ETIDIOH - NEW

Key Points -- Question: What were the clinical characteristics, management approaches, and outcomes among children with influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) in the US during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 influenza seasons? -- Findings:   In this multicenter case series of 41 children from 23 US hospitals , influenza-associated ANE carried a 27% mortality rate despite multimodal therapy. Most patients (76%) had no significant medical history , despite 15 of 32 tested (47%) having genetic risk alleles potentially related to risk of ANE identified during diagnostic evaluation. The H1 2009 influenza A strain predominated (34% of cases), and only 16% had received seasonal influenza vaccination . Among survivors, 63% had moderate to severe disability at 90-day follow-up. -- Meaning:  Influenza-associated ANE represents a rare but devastating neurologic complication primarily affecting previously healthy children. The high morbidity and mortality emphasize t...

By gary noon - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4077294 {England, Somerset} A game rearing site with approx. 2.500 9-week-old pheasants. Increased mortality and other clinical signs were reported. Samples were taken and were tested positive for HPAI H5N1. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6679 ____

Summary Background Little epidemiological evidence exists on the protective effects of the JN.1 -adapted mRNA vaccines against COVD-19 hospitalisation and death. In this study, we estimated vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalisation and death. Methods This nationwide, register-based, cohort study included all Danish residents older than 65 years on Oct 1, 2024 . We used Denmark's national COVID-19 surveillance system and comprehensive population-based registers, which are updated daily and linked via the unique civil registration number assigned to all residents. To minimise differences between the comparison groups with regard to vaccination history, participants were required to have completed a primary vaccination course in 2021 and have received the 2023–24 XBB.1.5-adapted vaccine between Oct 1, 2023, and Jan 15, 2024. Participants with a recent recorded infection, or a vaccine dose since the previous season and prior to study start, were excluded. COVID-19 hospital...

Highlights •  Mol shows greater antiviral effects against IAV and IBV in cell cultures. •  Mol and Ose together showed a synergistic effect against IAV. •  In mice, Mol alone or with Ose reduced lung injury and viral load. Abstract Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, is widely used in the clinic for treating influenza virus infections . However, suboptimal efficacy and risk of drug resistance development remain major challenges. Molnupiravir , a ribonucleoside analog, was originally developed to treat influenza, but was repurposed and first approved for treating COVID-19 in 2021. Considering their complementary mode-of-actions, this study aimed to investigate the combinatorial activities of oseltamivir and molnupiravir against influenza virus infections . In cell culture models, we found that β-d-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), the active form of molnupiravir, exerted more potent antiviral activities against influenza A and B viruses , when compared to oseltamivir treatment...

Abstract Introduction :  Recent intercontinental spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A( H5N1 ) among kept and wild birds, and transmission to mammalian hosts , including cattle and humans , has heightened the need to review public health risk assessments . Biosecurity is essential for limiting disease spread, but how widely practices are implemented is not fully known.  Methods :  Here, we report on uptake of biosecurity measures and risk perception of avian influenza virus (AIV) in the context of preventing zoonotic transmission to persons potentially at high risk of exposure. Questionnaire data from 225 people in contact with birds in the UK (Avian Contact Study, May to July 2024) was analysed.  Results :  We found hand washing after contact with birds was the most common biosecurity measure implemented (89%, 196/218), followed by using disinfecting footwear dips (78%, 170/218). Individuals in contact with a higher number of birds were more like...

Abstract Cefotaxime-resistant Haemophilus influenzae (CRHI) are a global concern, but little is known about their molecular epidemiology . The goal of this study was to perform genomic profiling of 191 CRHI from Norway (n = 183) or Sweden (n = 8) (2006–2018) and assess clonal spread using core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST)-based Life Identification Number (LIN) codes based on whole genome sequencing (Ion Torrent). Cefotaxime resistance was confirmed with broth microdilution minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), interpreted with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints. 35.7% of isolates with cefotaxime gradient MIC of 0.25 mg/L were falsely resistant. All but two isolates (blood) were non-invasive, and all but two (serotype f) were non-typeable. Characterization included calling of resistance determinants, ftsI typing (penicillin-binding protein 3, PBP3), and classification of PBP3-mediated beta-lactam resistance (rPBP3), with a...

Abstract Influenza D virus (IDV), a new genus within the Orthomyxoviridae family, was initially detected in pigs and cattle . IDV is structurally similar to influenza C virus (ICV). Influenza A, C and D viruses all have non-human maintenance hosts and likely circulate in several mammalian species . Camelids , as a reservoir for zoonotic viruses, were not extensively studied until the emergence of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. Antibody responses to both ICV and IDV could be detected in dromedary camels from Kenya but not differentiated, owing to cross-reactivity. It was unclear whether these findings reflected a technical issue or suggested a role for camelids in ICV and IDV ecology . In the present study, therefore, alpacas (Vicugna pacos), a camelid species , were experimentally inoculated with ICV (C/Victoria/1/2011) or IDV (D/bovine/France/5920/2014) to assess susceptibility and assess the antibody response. We have demonstrated that alpacas ca...

PHNOM PENH, July 29 (Xinhua) -- A 26-year-old man from northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza, raising the number of the cases to 14 so far this year, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Tuesday. "A laboratory result from the National Institute of Public Health showed on July 26 that the man was positive for H5N1 virus," the statement said. "The patient has the symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, stomach ache , and breathing difficulty, and is currently being rescued by a team of doctors," it added. The victim lives in Kravann village of Siem Reap city. "Investigations revealed that there were dead chickens near the patient's house and he also culled and plucked chickens three days before he fell ill," the statement said. Health authorities are looking into the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the victim in order to p...

This case indicates the recurrence of the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 subtype (clade 2.3.4.4b) on a poultry farm in Taiwan . The owner of the poultry farm reported the situation to the local veterinary authority in Yunlin County , and samples were collected on July 10. These samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for diagnosis on July 11. Clinical signs included increased mortality rates, reduced appetite , and decreased egg production . On July 13, the outbreak was confirmed as HPAI. Subsequently, 2,616 geese were culled, and comprehensive cleaning and disinfection were conducted on July 21. Farms within a 3-kilometer radius of this location will undergo heightened surveillance and visits for the next 28 days. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6670 ____

Abstract Various SARS-CoV-2 remdesivir resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) have been reported, but a comprehensive comparison of their resistance levels is lacking . We identified novel RAS and performed head-to-head comparisons with known RAS in Vero E6 cells. A remdesivir escape polyclonal virus exhibited a 3.6-fold increase in remdesivir EC50 and mutations throughout the genome, including substitutions in nsp12 (E796D) and nsp14 (A255S). However, in reverse-genetics infectious assays, viruses harboring both these substitutions exhibited only a slight decrease in remdesivir susceptibility (1.3-fold increase in EC50). The nsp12-E796D substitution did not impair viral fitness (Vero E6 cells or Syrian hamsters) and was reported in a remdesivir-treated COVID-19 patient . In replication assays, a subgenomic replicon containing nsp12-E796D+nsp14-A255S led to a 16.1-fold increase in replication under remdesivir treatment . A comparison with known RAS showed that S759A, located in the ...

Abstract While wild waterfowl are known reservoirs of avian influenza viruses and facilitate the movement of these viruses , there are notable differences in the response to infection across species. This study explored differential responses to infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Snow Geese (Anser caerulescens) located in the California Central Valley . Though H5 antibody prevalence was high across years among birds sampled in the winter (75% in both years via hemagglutination inhibition), these values were even higher among birds sampled in summer that failed to migrate (i.e., August 2023 = 100% and August 2024 = 93% via hemagglutination inhibition). Birds that failed to migrate were also generally lighter than birds sampled in the winter and presented notable damage to cerebrum and cerebellum . In December 2022, a single individual positive for infection with H5N1 at the time of sampling indicated reduced movement during the 14 days following sampling but completed s...

{Excerpts} The Forty-second meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) on the international spread of poliovirus was convened by the WHO Director-General on 18 June 2025 with committee members and advisers meeting via video conference with affected countries, supported by the WHO Secretariat.   The Emergency Committee reviewed the data on wild poliovirus ( WPV1 ) and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses ( cVDPV ) in the context of the global target of interruption and certification of WPV1 eradication by 2027 and interruption and certification of cVDPV2 elimination by 2029.  Technical updates were received about the situation in the following countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Nigeria, Pakistan , and Papua New Guinea . (...) Conclusion The Committee unanimously agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) a...

  Key points   -- At the present time , based on available information, FAO-WHO-WOAH assess the global public health risk of influenza A(H5) viruses to be low , while the risk of infection for occupationally or frequently exposed (e.g., with backyard poultry) persons is low to moderate depending on the risk mitigation and hygiene measures in place and the local avian influenza epidemiological situation.  -- Transmission between animals continues to occur and, to date, a growing yet still limited number of human infections are being reported. Although additional human infections associated with exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments are expected to occur, the overall public health impact of such infections at a global level , at the present time, is considered minor . The assessment could change if and when additional epidemiological or virological information becomes available.  -- This risk assessment from FAO, WHO and WOAH updates the assessment ...

Abstract Recent investigations have demonstrated a relationship between the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and post-COVID-19 conditions . Building upon a potential connection between SARS-CoV-2 persistence and early virologic rebound, we examine the association of early virologic rebound with post-acute mortality and hospitalization due to post-acute sequelae among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong . Our study includes 13,859, 3959, and 4502 patients in the all-patient, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, and molnupiravir group , respectively. Results show that patients who experienced virologic rebound exhibited a significantly higher risk of post-acute mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.70) with a risk difference [RD] of 7.19%, compared with patients without virologic rebound. A similar increase in the risk of post-acute mortality is also observed in nirmatrelvir/ritonavir-treated patients (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.41–2.25; RD, 12.55%) and molnupiravir-...

  Backyard poultry operation in Chobe Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6676 ____

Abstract The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13) in dairy cattle presents substantial challenges to the agricultural sector and public health. Mechanistic studies of infection and transmission in cattle have proven difficult due to animal handling restrictions as well as limited availability of established cell culture models. Primary Bovine Embryonic Fibroblasts (BeEFs) were collected from a Montana cow and are investigated here as a model to study influenza A virus (IAV) infection dynamics . We compared sialylation profiles, infectious virus production, viral replication, and plaque morphology in both BeEFs and chicken DF-1 cells following infection with the bovine HPAI H5N1 and an earlier 2.3.4.4b genotype (B1.1) isolated in 2022. The data presented here show increased viral fitness of the bovine origin HPAI H5N1 strains across multiple species and bovine susceptibility to human seasonal IAV. This study highlights the ability o...