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Highlights •  Large study on the contribution of HCoV to childhood deaths •  Supports vigilance or further investigations into HCoV pathogenesis •  Potential information for the role Covid-19 will play during severe childhood disease •  Highlights the importance of polymicrobial infection during severe disease episodes Abstract Background Endemic human coronaviruses (HCoV-229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43) are common causes of mild or asymptomatic respiratory infections in children but are considered rare causes of death. Methods We evaluated paediatric deaths from January 2017 through December 2022 . A panel of experts determined the cause of death (CoD) by reviewing available data, including pathological and molecular findings from minimally invasive tissue sampling (lung tissues, blood, CSF, and nasopharyngeal swabs), clinical records, and verbal autopsies. Results Endemic HCoV were detected in the respiratory samples of 3% (n=86/3357) of enrolled decedents: 1% (n=12/204...

ABSTRACT The eight-segmented RNA genome of influenza A virus (IAV) is transcribed and spliced into 10 major viral mRNAs in the nucleus of infected cells. Both transcription and splicing are facilitated by the host RNA polymerase II (Pol II) machinery via interactions between the viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complex and various host factors. In this study, we demonstrate that IAV vRNPs recruit species-specific heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (hnRNPM) to support their replication in human and avian cells through distinct mechanisms. In A549 cells, human hnRNPM specifically facilitates the efficient transcription of HA, NA, M, and NS segments of WSN virus in a gene coding sequence-dependent manner. In contrast, in DF-1 cells, chicken hnRNPM restricts excessive splicing of M segment mRNA to ensure proper M2 protein production. Notably, human hnRNPM, with 34 additional amino acids compared with its chicken counterpart, fails to inhibit the M2 expression in DF-1 cells, whereas bo...

Abstract In this report, we document and analyze a case in which the Irkut virus (IRKV) (Mononegavirales: Rhabdoviridae) caused a fatal human case following a bat bite in June 2021. Unfortunately, the available data did not permit a detailed taxonomic classification of the carrier bat ( Chiroptera ). The event occurred in the southwestern part of the Sikhote-Alin mountain region (Russian Far East) covered by the Ussuri taiga forest . The symptoms of the illness began with the following: fever ; pronounced psychomotor and motor agitation ; tremor of the lower jaw and tongue ; aphasia; dyslexia; and dysphagia . These rapidly developed, leading to a severe and fatal encephalitis . The patient was not vaccinated for rabies and did not receive rabies immunoglobulin. Using brain sections prepared from the deceased, molecular diagnostics were performed: immunofluorescence (polyclonal anti-rabies immunoglobulin) indicating the presence of the lyssavirus antigen ; and RT-PCR indicating traces o...

  Situation at a glance Since mid-February 2025, according to data available from sentinel sites, global SARS-CoV-2 activity has been increasing, with the test positivity rate reaching 11%, levels that have not been observed since July 2024.  This rise is primarily observed in countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions .  Since early 2025 , global SARS-CoV-2 variant trends have slightly shifted. Circulation of LP.8.1 has been declining, and reporting of NB.1.8.1, a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM), is increasing , reaching 10.7% of global sequences reported as of mid-May.  Recent increases in SARS-CoV-2 activity are broadly consistent with levels observed during the same period last year, however, there still lacks a clear seasonality in SARS-CoV-2 circulation, and surveillance is limited.  Continued monitoring is essential . WHO advises all Member States to continue applying a risk-based, integrated approach to managing C...

Abstract Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) pose a growing global health threat , particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where limited surveillance capacity and under-resourced healthcare systems hinder timely detection and response. Migratory birds play a significant role in the transboundary spread of AIVs, yet data from key regions along migratory flyways remain sparse. To address these surveillance gaps, we conducted a study between December 2021 and February 2023 using fresh bird guano collected across 10 countries in the Global South . Here, we show that remote, uninhabited regions in previously unsampled areas harbor a high diversity of AIV strains , with H5N1 emerging as the most prevalent . Some of these H5N1 samples also carry mutations that may make them less responsive to the antiviral drug oseltamivir . Our findings documented the presence of AIVs in several underrepresented regions and highlighted critical transmission hotspots where viral evolution may be ...

PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Xinhua) -- An 11-year-old boy from western Cambodia's Kampong Speu province had died of H5N1 human avian influenza , becoming the fourth human death from the virus so far this year, the Ministry of Health said in a press statement released on Wednesday. "A laboratory result from the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia showed on May 27 , 2025, that the boy was positive for the H5N1 virus," the statement said. The ill-fated boy lived in Samraong Tong district's Srey Sampoung village. "According to queries , chickens and ducks near the patient's house had gotten sick and died subsequently a week before the boy fell ill," the statement said. Health authorities are looking into the source of the infection and examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the victim in order to prevent an outbreak in the community, it added. The Southeast Asian country recorded a total of four human cases of H5N1 so far this year, with all...

Abstract Background Avian influenza, a significant threat to public health , requires monitoring for the development of control strategies. This study aims to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of avian influenza virus in the external environment of Xinjiang from 2021 to 2023, to enhance understanding of its transmission patterns and provide a scientific basis for public health response measures. Methods A total of 3913 avian-related environmental samples were collected from nine monitoring areas in Xinjiang . Sample types included poultry drinking water, meat cutting boards, cage surfaces, feces, and wastewater. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect nucleic acid for H5, H7, and H9 subtypes. Data were statistically analyzed using Excel and SPSS, and spatial distribution was visualized through Kriging interpolation using ArcGIS. Results Among the collected samples, 810 tested positive , with an overall positivity rate of 20.70%. The H9 subtype was predominant , accounting for 85.43% ...

Abstract Genomic sequencing of re-emerging highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus detected in Argentina in February 2025 revealed novel triple-reassortant viruses containing gene segments from Eurasian H5N1 and low pathogenic viruses from South and North American lineages . These findings underscore continued evolution and diversification of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in the Americas. Source: BioRxIV,  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.23.655175v1 ____

Abstract Mpox clade Ib is significant as it is associated with human cases and plays a key role in understanding the transmission and public health implications of mpox outbreaks. Here we present a case report of the first confirmed human infection of clade Ib in China , which occurred in December 2025 in Zhejiang Province. The case was a 28-year-old woman from South Africa who had sexual contact with an asymptomatic man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo . She presented with disseminated vesicular lesions on the extremities, face, buttocks, trunk, palms, and dorsum of the hands, but lesions were absent from the oral cavity, perineum, and anus. By the 18th day post-onset (DPO), only vesicles remained on the dorsum of the right foot and in the finger web spaces, with complete resolution by the 24th DPO. Among 59 consecutive samples collected, 55 tested positive for mpox virus . Oropharyngeal swabs turned negative by the 16th DPO, while skin lesion samples, urine samples, and scab...

Abstract Avian influenza virus (AIV) is a significant global concern, causing widespread mortality in wild birds, domestic poultry and most recently wild and domestic mammals . This study presents a retrospective analysis of AIV detections in the Republic of Ireland . Data was sourced from official surveillance databases, peer-reviewed literature and grey literature sources. Spatio-temporal, host-specific and subtype patterns were assessed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, linear regression and kernel density estimations. A total of 2,888 confirmed AIV detections were recorded from 25 of Ireland's 26 counties . Wild birds accounted for 98.7% of detections, with domestic birds comprising 1.3% and two detections in foxes . H5N1 was the most prevalent subtype (96.7%) followed by H5N8 and H6N1 . Spatial clustering was observed in urban areas, particularly Dublin . The highest seasonal peak occurred during summer, contrasting with traditional winter-associated patterns. Se...

Abstract Since 2015, French poultry production is threatened almost every year by a reintroduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses . The duck sector was the most concerned by this crisis but other sectors such as broiler, layer and turkey were also affected by outbreaks. The objective of this work was to assess the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus transmission from one farm to another within the French broiler and layer production network. This study used the WOAH risk assessment framework . After drawing up a scenario tree of virus transmission from one farm to another, data were collected through a literature review or through experts' elicitation. Three questionnaires were developed according to the experts' field of expertise: avian influenza, broiler and layer sectors. The experts' estimates were combined using a beta distribution weighted by their confidence level. A Monte Carlo iteration process was used to combine the different prob...

{Excerpts} Influenza A H5N1 Virus -- Date : 23/05/2025,  -- Location : China*, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,  -- Sex : Female,  -- Age : 53,   -- Clinical Status : Recovered,  -- Virus Subtype : H5N1. (...) Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR,  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2025_avian_influenza_report_vol21_wk21.pdf ____

Abstract Avian influenza (AI) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting poultry and wild water birds , posing significant global challenges due to its high mortality rates and economic impacts. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks , particularly those caused by H5N1 and its variants , have surged since their first occurrence in 1959. The HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have notably expanded its geographical reach, affecting numerous countries, diverse avian species, and now wild and domestic mammals . Using an ecological niche modelling approach, this study aims to elucidate the environmental factors associated with the increased HPAI H5 cases since 2020, investigate potential shifts in ecological niches , and predict new areas suitable for local viral circulation. Focusing on H5N1 and H5Nx strains, we have developed ecological niche models for HPAI case in both wild and domestic birds while considering two distinct periods: 2015-2020 and 2020-2022. Key environmenta...

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/frederick-mccubbin/home-again-1884 ____

  By Gabriele Fontana - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gabry1970/5175636373/ , CC BY-SA 2.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109273634 Source: Wikipedia,  https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotiva_FS_D.445 ____

  AJR Am J Roentgenol SCHMITT JE, Smerconish S Beyond the AJR: Demystifying COVID-19-Related Brain Fog With Perfusion MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2025 May 21. doi: 10.2214/AJR.25.32998. PubMed          Br J Anaesth WELLER JM, Long J, Moore M, Henderson K, et al Effects of a national team training intervention for operating theatre teams on patient and staff outcomes: a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial and mixed-methods study. Br J Anaesth. 2025 May 16:S0007-0912(25)00230-2. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2025. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis NADIG N, Bhimraj A, Cawcutt K, Chiotos K, et al 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America on the Treatment and Management of COVID-19: Vilobelimab. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 May 22:ciaf235. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis HUANG Q, Kang L, Wei X, ...

  Am J Med LIPPI G, Sanchis-Gomar F, Lavie CJ The recent (2018-2022) US monthly mortality for acute myocardial infarction still peaks in December and January. Am J Med. 2025 Jan 18:S0002-9343(25)00035-X. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2025. PubMed           Abstract available STAHLBERG M, Fischer K, Tahhan M, Zhao A, et al Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome: Prevalence of Peripheral Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction and Associations With NT-ProBNP Dynamics. Am J Med. 2025;138:1019-1028. PubMed           Abstract available ZHOU T, Sawano M, Arun AS, Caraballo C, et al Internal Tremors and Vibrations in Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study. Am J Med. 2025;138:1010-1018. PubMed           Abstract available SANAL-HAYES NEM, Mclaughlin M, Hayes LD, Berry ECJ, et al Examining Well-Being and Cognitive Function in People With Long COVID and ME/CFS, and Age-Matched Healthy Controls: A...