ETIDIOH - NEW

{Excerpt} Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) viruses started circulating in lactating dairy cattle in the USA at the end of 2023 (ref. 1) and these viruses are now rapidly spreading between cows2. Eisfeld et al.3 found that a clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus from this cattle outbreak can bind to α2,6-linked sialyl-glycopolymers on microtitre plates . Here we show that the haemagglutinin from a clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus binds poorly to glycans that terminate with α2-6 sialic acids. This is an important finding, as α2,6 sialic acid is abundant in the upper respiratory tract of humans , and acquisition of α2,6 sialic acid receptor specificity is believed to be required for efficient transmission of influenza virus in humans and is considered a risk factor for the emergence of a new pandemic virus4. (...) Source: Nature,  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08821-6 ____

Abstract In 2023, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred among critically endangered California condors (Gymnogyps californianus), and >21 died. We evaluated safety, immunogenicity, vaccination strategies, and correlates of antibody response of an influenza vaccine for poultry in black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and then California condors. We noted differences in antibody titers between vaccinated and unvaccinated birds (vultures p<0.004; condors p­<0.02) but no adverse effects of vaccination. All vaccinated vultures and 80% of vaccinated condors showed maximum measured antibody response within the published range associated with survival of vaccinated and virally challenged chickens. We noted weak evidence of higher antibody responses for birds given two 0.5-mL vaccines versus those given one 1-mL vaccine but no correlation between antibody titers and sex for either species or between antibody titers and bone lead concentrations in vultures. Our results p...

Significance We explored how H5Nx influenza viruses , which can infect many different birds and mammals, could adapt to infect humans by altering the hemagglutinin (HA). HA must change to bind human-type receptors for transmission between people. We compared two strains from viruses isolated in 2016 and found that one ( 2.3.4.4e ) can switch to human receptor binding with a single mutation , while another ( 2.3.4.4b ) might require more complex changes to bind simple human-type receptors. These findings highlight the potential for specific strains to evolve and become a pandemic threat, underscoring the importance of monitoring mutations that could lead to human-type receptor adaptation. Abstract H5Nx viruses continue to wreak havoc in avian and mammalian species worldwide . The virus distinguishes itself by the ability to replicate to high titers and transmit efficiently in a wide variety of hosts in diverse climatic environments. Fortunately, transmission to and between humans is sca...

Abstract SARS-like betacoronaviruses (sarbecoviruses) endemic in bats pose a significant zoonotic threat to humans . Genetic pathways associated with spillover of bat sarbecoviruses into humans are incompletely understood. We previously showed that the WT spike of the rhinolophid bat coronavirus SHC014 -CoV has poor entry activity and uncovered two distinct genetic pathways outside the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that increased spike opening, ACE2 binding , and cell entry. Herein, we show that the widely studied bat sarbecovirus WIV1-CoV is likely a cell culture-adapted variant of Rs3367-CoV, which was sequenced from the same population of rhinolophid bats as SHC014-CoV. We demonstrate that the acquisition of a single amino-acid substitution in the ‘630-loop’ of the S1 subunit was the key spike adaptation event during the successful isolation of WIV1-CoV, and that it enhances spike opening, virus-receptor recognition, and cell entry in much the same manner as the substitutions we pre...

 The barnacle goose was found sick (laying down and not moving) on the beach and later died. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6426 ____

{Excerpt} Avian influenza A(H9N2) :  -- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region :  - A five-year-old boy with onset on March 3, 2025.  -- Guizhou Province :  - A 35-year-old woman with onset on March 10, 2025.  -- Henan Province - A seven-year-old girl with onset on February 11, 2025.  (...) Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR,  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk15.pdf ____

{Summary} The natural host for avian influenza virus (AIV) is waterfowl . However, certain subtypes have breached species barriers , causing epizootics in many avian and mammalian species with occasional zoonotic infections in humans . The ongoing spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A( H5N1 ) poses a significant and growing public health threat . Here, we discuss recent advances in viral detection and characterization technologies and their integration into the diagnostics and surveillance of AIV within a “One Health” framework. Source: Nature Communications,  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58882-4 ____

{Excerpt} Highlights •  A new strain of Lassa virus (LASV) was successfully isolated and characterized. •  The combination of ribavirin and LHF-535 has been demonstrated to exhibit synergistic effects in inhibiting LASV. •  The findings provide new directions for the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines for Lassa fever. Dear Editor, Lassa virus (LASV) is the causative agent of the acute viral hemorrhagic Lassa fever (LF), which is classified into Mammarenavirus within the Arenaviridae family , with a single-stranded, negative-sense, bi-segmented RNA genome. Due to its high pathogenicity and lethality , LASV is considered as a priority threat to public health , with an estimated cases of 300,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually . LASV was first isolated and described as a clinical entity in 1969 in Lassa, Nigeria (Garry, 2023). LASV isolates of different geographic and host origins are highly diverse in genomic sequences and phylogenetically classified into up t...

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 ____

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...

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,...

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...

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/ ____

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...

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

  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...

  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,...