ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract We report the detection of a clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) reassortant virus with a neuraminidase surface protein derived from a North American lineage low-pathogenic avian influenza virus. This virus caused a widespread and ongoing outbreak across 45 poultry farms in British Columbia, Canada . Isolates from 8 farms reveal a mutation in the neuraminidase protein (H275Y) that is exceptionally rare among clade 2.3.4.4b viruses (present in 0.045% of publicly available clade 2.3.4.4b isolates). NA-H275Y is a well-known marker of resistance to the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir . We demonstrate that this substitution maintains its resistance phenotype on the genetic background of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. Source: Emerging Microbes and Infections,  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/22221751.2025.2469643 ____

 {Excerpt} {Avian Influenza H9N2 Human Cases in China} -- Mainland China:  2 cases (0 death)  - Avian influenza A(H9N2):  * Guangdong Province :  - A 72-year-old woman with onset on December 26, 2024.  - A 56-year-old woman with onset on January 20, 2025.  (...) Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR,  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk07.pdf ____

National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA) received a notification concerning a high mortality of birds and signs consistent with high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard . The suspicion was immediately addressed and samples were taken for analysis. The samples tested positive for HPAI H5. The affected species are chickens, ducks and turkeys . The affected premises are adjacent to a body of water , so contact with wild birds is presumed. Stamping out, sanitary burial, cleaning and disinfection of all the birds in the premises will be carried out. We will update the quantitative data in subsequent follow-up reports. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6272 _____

Avian influenza was found in sick and dead wild birds along the shores of a lake in a bird sanctuary. Location: Theay commune, Ba Phnum district, Prey Veng province. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6273 ____

On January 24, 2025 , the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was notified of mortality in a non-commercial backyard layer poultry farm in Newfoundland and Labrador. The CFIA National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease has confirmed on February 12, 2025 that the virus was H5N5 . The HA of the H5 virus from the samples belongs to Eurasian Gs/GD lineage HPAI H5N1 (2.3.4.4b) with cleavage site motif of “PLREKRRKR/GLF”, compatible with HPAI viruses. The sample contained AI virus similar to European like - H5N5 (2023) viruses which came to Canada via the Atlantic flyway . The viruses contained wholly Eurasian H5N5 genome segments . The CFIA has immediately quarantined the IP and is implementing strict movement controls and a stamping out policy. Primary control zone (PCZ) has been put in place around the IP. Surveillance is ongoing in the affected areas. WOAH data on poultry and non-poultry can be visualized and extracted on the AI dashboard in domestic birds available at https://cahss.ca...

A total of 390 birds belonging to various individual backyard owners in a village . The birds included various species such as chickens, geese, and ducks . There are no commercial poultry operations within the village or the surrounding 10km surveillance zone. In Hatay Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6270 ____

Abstract During our surveillance of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in wild birds across China , H10Nx viruses were isolated from diverse migratory flyways between 2022 and 2024. We identified one wild-bird H10N5 strain that shared a common ancestor with the human H10N5 virus in multiple gene segments. Phylogenetic and molecular dating revealed the origin and evolution of H10N5, highlighting the need for continued monitoring. Source: Emerging Microbes and Infections,  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/22221751.2025.2465308 ____

Four Mute Swans in Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina.  Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6275?reportId=172294&fromPage=event-dashboard-url _____

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...