ETIDIOH - NEW

  More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths, according to a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released today .  Famine conditions are projected to spread from Gaza Governorate to Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis Governorates in the coming weeks . The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNICEF, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have collectively and consistently highlighted the extreme urgency for an immediate and full-scale humanitarian response given the escalating hunger-related deaths, rapidly worsening levels of acute malnutrition and plummeting levels of food consumption, with hundreds of thousands of people going days without anything to eat. The agencies reinforced that famine must be stopped at all costs . An immediate ceasefire and end to the conflict is critical to allow uni...

  {Summary} Time Period: August 10, 2025 - August 16, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  1 site ( 0.2% ) -- No Detection :  422 sites ( 99.8% ) -- No samples in last week :  37 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  By Gonioul - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3584482 Source: Wikipedia,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekarski_system ____

The event occurred in a laying hen farm in the province of Buenos Aires . The birds involved showed mortality and clinical signs consistent with high pathogenicity avian influenza. The suspicion is officially addressed and samples were taken. The samples tested positive for HPAI H5. The event occurred in a laying hen farm. On 17/08/25 National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA) received a notification concerning mortality and clinical signs consistent with high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) (drooping and diarrhea). The suspicion is officially addressed, with restriction of the establishment and taking of samples for diagnosis. On 19/08/2025, samples tested positive for HPAI H5. The stamping out of all the birds in the establishment will be carried out. We will update the population data in the following follow-up reports. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6737 ____

{Summary} -- During current surveillance week (14 to 20 August), seventy-six new human confirmed cases of West Nile Virus infection have been reported; -- So far this year, 351 human cases of WNV infection were confirmed (they were 275 last week); of these: - 158 were WNND (West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease): 6 in Piedmont, 8 Lombardy, 10 Veneto, 1 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 8 Emilia-Romagna, 59 Latium, 54 Campania, 2 Basilicata, 5 Calabria, 5 Sardinia; - 27 were asymptomatic cases in blood donors ,   - 162 were West Nile Fever cases,  - 2 asymptomatic and  - 2 symptomatic (unspecified).  -- Among confirmed cases, there were 22 fatalities : 1 in Piedmont, 1 Lombardy, 10 Latium, 9 Campania, 1 Calabria).  - The Case-Fatality Rate in WNND cases is thus far at 13.9% (in 2018 it was 20%, and in 2024, 14%).  -- No confirmed cases of Usutu Virus infection have been confirmed this week. (...) Source: High Institute of Health,  https://www.epicentro.iss.it/westnile/b...

  Abstract The circulation of highly pathogenic H5 influenza A viruses in cattle , other mammals, and wildlife threatens animal and human health. To address this, we vaccinated heifer-calves with a deactivated rabies-virus-based H5 vaccine , which was well-tolerated and elicited neutralizing antibodies against both clade-1 and clade-2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses, comparable to naturally H5-infected and convalescing cows. The immune responses to the vaccine platform were durable for at least 200 days and unaffected by preexisting RABV immunity. Source: npj Vaccines,  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-025-01238-2 ____

  Abstract Since 2021, subclade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have undergone changes in ecology and epidemiology, causing a panzootic of unprecedented scale in wild and domestic birds with spill-over infections and perceptible transmission in a range of mammalian species , raising concern over zoonotic potential . HPAI viruses readily exchange gene segments with low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses via reassortment , a mechanism that facilitates pronounced phenotypic change . Observations suggest changes in the seasonality and host range of panzootic viruses, however, data on the role of reassortment in determining such features are limited. Using phylodynamic approaches, we describe the emergence of the panzootic lineage and using a novel global genotype classification system we describe the subsequent emergence and global structuring of genotypes generated by reassortment. Focusing on evolutionary dynamics in Europe , we show reassortment...

  Situation at a glance On 4 August 2025, Israel notified WHO of a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) outbreak .  Between February and July 2025, nine genetically linked virus isolates were found in environmental samples from seven sites, mainly in Jerusalem and the Central Region .  No human cases of paralytic polio have been reported.  Israel discontinued routine use of the bivalent oral polio vaccine in March 2025 but continues using inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) as part of the country’s routine immunization schedule.  WHO and partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are supporting national and subnational authorities.  WHO assesses the risk of international spread of this cVDPV1 outbreak in Israel as low, due to strong overall immunity, surveillance, and response systems.  However, the virus is circulating in under-vaccinated, vaccine-sceptic communities with ties to similar groups abroad, posing a potential risk fo...

Aug. 20 Update :   In response to several media inquiries following up on this case, DHSS regrets to confirm that the patient's death occurred on Aug. 19 in a St. Louis area hospital . We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the patient.  Source: Department of Health,  https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODHSS/bulletins/3eebf32 ____

  Abstract We describe isolation and characterization of a novel henipavirus , designated Salt Gully virus , from the urine of pteropid bats in Australia . We noted the virus to be most closely related to Angavokely virus, not reliant on ephrin receptors for cell entry, and of unknown risk for human disease. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/9/25-0470_article ____

Abstract Since late 2021, a panzootic of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus has driven significant morbidity and mortality in wild birds, domestic poultry, and mammals. In North America , infections in novel avian and mammalian species suggest the potential for changing ecology and establishment of new animal reservoirs . Outbreaks among domestic birds have persisted despite aggressive culling, necessitating a re-examination of how these outbreaks were sparked and maintained. To recover how these viruses were introduced and disseminated in North America, we analyzed 1,818 Hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences sampled from North American wild birds, domestic birds and mammals from November 2021-September 2023 using Bayesian phylodynamic approaches. Using HA, we infer that the North American panzootic was driven by ~8 independent introductions into North America via the Atlantic and Pacific Flyways, followed by rapid dissemination westward via wild, migratory birds. Transmission wa...

  ABSTRACT Bats are the reservoir hosts of emerging coronaviruses (CoVs) affecting human and livestock health . We assessed the diversity, evolution, and geographic distribution of two alphacoronaviruses (subgenus Rhinacovirus ) with considerable potential for emergence : swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus ( SADS-CoV ), which has caused large outbreaks in pigs in China and can infect primary human airway epithelial cells in vitro ; and the related Rhinolophus bat coronavirus HKU2 (HKU2-CoV). Phylogenetic analyses of 523 rhinacovirus sequences from bats in China and Southeast Asia suggest these viruses should be reclassified into at least two distinct CoV species representing two well-supported monophyletic clades. Stronger phylogenetic clustering by sampling location than by host species suggests infrequent long-distance transmission of rhinacoviruses in southern China. Ancestral state reconstruction analysis indicates that R. sinicus/thomasi and R. affinis have played an im...

  Abstract Background Bats are recognized as natural reservoir hosts for numerous viruses and are believed to be the evolutionary origin of alpha- and beta-coronaviruses (CoVs), such as SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and possibly MERS-CoV. MERS-related beta-CoVs have been identified in bat species from Africa, America, Asia, and Europe. In this study, we describe the first detection and characterization of a MERS-related beta-CoV in Danish brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus). Methods Fecal samples collected through a national surveillance program were screened using pan-CoV RT-qPCRs. Positive samples underwent ORF1b sequencing, microarray analysis and Illumina MiSeq sequencing, followed by metagenomic assembly of full-length genomes. A global phylogenetic tree was used to determine placement within the Coronaviridae family and local maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis clarified subgroup placement. The receptor-binding potential of the spike protein to human DPP4, ACE2, and bat ACE...

  Highlights -- Higher Mortality in COVID-19 ECMO Patients : COVID-19 patients on ECMO had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate (52%) compared to H1N1 patients (6%) (p < 0.0001). -- Increased Complications in COVID-19 : COVID-19 patients had a higher incidence of complications, including: •  Secondary bloodstream infections (OR = 14.3; p = 0.003) •  Neurological complications •  Acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) -- Longer ECMO Duration in COVID-19 : COVID-19 patients required longer durations of ECMO support compared to H1N1 patients. -- Age and Comorbidities Impact Mortality : Even after adjusting for age, BMI, gender, and ECMO duration, COVID-19 conferred a 16-fold higher risk of mortality compared to H1N1 (adjusted OR = 16.8). Abstract Background Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (V-V ECMO) in management of refractory respiratory failure due to viral respiratory infections has increased with recent pandemic...

  Abstract Outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in humans are driven by recurring zoonotic spillover from camels , leading to demand for camel vaccination . With two vaccine candidates shown to reduce infectiousness, there is a need to better understand transmission of MERS-CoV in camels and assess the potential impact of vaccination . To help address this, we used age-stratified seroprevalence data and a combination of modelling methodologies to estimate key epidemiological quantities including MERS-CoV transmissibility in camels and to estimate vaccine impact on infection incidence. Transmissibility was higher in West Asia (R0 interquartile range 7-14) compared to Africa (3-5) and South Asia (2-3), highlighting the need for setting-specific vaccination strategies. Modelling suggested that even if the vaccine only reduced infectiousness rather than susceptibility to infection, vaccinating calves could achieve large reductions in incidence in moderat...

  Abstract Background   The ongoing H5N1 panzootic in mammals has amplified zoonotic pathways to facilitate human infection . Characterising key epidemiological parameters for H5N1 is critical should it become widespread.  Aim   To identify and estimate critical epidemiological parameters for H5N1 from past and current outbreaks, and to compare their characteristics with human influenza subtypes and the 2003 Netherlands H7N7 outbreak.  Methods   We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for systematic reviews reporting parameter estimates from primary data or meta-analyses. To address gaps, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar for studies of any design providing relevant estimates. We estimated the basic reproduction number for the recent outbreak in the United States (US) and the 2003 Netherlands H7N7 outbreak. In addition we estimated the serial interval for H5N1 using data from previous household clusters in Indonesia. We also applied a branching...

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/andrea-mantegna/madonna-and-child-with-cherubs-1490 ____

  Abstract Mpox poses a heightened risk of severe disease and mortality among individuals with HIV , yet the molecular mechanisms and immunopathology underlying multi-organ damage caused by the mpox virus (MPXV), particularly in the context of HIV co-infection, remain poorly understood. Here, we observe increased MPXV replication, more extensive skin lesions, and impaired humoral and cellular immune responses in SIV-MPXV co-infected rhesus macaques compared to those infected with MPXV alone. Multi-organ proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses reveals upregulation of proteins involved in immune and inflammatory pathways in skin lesions and across multiple organs, especially in immune-related tissues. Abnormal activation of DNA replication and cell cycle signaling pathways , which may contribute to enhanced viral replication, is evident in both MPXV and SIV-MPXV co-infected groups. CDK4/6 may present a potential therapeutic target to suppress MPXV replication. These comprehensive pro...

  Di Moliva - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=154882109 Source: Wikipedia,  https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autotreno_TN_ATR_125 ____

  By Lars Steffens - Flickr: Baureihe 111, CC BY-SA 2.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28019464 Source: Wikipedia,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_111 ____