ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract Henipaviruses, such as Hendra and Nipah viruses, are major zoonotic pathogens that cause encephalitis and respiratory infections in humans and animals . The recent emergence of Langya virus in China highlights the need to understand henipavirus host diversity and geographic spread to prevent future outbreaks. Our analysis of the National Center for Biotechnology Information Virus and VIRION databases revealed ≈1,117 henipavirus sequences and 142 complete genomes. Bats (64.7%) and shrews (11.7%) dominated the host species record, and the genera Pteropus and Crocidura contained key henipavirus hosts in Asia, Australia, and Africa . Henipaviruses found in the Eidolon bat genus exhibited the highest within-host genetic distance. Phylogenetic analysis revealed batborne and rodent- or shrew-derived henipaviruses diverged ≈11,000 years ago and the first known lineage originating in Eidolon genus bats ≈9,900 years ago. Pathogenic henipaviruses diverged from their ancestors 2,800–1,200...

Abstract Reports of human infections with an influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus associated with outbreaks in dairy cows in the United States underscore the need to assess the potential cross-protection conferred by existing influenza immunity . We serologically evaluated ferrets previously infected with an influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus for cross-reactive antibodies and then challenged 3 months later with either highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b or low pathogenicity H7N9 virus . Our results showed that prior influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection more effectively reduced the replication and transmission of the H5N1 virus than did the H7N9 virus, a finding supported by the presence of group 1 hemagglutinin stalk and N1 neuraminidase antibodies in preimmune ferrets. Our findings suggest that prior influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection may confer some level of protection against influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4.b virus. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  htt...

Abstract The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in dairy cattle herds across the United States in 2024 caused several human infections . Understanding the risk for spillover infections into humans is crucial for protecting public health. We investigated whether immunity from influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (pH1N1) virus would provide protection from death and severe clinical disease among ferrets intranasally infected with H5N1 virus from dairy cows from the 2024 outbreak. We observed differential tissue tropism among pH1N1-immune ferrets. pH1N1-immune ferrets also had little H5N1 viral dissemination to organs outside the respiratory tract and much less H5N1 virus in nasal secretions and the respiratory tract than naive ferrets. In addition, ferrets with pH1N1 immunity produced antibodies that cross-reacted with H5N1 neuraminidase protein. Taken together, our results suggest that humans with immunity to human seasonal influenza viruses may experience milder disease fro...

Abstract We detected neutralizing antibodies, viral RNA, and sialic acid receptors for Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae in urban coatis (Nasua nasua) in Brazil , suggesting exposure and susceptibility. We used hemagglutination inhibition, reverse transcription qualitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry for detection. Increased epidemiologic wildlife surveillance would improve influenza A emergency event response. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/3/23-1640_article ____

Abstract In April 2024, Vietnam confirmed its first human case of influenza A(H9N2) in a 37-year-old man , marking a critical point in regional infectious disease monitoring and response. This case underscores the importance of robust surveillance systems and One Health collaboration in managing emerging zoonotic threats. Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-1146_article ____

{Excerpt} Situation at a glance As of 20 February 2025, a total of nine confirmed cases of Sudan virus disease, including one death have been reported from Uganda , since the outbreak was declared on 30 January 2025. Eight cases received care at treatment centres in the capital Kampala and in Mbale and were discharged on 18 February after two negative tests 72 hours apart.  As of 20 February 2025, 58 contacts that have been identified are still under follow up in designated quarantine facilities located in Jinja, Kampala,and Mbale .  Sudan virus disease belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease . It is caused by Sudan virus (SUDV). It is a severe disease with high case fatality ranging from 41% to 70% in past outbreaks. In the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of SVD, the risk of potential serious public health impact is high. Early detection, diagnosis, and optimized supportive care may increase the chance of survival. Desc...

Abstract The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b has been spreading globally since 2022, causing mortality and morbidity in domestic and wild birds and mammals , including infection in humans , raising concerns about its pandemic potential . We aimed to generate a panel of anti-hemagglutinin (HA) human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the H5 protein of clade 2.3.4.4b. H2L2 Harbour Mice, which express human immunoglobulin germline genes, were immunized with H5 and N1 recombinant proteins from A/mallard/New York/22-008760-007-original/2022 H5N1 virus, enabling the generation of human chimeric antibodies . Through hybridoma technology, sixteen full human mAbs were generated, most of which showed cross-reactivity against H5 proteins from different virus variants . The functionality of the sixteen mAbs was assessed in vitro using hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization assays with viruses containing a clade 2.3.4.4b HA. Fourteen out of the sixteen mAb...

{Excerpt} [ Confirmed cases : State , Dairy  Herds, Poultry Farms and Culling Operations, Other Animal Exposure, Exposure Source Unknown, State Total ] -- National , 41, 24, 2, 3, 70 {+1} 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) Ohio , 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 {+1} 9) Oregon , 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 10) Texas , 1, 0, 0, 0, 1 11) Washington , 0, 11, 0, 0, 11 12) Wisconsin , 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 13) Wyoming , 0, 0, 1, 0, 1 [ Probable Cases :   States , Dairy   Herds, Poultry   Farms   and   Culling   Operations, Other   Animal   Exposure, Exposure   Source   Unknown, State   Total ] -- National , 1, 5, 0, 1, 7 {-1} 1) Arizona , 0, 2, 0, 0, 2 2) California , 1, 0, 0, 0, 1 3) Delaware , 0, 0, 0, 1, 1 4) Washington , 0, 3, 0, 0, 3 NOTE : One additional case was previously detected in a poultry worker in ...

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) today is reporting the state’s first flu-associated pediatric death of the 2024-25 flu season, a teenager under the age of 18 from Allen County. “Sadly, this tragic death reminds us that influenza , though common, is a serious health threat,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA.  “We urge parents to protect their kids. It’s not too late for parents and kids to get a flu vaccine . It may very well prevent you or your loved ones from getting seriously ill. And, especially during flu season, it’s important to maintain good hand hygiene and to stay home if you are sick.” Flu activity usually peaks between December and February . In Ohio, flu activity has been increasing since early December and has increased more rapidly since the beginning of the year. Current activity is very high . Since the start of the season , more than 9,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported in Ohio, which is well above the fiv...

Abstract Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the equine influenza virus (EIV), posing a significant threat to equine populations worldwide . EIV exhibits considerable antigenic variability due to its segmented genome, complicating long-term disease control efforts. Although infections are rarely fatal , EIV’s high transmissibility results in widespread outbreaks, leading to substantial morbidity and considerable economic impacts on veterinary care, quarantine, and equestrian activities. The H3N8 subtype has undergone significant antigenic evolution , resulting in the emergence of distinct lineages , including Eurasian and American , with the Florida sublineage being particularly prevalent. Continuous genetic surveillance and regular updates to vaccine formulations are necessary to address antigenic drift and maintain vaccination efficacy. Additionally, rare cross-species transmissions have raised concerns regarding the zoonotic potential of EIV. T...

{Excerpt} (...) Time Period: February 09 - February 15, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  12 sites ( 3.3% ) -- No Detection :  348 sites ( 96.7% ) -- No samples in last week :  94 sites Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html _____

{Northern Ireland} About 63,000 68 and 78-week-old layers across four houses. Increased mortality, feed drop and egg abnormalities. The samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6288 ____

Summary Background Arboviruses have expanded into new regions in Europe , yet data indicate gaps in disease notifications and a risk of further spread. We aimed to report on prevalence, clinical management, and outcomes of endemic arbovirus infections in southeast Europe. Methods In this prospective observational study (MERMAIDS-ARBO), we enrolled adults (age ≥18 years) hospitalised with an arbovirus-compatible disease syndrome within 21 days of symptom onset across 21 hospitals in seven countries in southeast Europe over four arbovirus seasons (May 1–Oct 31, during 2016–19). We obtained data from case report forms completed by site investigators on admission and discharge. Participants were excluded if they had non-infectious CNS disorders, symptoms of another confirmed cause, an identified focal source of infection, or symptoms caused by recurrence of a pre-existing condition. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with confirmed or probable acute infections with West...

Note 20/02/2025 : this immediate notification is linked to the avian influenza cases detected in cats and reported in event 6276. HPAI - H5N1 virus was detected in poultry droppings, poultry waste swab, meat cutting table swab, and knife swab collected from the live bird market {in Madhya Pradesh}. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6277 ____

A wild Barnacle Goose . The animal was found weakened on Middelkerke beach . It showed severe neurological symptoms . It was culled on suspicion of avian influenza. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6284 ____

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...