ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract The outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in U.S. dairy cattle poses substantial risks to public health, economic sustainability of farming, and global food systems . Using a Computable General Equilibrium model , we simulate its short- to medium-term impacts on Gross Domestic Product and other macro-economic outcomes for the US and its main trading partners . We simulate impacts under the current situation and realistic and reasonable worst-case scenarios . We estimate domestic economic losses ranging between 0.06% and 0.9% of US GDP , with losses to the dairy sector ranging between 3.4% and 20.6%. Trading partners increase dairy production to compensate for the loss. Current government subsidies are about 1.2% (95% HDI: 1% to 1.4%) of output losses, and likely insufficient to incentivise farmers to step up surveillance and biosecurity for mitigating the possible emergence of H5N1 strains with pandemic potential into human populations. Source:  Link:...

  Abstract The polymerase acidic (PA) protein is a subunit of the trimeric influenza A virus (IAV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the target of the anti-influenza drug baloxavir marboxil (BXM). As with other direct-acting antivirals , treatment with BXM can lead to selection of viruses carrying resistance mutations . If these mutations have negligible fitness costs, resistant viruses can spread widely and render existing treatments obsolete . Multiple BXM resistance mutations in the nuclease domain of PA have been identified, with I38T and I38M amino acid substitutions occurring frequently. These mutations have minimal to no effects on viral polymerase activity , virus replication , or transmission . However, for reasons that are not well understood, viruses with BXM resistance substitutions have not been able to compete with parental wild-type strains . The IAV genome segment encoding PA also encodes the host shutoff nuclease PA-X, which shares the endonuclease domain with PA bu...

  A slaughter turkeys farm in Zachodniopomorskie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7254 ____

  {Whooper Swan} __ {Eurasian Wigeon} ___ A wild Whooper Swan in Höfuðborgarsvæði Region.  A wild Eurasian Wigeon in Höfuðborgarsvæði Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7248 ____

  Highlights •  Randomized trial of 1st and 2nd mRNA SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination in advanced age •  Higher anti-RBD IgG level and neutralizing capacity with full-dose mRNA-1273 than BNT162b2 •  Decrease in viral neutralization capacity after 12 months against all 25 tested SARS-COV-2 variants •  Oldest population in a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination study (mean 81 yrs) ABSTRACT Background To determine long-term immunogenicity and reactogenicity of different SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-vaccines in a population ≥75 years in a randomized trial. Methods Participants were randomised to receive either BNT162b2 30µg or double booster dose mRNA-1273 , i.e.100µg, as 3rd and 4th vaccination (1st and 2nd booster). Primary endpoint was rate of 2-fold geometric mean titre (GMT) antibody increase 14 days after vaccination targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) region of wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Secondary endpoints included neutralising capacity against wild-type and 25 variants at 14 days (D...

  Abstract Influenza D virus (IDV), primarily found in livestock species, has demonstrated cross-species transmission potential , yet its threat to humans remains poorly understood . Here, we curated a panel of IDV isolates collected during field surveillance from 2011 to 2020 from swine and cattle to assess their ability to infect human airway cells as a proxy for zoonotic threat assessment. Using lung epithelial cell lines , primary well-differentiated airway epithelial cultures, and precision-cut lung slices , we demonstrated that IDV efficiently propagates in cells and tissues from the human respiratory tract , reaching titers comparable to human influenza A virus (IAV). Infection kinetics in primary porcine airway cultures and respiratory tissues mirrored those from human , suggesting similar infectivity across species. To define host responses to IDV infection, we evaluated innate immune sensing and downstream interferon signaling in human respiratory cells. IDV infection res...

  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...