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Couple with Parrot, Pieter de Hooch (1668)

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/pieter-de-hooch/couple-with-parrot-1668 ____

#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, March 30 '25)

  Ann Intern Med GRANWEHR BP CBT and rehabilitation improved long COVID symptoms. Ann Intern Med. 2025;178:JC28. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ WISE J Covid-19: Inquiry hears of doctors' lack of confidence in PPE as ministers defend VIP lane. BMJ. 2025;388:r584. PubMed          Clin Infect Dis ALLAN-BLITZ LT, Klausner JD Shifting the Focus in Acute SARS-CoV-2 Management to Include Prevention of Long-COVID. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Mar 26:ciaf158. doi: 10.1093. PubMed          Emerg Infect Dis SANDER B, Mishra S, Swayze S, Sahakyan Y, et al Population-Based Matched Cohort Study of COVID-19 Healthcare Costs, Ontario, Canada. Emerg Infect Dis. 2025;31:710-719. PubMed           Abstract available Intensive Care Med BIHLMAIER K, Willam C, Herbst L, Hackstein H, et al Rapid clinical effects of convalescent plasma therapy in severe COV...

#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, March 30 '25)

  Ann Intern Med GRANWEHR BP CBT and rehabilitation improved long COVID symptoms. Ann Intern Med. 2025;178:JC28. PubMed           Abstract available IOANNOU GN, Berry K, Rajeevan N, Li Y, et al Effectiveness of the 2023-to-2024 XBB.1.5 COVID-19 Vaccines Over Long-Term Follow-up : A Target Trial Emulation. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Feb 4. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-01015. PubMed           Abstract available Antiviral Res KUO YS, Chiang PC, Kuo CY, Huang CG, et al Inhibition of influenza A virus proliferation in mice via universal RNA interference. Antiviral Res. 2025 Mar 25:106149. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106149. PubMed           Abstract available Arch Virol YE QY, Jiang ZT, Jiang Y, Cai JW, et al Effectiveness of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine against symptom severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients infected with the Omicron variant. Arch Virol. 2025;170:88. PubMed ...

Modeling the #impact of early #vaccination in an #influenza #pandemic in the #USA

Abstract We modeled the impact of initiating one-dose influenza vaccination at 3 months vs 6 months after declaration of a pandemic over a 1-year timeframe in the US population. Three vaccine effectiveness (VE) and two pandemic severity levels were considered, using an epidemic curve based on typical seasonal influenza epidemics. Vaccination from 3 months with a high, moderate, or low effectiveness vaccine would prevent ~95%, 84%, or 38% deaths post-vaccination, respectively, compared with 21%, 18%, and 8%, respectively following vaccination at 6 months, irrespective of pandemic severity. While the pandemic curve would not be flattened from vaccination from 6 months , a moderate/high effectiveness vaccine could flatten the curve if administered from 3 months. Overall, speed of initiating a vaccination campaign is more important than VE in reducing the health impacts of an influenza pandemic. Preparedness strategies may be able to minimize future pandemic impacts by prioritizing rapid v...

#Molecular #epidemiology of #Kyasanur Forest Disease employing ONT-NGS a field forward #sequencing

Highlights •  The present analysis addresses the paucity of genetic information available for the recently emerged KFDV strains. •  As the virus is classified as a highly dangerous pathogen, it is essential to expand the existing genetic information. •  Continuous surveillance of the virus is essential for the development of a vaccine. •  The present study presents new findings on the KFD virus strains that were introduced into circulation in the period 2018-2020. •  The nanopore sequencing technology is presented as a proof of concept for the provision of early warnings in the field. Abstract The future of infectious agent detection and molecular characterization lies in field-forward, on-site strategies . The lack of genomic information for recently circulating Kyasanur Forest Disease virus strains is critical. Kyasanur Forest Virus Disease virus PCR-positive samples from 2018 to 2020 were selected for sequencing. Detailed molecular phylogenetic analyses were ...

Heterogeneity across #mammalian- and #avian-origin A(#H1N1) #influenza viruses influences viral infectivity following incubation with host #bacteria from the human respiratory tract

Abstract Influenza A viruses (IAV) are primarily transmitted between mammals by the respiratory route , and encounter bacteria in the respiratory tract before infecting susceptible epithelial cells. Previous studies have shown that mammalian-origin IAV can bind to the surface of different bacterial species and purified bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), but despite the broad host range of IAV, few studies have included avian-origin IAV in these assessments. Since IAV that circulate in humans and birds are well-adapted to replication in the human respiratory and avian gastrointestinal tracts , respectively, we investigated the ability of multiple human and avian A(H1N1) IAV to associate with bacteria and their surface components isolated from both host niches. Binding interactions were assessed with microbial glycan microarrays, revealing that seasonal and avian IAV strains exhibited binding diversity to multiple bacterial glycans at the level of the virus and the bacterium, independe...

#Cholera - #Angola {WHO D.O.N. March 28 '25}

{Summary} Situation at a glance Since January 2025, Angola has been experiencing a substantial cholera outbreak . As of 23 March 2025, a total of 8543 cases and 329 deaths (Case Fatality Rate (CFR) 3.9% ) have been reported, with one-third of the deaths occurring in the community. The outbreak has rapidly spread to 16 out of Angola’s 21 provinces , affecting individuals of all age groups , with the highest burden among those under 20 years old . The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, is managing the cholera outbreak response through case detection, deployment of rapid response teams, community engagement and a vaccination campaign. Given the rapidly evolving outbreak, ongoing rainy season, and cross-border movement with neighbouring countries, WHO assesses the risk of further transmission in Angola and surrounding areas as very high. (...) Source: World Health Organization,  https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON562 ____

Avian #Influenza Virus #Surveillance Across #NZ and Its Subantarctic #Islands Detects #H1N9 in Migratory #Shorebirds, but Not 2.3.4.4b HPAI #H5N1

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 has never been detected in New Zealand . The potential impact of this virus on New Zealand's wild birds would be catastrophic. To expand our knowledge of avian influenza viruses across New Zealand, we sampled wild aquatic birds from New Zealand, its outer islands and its subantarctic territories. Metatranscriptomic analysis of 700 individuals spanning 33 species revealed no detection of H5N1 during the annual 2023-2024 migration. A single detection of H1N9 in red knots (Calidris canutus) was noted. This study provides a baseline for expanding avian influenza virus monitoring in New Zealand. Source: US National Library of Medicine,  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40148670/ ____

#Genetic and #antigenic characteristics of #zoonotic #influenza A viruses and development of candidate #vaccine viruses for #pandemic preparedness {WHO, March 28 '25}

February 2025  The development of influenza candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs),  coordinated by WHO, remains an essential component of the overall global  strategy for influenza pandemic preparedness . Selection and development of  CVVs are the first steps towards timely vaccine production and do not imply a  recommendation for initiating manufacture. National authorities may consider the  use of 1 or more of these CVVs for pilot lot vaccine production, clinical trials and  other pandemic preparedness purposes based on their assessment of public health  risk and need. Zoonotic influenza viruses continue to be identified  and evolve both antigenically and genetically, leading to the need for additional  CVVs for pandemic preparedness purposes. Changes in the antigenic and genetic  characteristics of these viruses relative to existing CVVs and their potential risks  to public health justify the need to develop new CVVs. This docume...

#USA, Monitoring for Avian #Influenza A(#H5) Virus In #Wastewater {US CDC, March 28 '25}

{Excerpt} Time Period: March 16 - March 22, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  5 sites ( 1.2% ) -- No Detection :  401 sites ( 98.8% ) -- No samples in last week :  211 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html ____

Early-warning #signals and the role of #H9N2 in the #spillover of avian #influenza viruses

Context and significance Wang et al. provided valuable insights into the epidemiological patterns of avian influenza virus (AIV) spillover and the role of H9N2 in the process. Their analysis highlighted the significant contribution of the internal genes (INGEs) from 12 key strains of H9N2 in facilitating human adaptability by reducing the species barrier between poultry and humans , essentially acting as internal genetic donors for AIV spillover . Due to its low pathogenicity, H9N2 has been neglected in poultry vaccination programs , leading to a lack of vaccines specifically targeting the INGEs of these 12 key strains. Their findings suggest that reducing the prevalence of H9N2 is fundamental to mitigating AIV spillover risks. Highlights •  H9N2 exerts a promoting effect on the spillover of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) •  Expansion of AIV spatial and host ranges reveals an emerging risk of its spillover •  Prevalence of AIVs in human -contacted hosts reveals a re-emerg...

#Measles - #USA (WHO D.O.N., March 27 '25)

Situation at a glance On 11 March 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) received a report from the International Health Regulation (2005) (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) of the United States of America (United States) on the ongoing measles outbreak in the country , notified under IHR because it is an unusual event with potential significant public health impact , with the number of cases and deaths in 2025 exceeding the numbers in previous years. Additionally, cases linked to the outbreak in the State of Texas, United States, have been reported in Mexico . Measles is a highly contagious, airborne viral disease that can lead to severe complications and death. From 1 January to 20 March 2025, 17 States have reported a total of 378 cases of measles , including two deaths - the first deaths related to measles in the United States in a decade. The majority of cases are in children who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status, and the overall hospitalization rate is 17%. In ...

Highly pathogenic avian #influenza #H5N1: #history, current #situation, and #outlook

ABSTRACT The H5N1 avian panzootic has resulted in cross-species transmission to birds and mammals, causing outbreaks in wildlife, poultry, and US dairy cattle with a range of host-dependent pathogenic outcomes . Although no human-to-human transmission has been observed, the rising number of zoonotic human cases creates opportunities for adaptive mutation or reassortment . This Gem explores the history, evolution, virology, and epidemiology of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 relative to its pandemic potential. Pandemic risk reduction measures are urgently required. Source: Journal of Virology,  https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/jvi.02209-24?af=R ____

Establishing #Methods to #Monitor #Influenza A #H5N1 Virus in Dairy #Cattle #Milk, #Massachusetts, #USA

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus has caused a multistate outbreak among US dairy cattle , spreading across 16 states and infecting hundreds of herds since its onset. We rapidly developed and optimized PCR-based detection assays and sequencing protocols to support H5N1 molecular surveillance . Using 214 retail milk samples from 20 states for methods development, we found that H5N1 virus concentrations by digital PCR strongly correlated with quantitative PCR cycle threshold values ; digital PCR exhibited greater sensitivity. Metagenomic sequencing after hybrid selection was best for higher concentration samples, whereas amplicon sequencing performed best for lower concentrations. By establishing these methods, we were able to support the creation of a statewide surveillance program to perform monthly testing of bulk milk samples from all dairy cattle farms in Massachusetts , USA, which remain negative to date. The methods, workflow, and recommendations described p...

A #coronavirus assembly #inhibitor that targets the viral #membrane protein

Abstract The coronavirus membrane protein (M) is the main organizer of coronavirus assembly. Here, we report on an M-targeting molecule , CIM-834, that blocks the assembly of SARS-CoV-2. CIM-834 was obtained through high-throughput phenotypic antiviral screening followed by medicinal-chemistry efforts and target elucidation. CIM-834 inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 (including a broad panel of variants) and SARS-CoV. In SCID mice and Syrian hamsters intranasally infected with SARS-CoV-2, oral treatment reduced lung viral titres to nearly undetectable levels, even (as shown in mice) when treatment was delayed until 24 h before the end point. Treatment of infected hamsters prevented transmission to untreated sentinels. Transmission electron microscopy studies show that virion assembly is completely absent in cells treated with CIM-834. Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy reveals that CIM-834 binds and stabilizes the M protein in its short form, thereby preventing the conformati...

Detection of #antibodies against #influenza A viruses in #cattle

ABSTRACT Unexpected outbreaks caused by the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in dairy cows in the United States (US) have raised significant veterinary and public health concerns . When and how the H5N1 HPAIV was introduced into dairy cows and the broader epidemiology of influenza A virus (IAV) infections in cattle in the US remain unclear. Herein, we performed a retrospective study to screen more than 1,700 cattle serum samples collected from different bovine breeds in the US from January 2023 to May 2024 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) targeting the nucleoprotein (NP) to detect IAV infections, and the positive samples were further tested by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay . Results showed that 586 of 1,724 samples (33.99%) from 15 US states were seropositive by the NP ELISA assay , including 78 samples collected in 2024 and 508 samples collected in 2023 . Moreover, the HI assay revealed that 45 of these ELISA-positive samples were positiv...

#Transmission of #bovine #H5N1 virus in a #hamster #model

LETTER Transmission among mammals of bovine highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses , which have caused outbreaks in US dairy cattle (1–3), has been demonstrated in ferrets by our group (4, 5) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (6). These studies showed that these viruses can be transmitted among ferrets via respiratory droplets , albeit with lower efficiency than seasonal human influenza viruses. In contrast, bovine HPAI H5N1 viruses spread easily among ferrets through direct contact (3 of 3 [100%] ferrets) (6). Although ferrets are frequently used for influenza virus transmission (7–9) and vaccine efficacy (10, 11) studies, they demand considerable housing space and personnel and can be difficult to handle. Here, we investigated the transmissibility of the bovine HPAI H5N1 virus A/Texas/37/2024 (TX/37), which was 100% lethal in ferrets inoculated with as little as 10 plaque-forming units (PFUs) (5) by using a hamster model .  (...) Bovine HP...