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Assessing #Ebola virus circulation in the Tshuapa province (#DRC): A #OneHealth #investigation of wildlife and #human interactions

  Abstract The wildlife reservoir and spillover mechanisms of Ebola virus remain elusive despite extensive research efforts in endemic areas. This study employed a One Health approach to examine the virus’ circulation in wildlife and the associated human exposure risks in the Tshuapa province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo . We screened 1049 samples from 919 animals , predominantly small mammals , collected in 2021, and 380 samples from inhabitants of Inkanamongo village, the site of an Ebola virus disease outbreak in 2014. These samples were screened for evidence of current (RNA) or past (IgG antibodies) Ebola virus infections. We also conducted interviews with 167 individuals in the surrounding districts to assess their interactions with wildlife . While no Ebola virus RNA was detected in the wildlife samples , anti-orthoebolavirus IgG antibodies were found in 13 bats and 38 rodents . Among the human participants , 120 individuals had IgG antibodies against at least 1 or...

#Bacterial #Colonization and Life-Threatening #RSV #Infection in #children

  Highlights •  Respiratory tract bacterial colonization was highly prevalent among RSV-infected children. •  Moraxella catarrhalis colonization was significantly associated with mild RSV disease. •  Haemophilus influenzae carriage showed a trend toward increased severity. •  Household crowding independently correlated with severe RSV outcomes. •  Airway microbiota may modulate RSV clinical outcomes. Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus is a major cause of acute respiratory infection in children . While most cases are mild, some progress to life-threatening disease. The role of bacterial colonization in shaping respiratory syncytial virus outcomes remains incompletely understood. Objective To evaluate the association between respiratory tract bacterial colonization and respiratory syncytial virus disease severity in children. Study design Prospective cohort study conducted during 2019 and 2023. Children ≤24 months hospitalized with confirmed posi...

#Transmission, Pathological and Clinical Manifestations of Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza A Virus in #Mammals with Emphasis on #H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (HPAIV) H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, has emerged as a significant zoonotic threat . H5N1 is widely circulating in wild birds , and an increasing number of spillover events have been observed in a wide range of mammalian species . These cases are primarily reported in countries on the European and American continents . This review describes the likely transmission routes, lesions, and clinical manifestations of HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in naturally infected mammals, with a focus on the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). In the analysis, pathological findings were categorized by organ system and host species , which were further divided into terrestrial mammals, marine mammals, and dairy cattle . The most frequently reported clinical manifestations were neurological and respiratory signs in marine mammals and neurological signs and lethargy in terrestrial mammals . Macroscopic and histological lesions were commonly found in...

Serological #Evidence of Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza #H5N1 in Invasive Wild #Pigs in Western #Canada

  Abstract Influenza A virus (IAV) can infect a wide range of hosts, including wild and domestic pigs . Swine play an important role in influenza evolution and epidemiology due to their ability to get infected with both avian and human influenza viruses, potentially leading to reassorted virus variants . Interactions at the wild-domestic swine interface have been documented on multiple occasions, raising concern about pathogen transmission and the emergence of novel influenza strains. This study investigates the occurrence and subtypes of IAV infecting invasive wild pigs in Alberta, Canada . A total of 267 wild pigs were captured between 2021–2024. Exposure to IAV was initially detected by cELISA , with further confirmation of exposure to the H5Nx virus by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralization (VN) assays. Although no IAV genetic material was detected by qPCR , the seropositive samples by cELISA (4.17%; 5/120) coincided with the 2022–2024 highly pathogenic avian...

#Korea (Rep. of) - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

Unspecified wild species sample from Jeollabuk-do Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6967 ____

Reconstructing the early spatial #spread of #pandemic respiratory #viruses in the #USA

  Abstract Understanding the geographic spread of emerging respiratory viruses is critical for pandemic preparedness , yet the early spatiotemporal dynamics of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in the United States (US) remain unclear . While mobility and genomic data have revealed important aspects of pandemic spatial spread, several key questions remain: Did the two pandemics follow similar spatial transmission routes? How rapidly did they spread across the US? What role did stochastic processes play in early spatial transmission? To address these questions, we integrated high-resolution disease data with a robust, data-efficient inference framework combining air travel, commuting flows, and pathogen superspreading potentials to reconstruct their spatial spread across US metropolitan areas . The two pandemics exhibited distinct transmission pathways across locations; however, both pandemics established local circulation in most metropolitan areas within weeks , driv...

Emergence of a novel #reassorted high pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N2 virus associated with severe #pneumonia in a young #adult

  Abstract Background   Infection of backyard and poultry with low pathogenicity avian influenza LPAI A(H5N2) viruses has occurred in Mexico since 1994, and the first human infection caused by this influenza virus was detected in 2024 . Since its emergence in the Americas , frequent reassortments between high pathogenicity avian influenza HPAI A(H5N1) and LPAI viruses has occurred. In September 2025 , the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias of Mexico City identified an unsubtypeable influenza A virus infection in a young adult patient later determined to be a reassortant HPAI (H5N2) virus with a clade 2.3.4.4b HA .  Methods   We analyzed clinical and epidemiologic data from this patient. Respiratory samples were tested for influenza RT-qPCR assays . Genomic sequence and phylogenetics analyses were performed to provisionally assign a new genotype to the novel HPAI A(H5N2) reassortant virus.  Results   The patient presented with fever and tachypn...

#Antibody responses to #SARS-CoV-2 #variants #LP.8.1, LF.7.1, NB.1.8.1, #XFG, and BA.3.2 following KP.2 monovalent #mRNA #vaccination

  ABSTRACT The evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in antigenically distinct variants that challenge vaccine-induced immunity. The KP.2 monovalent mRNA vaccine was deployed in 2024 to address immune escape by emerging SARS-CoV-2 subvariants . We assessed neutralizing antibody responses in 56 adults with varied exposure histories following KP.2 vaccination against emerging variants including LP.8.1, LF.7.1, NB.1.8.1, XFG, and BA.3.2 . While KP.2 vaccination enhanced neutralization against homologous variants, substantial reductions in neutralizing activity were observed against emerging Omicron variants across all exposure groups. Exposure history showed some influence on neutralization breadth , with self-reported vaccination-only participants exhibiting better cross-neutralization compared to individuals with hybrid immunity . Antigenic cartography revealed substantial antigenic distances between KP.2 and emerging variants, highli...

Structural #insights into #MERS and #SARS #coronavirus #membrane proteins

  Abstract The membrane (M) protein of coronaviruses is essential for maintaining structural integrity during membrane virion budding and viral pathogenesis . Given its high conservation in lineages within the betacoronavirus genus , such as sarbecoviruses , the M protein presents as an attractive therapeutic target ; however, developing broad-spectrum antivirals targeting coronaviruses such as MERS-CoV is challenging due to lower sequence conservation and limited structural information available beyond that of the SARS-CoV-2 M protein . In this study, we report 3-3.2 Ã… resolution structures of MERS-CoV M protein, engineered with a SARS-CoV-2-like antibody interface, representing the first human merbecovirus M protein structure , and SARS-CoV M protein structures, with and without a previously identified SARS-CoV-2 M protein inhibitor, JNJ-9676. We highlight the structural differences between the MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 M proteins, and present insights into the conservati...

#USA, #Influenza A #H5: #Situation #summary of confirmed and probable #human cases since 2024 (as of Nov. 25 '25)

  {Summary} Confirmed Cases at National Level [National - Total Cases : 71 { +1 }{§}] [Cases -  Exposure Source] -- 41 - Dairy Herds (Cattle){*} -- 24 - Poultry Farms and Culling Operations {*} -- 3 - Other Animal Exposure {†} -- 3 - Exposure Source Unknown {‡} Probable Cases at National Level [National - Total Cases : 7 {no change} ] [Cases -  Exposure Source] -- 1 - Dairy Herds (Cattle) {*} -- 5 - Poultry Farms and Culling Operations {*} --  0 - Other Animal Exposure {†} -- 1 - Exposure Source Unknown {‡} NOTE : One additional case was previously detected in a poultry worker in Colorado in 2022. Louisiana reported the first H5 bird flu death in the U.S. {*} Exposure Associated with Commercial Agriculture and Related Operations {†} Exposure was related to other animals such as backyard flocks, wild birds, or other mammals {‡} Exposure source was not able to be identified (...) {§} A case from Washington State, see more at:  https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/grays-h...

Avian #influenza virus #H5N1 genotype D1.1 is better adapted to #human nasal and #airway organoids than genotype B3.13

  Abstract Three critically ill or fatal avian influenza A(H5N1) human infections have been reported in North America since November 2024 . Notably, all were infected with genotype D1.1 instead of B3.13, the dominant genotype before November 2024. Here, we demonstrated that D1.1 could replicate to higher titers in human nasal and airway organoid-derived transwell monolayers from 6 donors . D1.1 exhibited a better binding to α2,3- and α2,6-linked SA than B3.13. No significant differences in most inflammatory or antiviral cytokines/chemokines was observed. These observations suggest that D1.1 is better adapted to both the upper and lower human respiratory tract epithelium than B3.13. Source:  Link:  https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiaf598/8341570#google_vignette ____

Direct #airway delivery of a humanized anti - #H7N9 neutralizing #antibody broadly protects against divergent #H7 #influenza viruses in the mouse model

  ABSTRACT Passive administration of broadly neutralizing anti-influenza monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) before or after virus infection can prevent or alleviate disease. Unlike seasonal influenza, infection with zoonotic avian influenza viruses can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and high mortality in humans. Respiratory tract-targeting antibody delivery appears to be more clinically relevant and effective for zoonotic influenza treatment. In this study, the efficacy of an anti-H7N9 murine mAb 4B7 and its humanized form (chi4B7) against H7 subtype influenza viruses administered through the intranasal route was investigated in mice . 4B7 recognizes critical residues in the vestigial esterase domain and receptor-binding sites in the hemagglutinin of H7N9 virus . The antibody had cross-H7 binding, hemagglutination inhibition, and neutralizing activities. In particular, the dose of 4B7 required for prophylactic protection against H7N9 infection was significantly reduced in mi...

#Nomenclature #updates to the hemagglutinin gene #clade designations resulting from continued #evolution of high pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5 virus clades 2.3.2.1c and 2.3.4.4

  Abstract The evolutionary divergence of the A(H5) hemagglutinin (HA) gene of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses (A/goose/Guangdong/96 lineage) was analyzed by phylogenetic and average pairwise distance methods to identify clades that merit nomenclature updates . Based on this assessment, 12 new clade designations were recommended based on division of clade 2.3.2.1c and 2.3.4.4 viruses, which were reported in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Oceania since the most recent WHO/WOAH/FAO H5 Evolution Working Group update. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Source:  Link:  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.23.690055v1 ____

#Poland - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

  A poultry farm in Opolskie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7037 ____

#Concern for Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza #Spillover into #Cetaceans

  Abstract Influenza A virus (IAV) has a wide range of avian and mammalian hosts, leading to disease outbreaks and increasing the risk of panzootics and pandemics . Subtype H5N1 of clade 2.3.4.4b is causing the current high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) panzootic . Environmental changes are fuelling the spread of HPAI H5N1 in wildlife worldwide, with occasional spillover events from seabirds to cetaceans . Sampling difficulties and limited tests available for diagnosis are a challenge to cetacean virology research . Understanding the risk of HPAI outbreaks in cetaceans requires a comprehensive examination of events of IAV infection. Documented cases relate to IAV subtypes H1N3, H13N2, H13N9, and H5N1 and have been reported in cetaceans sampled in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans . The number of H5N1 IAV isolated from cetaceans is increasing and affects six host species of the families Delphinidae and Phocoenidae of the suborder Odontoceti . The analysis of 40 molecul...

A Church among Trees, Samuel Palmer (1830)

  Public domain. Source:  Link:  https://www.wikiart.org/en/samuel-palmer/a-church-among-trees-1830 ____

#Rat #Coronavirus Epizootiology in Wild Rattus norvegicus

  Abstract From 2006 through 2008, 543 synanthropic Rattus norvegicus were sampled from 20 alleys clustered in five high-density human neighborhoods throughout Baltimore, Maryland, USA . Results indicated that rat coronaviruses (RCV) circulated endemically and infected most rats in the region. Collected animals were tested by serology and RT-PCR for evidence of exposure to RCV and the results were used to characterize the epizootiology of natural infection. Serology showed that 71.8% of rats had IgG antibodies to RCV, indicating previous exposure, while only 3.0% showed evidence of recent infection based on positive PCR results. Incidence was estimated at 16% per month . Antibody and PCR results were uniformly distributed throughout the city. Consistent with historical laboratory studies, RCV appeared to be horizontally transmitted and generated an acute infection with a short period of infectiousness . Evidence of past infection increased with rat age but did not differ significan...

History of Mass Transportation: The Renault ZO Diesel Autorial

  Par Auteur inconnu — old image Collection Jean-Pierre Vergez-Larrouy, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23989637 Source:  Link:  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autorail_Renault ____

History of Mass Transportation: The Diesel Locomotive Brissoneau & Lotz from Chemins de fer de Provence (1951, metric gauge), at Nice-Lingostière Workshop

  By Eric.Coffinet~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public Domain,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10366620 Source:  Link:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Brissonneau_et_Lotz_locomotives ____

#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, November 22 '25)

  Clin Infect Dis LIANG C, Judy J, Chilson EL, Kelly SP, et al Estimating Risk of Guillain-Barre Syndrome in US Medicare-Enrolled Older Adults Following Medically Attended Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease: A Self-Controlled Case Series Analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 14:ciaf621. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available ZUGER A Home testing for contagious illness: Historical context and modern caveats. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 14:ciaf623. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis AHMAD WA, Wolff-Sagy Y, Battat E, Arbel R, et al Mortality following recovery from COVID-19 hospitalization: a long-term cohort study. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 13:108223. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108223. PubMed           Abstract available WANG C, Gao Y, Li W, Du J, et al Short-Term Risks of Influenza and COVID-19 Following Influenza Infection: A...