ETIDIOH - NEW

  Public Domain Source:  Link:  https://www.wikiart.org/en/titian/crowning-with-thorns ____

  Highlights •  IN-delivered ChAd-Texas vaccine elicits mucosal antibody and T cell responses •  IN-delivered ChAd-Texas vaccine protects against H5N1 in mice and hamsters •  IN delivery of ChAd-Texas vaccine confers greater protection than IM delivery •  ChAd-Texas induces H5N1 immunity in the setting of prior influenza immunity Summary The emergence of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses in dairy cows and humans has increased the potential for another pandemic . To address this risk, we developed chimpanzee adenoviral (ChAd)-vectored H5 hemagglutinin-targeted vaccines and tested their immunogenicity and efficacy in rodents . Immunization with ChAd-Texas (clade 2.3.4.4b) vaccine in mice elicits neutralizing antibody responses and confers protection against viral infection and mortality upon challenge with a human H5N1 isolate (A/Michigan/90/2024, clade 2.3.4.4b). Intranasal delivery of the ChAd-Texas vaccine elicits mucosal antibody and T cell respon...

Abstract Key to the success of influenza A virus as a pathogen are its numerous tactics of immune evasion. To suppress anti-viral cellular and organismal responses , influenza A virus encodes several immunomodulatory proteins , including the endoribonuclease PA-X . PA-X decreases inflammation and immune responses in in vivo infections by limiting host gene expression . PA-X is conserved in 99% of all influenza A viral strains , pointing to its importance as a crucial immunomodulator . However, it is not yet known how PA-X activity alters the antiviral response in the human airway or how it benefits the virus. To define how influenza A virus uses this protein to evade immune responses , we characterized the impacts of PA-X on the host response to infection in the infected and bystander cells of the airway epithelium using a 3D ex vivo model. We discovered that PA-X exerts a dual action on immune responses , dampening aspects of both the innate and adaptive immune systems . Consistent wi...

 By Kbh3rd - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5545061 Source:  Link:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas-turbine_locomotive ____

  Clin Infect Dis BRAMANTE CT, Boulware DR Preventing Long COVID With Metformin. Clin Infect Dis. 2026 Jan 29:ciaf700. doi: 10.1093. PubMed          Emerg Infect Dis PERERA RAPM, Marques A, Graham-Wooten J, Tan LH, et al Enhanced Isolation and Detection of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients Undergoing Antiviral Therapy. Emerg Infect Dis. 2026;32:103-113. PubMed           Abstract available Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol NEO YN, Martinez-Alvarez L, Davagnanam I, Girafa G, et al Correction: Treatment of post-vaccination optic neuritis: implications from the global SARS-CoV-2 vaccination effort. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s00417-026-07129. PubMed          Int J Infect Dis NGIAM JN, Wee LE, Lim JT, Loy EX, et al Early administration of neutralising monoclonal antibodies and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. Int J Infect Dis. 2026 Jan 25:108435. ...

  Am J Med CHENG Y, Ling Y, Scholten J, Atkins D, et al Patterns and trends in prevalent central nervous system stimulant use in US veterans with traumatic brain injury. Am J Med. 2026;139:170-180. PubMed           Abstract available BMC Pediatr AKAR A Rare disease mimicking multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. BMC Pediatr. 2025;26:56. PubMed           Abstract available Cell PEKAR JE, Crespo-Bellido A, Lemey P, Bowman AS, et al Can H5N1 avian influenza in dairy cattle be contained in the US? Cell. 2026 Jan 23:S0092-8674(25)01483-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025. PubMed           Abstract available J Clin Microbiol XU X, Hull W, Plunkett D, Tu ZJ, et al Emergence of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K in northeast Ohio in autumn 2025. J Clin Microbiol. 2026 Jan 27:e0181325. doi: 10.1128/jcm.01813. PubMed          J Infect Dis ZHONG...

  Abstract The emergence of MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2 highlights the significant public health and economic threats posed by coronaviruses . In Lao PDR , SARS-CoV-2-related bat coronaviruses capable of binding to human ACE2 receptors have been found in northern regions , but little is known about coronavirus diversity in anthropized environments like temples . This study investigated coronavirus circulation, diversity, and prevalence in bats from caves and temples in Vientiane Province , Lao PDR. A total of 648 guano samples (505 Chaerephon plicatus , 100 Hipposideros spp ., 43 Taphozous spp .) were collected between December 2022 and June 2023 and screened using pan-coronavirus RT-PCR approach . The overall positivity rate was 17.28%, significantly higher in caves (18.8%) than temples (4.41%) (p = 0.003). C. plicatus showed the highest positivity rate (21.38%), followed by Hipposideros spp . 4%, while Taphozous spp . were negative. Phylogenetic analysis revealed diverse...

  By Hpeterswald - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28169917 Source:  Link:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davenport_Locomotive_Works ____

  Abstract US retail milk monitoring during April 13–May 3, 2024 , identified influenza A(H5N1) viral RNA in 36% of retail milk samples , indicating widespread undetected infections in US dairy cows . After federal initiatives, reported infections more closely aligned with findings in retail milk during December 27, 2024–January 29, 2025 , reflecting improved detection and control. Source:  Link:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/2/25-1332_article ____

  Situation at a glance On 26 January 2026, the National IHR Focal Point for India notified WHO of two laboratory‑confirmed cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in West Bengal State .  Both are healthcare workers at the same private hospital in Barasat (North 24 Parganas district).  NiV infection was confirmed at the National Institute of Virology in Pune on 13 January.  One case remains on mechanical ventilation as of 21 January, the other case experienced severe neurological illness but has since improved.  Authorities have identified and tested over 190 contacts , who all tested negative for NiV with support from a mobile BSL‑3 laboratory deployed by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.  No further cases have been detected to date.  This event represents the third NiV infection outbreak reported in West Bengal (previous outbreaks reported in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia in 2007).  Enhanced surveillance and infection prevention and control (I...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: January 18, 2026 - January 24, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  4 site(s) ( 0.9% ) -- No Detection :  437 site(s) ( 99.1% ) -- No samples in last week:  204 site(s) (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  A Dead swan found on lake shore in Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7244 ____

  A breeding chickens farm in Śląskie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7243 ____

  Di Jiyang Chen - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15507046 ___ This event was created to allow the recreation of outbreak ob_164520, previously reported as H5N1 subtype. Subadult unspecified seagull. In the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone.  Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7234 ____

  Abstract Limited information is available on the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and immune debt on influenza during COVID-19 . This retrospective population-based research examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases and influenza positive cases in Sichuan Province . Interrupted time series analysis (ITS) was conducted using data gathered from surveillance hospitals throughout 21 cities , including information on patients diagnosed with ILI and positive nucleic acid testing. Subsequent to the implementation of NPIs, there was a notable temporary reduction in both the incidence of ILI cases and confirmed influenza cases, decreasing by 94.7% and 98.0%, respectively (P<0.001). The weekly trend in influenza-positive cases was notable (+4.1%/week, P=0.001). Following the execution of the second-phase intervention, the fluctuations in the transient changes of ILI patients and influenza-positive cases varied ;...

  Abstract We examined whether the recent emergence of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K, associated with an unusually early influenza season in the Northern hemisphere, was accompanied by a reduction in human population immunity . Using virus neutralisation assays on pre-epidemic human sera collected in May 2025, we found evidence of moderate antigenic drift . Further, vaccines used in the 2024/2025 season induced cross-neutralising immunity . These findings provide timely insight for interpreting recent influenza epidemiology and informing vaccine strain selection. Competing Interest Statement The following authors declare no conflict of interests: KD, RI, LM, SR, HC, GGA, MSA, VS, ZW, SKW, JZ, BJW, DLR, JH, OML, JG, CJRI. PRM receives funding for research work for MSD. EH has received an honorarium for advisory board work for Seqirus. ET has received funding from Novavax and Astra Zeneca. Funding Statement This work was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) to the MRC-Universi...

  Abstract Oz virus (OZV), a member of the genus Thogotovirus in the family Orthomyxoviridae, is an emerging tick-borne virus reported in Japan . A fatal human case and seroepidemiological evidence of widespread exposure among wild animals and humans suggest its potential public health significance . However, no animal models suitable for pathogenic studies or evaluation of countermeasures are available for OZV. Here, we have established a lethal mouse model of OZV infection using cell-adapted virus and mice lacking type I interferon signaling (B6 Ifnar1 KO mice). OZV infection resulted in 100% mortality and was characterized by robust viral replication in the liver and spleen, severe hepatitis, and acute liver injury . Using this model, we also demonstrated that oral administration of T-705 , an antiviral drug widely used against RNA viruses, as well as immunization with an inactivated whole virus particle vaccine, protected B6 Ifnar1 KO mice from lethal OZV infection by mitigatin...

  A foie gras goose holding in Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7237 ____

  Abstract Background :  Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has historically been regarded as a low-fatality infection ; however, growing evidence from diverse study designs demonstrated a substantial mortality burden during large-scale epidemics. In 2025, Réunion Island experienced a major CHIKV outbreak , raising renewed concerns about its fatal impact.  Methods :  We conducted an ecological time-series analysis of all-cause mortality during the 2025 chikungunya epidemic. Expected deaths were estimated using two complementary approaches: (i) a baseline based on age-specific mean mortality rates from the same calendar months in the post-pandemic period and (ii) long-term Poisson regression models using a log-link function and population offset, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period. Excess mortality was calculated as the difference between observed and expected deaths during periods when observed mortality significantly exceeded the upper bound of the 95% confidence interva...

  Abstract Influenza A viruses continually pose pandemic threats, underscoring the need for timely development of Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVVs) that meet regulatory expectations for vaccine manufacturing. This protocol describes the procedures used at CDC to generate recombinant CVVs through reverse genetics in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines and CDC’s internal Quality System Requirements (QSR)1,2,3. The QSR incorporates relevant principles from the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations, providing a structured framework that ensures documentation integrity, material traceability, and quality oversight during all stages of CVV development. The protocol provides detailed steps for plasmid preparation , virus rescue in Vero cells , and amplification in embryonated chicken eggs , and outlines characterization assays used to confirm the suitability and safety attributes of each CVV. This standardized, quality-drive...