ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have infected >1,000 herds of dairy cattle and hundreds of poultry flocks in the United States since the beginning of 2024. Seventy human cases have been reported during that period, mainly through occupational exposure . Although prior influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection has been shown to confer protection against influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in the ferret model, it remains unclear if influenza vaccines , known to elicit a less potent and narrower cross-reactive immune response, can achieve a similar effect. In this article, we demonstrate that immunization with commercially available human seasonal influenza vaccines also confers partial protection against disease caused by H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus in ferrets , which is partially associated with the presence of cross-reactive antibodies targeting H5N1 virus antigens. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  h...

  09/09/2025 -  Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil  In an unprecedented response to the rapid global spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), stakeholders and experts from across the poultry sector, public health, science, and policy spheres have convened in Brazil in a landmark meeting .  This first-ever global multisectoral dialogue aims to forge coordinated defense against the escalating threat to animal and human health and agricultural livelihoods. Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu , is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily infects birds. The virus belongs to the Type A influenza family, which is known for its ability to mutate and change rapidly. Since 2020, HPAI has expanded rapidly across continents , devastating poultry flocks , impacting biodiversity , trade and food security , and raising concerns over its potential to spark a human pandemic . The currently circulating avian influenza panzootic is now widespread, and represents one of t...

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/konstantin-ivanovich-gorbatov/patio-in-capri-1925 ____

  Abstract Human H3N2 influenza viruses, introduced during the 1968 pandemic, have evolved to recognize human-type sialic acid-containing receptors (Neu5Acα2-6Gal) extended with at least three LacNAc (Galβ1-4GlcNAc) repeats. To investigate this restriction in the context of virus attachment to the airway epithelium , we comprehensively analyzed the glycome of human nasal and tracheal epithelial cells . Using a synthetic N-glycan library that reflects the structural diversity of the human airway glycome, we found that only bi-antennary N-glycans with extended human-type receptors on at least one branch serve as receptors for the recent H3 hemagglutinins (HAs). Such receptors are found on tracheal epithelium but are deficient in nasal epithelium. Immunofluorescence analysis on human trachea reveals that recent H3 HAs preferentially attach to ciliated cells , consistent with single-cell RNA sequencing analysis indicating that these cells express glycosyltransferases that produce exten...

  Abstract This study compares infant (0–24 months) respiratory infection presentations to a Northern Italian paediatric emergency department across two post-pandemic winters ( 2022–2023 vs 2023–2024 ). Despite an approximate 44% reduction in visits in 2023–2024 (N=176 in 2023–2024 vs N=317 in 2022–2023), infants in the 2023–2024 season experienced significantly higher proportions of ventilatory support (51.1% vs 32.8%, p<0.001) and intensive care unit admission (15.9% vs 1.9%, p<0.001) than those presenting in 2022–2023, with a non-significant trend towards higher hospitalisation (88.1% vs 81.7%, p=0.052). Respiratory syncytial virus re-emerged as the dominant pathogen (43.2% vs 27.7%, p<0.001) in 2023–2024, alongside increased human metapneumovirus and influenza A H1N1 . These findings highlight a concerning shift towards increased severity, underscoring the need for ongoing surveillance. Source: BMJ Paediatric Open,  https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/9/1/e003695...

  By Bahnfrend - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18053425 Source: Wikipedia,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FS_Class_E.402 ____

  Am J Respir Crit Care Med GORDHAN BG, Sewcharran A, Waja Z, Martinson N, et al Oral Rinse as an Alternative Diagnostic Specimen for Detection of Tuberculosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025 Sep 12. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202503-0723. PubMed          CRESCIOLI E, Klitgaard TL, Riis JO, Weinreich UM, et al Oxygenation Targets and Long-Term Cognitive and Pulmonary Functions in Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025 Sep 8. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202412-2499. 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: Abatacept. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Sep 9:ciaf354. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol WILLIAMS V, Volpentesta K, Avaness M, Chan C, ...

  Antiviral Res ICHIKAWA T, Tamura T, Nao N, Suzuki H, et al Characterization of remdesivir resistance mutations in COVID-19 patients with various immunosuppressive diseases. Antiviral Res. 2025;242:106264. PubMed           Abstract available BI W, Zhu T, Xu Y, Chen Y, et al An engineered chimeric ACE2-HR2 peptide exhibits potent and broad-spectrum activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antiviral Res. 2025;242:106265. PubMed           Abstract available TERATAKE Y, Okamura T, Ishizaka Y SMAD5 phosphorylation by ALK1 is modulated by the interaction of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Antiviral Res. 2025;242:106261. PubMed           Abstract available YAO G, Shi X, Jiang H, Duan A, et al Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 6-aminoalkyl- and 7-heteroaryl substituted 7-deazapurine nucleoside analogs against SARS-CoV...

  ABSTRACT Oropouche virus (OROV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), and Dabie bandavirus (DBV) are significant re-emerging and emerging human pathogens with major public health implications. Notably, the ongoing OROV disease epidemic spanning South America, Central America, and the Caribbean now exceeds 11,000 cases, including several fatalities and reports of neurological disease and congenital abnormalities associated with infection. Rift Valley fever outbreaks continue to plague sub-Saharan Africa , and DBV, the etiologic agent of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), is expanding its reach throughout several Asian countries . No vaccines or approved therapies are available to prevent or treat these viral infections. Here, we report on the antiviral activity and protective efficacy of the ribonucleoside analog , 4′-fluorouridine (4′-FlU), against OROV, RVFV, and DBV in cell culture and murine models of infection and disease. In cell culture, the potency of 4′-FlU wa...

  ABSTRACT Ebola virus (EBOV), the causative agent of Ebola virus disease, remains one of the World Health Organization’s top 10 threats to global health . Infectious EBOV virions can be found on the surface of skin late in infection and may be transmitted to others through skin-to-skin contact . We investigate in vivo EBOV tropism and the kinetics of virus movement to and from the skin. Increasing viral loads were detected over time in the skin of EBOV-infected non-human primates and mice , with antigen detected in dermal stromal and immune cells . Epidermal cells within and surrounding hair follicles also harbored viral antigen , suggesting a novel mechanism of virus egress to the epidermal surface. During late infection, proinflammatory responses were elevated in infected visceral organs but minimal in the skin despite significant viral loads. We observed similar viral trafficking and cell tropism in the skin of mice intraperitoneally infected with a low containment EBOV model v...

  {Summary} Time Period: August 31, 2025 - September 06, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  4 sites ( 0.9% ) -- No Detection :  418 sites ( 99.1% ) -- No samples in last week :  43 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  Abstract Since 2021, the panzootic of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) represents an increasing threat to wild vertebrate populations . In this context, recent vaccines developed for poultry could provide tools for the conservation of wild endangered birds populations . The king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), a long-lived seabird breeding in dense colonies with an extended chick-rearing period , was identified as a possible surrogate species for a vaccination trial in a sub-Antarctic natural setting . We investigate here the immune response of king penguin chicks to a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine against a H5 HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b protein. Thirty chicks were vaccinated (primo- and boost-injections), 20 were kept as controls. Along 250 days of monitoring, vaccinated chicks showed a high and persistent immune response , granting a strong seroneutralisation capacity against the virus, up to fledging. No adverse effects were observed. The screening for antibodies against u...

  Abstract Our study has for the first time identified H5N1 strains (clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.2) in brown skuas from the Fildes Peninsula , South Shetland Islands, Antarctica . These findings indicate that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses is now actively circulating in Antarctic ecosystems , representing a significant expansion of its geographic range. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funder Information Declared National Key Research and Development Program of China, 2024YFC2813605, 2023YFC2605504 Source: BioRxIV,  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.06.674605v1 ____

  Abstract Understanding the mechanisms underlying the emergence and spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is critical for tracking its global dissemination , particularly via migratory seabirds , given their role in transmission over long distances . Scavenging seabirds, such as skuas , may act as both reservoirs and vectors , and have been linked to multiple outbreaks since 2021. Here, we report the detection of HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in three Tristan skua (Stercorarius antarcticus hamiltoni) carcasses on Gough Island in the central South Atlantic Ocean . To investigate potential incursion routes, we combined genomic analyses with year-round tracking data from global location sensors . Although migratory movement patterns suggested southern Africa as the most obvious pathway, the strain detected on Gough Island was more closely related to that found in South Georgia , suggesting infection may have occurred during the pre-laying exodus when skuas disperse i...

{Automatic translation from Chinese, edited} [Xinhua News Agency Micro Special] Due to the outbreak of avian influenza in many places, the Andalusia Autonomous Region in southern Spain has temporarily closed a number of parks and other attractions in recent days, including two attractions included in the UNESCO World Heritage List , and the infected animals have been killed at relevant locations. According to AFP, Seville City Hall announced on social media on the 11th that the Maria Luisa Park in the city center was closed due to the discovery of dead birds . The park will clean up the dead animals and disinfect them. The city recently closed three other parks where dead birds were found, including a World Heritage site. Catalina Garcia, an environmental official for the Andalusian autonomous region, said on social media that three outbreaks of avian influenza were detected in wild birds in Doñana National Park , a World Heritage site, and the affected birds were culled. The national ...

{Summary} -- During current epidemiological week (4 to 10 September), eighty new confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus infection have been reported in Italy. -- Since the beginning of the epidemic season , there have been a total of 582 confirmed cases (they were 502 last week), of these:  - 260 were West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND): 14 in Piedmont, 24 Lombardy, 22 Veneto, 1 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1 Liguria, 20 Emilia-Romagna, 3 Tuscany, 77 Latium, 2 Molise, 74 Campania, 1 Apulia, 2 Basilicata, 5 Calabria, 1 Sicily, 13 Sardinia,  - 48 asymptomatic cases among blood donors ,  - 262 cases of West Nile Fever (1 imported from Kenya ),  - 4 asymptomatic cases,  - 8 unspecified cases.  -- A total of 39 fatal cases have been reported so far this season: 5 in Piedmont, 2 Lombardy, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 15 Latium, 14 Campania, 2 Calabria.  - The Case-Fatality Rate among WNND cases is thus far at 15% (during 2018 season it was 20%, in 2024 14%).  -- Du...

  Abstract Background :  In Mexico, two Mammarenavirus genotypes have been identified : Real de Catorce virus and Ocozocoautla de Espinosa virus (OCEV), which are found in rodents (Neotoma leucodon and Peromyscus mexicanus). Mammarenaviruses from clade B cause mild to severe infectious diseases in humans , particularly in South America. A 1967 outbreak in Chiapas, Mexico, was potentially linked to the OCEV. Materials and Methods :  Between 2017 and 2020, we collected bats across southern/southeastern Mexico to identify Mammarenavirus reservoirs. We analyzed 81 liver samples from 14 bat species using nested PCR. For quality control, we synthesized and OCEV S-region fragment into an ampicillin-resistant pUC57 plasmid, cloned in One Shot Stbl3 chemically competent E. coli. Results :  Here, we report the first detection of a Mammarenavirus (OCEV) in an Artibeus lituratus bat from Sabancuy, Campeche , southeastern Mexico. This finding represents the third Mammarenavirus r...

  Abstract Background On September 27, 2024, Rwanda reported an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), after a cluster of cases of viral hemorrhagic fever was detected at two urban hospitals. Methods We report key aspects of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of MVD during this outbreak, as well as the overall response to the outbreak. We performed a retrospective epidemiologic and clinical analysis of data compiled across all pillars of the outbreak response and a case-series analysis to characterize clinical features, disease progression, and outcomes among patients who received supportive care and investigational therapeutic agents. Results Among the 6340 patients with suspected MVD who underwent testing, 66 had laboratory-confirmed MVD , 51 (77%) of whom were health care workers. The median estimated incubation period was 10 days (interquartile range, 8 to 13), and symptom onset occurred a median of 2 days (interquartile range, 1 to 3) before hospital ad...

  Overview Starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at the highest levels ever since the conflict began almost two years ago .  Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health , and humanitarian aid has cost many lives. Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip , marked by a spike in deaths in July.  As of 5 September 2025, 361 Palestinians have died due to malnutrition , including 130 children .  As of 15 August 2025, Famine (IPC Phase 5)—with reasonable evidence—is confirmed in Gaza Governorate .  After 22 months of relentless conflict , over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic conditions characterised by starvation, destitution and death.  Another 1.07 million people (54%) are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), and 396 000 people (20%) are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). More broadly, since 7 October 2023 , as reported by Ministry of Health (MoH), the number of casualties include 63 746 fatalities and 161 245 inju...

  Abstract We detected H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza in captive Greater Rhea (Rhea americana). Viral genetic analysis revealed the mammalian associated PB2-E627K mutation , indicating selection of mammalian-relevant mutations in ratites . Pathologic investigation of available tissues demonstrated severe multifocal necrotising inflammation , and a strong vasculotropism. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Source: BioRxIV,  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.08.674895v1 ____