ETIDIOH - NEW

{Excerpts} Recent updates Laboratory CDC completed serology testing on blood specimens from close contacts of a child with mild illness in San Francisco who was confirmed to be positive for avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, though, there were no known animal exposures associated with that case.  -- Serology testing was conducted to look for antibodies to influenza A(H5N1) virus in this child, which would indicate recent infection.  -- The child's blood was tested and found to have antibodies to avian influenza A(H5N1) virus.  -- None of the close contacts of the case in San Francisco who were tested had antibodies to avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, which supports the conclusion that none of these close contacts were infected , and that no person-to-person spread occurred among these close contacts.  -- These findings are reassuring. To date, human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) virus has not been identified in the United States. CDC has sequenced the virus from...

Summary Background More than 115 000 cases of mpox have been confirmed since the onset of a global outbreak in 2022. In addition to global transmission of clade II monkeypox virus (MPXV), the recent spread of clade I has caused a Public Health Emergency of International Concern . The third-generation smallpox vaccine modified vaccinia Ankara–Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) was recommended for at-risk populations in 2022, despite a scarcity of data on safety and effectiveness against mpox. Methods We did a prospective, multicentre, observational study, enrolling men who have sex with men and transgender people aged 18 years or older with changing sexual partners in Germany (Safety and Effectiveness of MVA-BN Vaccination Against MPXV Infection [SEMVAc]) between July 7, 2022, and Dec 31, 2023, evaluating safety and reactogenicity of one and two doses of subcutaneous MVA-BN. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated using risk ratios from the Kaplan–Meier estimator in an emulated retrospective target t...

Summary Background The United States Department of Agriculture has recently released reports that show samples collected from 2022 to 2025 of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) have been detected in mammals and birds . Up to February 2025, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there have been 67 humans infected with H5N1 since 2024 with 1 death. The broader potential impact on human health remains unclear. Methods In this study, we computationally model 1804 protein complexes consisting of various H5 isolates from 1959 to 2024 against 11 haemagglutinin domain 1 (HA1)- neutralising antibodies . This was performed using AI-based protein folding and physics-based simulations of the antibody-antigen interactions. We analysed binding affinity changes over time and across various antibodies using multiple biochemical and biophysical binding metrics. Findings This study shows a trend of weakening binding affinity of existing antibodies against H5 isol...

Abstract High pathogenicity (HP) avian influenza viruses (AIV) generally evolve from low pathogenicity (LP) precursors after transmission from wild birds to chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), causing severe economic losses worldwide. Turkeys are more susceptible to AIV infection than chickens and are considered potential bridging hosts that facilitate the emergence of HPAIV . Beyond the polybasic cleavage site (pCS) in hemagglutinin (HA), little is known about other virulence determinants of HPAIV in these species. In 2015, HPAIV H7N7 and its LP ancestor were isolated from the same chicken farm, which differed by 16 nonsynonymous mutations across all eight gene segments, in addition to the pCS. Here we identify the genetic determinants, including the pCS, that contributed to the HPAIV H7N7 virulence, transmission, replication, and tissue distribution in chickens and turkeys. Notably, the non-structural (NS1) or matrix (M) proteins ’ encoding segments...

Abstract Testing approved antivirals against A(H5N1) influenza viruses circulating in peridomestic species, including dairy cows , is critical to public health and pre-pandemic planning . It cannot be tested in humans due to A(H5N1) disease severity. Here, in mice, we demonstrate that US FDA-approved baloxavir treatment mediates improved disease outcomes ( survival and viral dissemination ) over oseltamivir after lethal intranasal and ocular challenge with A(H5N1)-contaminated cow milk. Source: Nature Microbiology,  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-025-01961-5 ____

A poultry farm in Telangana Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6323 ____

Abstract H5N1 influenza has been circulating in birds from Eurasia and Africa for more than 146 years , but human infection has been sporadic. H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) has recently infected hundreds of species of wild and domestic birds and mammals in North America . Furthermore, as of February 26, 2025, H5N1 has infected 70 humans in the United States , and one infection proved lethal . Furthermore, in attempts to control H5N1 in the United States, 10s of millions of egg-laying chickens have died or been culled . These efforts have led to very high egg prices in the United States. We have developed an analytical bioinformatics and genomics workflow to understand better how H5N1 is circulating in North America and adapting to new host species . Our workflow consists of: 1) Phylogenetic analyses of large viral sequence datasets to identify subclades of viral lineages causing the current outbreaks in humans and farm animals and closely related viral background lineages. 2) Next, we transfer...

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) is hereby transmitting the report of the third meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee (Committee) regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024, held on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00 CET . Concurring with the advice unanimously expressed by the Committee during the meeting, the WHO Director-General determined that the upsurge of mpox 2024 continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and, accordingly, on 27 February 2025, issued temporary recommendations to States Parties. The WHO Director-General expresses his most sincere gratitude to the Chair, Members, and Advisors of the Committee. Proceedings of the meeting Sixteen (16) Members of, and two Advisors to, the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee (Committee) were convened by teleconference, via Zoom, on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00 CET...

 A poultry farm in Centre Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6338 ____

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7N9 of North American wild bird lineage was detected in a commercial broiler breeder chicken flock in Mississippi . Depopulation of the affected flock is in progress. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Animal Health and Wildlife Officials, are conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and enhanced surveillance in response to the detection. A commercial broiler breeder premises {in Mississippi}. Clinical signs included increased mortality. Depopulation was completed 13 Mar 2025. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6340 ____

Abstract The current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the H5N1 subtype clade 2.3.4.4b in dairy cattle in the United States has affected nearly 900 dairy farms and resulted in at least 39 human infections, putting health authorities and the scientific community on high alert. Here we characterize the virus growth properties and host-pathogen interactions of an isolate obtained from a sick dairy cow in Texas in vitro and in vivo and compare it to an older HPAI isolate. Despite so far being associated with mild disease in human patients, the cattle H5N1 virus showed superior growth capability and rapid replication kinetics in a panel of human lung cell lines in vitro . In vivo, cattle H5N1 exhibited more intense pathogenicity in mice , with rapid lung pathology and high virus titers in the brain , accompanied by high mortality after challenge via different inoculation routes. Additionally, the cattle H5N1 demonstrated efficient antagonism of overexpressed RI...

  Am J Obstet Gynecol TAN YY, Loy EXH, Tan WZ, Tay AT, et al Long COVID-19 in pregnancy: increased risk but modest incidence following mild Omicron infection in a boosted obstetric cohort during endemicity. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2025 Mar 10:S0002-9378(25)00147. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ IACOBUCCI G Covid-19: Gove tried to "circumvent" regulations to buy Dyson ventilators, inquiry hears. BMJ. 2025;388:r502. PubMed          Clin Infect Dis BARTOLETTI M, Mozaffari E, Amin AN, Doi Y, et al A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of remdesivir to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients: have the guidelines evolved with the evidence? Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Mar 11:ciaf111. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available COX SN, Roychoudhury P, Frivold C, Acker Z, et al Household Transmission and Genomic Diversity of Respiratory Syn...

  Biochemistry (Mosc) FILIPPOVA TA, Masamrekh RA, Farafonova TE, Khudoklinova YY, et al Determination of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (M(pro)) Activity Based on Electrooxidation of Tyrosine Residue of a Model Peptide. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2025;90:120-131. PubMed           Abstract available BMC Pediatr JAYARATNE K, Illangasinghe P, Wanniarachchi S, Hettiarachchi D, et al Epidemic profile of COVID-19 child deaths in Sri Lanka: a retrospective nationwide analysis. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:174. PubMed           Abstract available Cell XING L, Liu Z, Wang X, Liu Q, et al Early fusion intermediate of ACE2-using coronavirus spike acting as an antiviral target. Cell. 2025;188:1297-1314. PubMed           Abstract available J Epidemiol Community Health COSTE M, Prah JJ Applying the health capability profile: an analytical study of leading causes of death in the USA and of pressing...

Highlights •  H13 HAs exhibit binding specificity for fucosylate α2-3 sialosides. •  The 130-loop and K227 are critical for H13 HA binding specificity. •  Fucosylated α2-3 sialosides are widely distributed in slaty-backed gulls. Abstract Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) recognize α2-3 sialosides as receptors . Previous studies showed that the structural diversity within α2-3 sialosides is related to the host specificity of AIVs. H13 AIVs are primarily isolated from gulls , although almost all AIV subtypes have been isolated from ducks , the natural hosts of AIVs. To elucidate the molecular basis of the host specificity of H13 viruses to gulls, the receptor-binding specificity of H13 hemagglutinins (HAs) and the distribution of viral receptors in gulls were investigated. The results revealed that recombinant HA (rHA) of H13 viruses had a binding preference for fucosylated α2-3 sialosides, which were distributed widely in the respiratory tract and intestines of gulls but not ...

Abstract An exhausted antiviral immune response is observed in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and post-SARS-CoV-2 syndrome , also termed long COVID . In this study, potential mechanisms behind this exhaustion were investigated. First, the viral load of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), human adenovirus (HAdV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was determined in sputum samples (n = 29) derived from ME/CFS patients (n = 13), healthy controls (n = 10), elderly healthy controls (n = 4), and immunosuppressed controls (n = 2). Secondly, autoantibodies (autoAbs) to type I interferon (IFN-I) in sputum were analyzed to possibly explain impaired viral immunity. We found that ME/CFS patients released EBV at a significantly higher level compared to controls (p = 0.0256). HHV6 was present in ~50% of all participants at the same level. HAdV was detected in two cases with immunosuppression an...

  Time Period: March 02 - March 08, 2025 - H5 Detection :  29 sites ( 6.2% ) - No Detection :  438 sites ( 93.8% ) - No samples in last week :  152 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html ____

{Summary} Pandemic influenza remains a significant global health threat, as signalled by the circulation and cross-species transmission of avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses from the clade 2.3.4.4b, including among dairy cattle in the USA since 2024. Although most of the reported human infections from the USA so far1,2 have been mild, the virus can change its profile rapidly. To reduce mortality and morbidity from influenza in humans, vaccines remain the most important intervention. (...) Source: Lancet Respiratory Medicine,  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(25)00052-9/fulltext?rss=yes ____

Abstract Background The direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on life expectancy (LE) and years of life lost with and without disability remain unclear. Accounting for pre-pandemic trends in morbidity and mortality, we assessed these impacts in 18 European countries, for the years 2020–2022. Methods and Findings We used multi-state Markov modeling based on several data sources to track transitions of the population aged 35 or older between eight health states from disease-free, combinations of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, dementia, and disability, through to death . We quantified separately numbers and rates of deaths attributable to COVID-19 from those related to mortality from other causes during 2020–2022, and estimated the proportion of loss of life expectancy and years of life with and without disability that could have been avoided if the pandemic had not occurred. Estimates were disaggregated by COVID-19 versus non-COVID causes of deaths, calendar...

Captive birds: 39 chickens, 23 ducks, 17 pheasants, 4 swans, 3 guinea fowls, 3 geese, 2 pigeons, 1 jay, 1 falcon in Kharkiv Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6329 ____

Summary -- What is already known about this topic? -  Persons with occupational exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus–infected dairy cattle are at increased risk for infection. -- What is added by this report? -  During September 30–December 24, 2024, a total of 38 persons received a positive test result for HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in California ; 37 were dairy farm workers with occupational exposure to sick cows. One, a person aged <18 years with an undetermined exposure , was the first pediatric patient detected with influenza A(H5) infection in the United States. -- What are the implications for public health practice? -  Public health agencies should investigate influenza-like illness or conjunctivitis in workers with occupational exposure to animals infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus. Thorough investigations of all human HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections are necessary to identify potential exposure sources, including monitoring the virus for co...