ETIDIOH - NEW

  Public Domain. Source:  Link:  https://www.wikiart.org/en/kathe-kollwitz/the-battlefield-1907 ____

  ABSTRACT The H1N1 influenza virus is a major pandemic and seasonal pathogen with a broad host range , posing a substantial threat to human health and underscoring the need for continuous surveillance . Wild birds , as natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), carry H1N1 strains capable of reassorting with other influenza viruses, which can drive pandemic emergence. The global migration of wild birds facilitates the spread of these viruses, and their interactions with poultry increase the risk of cross-species transmission , further amplifying the public health threat. However, knowledge of H1N1 genetic diversity in wild birds remains limited. Database analysis shows 80% of avian-origin H1N1 isolates come from wild birds across over 40 countries , mainly in North America, Europe and Asia . This study characterized the molecular traits and genetic evolution of four H1N1 AIVs isolated from common teal and spot-billed ducks during 2019–2021 . Phylogenetic and sequence ana...

  Antiviral Res YURGELONIS I, Rai DK, Li Z, Washington B, et al Analysis of Ibuzatrelvir's Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 Circulating Variants and In Vitro Resistance Mutations. Antiviral Res. 2026 Jan 30:106352. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2026.106352. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ LEI Z Reduced disease detection during covid-19. BMJ. 2026;392:s236. PubMed          Clin Infect Dis MA KC, Surie D, Dean N, Paden CR, et al Integrating genomic data into test-negative designs for estimating lineage-specific COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. Clin Infect Dis. 2026 Feb 2:ciag059. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis MICHELI G, Mondi A, Roen A, Taramasso L, et al Did the COVID-19 pandemic shift the landscape of late HIV diagnosis? Int J Infect Dis. 2026 Jan 28:108437. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2026.108437. PubMed        ...

  Antimicrob Agents Chemother LLORENTE J, Sempere J, Llamosi M, Perez-Garcia C, et al Emergence of antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal disease in children, Spain. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2025 Dec 31:e0153025. doi: 10.1128/aac.01530. PubMed           Abstract available J Infect Dis VILLAFUERTE D, Fall A, Akin E, Werner AP, et al Genomic Evolution of Influenza A Virus During the 2024-2025 Season, the Johns Hopkins Health System: Antigenic Drift Reduces Serum Neutralization. J Infect Dis. 2026 Feb 4:jiag069. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Pediatrics GAGO CM, Ruggiero CF, Gundewar A, Rose W, et al Parent Perspectives on the Interactive Role of Charitable and Federal Nutrition Assistance. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 6:e2025072664. doi: 10.1542/peds.2025-072664. PubMed           Abstract available SALTHOUSE AL, Tann...

  6 February 2026 Situation at a glance On 3 February 2026, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) for Bangladesh notified WHO of one confirmed case of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in Rajshahi Division .  The patient developed fever and neurological symptoms on 21 January.  Nipah virus infection was laboratory-confirmed on 29 January.  The patient reported no travel history but had a history of consuming raw date palm sap .  All 35 contact-persons are being monitored and have tested negative for NiV and no further cases have been detected to date.  Bangladesh regularly has small NiV outbreaks , with cases reported at different times of the year, though outbreaks tend to occur between December and April corresponding with the harvesting and consumption of date palm sap.  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh has implemented several public health measures.  WHO assesses the overall public health risk pos...

  By User:JeremyA - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=601906 Source:  Link:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas-turbine_locomotive ____

  {Excerpt} Time Period: January 25, 2026 - January 31, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  4 site(s) ( 0.9% ) -- No Detection :  458 site(s) ( 99.1% ) -- No samples in last week :  192 site(s) The H5 detections at sewershed IDs 809 and 912 in Michigan are false detections resulting from a data error. These will be corrected in the next update. (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

{Nitriansky Region} Commercial poultry farm - fattenning turkeys, laying hens and pullets (in toal 36 000 heads). From 3.2. to 5.2. mortaliy in one barn up to100% (7000 fattening turkeys). Restriction zones (3 and 10 km) have been established. Epidemiological enquiry and depopulation of the farm are ongoing.  Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7250 ____

  Abstract Influenza (flu) is a common respiratory virus with seasonal global spread. Zoonotic viruses can occasionally cross species, leading to pandemic-level spread , and for flu viruses, this is considered an “antigenic shift ”. The flu can be particularly severe during pregnancy due to immune system adaptations that occur during pregnancy, with prior global pandemics causing excess hospitalizations, deaths, and other complications in the mothers and the neonates. We aim to review the current literature with respect to novel avian H5N1 and the potential impact of infection with flu during pregnancy. A systematic literature search was conducted. Here we provide a rapid summary of epidemiology and understanding of viral spread , published risks of H5N1 in pregnancy, the unique physiologic, cellular, and molecular adaptations making H5N1 infection unique in pregnancy, implementation of an effective vaccine program in event of a pandemic specific to pregnant individuals, optimizing...

  Abstract A case of H5N6 avian influenza was reported in Anhui Province, China . The viral titers in the patient's lungs and pharynx decreased rapidly after oseltamivir treatment , yet it still fatal . The whole genome sequencing suggested that it derived from four distinct sources and classified within the 2.3.4.4b clade . Source:  Link:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118226000034?via%3Dihub ____

  Highlights •  74% pooled MERS-CoV seroprevalence in African dromedaries •  Highest MERS-CoV RNA incidence (15.3%) observed in juvenile dromedaries •  2.4% pooled MERS-CoV seroprevalence in camel -exposed humans •  African MERS-CoV clade C exhibits unique polymorphisms •  Clade-specific features might explain low MERS-CoV infection rates in Africa Abstract Objective We explored factors contributing to the low human MERS-CoV prevalence in Africa by assessing MERS-CoV epidemiological and genomic features. Methods We followed the PRISMA guidelines. We searched for articles on epidemiological and virological MERS-CoV characteristics in humans and camels in Africa until August 2025. We used a generalised linear mixed-effects model to calculate pooled proportions. We identified relevant polymorphisms in African MERS-CoV lineages compared with the prototypic EMC/2012 and contemporary Arabian MERS-CoV (clade B5). Results We included 53 articles, with 31 used in th...

  Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified as a human pathogen in 2012 and causes ongoing sporadic infections and outbreak clusters . Despite case fatality rates (CFRs) of over 30% and considerable pandemic potential , a safe and efficacious vaccine has not been developed. Here we report the design, characterization, and preclinical evaluation of MERS-CoV antigens . Our lead candidate comprises a stabilized spike displayed on a self-assembling ferritin nanoparticle that can be produced from a high-expressing, stable cell pool . This vaccine elicits robust MERS-CoV pseudovirus and authentic virus neutralizing antibody titers in BALB/c mice. Immunization of male non-human primates (NHPs) with one dose of Alhydrogel-adjuvanted vaccine elicited a > 103 geometric mean titer of pseudovirus neutralizing antibodies that was boosted with a second dose. Sera from these NHPs exhibited cross-reactivity against spike-pseudotyped lentiviruses from MERS-C...

  A fattening duck holding in Bács-Kiskun Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7252 ____

  Abstract Of 19 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection detected during January 2023–March 2025 in Cambodia , 12 (63%) were detected directly by surveillance for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) or indirectly by testing ill close contacts . SARI surveillance can supplement other surveillance sources for identifying H5N1 cases. Source:  Link:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/3/25-0832_article ____

  ABSTRACT Oropouche virus (OROV), a neglected arbovirus, has historically been considered a self-limiting infection associated with febrile illness . However, the recent surge in cases since late 2023 has been marked by atypical outcomes , highlighting its underestimated clinical impact . Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea have also been reported, but the prevalence and mechanistic insight remain largely elusive. Here, through a meta-analysis of 12 identified clinical studies , we revealed a pooled prevalence of diarrhea as 15% (95% CI, 10%–20%) among the Oropouche patient population. In primary human intestinal organoid-based experimental models , we demonstrated productive infection by both a recent patient isolate (OROV-2024) and a historical strain (Be An19991). This is shown by the accumulation of intracellular OROV RNA, release of infectious particles, and immunostaining of OROV glycoprotein Gc. Interestingly, OROV infection mildly triggered the expression of type II...

  Abstract Introduction Seasonal influenza causes significant global morbidity, mortality, and economic burden . Ongoing viral evolution can lead to vaccine mismatch and the emergence of antiviral resistance , highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance. The 2024–2025 influenza season was characterized by high incidence and increased hospitalizations. Methods We analyzed influenza A virus (IAV) genomes and clinical characteristics from the 2024–2025 season . Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 648 influenza A–positive clinical specimens collected between October 2024 and April 2025. Results Hemagglutinin (HA) sequences were recovered from 74.23% (481/648) of samples and used for subtyping and phylogenetic analysis. A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses co-circulated , representing 55.5% and 44.5% of cases, respectively. Among A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, the HA1 substitution T120A , located near the Sa antigenic site , increased more than twofold compared with the prior season. Ci...

  Abstract Background Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains a key driver of community spread , with secondary attack rates in Thai households reaching approximately 50 %. There is limited evidence supporting the efficacy of antiviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in this context. Methods The phase 2/3, open-label, (1:1) cluster-randomized controlled trial in Thailand , 168 household close contacts from 76 index cases were enrolled to receive either favipiravir-PEP (FPV-PEP) (1600–2000 mg/day for 7 days) or usual care. The efficacy of FPV-PEP was investigated in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection after contact with index cases. Results The incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was lower in the FPV-PEP group than in the usual care group (7.32 % vs. 14.47 %), although the difference was not statistically significant . A trend toward fewer early positive rapid diagnostic test results on day 3 was observed in the FPV-PEP group. Symptom development was less frequent among FPV...

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has spread to over 1,080 dairy farms across 18 states in the United States, resulting in 41 human infections and posing serious risks to both animal and public health . To address these risks, a hemagglutinin-based mRNA–lipid nanoparticle vaccine was developed , and its safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy in high-yielding lactating dairy cows were evaluated. The vaccine was well tolerated, had no adverse effects on health or milk production , and induced strong antibody responses . Two weeks after the second immunization, all the immunized cattle were fully protected against a high-dose H5N1 virus challenge . Notably, two-thirds of the cattle were still completely protected even at the 19th week after the first vaccination , when their serum antibody levels were very low. These data demonstrate that the mRNA vaccine confers robust, lasting protection against H5N1 virus in lactating dairy cows, providing a foundatio...

  {Summary} Recent headlines about influenza have reported a “super flu” causing a “record-breaking season” that is “overwhelming hospitals.” Although less dramatic, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal substantial influenza activity : the agency estimated that there were more than 20 million cases of influenza illness, 270,000 influenza-related hospitalizations , and 11,000 deaths from influenza in the United States through January 24, 2026. These numbers aren’t extraordinary as compared with those from previous seasons, but some indicators of influenza activity and severity have been remarkable. (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2600395?query=TOC ____