ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract The epizootic prion disease of cattle, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), caused variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans following dietary exposure . Codon 129 polymorphism of the human prion protein gene (PRNP), encoding either methionine (M) or valine (V), dictates the propagation of distinct human prion strains and up to now all but one neuropathologically confirmed vCJD patients have had a 129MM genotype. Concordant with this genetic association, transgenic modelling has established that human PrP 129V is incompatible with the vCJD prion strain and that depending on codon 129 genotype, primary human infection with BSE prions may, in addition to vCJD, result in sporadic CJD-like or novel phenotypes. In 2016 we saw the first neuropathologically confirmed case of vCJD in a patient with a codon 129MV genotype . This patient’s neuropathology and molecular strain type were pathognomonic of vCJD but their clinical presentation and neuroradiological features were m...

Summary -- What is already known about this topic? -  Outdoor cats on U.S. dairy farms have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus; infection has not been reported in indoor cats. -- What is added by this report? -  HPAI A(H5N1) virus was detected in two indoor domestic cats with respiratory and neurologic illness that lived in homes of dairy workers but had no known direct exposure to HPAI A(H5N1)–affected farms. Both dairy workers declined testing ; other household members received negative test results for influenza A. -- What are the implications for public health practice? -  Veterinarians in states with confirmed HPAI A(H5N1) in livestock should consider obtaining household occupational information , testing for influenza A viruses , and wearing personal protective equipment when evaluating companion cats with respiratory or neurologic illness . Suspected cases should be reported to public and animal health officials. Abstract High...

{Automatic Translation} Since 2020, the world has seen an increase in the number of outbreaks of avian influenza caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus and an expansion of the geography of circulation of this virus. In 2024, more than 1.2 thousand outbreaks of influenza A (H5N1) among wild birds and about 2 thousand outbreaks among poultry were registered in the world. The infection affected 68 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America, and also reached Antarctica. In addition, in 2024, a large number of cases of detection of the influenza A (H5N1) virus among wild and domestic mammals were recorded, including with subsequent infection of people. These include outbreaks among cattle on US dairy farms, which by the end of the year affected more than 900 dairy farms in 16 states. The avian influenza A (H5N1) virus, isolated from cows, also caused illness in 40 people - farm workers. At the same time, the influenza A(H5N1) viruses detected in cows ...

Abstract Since 2022, three cases of human infections of novel H3N8 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have been confirmed in China . Given the potential for significant public health implications , the prompt detection and containment of the virus is particularly important. Comprehensive analyses were conducted of the complete viral gene sequences of five H3 subtype AIVs that were isolated from chickens, pigeons, and geese in live poultry markets in China in 2023. Four strains exhibited a high degree of homology with the H3N8 viruses responsible for human infections in 2022 and 2023. A subsequent study was conducted to investigate the pathogenicity differences among multiple subtypes of the H3 AIVs in chickens. The study revealed that all infected chickens exhibited clinical signs and viral shedding. Notably, two H3N8 viruses, which were highly homologous to human strains, demonstrated significant differences in adaptability to chickens. The goose-derived H3N5 strain displayed high adaptab...

Summary Background An epidemic of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has been observed in France since September, 2023. We aimed to describe the characteristics of adults hospitalised for M pneumoniae infection and identify factors associated with severe outcomes of infection. Methods MYCADO is a retrospective observational study including adults hospitalised for 24 h or more in 76 hospitals in France for a M pneumoniae infection between Sept 1, 2023, and Feb 29, 2024. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected from medical records. We identified factors associated with severe outcomes of infection, defined as a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission or in-hospital death, using multivariable logistic regression. Findings 1309 patients with M pneumoniae infection were included : 718 (54·9%) were men and 591 (45·1%) were women; median age was 43 years (IQR 31–63); 288 (22·0%) had chronic respiratory failure; 423 (32·3%) had cardiovascular comorbidities; and 105 (8·0%) h...

Abstract Introduction Vaccination is a critical part of the response to an influenza pandemic . Future influenza pandemics will likely leverage existing production processes and manufacturing facilities for seasonal influenza to make pandemic vaccines. Therefore, pandemic influenza vaccine response is heavily dependent on seasonal influenza vaccine production capacity. Methods WHO monitors global vaccine production to inform pandemic preparedness by regularly surveying influenza vaccine manufacturers to estimate both seasonal and potential pandemic vaccine production capacity overall and by region, vaccine type, and manufacturing process. The last survey estimates were for 2019; here, we report updated estimates based on data from the 2023 survey and compare to estimates from previous surveys. Results Our analysis estimates that annual seasonal influenza vaccine production capacity has remained relatively stable since 2019 at 1.53 billion doses and pandemic vaccine capacity at 4.13 and...

Highlights •   A distinct HKU5 coronavirus lineage (HKU5-CoV-2) is discovered in bats •  Bat HKU5-CoV-2 uses human ACE2 receptor and ACE2 orthologs from multiple species •   Bat HKU5-CoV-2 RBD engages human ACE2 with a distinct binding mode from other CoVs •  Bat HKU5-CoV-2 was isolated and infect human-ACE2-expressing cells Summary Merbecoviruses comprise four viral species with remarkable genetic diversity: MERS -related coronavirus, Tylonycterisbat coronavirus HKU4, Pipistrellusbat coronavirus HKU5, and Hedgehog coronavirus 1. However, the potential human spillover risk of animal merbecoviruses remains to be investigated. Here, we reported the discovery of HKU5-CoV lineage 2 (HKU5-CoV-2) in bats that efficiently utilize human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a functional receptor and exhibits a broad host tropism . Cryo-EM analysis of HKU5-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and human ACE2 complex revealed an entirely distinct binding mode compared with o...

{Excerpt} [ Confirmed Cases:  State , Exposure Source: Dairy Herds, Poultry Farms and Culling Operations, Other Animal Exposure, Unknown, State Total ] -- National , 41, 23, 2, 3, 69 {+1} 1) California , 36, 0, 0, 2, 38 2) Colorado , 1, 9, 0, 0, 10 3) Iowa , 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 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 12) Wyoming , 0, 0, 1, 0, 1 {+1}  [ Probable Cases:  State , Exposure Source: Dairy Herds, Poultry Farms and Culling Operations, Other Animal Exposure, Unknown,  State Total ] -- National , 1, 6, 0, 1, 8 - Arizona , 0, 2, 0, 0, 2 -- California , 1, 0, 0, 0, 1 -- Delaware , 0, 0, 0, 1, 1 -- Ohio , 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 -- Washington , 0, 3, 0, 0, 3 NOTE : One additional case was previously detected in a poultry worker in Colorado in 2022. ...

A Great Cormorant in Leiria Region.  Backyard birds in Aveiro Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6230 ____

 A poultry farm in Vlaanderen Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6280 ____

Wild Dalmatian Pelicans in Florina Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6281?reportId=172377&fromPage=event-dashboard-url ____

 Ducks and commerical poultry of various age groups. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6278?reportId=172354&fromPage=event-dashboard-url ____

Backyard poultry in Niamey Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6259 ____

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 ____