ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 rarely infects mammals. In 2024-2025, however, genotypes B3.13 and D1.1 caused two independent spillovers into U.S. dairy cattle . By analysing 26,930 complete H5N1 genomes from global surveillance , we identified 73 major viral groups , most of which show continent-specific distribution in Europe, Asia, Africa , and North America . North American viruses exhibit higher genetic diversity in specific viral segments , including variants potentially associated with mammalian adaptation . Both dairy-cattle-associated B3.13 and D1.1 genotypes originate from the same geographic macro-area , suggesting a possible regional hotspot where avian-mammalian interfaces may facilitate viral adaptation. Our findings place the U.S. outbreaks in a global framework and indicate that North American H5N1 may be predisposed to cross-species transmission. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funder Information Decl...

  Abstract Efficient replication of influenza A viruses (IAVs) requires balanced activities of hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and the RNA polymerase complex, whose functions are strongly influenced by PB2 mutations . We previously revealed three distinct evolutionary pathways for PB2 mutations, with two pathways leading to the emergence of viral strains responsible for human seasonal infections and the 2009 pandemic , and a third pathway giving rise to H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) defined by a triad of mutations (I147T, K339T, and A588T) that occasionally spill over to humans . Here, we investigated the zoonotic risk posed by this triad and elucidated its evolutionary relationship with HA, NA, and vaccination . Recombinant PR8 and clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1 viruses carrying the triad replicated efficiently in embryonated chicken eggs and had moderate replication efficiency in mammalian cells ; moreover, mice infected with these viral strains exhibited m...

  A Common Teal in Jeollanam-do Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7034 ____

  {England, Kent} Laying flock with around 31K birds. Samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Birds presented clinical signs prior to testing. {England, Suffolk} Backyard flock. Samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Birds presented clinical signs of AI prior to testing. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7081 ____

  Summary Background Chikungunya outbreaks have recurred in Brazil since 2014 . Building on earlier 28-day post-vaccination data , we now report 12-month safety and immunogenicity results of the VLA1553 vaccine in Brazilian adolescents. Methods In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial , generally healthy adolescents aged 12–17 years were recruited at ten sites across Brazil. Individuals were excluded for immune-mediated or chronic arthritis or arthralgia, who are are immunologically compromised, or any recent live vaccines. Random allocation via simple block randomisation in a 2:1 ratio was stratified by baseline IgG and IgM serostatus by ELISA to receive a single intramuscular dose of VLA1553 or placebo . Assessed in the per-protocol population 28 days after vaccination, the primary endpoint was the proportion of baseline seronegative participants with chikungunya virus neutralising antibody levels assessed by a serum dilution achieving a 50% plaque redu...

  Abstract The unprecedented 2.3.4.4b. A(H5N1) outbreak in dairy cattle, poultry, and spillover to humans in the United States (US) poses a major public health threat. Population immunity is a critical component of influenza pandemic risk assessment . We assessed the pre-existing cross-reactive immunity to 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses and analyzed 1794 sera from 723 people (0.5–88 yrs) in multiple US geographic regions during 2021–2024. Pre-existing neutralizing and hemagglutinin (HA)-head- binding antibodies to A(H5N1) were low , but there were substantial cross-reactive binding antibodies to N1 neuraminidase (NA) of 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1). Antibodies to group 1 HA stalk were also prevalent and increased with age . A(H1N1)pdm09 infection and influenza vaccination did not induce neutralizing antibodies to A(H5N1) viruses but induced significant rise of functional NA inhibition (NAI) antibodies to N1 of 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1), and group 1 HA stalk antibodies . Moreover, pre-pandemic stockpiled 2.3....

  Abstract Adding to the global burden of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, an unprecedented five HPAI H7 outbreaks occurred globally in 2024 . Of these, three occurred in southeast Australia , with the independent emergence of HPAI H7N9, H7N8, and H7N3 , resulting in the destruction of 2 million poultry . Historical data demonstrates that H7 outbreaks in Australia do not occur randomly , rather, there is a strong association between the timing of the previous H7 outbreaks and rainfall patterns in southeastern Australia. We aimed to address a hypothesis wherein prior to H7 outbreaks in poultry, there was a detectable change in H7 prevalence and/or virus diversity in wild bird populations . We addressed this using virological and serological surveillance data generated from multiple programs. Despite the collection of thousands of samples, there was only weak evidence to support our hypothesis, which provides strong incentive to evaluate current surveillance approaches...

  {Summary} Highlights     • All clades of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) continue to circulate.  - When mpox outbreaks are not rapidly contained and human-to-human transmission is not interrupted, there is a risk of sustained community transmission .   • In October 2025, 44 countries , across all WHO regions, reported a total of 2501 new confirmed mpox cases , including 12 deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR] 0.5%).  - About 75% of these cases were reported in the African Region .  - All regions, apart from the South-East Asia Region observed a decline in confirmed cases in October, compared to September 2025.      • Twenty-one countries in Africa have reported active transmission of mpox in the last six weeks (12 October – 23 November 2025), with 1734 confirmed cases , including 10 deaths (CFR 0.6%) reported during this period.  - Countries reporting the highest number of cases in this period are the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

  Abstract Background :  Genomic surveillance of human seasonal influenza viruses is an essential component of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response system (GISRS) and informs the recommendations for the seasonal influenza vaccine composition. Phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences is used to identify groups of viruses sharing potential antigenic change and computational models are used to predict which viral variants are likely to circulate at high levels in upcoming seasons. To facilitate discussion and reporting of genetic diversity , as well as to communicate antigen recommendations , up-to-date and sufficiently granular definitions of genetic clades are important.  Methods :  A nomenclature system for segments 4 (haemagglutinin) and 6 (neuraminidase) of human A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09, and influenza B .  Results :  We devised a clade suggestion algorithm that proposes new subclades based on criteria including (i) the number of sequences i...

  Latest update The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified a new recombinant mpox virus in England in an individual who had recently travelled to Asia .   -- Genomic sequencing showed that the mpox genome contained elements of clade Ib and IIb mpox .  -- This is not unexpected as both clades are circulating , but highlights the continued potential for mpox virus to evolve and the importance of continued genomic surveillance.     -- UKHSA continues to assess the significance of the strain.   Dr Katy Sinka, Head of Sexually Transmitted Infections at UKHSA, said:    '' Our genomic testing has enabled us to detect this new mpox strain . It’s normal for viruses to evolve, and further analysis will help us understand more about how mpox is changing.   '' Although mpox infection is mild for many, it can be severe . Getting vaccinated is a proven effective way to protect yourself against severe disease, so please make su...

  Abstract Influenza remains a significant global public health concern. Live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) are recognized as effective interventions for influenza prevention. Currently, two types of LAIVs are licensed for human use: one developed through cold-adapted viral gene mutation and the other through the deletion of the viral NS1 gene . However, the similarities and differences in these two LAIVs’ efficacy, safety, and immune responses have not been thoroughly studied. This study constructed a gene-deficient live-attenuated vaccine strain, CA4-dNS1, and a gene locus-mutated attenuated vaccine strain, CA4-cold , to compare their in vivo and in vitro replication capacity , broad-spectrum protective efficacy , safety, and immunogenicity . The results showed that both LAIVs provide comparable broad-spectrum protection against lethal H1N1 and H5N1 influenza challenges in mice and induce similar humoral and mucosal immune responses . Notably, the CA4-cold vaccine strain ...

{Excerpt} Country 2024 (cases - deaths) - 2025 (cases - deaths) - Total (cases - deaths) 1) Australia - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0   2) Azerbaijan - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 8 - 5  3) Bangladesh - ... - ... -  3 - 0 - 11 - 1  4) Cambodia - 10 - 2 - 17 - 8 - 89 - 51  5) Canada - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 1  6) Chile - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0  7) China - 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 57 - 32  8) Djibouti - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0  9) Ecuador - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0  10) Egypt - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 359 - 120  11) India - ... - ... - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3  12) Indonesia - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 200 - 168  13) Iraq - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 3 - 2  14) Lao People's Democratic Republic - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 3 - 2  15) Mexico - ... - ... - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1  16) Myanmar - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0  17) Nepal - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1  18) Nigeria - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1  19) Pakistan - ... - ... - 0 - 0 - 3 - 1  20) Spain - ... - ...

  Public Domain. Source:  Link:  https://www.wikiart.org/en/dante-gabriel-rossetti/the-blessed-damozel-1878 ____

  Abstract Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) pose a significant zoonotic threat, with the emerging H3N8 subtype raising increasing concern due to sporadic human infections . Current strategies for risk assessment of novel AIVs primarily rely on genetic surveillance and isolated case reports, which provide limited insight into their cross-species transmission potential . However, these approaches may overlook critical phenotypic determinants , such as pathogenicity, transmissibility, and environmental persistence , that directly influence zoonotic risk . This study investigates the evolutionary relationships , receptor-binding properties, replication dynamics, pathogenicity in mice, transmission efficiency in guinea pigs, and environmental persistence of three H3N8 strains isolated from a live poultry market . All three H3N8 strains bound exclusively to α-2,3 sialic acid receptor and achieved 100% transmissibility among guinea pigs through direct contact . Notably, the environment-orig...

  Par Didier Duforest — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52411713 Source:  Link:  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autorail_Renault#1959_X_4200 ____

  Abstract Finland faced an outbreak of highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) avian influenza in 2023, which spread from wild birds to fur farms . Vaccinations of at-risk individuals began in June 2024 using the MF59-adjuvanted inactivated A(H5N8) vaccine (Seqirus; A/Astrakhan/3212/2020, clade 2.3.4.4b). Here, in an observational study , we assessed vaccine-induced immune responses in occupational at-risk individuals participating in the phase IV trial , including virus-specific antibody (n = 39 individuals) and T-cell (n = 18 individuals) responses. Vaccination elicited functional antibodies against the vaccine virus and two heterologous clade 2.3.4.4b strains associated with outbreaks on Finnish fur farms and dairy cattle in the United States . Among previously unvaccinated individuals, seroprotection rates against the vaccine virus were 83% (95% CI 70–97%) by microneutralization assay (titre ≥20) and 97% (90–100%) by haemagglutination inhibition assay (titre ≥40). In those pr...

  By Anidaat - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130774110 Source:  Link:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:SNCF_Class_BB_67400,_Livr%C3%A9e_Bleue_Diesel ____

  Am J Respir Crit Care Med SARMA A, Christenson SA, Shoshana BZ, Oliveira AP, et al Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Molecular Phenotypes Have Distinct Lower Respiratory Tract Transcriptomes. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025;211:2352-2362. PubMed           Abstract available Ann Intern Med SOUMARE A, Kapfer T, Botrel T, Adda L, et al Systemic Corticosteroids, Mortality, and Infections in Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-03055. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ LOGAN M FDA claims 10 child deaths caused by covid-19 vaccine, vows to tighten vaccine approvals. BMJ. 2025;391:r2546. PubMed          Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol NEO YN, Martinez-Alvarez L, Davagnanam I, Girafa G, et al Treatment of post-vaccination optic neuritis: implications from the glob...

  Antiviral Res XIONG R, Wu Y, Wang Y, Qu Z, et al Rapid generation of a murine RSV infectious model by transducing a conditional knock-in mouse harboring human IGF1 receptor with adenoviral vector. Antiviral Res. 2025;244:106304. PubMed           Abstract available SUTTO-ORTIZ P, Selisko B, Ferron F, Sommadossi JP, et al Mapping the impact of 1'-, 2'- and 4'-nucleotide modifications on the Respiratory Syncytial Virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Antiviral Res. 2025;244:106298. PubMed           Abstract available Biochem Biophys Res Commun MOHAMMED A, Ibrahim NA, Basher NS Innovations and challenges in vaccine development: Lessons from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and prospects. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;792:152947. PubMed           Abstract available J Gen Virol METAXAKI M, Ram R, Perera M, Wills M, et al Robust antibody and T cell responses tracked longitudin...

  Situation at a glance The purpose of this report is to raise awareness about the local transmission of clade Ib monkeypox virus (MPXV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in countries previously unaffected or to date reporting only cases linked to travel.  This report summarizes recent epidemiological developments , response activities, and the associated global public health risk .  The second declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) for mpox was lifted on 5 September 2025.  As both MPXV clades I and II and their subclades continue to circulate globally, leading to substantial outbreaks in African countries , WHO continues to advise emergency preparedness and response activities .  Multiple modes of transmission underlie ongoing virus circulation , with sexual contact remaining the primary amplifier of transmission in most settings.  Since 5 September 2025, several countries across four of six WHO regions have confirmed...