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Abstract Background :  Highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza A has caused sporadic human infections , increasing the risk for potential human–to–human spread . In 2024, the U.S. experienced outbreaks among poultry and cattle , prompting enhanced surveillance .  Objective :  To evaluate an H5 testing algorithm in subjects with respiratory symptoms presenting for routine care during low influenza A virus circulation.  Design :  Observational study using clinical – and research–developed nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and pooled screening methods.  Setting :  Academic medical center in Boston , MA.  Participants :  5,400 symptomatic individuals contributing 6,935 respiratory specimens from June 23 to August 28, 2024.  Measurements :  Specimens underwent initial respiratory pathogen testing per clinical protocols, which did not routinely include influenza due to low summer–month prevalence. Influenza A–positive specimens were s...

Abstract Influenza A virus (IAV) non-canonical replication products can be bound by host pathogen sensors , such as retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I). However, innate immune activation is infrequent in cell culture infection, in particular by adapted strains. Moreover, it is not understood why non-canonical IAV RNAs activate RIG-I in a sequence- or RNA structure-dependent manner. We therefore hypothesized that multiple errors need to occur before influenza virus RNA synthesis activates innate immune signaling . To test this idea, we investigated whether RIG-I activation is stimulated by the non-canonical or aberrant transcription of mini viral RNAs (mvRNA), a <125 nt long RNA that is overexpressed in pandemic and highly pathogenic IAV infections . Using mvRNA sequences identified in tissue culture and ferret infections , we find that mvRNAs can cause non-canonical transcription termination through a truncated 5ʹ polyadenylation signal or a 5ʹ transient RNA structure that interr...

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/william-morris/the-adoration-of-the-magi-1890 _____

  Am J Obstet Gynecol DOMGUE JF, Chandra M, Yu R, Shete S, et al Adherence to cervical cancer screening among sexual and racial/ethnic minorities during the covid-19 pandemic in the United States. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2025 Feb 7:S0002-9378(25)00088. PubMed          Antiviral Res SCHREIBER A, Ludwig S Host-targeted antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 in clinical development - Prospect or disappointment? Antiviral Res. 2025;235:106101. PubMed           Abstract available Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol TORRES C, Lyden E, Gillett G, Rupp ME, et al Dropping the urine culture: sustained CAUTI reduction using a UTI order panel. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2025 Feb 13:1-7. doi: 10.1017/ice.2025. PubMed           Abstract available SAPIANO MRP, Dudeck MA, Patel PR, Binder AM, et al Patient safety as a measure of resilience in US hospitals: central line-associated blo...

  Am J Med SEELEY MC, Gallagher C, Ong E, Langdon A, et al High Incidence of Autonomic Dysfunction and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome in Patients with Long COVID: Implications for Management and Health Care Planning. Am J Med. 2025;138:354-361. PubMed           Abstract available MCLAUGHLIN M, Cerexhe L, Macdonald E, Ingram J, et al A Cross-Sectional Study of Symptom Prevalence, Frequency, Severity, and Impact of Long COVID in Scotland: Part II. Am J Med. 2025;138:330-336. PubMed           Abstract available LAU B, Wentz E, Ni Z, Yenokyan K, et al Physical Health and Mental Fatigue Disability Associated with Long COVID: Baseline Results from a US Nationwide Cohort. Am J Med. 2025;138:287-297. PubMed           Abstract available MCLAUGHLIN M, Sanal-Hayes NEM, Hayes LD, Berry EC, et al People with Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Ch...

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— The Ohio Department of Health is reporting the state’s first probable human case of influenza A(H5), also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu .  An adult male Mercer County farm worker who was in contact with deceased commercial poultry was infected with the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the current risk of bird flu for the general public to be low. However, people with close and prolonged, unprotected contact with infected birds are at greater risk. Guidance for the General Public The risk of acquiring bird flu to the general U.S. population is low . The best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid direct contact with wild birds or sick or dead poultry or other animals. Contact your local health department or local veterinarian for further guidance before you approach sick or dead poultry or wild birds. *** REVISED ***  Guidance for Those Who Work With Poultry Commercial poultry owners should practice ...

 Wyoming’s First Human Bird Flu Case Confirmed February 14, 2025 Wyoming’s First Human Bird Flu Case Confirmed Wyoming’s first case of H5N1 avian influenza in a human has been confirmed in a Platte County older adult, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).  The woman represents the third confirmed hospitalization related to H5N1 in the United States. “While this is a significant development as bird flu activity is monitored in Wyoming and across the country, it is not something we believe requires a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health. Harrist said the woman is hospitalized in another state , has health conditions that can make people more vulnerable to illness, and was likely exposed to the virus through direct contact with an infected poultry flock at her home .  H5N1 has been known to be infecting wild birds in Wyoming for some tim...

  {Excerpt} National Total Cases: 68 {Confirmed Cases} Exposure source: Dairy Herds (Cattle)* - Poultry Farms and Culling Operations* - Other Animal Exposure† - Exposure Source Unknown‡ -- National -  41 - 23 - 1 - 3 -  68 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 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 NOTE : One additional case was previously detected in a poultry worker in Colora...

ABSTRACT Influenza A viruses with fewer amino acids in the neuraminidase (NA) stalk domain are primarily isolated from chickens rather than wild ducks , indicating that a shortened NA stalk is considered an adaptation marker of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) to chickens. Experimental passages of an H7N7 nonpathogenic AIV (rgVac2-P0) in chickens resulted in a highly pathogenic variant (Vac2-P3L4) with a 34-amino-acid deletion in the NA stalk , encompassing five potential N-glycosylation sites. To investigate how amino acid truncation and deglycosylation in the NA stalk contribute to increased pathogenicity, a virus with glycosylation-deficient mutations at these sites (rgVac2-P3L4/P0NAΔGlyco) was constructed. Contrary to expectations, chickens inoculated with rgVac2-P3L4/P0NAΔGlyco exhibited variable clinical outcomes, attributed to the genetic instability of the virus. A single mutation stabilized the virus, and the mutant (rgVac2-P3L4/P0NAΔGlyco-Y65H) resulted in higher pathogenicity ...

 {Excerpt} Situation at a glance Since the declaration of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak on 20 January 2025 in the United Republic of Tanzania, one additional confirmed death was reported by the Ministry of Health from the epicentre of the outbreak in Biharamulo district in Kagera region .  As of 10 February 2025, a cumulative of two confirmed and eight probable cases were reported by the Ministry of Health.  All 10 cases have died , including eight who died before the confirmation of the outbreak.  As of 10 February 2025, all 281 contacts that were listed and under monitoring have completed the 21-day follow-up.  The Ministry of Health developed a national response plan to guide activities. Additionally, a national rapid response team was deployed to the affected region to enhance outbreak investigation and response, with technical and operational support from WHO and health partners. Description of the situation Since the previous Disease Outbreak Ne...

{Excerpt} Time Period: February 02 - February 08, 2025 -- H5 Detection : 15 sites ( 3.9% ) -- No Detection :  372 sites ( 96.1% ) -- No samples in last week : 63 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html _____

Abstract To better manage seasonal and pandemic influenza infections , new drugs are needed with enhanced activity against amantadine- and rimantadine-resistant influenza A virus (IAV) strains containing the S31N variant of the viral M2 ion channel (M2S31N). Here we tested 36 amantadine analogs against a panel of viruses containing either M2S31N or the parental, M2 S31 wild-type variant (M2WT). We found that several analogs, primarily those with sizeable lipophilic adducts, inhibited up to three M2S31N-containing viruses with activities at least 5-fold lower than rimantadine, without inhibiting M2S31N proton currents or modulating endosomal pH. While M2WT viruses in passaging studies rapidly gained resistance to these analogs through the established M2 mutations V27A and/or A30T, resistance development was markedly slower for M2S31N viruses and did not associate with additional M2 mutations. Instead, a subset of analogs, exemplified by 2-propyl-2-adamantanamine (38), but not 2-(1-adama...

Abstract The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus poses significant challenges to global poultry and human health . During the active surveillance of avian influenza virus in wild birds in Shanghai from 2020 to 2023, a total of nine H9N2 viruses were identified. To better understand the genetic characteristics of these H9N2 viruses in Shanghai, the whole genome sequences were analyzed. Phylogenetical analysis showed that the nine H9N2 viruses have undergone complicated reassortment with waterfowl viruses along the East Asian-Australasian flyways . The nine H9N2 viruses were classified into seven genotypes , and some of them could contribute internal genes to recently circulating HPAI A( H5N8 ) and A( H5N1 ) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b. These results highlight the importance of active surveillance of AIVs in wild birds to comprehend viral ecology and evaluate potential transmission risk in poultry and humans. Source: Poultry Sciences,  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pi...

Abstract In 2023, Finland faced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza caused by clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses , which spread from wild birds to fur farms . Vaccinations of individuals at-risk , such as fur and poultry farm workers , veterinarians, and laboratory workers , began in June 2024 using the MF59-adjuvanted inactivated (H5N8) vaccine manufactured by Seqirus (based on clade 2.3.4.4b A/Astrakhan/3212/2020). We investigated antibody responses following a two-dose vaccination regimen in 39 subjects. Vaccination induced comparable levels of functional antibodies both against the vaccine virus and two clade 2.3.4.4b viruses, either associated with outbreaks in fur animals in Finland or cattle in the United States . Upon two doses of the vaccine for previously unvaccinated people, the seroprotection rate against the vaccine virus was 83 % (95 % CI 70-97 %, titer ≥20) and 97 % (95 % CI 90-100 %, titer ≥40) using microneutralization or hemagglutinin inhibition assays , resp...

Summary -- What is already known about this topic? -  Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infections have been detected in humans exposed to infected dairy cattle. -- What is added by this report? -  Public health officials conducted a serosurvey among 150 bovine veterinary practitioners. Three practitioners had evidence of recent infection with HPAI A(H5 ) virus, including two without exposures to animals with known or suspected HPAI A(H5) virus infections and one who did not practice in a U.S. state with known HPAI A(H5) virus–infected cattle. -- What are the implications for public health practice? -  These findings suggest the possible benefit of systematic surveillance for rapid identification of HPAI A(H5) virus in dairy cattle, milk, and humans who are exposed to cattle to ensure appropriate hazard assessments. Abstract The current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) clade 2.3.4.4.b viruses, genotype B3.13, among dairy cattle...

Abstract In 2018, a single detection of a novel reassortant swine influenza A virus (swIAV) was made in Denmark . The hemagglutinin (HA) of the virus was from the H1N1 pandemic 2009 (H1N1pdm09) lineage and the neuraminidase (NA) from the H1N1 Eurasian avian-like swine lineage (H1N1av). By 2022, the novel reassortant virus (H1pdm09N1av) constituted 27% of swIAVs identified through the Danish passive swIAV surveillance program . Sequencing detected two H1pdm09N1av genotypes; Genotype 1 contained an entire internal gene cassette of H1N1pdm09 origin, Genotype 2 differed by carrying an NS gene segment of H1N1av origin . The internal gene cassette of Genotype 2 became increasingly dominant, not only in the H1pdm09N1av population, but also in other Danish enzootic swIAV subtypes. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes from H1pdm09N1av viruses revealed a monophyletic source , a higher substitution rate compared to other H1N1pdm09 viruses and genetic differences with human seasonal and other swi...

Abstract In an epidemiologic investigation of Enterovirus (EV) infections in a Verona hospital , September 2022–September 2024, we detected EV-C105 in six pediatric patients with upper respiratory symptoms between March and May 2023. The primary objective was to describe the local incidence of EV cases. The secondary objective was to perform Sanger’s genomic characterization and the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of EV-C105. The proportion of positive EV results was calculated based on routine molecular method testing. An available cohort of 114 underwent Sanger sequencing, and the six EV-C105 were characterized with WGS. Overall, 96% EV results were from the upper respiratory tract . The total proportion of positives in children was 83%. Out of the typed 114, 90% were Rhinoviruses and 9%, EVs . Notably, six pediatric cases were EV-C105 , placing together in a unique cluster with 99% of nucleotides belonging to the European lineage with the highest Average Nucleotide Identity, including...

 {February 13 2025} Latest update A new case of clade Ib mpox has been detected in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) can confirm .  The case was detected in London and the individual is now under specialist care at the Royal Free Hospital High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit. They had recently returned from Uganda , where there is currently community transmission of clade Ib mpox. The UKHSA and NHS will not be disclosing any further details about the individual. The risk to the UK population remains low . In the context of the outbreak in parts of Africa, we expect to see the occasional imported case of clade Ib mpox in the UK. This is the eighth case of clade Ib mpox confirmed in England since October 2024. This case has no links to the previous cases identified in England. Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. Contacts will be offered testing and vaccination where needed to prevent further infections and they w...

A poultry farm in Chhattisgarh State. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6261 _____

Wild Anatidae birds in Bremen Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6264 _____