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Co-Infections with #Orthomarburgviruses, #Paramyxoviruses, and #Orthonairoviruses in Egyptian Rousette #Bats, #Uganda and Sierra Leone

Abstract We report 1.3% (19/1,511) of Egyptian rousette bats (ERBs) in Uganda and Sierra Leone were co-infected with different combinations of Marburg, Sosuga, Kasokero, or Yogue viruses . To prevent infection by those viruses, we recommend avoiding ERB-populated areas, avoiding ERBs and ERB-contaminated objects, and thoroughly washing harvested fruits before consumption. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/5/24-1669_article ____

Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza A(#H5N1) #Outbreak in Endangered #Cranes, Izumi Plain, #Japan, 2022–23

Abstract During the 2022–23 winter season, >1,500 endangered cranes , including hooded crane (Grus monacha) and white-naped crane (Grus vipio), were found debilitated or dead in the Izumi Plain, Japan . Most of the cranes, particularly those collected in November, were infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses; virus shedding was higher from the trachea than from the cloaca . The isolation rate from the cranes’ roost water was not markedly higher than that of previous seasons, suggesting that the viruses might be more effectively transmitted among cranes via the respiratory route than through feces. Most wild bird–derived H5N1 isolates were phylogenetically distinct from viruses isolated on nearby chicken farms , indicating limited relationship between the wild bird and chicken isolates. Serologic analyses suggested that herd immunity had little effect on outbreak subsidence. This study deepens our understanding of the circumstances surrounding the unexpect...

The #WHO #Bacterial Priority #Pathogens #List 2024: a prioritisation study to guide research, development, and public health strategies against antimicrobial resistance

Summary Background The 2017 WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) has been instrumental in guiding global policy, research and development, and investments to address the most urgent threats from antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and it is a key public health tool for the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Since its release, at least 13 new antibiotics targeting bacterial priority pathogens have been approved. The 2024 WHO BPPL aims to refine and build on the previous list by incorporating new data and evidence, addressing previous limitations, and improving pathogen prioritisation to better guide global efforts in combating AMR. Methods The 2024 WHO BPPL followed a similar approach to the first prioritisation exercise, using a multicriteria decision analysis framework. 24 antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens were scored based on eight criteria, including mortality, non-fatal burden, incidence, 10-year resistance trends, preventability, transmissibility,...

The spatiotemporal #ecology of #Oropouche virus across Latin #America: a multidisciplinary, laboratory-based, modelling study

Summary Background Latin America has been experiencing an Oropouche virus (OROV) outbreak of unprecedented magnitude and spread since 2023–24 for unknown reasons. We aimed to identify risk predictors of and areas at risk for OROV transmission. Methods In this multidisciplinary, laboratory-based, modelling study, we retrospectively tested anonymised serum samples collected between 2001 and 2022 for studies on virus epidemiology and medical diagnostics in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru with nucleoprotein-based commercial ELISAs for OROV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies. Serum samples positive for IgG from different ecological regions and sampling years were tested against Guaroa virus and two OROV glycoprotein reassortants (Iquitos virus and Madre de Dios virus) via plaque reduction neutralisation testing (PRNT) to validate IgG ELISA specificity and support antigenic cartography. Three OROV strains were included in the neutralisation testing, a Cuban OROV isolate...

Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza in Northern #Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in the #Netherlands

Abstract We report highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus infection in 10 Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) found dead throughout January and February 2024 in the Netherlands . Five birds were infected with the H5N5 subtype , notable for markers of adaptation to mammals . Continuous infectious disease surveillance remains important in wild birds. Source: US National Library of Medicine,  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40223286/ ____

#Surveillance for #human #infections with avian #influenza A(#H5) viruses: objectives, case #definitions, #testing and reporting (#WHO)

Key points   • The overall objective of continual global surveillance for human infection with avian influenza A(H5) viruses is to detect and characterize any influenza A(H5) viruses infecting humans in order to:  - (1) promptly trigger public health control and response actions,  - (2) assess the trends of such infections and the public health risks posed (including the risk of a pandemic); and  - (3) inform global pandemic preparedness activities.  • Specific surveillance objectives include rapidly detecting human cases of influenza A(H5) virus infection, monitoring the incidence of new cases over time and geographical distribution, assessing and monitoring changes in transmission patterns to promptly detect any unusual events that may signal human-to-human transmission of the virus, characterizing and monitoring changes in any influenza A(H5) viruses infecting humans relative to those circulating in animals to inform control strategies, describing the clinica...

Penitent St. Mary Magdalene, Titian (1560 - c.1565)

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/titian/penitent-st-mary-magdalene ____

#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, April 12 '25)

  Br J Anaesth GILLIS C, Hasil L, Keane C, Brassard D, et al A multimodal prehabilitation class for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: a pragmatic randomised type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. Br J Anaesth. 2025 Apr 7:S0007-0912(25)00153-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2025. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis IOANNOU GN, Berry K, Rajeevan N, Li Y, et al Target Trial Emulation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Versus No Infection and Risk of Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 Conditions in the Omicron Variant Versus Prior Eras. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Apr 10:ciaf087. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis JOLLIVET O, Urchueguia-Fornes A, Chung-Delgado K, Johannesen CK, et al Respiratory Syncytial Virus hospitalisation burden in children below 18 years in six European countries (2016-2023) pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Infect Dis...

#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, April 12 '25)

  Arch Virol HUANG Z, Zhang R, Yao D, Fu H, et al Avian influenza A(H5N6) virus detected during live-poultry market surveillance linked to a human infection in Changsha, China, from 2020 to 2023. Arch Virol. 2025;170:96. PubMed           Abstract available Biochem Biophys Res Commun ZABRODSKAYA YA, Gavrilova NV, Elpaeva EA, Lozhkov AA, et al Corrigendum to "mRNA encoding antibodies against hemagglutinin and nucleoprotein prevents influenza virus infection in vitro" [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 738 (2024) 150945]. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025 Apr 9:151783. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.151783. PubMed          BMC Pediatr VIANA J, Santos JV, Pinto A, Santos A, et al Avoidable visits to the paediatric emergency department: associated factors and lessons learned from the pandemic. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:279. PubMed           Abstract available Drug Saf HAMZAOUI H, Shaum A,...

A Novel #Nobecovirus in an Epomophorus wahlbergi #Bat from #Nairobi, #Kenya

Abstract Most human emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic , originating in animal hosts prior to spillover to humans . Prioritizing the surveillance of wildlife that overlaps with humans and human activities can increase the likelihood of detecting viruses with a high potential for human infection. Here, we obtained fecal swabs from two fruit bat species —Eidolon helvum (n = 6) and Epomophorus wahlbergi (n = 43) (family Pteropodidae)— in peridomestic habitats in Nairobi, Kenya , and used metagenome sequencing to detect microorganisms. A near-complete genome of a novel virus assigned taxonomically to the Coronaviridae family Betacoronavirus genus and Nobecovirus subclade was characterized from E. wahlbergi. Phylogenetic analysis indicates this unique Nobecovirus clade shares a common ancestor with Eidolon/Rousettus Nobecovirus subclades isolated from Madagascar, Kenya, and Cameroon . Recombination was detected across open reading frames, except the spike protein, in all BOOTSCAN ana...

#Cardiovascular post-acute #sequelae of #SARS-CoV-2 in #children and #adolescents: cohort study using electronic health records

Abstract The risk of cardiovascular outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported in adults , but evidence in children and adolescents is limited . This paper assessed the risk of a multitude of cardiac signs, symptoms, and conditions 28-179 days after infection , with outcomes stratified by the presence of congenital heart defects (CHDs), using electronic health records (EHR) data from 19 children’s hospitals and health institutions from the United States within the RECOVER consortium between March 2020 and September 2023. The cohort included 297,920 SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals and 915,402 SARS-CoV-2-negative controls. Every individual had at least a six-month follow-up after cohort entry. Here we show that children and adolescents with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection are at a statistically significant increased risk of various cardiovascular outcomes, including hypertension, ventricular arrhythmias , myocarditis, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrest, thromboemboli...

Invasive #meningococcal #disease - Kingdom of #Saudi Arabia (WHO D.O.N.)

{Excerpts} Situation at a glance On 13 March 2025, the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) reported 11 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) to WHO. Additionally, between 11 February and 18 March 2025 , the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional IHR contact point received reports of six isolated cases of IMD , either through notification or bilateral communication with IHR NFPs. These cases involve individuals who had recently returned from Umrah . Meningococcal disease remains a global public health concern, particularly in the context of mass gathering events such as Hajj and Umrah . The government of Saudi Arabia regularly issues health requirements for Hajj and Umrah, including vaccination policies. As of 10 March 2025, KSA health authorities estimated that only 54% of international Umrah pilgrims had complied with the meningococcal vaccination requirements . The significant number of pilgrims traveling to KSA ...