapes , ranging from 100 nm spheres to micron-long filaments. Spherical virions use fewer resources, while filamentous virions resist cell-entry pressures such as antibodies . While shape changes are believed to require genetic adaptation , the mechanisms of how viral mutations alter shape remain unclear. Here we find that IAV dynamically adjusts its shape distribution in response to environmental pressures . We developed a quantitative flow virometry assay to measure the shape of viral particles under various infection conditions (such as multiplicity, replication inhibition and antibody treatment) while using different combinations of IAV strains and cell lines. We show that IAV rapidly tunes its shape distribution towards spheres under optimal conditions but favours filaments under attenuation . Our work demonstrates that this phenotypic flexibility allows IAV to rapidly respond to environm...

 {Excerpt} Avian Influenza Report - VOLUME 21, NUMBER 6 - Reporting period: Feb 2, 2025 – Feb 8, 2025 (Week 6), (Published on February 11, 2025)  -- Mainland China: 2 new cases (0 death cases):  - Avian influenza A(H9N2) :  - Hunan Province :  - 1) A two-year-old boy with onset on December 27, 2024.   - 2) A 15-year-old boy with onset on January 8, 2025.  (...) Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR,  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk06.pdf _____

  Ann Intern Med IOANNOU GN, Berry K, Rajeevan N, Li Y, et al Effectiveness of the 2023-to-2024 XBB.1.5 COVID-19 Vaccines Over Long-Term Follow-up : A Target Trial Emulation. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Feb 4. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-01015. PubMed           Abstract available Antiviral Res UEHARA T, Yotsuyanagi H, Ohmagari N, Doi Y, et al Ensitrelvir treatment-emergent amino acid substitutions in SARS-CoV-2 3CL(pro) detected in the SCORPIO-SR phase 3 trial. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jan 30:106097. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106097. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis SMITH EA, Javier GM, Multani A, Beaird OE, et al Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Titers in Cotemporary lots of Intravenous Immune Globulin and Fresh Frozen Plasma Compared to COVID Convalescent Plasma. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 3:ciaf045. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract availa...

  BMC Pediatr KUDLACEK M, Fromel K, Groffik D, Mitas J, et al Individual physical activity preferences of adolescents in the Czech Republic and Poland: a 14-year comparative study reflecting the gender trends and prospective responses to global lifestyle challenges. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:98. PubMed           Abstract available J Infect Dis GOYA S, Wendm ST, Xie H, Nguyen TV, et al Genomic Epidemiology and Evolution of Rhinovirus in Western Washington State, 2021-2022. J Infect Dis. 2025;231:e154-e164. PubMed           Abstract available CHIME N, Anspach B, Jain V, Laajalahti O, et al Phase 3 Study Assessing Lot-to-lot Consistency of RSVPreF3 Vaccine and its Immune Response, Safety, and Reactogenicity When Co-administered with FLU-D-QIV. J Infect Dis. 2024 Jul 5:jiae342. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available BARZAGHI F, Visconti C, Pipiton...

This is a confirmed case of H7N8 HPAI in a free-range commercial egg layer poultry farm . H7N8 virus is genetically related to strains detected in wild birds in Australia but different from the strains detected and eradicated in Australia in 2024. Biosecurity controls ( quarantine ) have been implemented on the farm. A detailed surveillance plan is being developed and epidemiological investigation and tracing is underway. Operational activities have commenced immediately. A Control Area (CA) and Restricted Area (RA) have been declared around the premises. Movement controls are being implemented in the CA and RA. A public information strategy has been employed. All coordinates provided are approximate to the nearest town location. Outbreak location: Victoria State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6249 _____

Unspecified species of domestic birds in Sumy Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6251 _____

 Two Greylag Goose, one Eurasian buzzard, two Eurasian Jackdaw, one Whooper Swan, one Common Guineafowl in Northern Ireland. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6248 _____

{Excerpt} [ State - Exposure Source: 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 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) Nevada -  1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 {+1} 8) Oregon -  0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -  1 9) Texas -  1 - 0 - 0 - 0 -  1 10) Washington -  0 - 11 - 0 - 0 -  11 11) Wisconsin -  0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -  1 -- Source Total -  41 - 23 - 1 - 3 -  68 {+1} NOTE : One additional case was previ...

Abstract As a rare subtype of avian influenza virus, H16 viruses are predominant in gulls but rarely found in domestic birds . The low prevalence of H16 viruses has limited our understanding of their epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics . In this study, we isolated three novel H16N3 viruses from migratory gulls in East Asian–Australasian Flyway in eastern China in 2023, which are significantly different from previously identified isolates. To fully understand the epidemiology and genetics characteristics of the global H16 viruses, we compared the host divergence of several rare subtypes and determined that the H13 and H16 subtypes were predominantly pooled into different species of gulls by sharing their internal genes, whereas the waterfowl of Anatidae served as the primary natural reservoirs of the H8, H11, H12, H14, and H15 subtypes. Detailed phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary divergence of globally circulating H16 viruses and their frequent gene reassortment . Furthe...

Abstract Vaccination is a common influenza A virus (IAV) control strategy for pigs. Vaccine efficacy depends on strain cross-protection and effective vaccination program implementation. We evaluated a multi-faceted IAV vaccination strategy which included (a) monthly surveillance of pigs at weaning , (b) selection of epidemiologically relevant strains from farms under surveillance, (c) updating IAV strains in custom-made vaccines, and (d) seasonal mass vaccination with custom-made vaccines given to sows in 35 farrow-to-wean farms within an integrated swine farm system. Reduction of IAV in pigs from vaccinated sows was determined by monthly monitoring of farms for 30 months by IAV rRT-PCR (PCR) testing of nasal wipes collected from litters of piglets at weaning. Hemagglutinin (HA) nucleotide and amino acid (AA) sequence homology of the circulating and vaccine strains was determined by pairwise alignment and AA comparison at antigenic sites. Of the 35 farms monitored, 28 (80%) tested posi...

Juba, 7 February 2025—Today the Ministry of Health has declared a mpox outbreak in Juba, Central Equatoria State. This declaration follows a confirmation mpox Case by the National Public Health Laboratory on 6 February 2025 . “The first case was reported on 6 February 2025 at Gudele Hospital from a Ugandan national and a resident of Kupuri Camp in Juba. The confirmed case is under isolation and is being managed at Gudele Hospital”, said the Acting Health Minister, Honorable James Hoth Mai, in a press conference in Juba.  A team of experts from national and subnational levels , WHO, and other partners have been mobilized to conduct a detailed field investigation, list all contacts, and ensure close follow-up, Hon. Mai added. He also added that the Ministry of Health and WHO have taken steps to manage the reported case properly, ensuring that every contact on the ground is followed. He assured the citizens not to panic but to stay calm and follow safety measures that the government i...

 Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/pieter-bruegel-the-elder/christ-and-the-woman-taken-in-adultery-1565-1 _____

Abstract Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Europe have raised questions regarding the epidemiological role of commensal wild birds on free-range poultry farms . This study aimed to assess the prevalence of avian influenza viruses (AIV), avulaviruses, coronaviruses and Chlamydia sp. in commensal wild birds on a free-range duck farm in southwestern France and to evaluate possible transmission events at the wild‒domestic interface . From 2019 through 2021, a longitudinal study was conducted on wild birds, domestic ducks and their shared environment on farms. Commensal wild birds were captured and sampled for blood and swabs, and fresh feces from cattle egrets visiting the farm were collected. In parallel, domestic ducks were sampled, and environmental samples were collected. The presence of the four pathogens was tested by q(RT-)PCR, and the immunity of wild birds to AIV and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was tested by ELISA. Wild birds were found to shed AIV and Chl...

Abstract In 2023, an unprecedented outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 resulted in the death of thousands of pinnipeds along the Argentinean coast , raising concerns about its ecological and epidemiological impact . Here, we present clinical, pathological, and molecular findings associated with HPAI H5N1 infection in pinnipeds from Chubut, Argentina . Necropsies were conducted on three South American Sea Lions (SASLs) (Otaria flavescens) and one Southern Elephant Seal (SES) (Mirounga leonina), followed by histopathological, immunohistochemical and RT-sqPCR analyses. Neurological clinical signs were observed in two SASLs, with one also exhibiting respiratory distress . Neuropathological findings included lymphoneutrophilic meningoencephalomyelitis and choroiditis, neuronal necrosis , gliosis, hemorrhages , and perivascular cuffing. Viral antigen was localized in neurons, glial cells, choroid plexus epithelial cells, ependymal cells, and the neuropil. Systemic manif...

Background    In March 2024, the USDA confirmed the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) spreading between dairy cattle herds in the United States.  This followed reports from dairy producers of an unusual illness in their lactating cows over the preceding 2-3 months.  Virus whole genome sequencing and modeling performed by USDA suggested a single spillover of HPAI H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 from wild birds into dairy cattle likely occurred between October 2023 and January 2024 (1).  Since then, federal, state, and industry partners have collaborated to address the HPAI threat in dairy cattle, resulting in two federal orders and the implementation of the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS).  States began enrolling in the NMTS in December 2024, in which they are continuing to conduct or now implementing state-wide bulk tank surveillance and/or milk processing plant silo monitoring.  Nevada was among the first to participate...