Avian Influenza Report: August 30 – September 5 '26 (Wk 36) (CHP, HK SAR, September 8, '26): 1 New Human Case of Infection with #H9N2 virus in #China

 

{Excerpt}

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Avian influenza A(H9N2):

    ° Beijing:

        § A six-year-old girl with onset on August 15, 2026.

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Source: 

Link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk36.pdf

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Pan - #Ebolavirus nanoparticle #vaccine provides protection in rodents from lethal #infection by #Zaire and #Sudan viruses

 

Abstract

Both Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) and Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) are members of the genus Ebolavirus and cause outbreaks marked by high fatality rates and repeated spillover from animal reservoirs. Filoviral glycoproteins (GPs) are the primary targets of neutralizing antibodies and form the basis of current vaccines. Here we describe the design, structural characterization, and evaluation of two-component self-assembling icosahedral I53-50 nanoparticles displaying prefusion EBOV or SUDV GP antigens, either individually or in cocktail and mosaic multivalent formats. EBOV-GP-I53-50 and SUDV-GP-I53-50 nanoparticles elicited strong homologous protection in mice and guinea pigs. In the mouse-adapted EBOV model (maEBOV), mosaic and cocktail formulations produced weak survival below that of the matched EBOV-GP-I53-50 GP immunogen. In contrast, in the gpaSUDV guinea pig model (gpSUDV), cocktail and mosaic nanoparticles elicited robust protection against gpSUDV, and detectable antibody responses to both SUDV and EBOV GPs. These findings demonstrate that multivalent GP-I53-50 nanoparticle immunogens can protect rodents from death, severe clinical signs of disease, and weight loss in relevant models. Together with the established clinical safety of the I53-50 platform, these results support continued efforts toward the development of a pan-ebolavirus vaccine.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-76114-1

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#Uruguay - #Influenza A H5 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Follow up report 1

 

    ° Following a suspicion regarding deaths among birds of various species, the Official Veterinary Service (SVO) launched an epidemiological investigation in a backyard in the Department of Colonia. 

    ° In the backyard there were birds of different species: hens (Gallus gallus domesticus), geese (Anser anser), and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), which were raised outdoors and had contact with migratory wild birds. 

    ° Rapid tests came back negative, but samples were sent to the official laboratory to confirm the results, and they tested positive via PCR. 

    ° The SVO is currently conducting an epidemiological investigation in the zone. 

    ° On September 4, 5, and 6, the SVO conducted the epidemiological investigation in the area. 

    ° Activities included coordination, geographic delineation of the outbreak, establishment of a 5-kilometer operational radius, stamping out, sampling of birds, epidemiological investigation, and classification of establishments according to their risk level. 

    ° On September 5 and 6, 34 establishments within a 5-kilometer radius of the outbreak were inspected and identified. 

    ° No cases with compatible signs or mortality were reported within these establishments, nor were any commercial poultry farms listed in this area.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7810

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Elicitation of Potent #H5N1 - and #H7N9-Neutralizing #Antibody Responses in Rh. Macaques by Sequential Heterologous #Vaccination with #mRNA and Adenoviral Vectors Encoding Full-Length Hemagglutinins

 

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) represents an enormous pandemic risk amid the ongoing H5N1 panzootic. HPAI, defined by its high lethality in domestic poultry, includes the influenza A virus (IAV) H5N1 and H7N9 subtypes and has a 40–50% case fatality rate in humans. To facilitate the development of efficacious HPAI vaccination regimens and isolation of HPAI-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (nmAbs) for prophylactic and therapeutic use, we performed a proof-of-concept pilot study wherein we developed an array of mRNA and adenovirus-vectored vaccines encoding HPAI hemagglutinins (HAs) and then assessed their immunogenicity in IAV-naïve Indian rhesus macaques (RMs). All RMs developed binding IgG recognizing both HPAI HAs. HPAI-nAbs were detected in RMs vaccinated with full-length HAs, but not in RMs vaccinated with HA stems alone. Potent HPAI neutralization activity was observed in two animals with serum ID50 titers of ~1:100,000 against H5N1 and ~1:50,000 against H7N9. Most RMs developed cross-reactive IgG recognizing the HAs of additional IAV subtypes, and HA-specific B cells were readily identifiable in vaccinee PBMCs by flow cytometric analysis. The results of our pilot study suggest that elicitation of potent HPAI-nAb responses is enhanced by vaccination with the HA head domain and that vaccination with the HA stem alone tends to elicit binding non-nAbs. Furthermore, use of our fluorophore-conjugated HA probes to identify HA-specific B cells could enable HPAI-nmAb isolation. Collectively, our findings could facilitate the development of novel vaccines and nmAb therapeutics leveraging the superior neutralization potency of HA head-specific Abs to prevent and treat HPAI infections in humans.

Source: 

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/18/9/981

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History of Mass Transportation: The first Polish steam locomotive with aerodynamic lagging, series Pm36

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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By Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe - Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe https://www.nac.gov.pl/https://www.szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl/jednostka/-/jednostka/5966798, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113670301

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rolling_stock_used_in_Poland#/media/File:Parow%C3%B3z_z_otulin%C4%85_aerodynamiczn%C4%85_serii_Pm36.jpg

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The Gardens of the Villa Medici in Rome, Diego Velazquez (1630)

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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Public Domain.

Source: 

Link: https://www.wikiart.org/en/diego-velazquez/the-gardens-of-the-villa-medici-in-rome-1630

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Challenges in managing ruptured #ectopic #pregnancy complicated by hemorrhagic #shock in an #Ebola treatment unit in #DRC: first reported case

 

Abstract

Background: 

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is an obstetric emergency; early diagnosis is critical for maternal survival. In resource-limited settings, such as Ebola treatment units (ETU), delayed diagnosis or management of EP often leads to rupture and life-threatening hemorrhagic shock.

Case presentation: 

We report the case of a pregnant woman in her 30s who was admitted to the ETU with suspected Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Her clinical presentation included fever and abdominal pain, which began 4 days before her admission. Thirteen months earlier, she had recovered from an Ebola infection. At admission, she presented with 8 weeks of amenorrhea and discrete pelvic pain. On vaginal examination, we noted a slightly enlarged uterus and palpated a small left adnexal mass. Laboratory exams confirmed malaria and pregnancy. Her EVD test was negative. Due to the absence of an ultrasound machine in the ETU, pelvic ultrasound was impossible. Supportive treatment was initiated. Nineteen hours after admission, the patient developed an acute surgical abdomen, with progressive left-sided pelvic pain, abdominal distension, and diffuse tenderness. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy was suspected and confirmed by diagnostic abdominal puncture, which revealed hemoperitoneum. She developed hemorrhagic shock. However, the ETU lacked an operating room, surgical equipment, and anesthetic drugs. Transfer to another ETU was not feasible due to the absence of a surgical-capable facility, while transfer to a community facility required at least a second negative EVD test 48 h after the first. We used an unused building that was part of the neighboring health center to perform an explorative laparotomy, which revealed an EP in the left tube with ampullary dislocation and active bleeding. We performed a left salpingectomy and homeostatic sutures. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for EVD performed at 48 and 72 h were negative. She had a normal postoperative course and was discharged from ETU to the community on the 14th day after surgery.

Conclusion: 

Ruptured ectopic pregnancy (REP) remains a life-threatening obstetric emergency that may occur in ETUs, where resources and treatment conditions are limited. To protect maternal health, ETUs should ensure not only proper care for Ebola infection but also adequate capacity for the timely diagnosis and management of obstetric complications.

Source: 

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1848720/full

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#Safety, humoral and cellular immune responses to a pre-pandemic adjuvanted #influenza #H5N8 #vaccine

 

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses can be transmitted from infected birds to various mammalian species, including humans. Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), members of the Orthomyxoviridae family, possess segmented RNA genomes prone to reassortment, favoring the emergence of novel genetic traits that may alter transmissibility, pathogenicity, and antigenicity. Although no sustained human-to-human transmission has been reported, the potential adaptation of these viruses poses a significant pandemic threat. This study aimed to evaluate the non-clinical safety, toxicity, and humoral immune responses induced by an adjuvanted H5 influenza vaccine in rats and rabbits, to support future clinical safety trials in humans. Male and female Wistar rats and New Zealand rabbits were observed for 14, 28, and 90 days after receiving two intramuscular doses of the H5N8 vaccine (15 μg HA/dose) formulated with the IB160 oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant. No systemic comorbidities, central nervous system alterations, or relevant clinical signs were observed. Hematological parameters remained within normal ranges, with total and differential leukocyte counts showing only minor fluctuations (<1% of total leukocytes). Mild biochemical variations in urea and hepatic transaminase levels were not correlated with histopathological alterations. The vaccine elicited a robust humoral response soon after immunization, with all groups reaching protective HAI-antibody titers. Although antibody levels declined over time, particularly in males, they remained significantly above baseline, indicating durable immunological memory. Furthermore, the vaccine induced a specific cellular immune response, confirmed by IL-2 and TNF production by antigen-specific T lymphocytes in splenic cell cultures after the booster dose. In conclusion, the H5N8 vaccine with the IB160 adjuvant was well tolerated locally and systemically, without compromising vital organ function. The safety and immunogenicity findings are consistent with expectations for adjuvanted influenza vaccines, demonstrating strong and durable humoral and cellular immune responses.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X26008583?via%3Dihub

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History of Mass Transportation: Henschel & Sohn NG Mallet E214 Steam Locomotive with Vouga Historical Train from Aveiro to Macinhata do Vouga, Portugal

 {Click on Image to Enlarge}

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By Nelso Silva from Porto, Portugal - CP E214, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99684021

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comboios_de_Portugal#/media/File:CP_E214_(50923344792).jpg

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#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (AMEDEO, Sept. 5 '26)

 

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

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2. JEENA N, Khan IA
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3. AVILA-PONCE DE LEON U, Esmaeili S, Owens K, Schiffer JT, et al
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   Antiviral Res

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5. YURGELONIS I, Rai DK, Lee JT, Li Z, et al
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10. SENERTH E, Sheikholeslamian SM, Sivakumaran K, Watson MA, et al
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    Virology

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#Phylogenetic analysis of the 2025 #Ebola #outbreak in the #DRC

 

Abstract

On 4 September 2025, the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare officially declared the 16th Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This outbreak ended on 1 December 2025 and occurred in Bulape Health Zone, Kasaï Province, an area with limited access to appropriate healthcare facilities and resources. Here, we describe the probable index patient and molecular investigations of samples obtained from six suspected patients from the initial outbreak phase. We identified Orthoebolavirus zairense (EBOV) in five samples from different patients. In addition, we performed whole-genome sequencing and generated four complete EBOV genomes. These genomes form a well-supported phylogenetic cluster with genomes from the 1976 Yambuku/Mayinga outbreak. This study suggests a likely new zoonotic spillover event from an as-yet unidentified natural reservoir. While the close relationship to 1976 EBOV Yambuku/Mayinga genomes is striking, this poses additional challenges on the comprehension of the animal reservoir species.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-77542-9

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#USA, #Wastewater Data for Avian #Influenza #H5 (CDC, Sept. 4 '26)

 

{Excerpts}

(...)

A(H5) detections in the past week

Time Period: August 23, 2026 - August 29, 2026

    -- A(H5) Detection: 3 site(s) (0.7%)

    -- No Detection: 439 site(s) (99.3%)

    -- No samples: 74 site(s)

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/wastewater/emerging-viruses/h5.html?

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Sex differences in #vaccine-induced #neuraminidase cross-recognition impact #H5N1 #dissemination to the lower respiratory tract in mice

 

Abstract

H5N1 vaccines have been poorly immunogenic in humans, creating a challenge for vaccine development. Seasonal influenza vaccines offer some cross-protection against H5N1, but there has been no consideration of whether protection differs between the sexes. We investigated sex differences in antibody responses following receipt of either beta-propiolactone inactivated whole virus H1N1 or H5N1 (LAIV backbone) vaccines in C57BL/6 mice. Using systems serology assays, vaccination induced strong homologous and heterologous antibody responses, with females generating greater IgG titers than males against whole virus H1N1 and H5N1, which was primarily mediated by greater IgG responses to neuraminidase (NA) than hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Cross-reactive H5N1 IgG titers were greater among H1N1-vaccinated females, and primarily mediated by greater N1-specific IgG titers. IgG2b and IgG2c were the primary antibody isotypes generated in response to these vaccines, with females having greater IgG2b titers and enhanced binding to FcγRIV for avian and human NA than males following either homologous or heterologous vaccination. Antibody-dependent complement deposition was measured as an FcR-mediated non-neutralizing response against HA and NA and was more robust among H1N1 and H5N1 vaccinated females than their male counterparts in response to homologous HA only. Vaccinated females tended to have greater neutralizing antibody titers than males against the homologous vaccine strain, with limited cross-neutralizing antibodies detected in either sexes. Neuraminidase inhibition titers were greater in vaccinated females than males against the heterologous virus following H1N1 vaccination and against both the vaccine and heterologous viruses following H5N1 vaccination. When H1N1 and H5N1 vaccinated mice were challenged with a lethal dose of A/Texas/37/2024 H5N1, all H5N1 vaccinated mice were protected, regardless of sex. Among H1N1 vaccinated mice, while both sexes were protected against disease, H1N1 vaccinated females restricted virus to the upper respiratory tract and had lower pulmonary virus titers than males at 3 days post challenge. These findings highlight that sex differences in vaccine-induced NA-specific antibody responses are associated with differential respiratory dissemination of H5N1 and that sex should be considered in studies of vaccine-induced cross-reactive influenza immunity.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

NIH/NIAID Johns Hopkins Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response, 75N93021C00045

Richard Eliasberg Family Foundation

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.26.728011v3

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Seasonal #surveillance in #humans in 2026 for #WNV (ECDC, Sept. 4 '26), Weekly Update: 1,086 cases so far, of which 516 in #Italy

{Excerpt, Summary}

(...)

Week 36, 2026 | Published on 04 September 2026, based on data submitted up  until and including 3 September 2026.

Current situation

    ° Since the beginning of the 2026 transmission season, and as at 3 September, 144 areas affected by West Nile virus (WNV) have been identified in 15 countries across Europe.

    ° These areas are located in: 

        

        § Italy (62), 

        § Greece (19), 

        § Romania (17), 

        § France (13), 

        § Serbia (seven), 

        § the Netherlands (five), 

        § Croatia (four), 

        § Spain (four), 

        § Hungary (three), 

        § North Macedonia (three), 

        § Germany (two), 

        § Albania (one), 

        § Austria (one), 

        § Cyprus (one) and 

        § Kosovo* (one).

    ° This week, 20 areas are reported as affected for the first time this season. (...)

    ° The 15 countries have reported 1 086 locally acquired human cases of WNV infection: 

    

        § Italy (516 cases), 

        § Greece (284 cases, of which 11 with unknown place of infection), 

        § Spain (88 cases), 

        § Romania (56 cases), 

        § North Macedonia (55 cases), 

        § France (36 cases), 

        § Serbia (18 cases), 

        § the Netherlands (nine cases), 

        § Croatia (seven cases), 

        § Cyprus (six cases), 

        § Austria (four cases), 

        § Hungary (three cases), 

        § Germany (two cases), 

        § Albania (one case) and 

        § Kosovo* (one case)

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-fever/surveillance-and-disease-data/disease-data-ecdc

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Lessons Learned During 2024‒25 Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza #H5N1 Virus #Outbreak Response in #USA: Experience of State and Local Public Health Departments

 

Abstract

Objectives. 

To describe challenges and lessons learned during state and local health department responses to the 2024‒2025 highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreaks.

Methods. 

We conducted semistructured interviews from August to November 2025 with Department of Health and Agriculture staff from states with confirmed or probable A(H5N1) human cases. We conducted 15 total interviews with 37 participants from 10 US states. Interview transcripts were inductively and deductively coded to identify generalizable lessons that might improve future outbreak response efforts.

Results. 

Key themes included difficulty accessing farms and reaching at-risk populations; lack of sufficient guidelines for proactively responding to zoonotic outbreaks that could have human health implications; the importance of maintaining preparedness planning, capacity, and infrastructure; and uncertainty around future capacity to respond to outbreaks because of resource constraints and changes in federal leadership.

Conclusions. 

Although this study focused on responses to A(H5N1) outbreaks, the findings are indicative of the nation’s overall readiness for biological threats. Prioritization of capacity building for infectious disease outbreaks, including robust health department funding to support continued disease surveillance, is critical to prevent more widespread transmission. 

(Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print September 3, 2026:e1–e7. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308656)

Source: 

Link: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308656

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#Italy, #WNV & #Usutu Virus Weekly #Surveillance #Report No. 6 (ISS, Sept. 4 '26): 521 human cases so far this season, 26 fatal

 

{Excerpt, Summary}

(...)

    ° Since the beginning of the epidemic season and as of September 2 '26, 521 human cases of confirmed infection with West Nile Virus were reported. They were 432 in the last week report. 

        § Of these, 269 were WNND (West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease), of which 4 were imported: 1 from Maldives, 1 France, 1 Belgium and 1 Greece; 

        § 70 cases were detected among blood donors; 

        § 179 cases were of West Nile Fever (1 case imported from Burkina Faso), 

        § 2 cases were of unspecified nature; 

        § 1 case was asymptomatic. 

    ° The number of affected provinces has risen to 75 in 19 Regions.

    ° Among confirmed cases, 26 fatalities have been recorded. The Case-Fatality Rate is now at 9.4% (during 2025, it was 14.6%).

    ° So far this season, 10 human cases of infection with Usutu virus have been confirmed (6 in Lombardy, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 1 Marche, 1 Latium, 1 Piedmont).

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.epicentro.iss.it/westnile/bollettino/Bollettino_WND_2026_6.pdf

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Experimental #reproduction numbers disentangle #vaccine effects on susceptibility and infectiousness during #H5N1 #transmission in #geese

 

Abstract

Vaccination against high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is increasingly used to protect poultry, but vaccine performance is commonly inferred from clinical protection and virus shedding rather than measured transmission. We asked whether reproduction numbers from controlled transmission experiments can quantify how vaccination changes susceptibility and infectiousness. Domestic geese were prime-boost vaccinated with an H5 clade 2.3.4.4b RNA-replicon vaccine and challenged with homologous HPAIV H5N1. Replicated seeder-sentinel groups represented transmission among unvaccinated animals, to vaccinated contacts, and from vaccinated breakthrough-infected animals. Vaccinated directly challenged geese remained clinically protected although all became RT-qPCR-positive. Estimated reproduction numbers were R0=4.7 (95% CI, 2.8-8.0) among unvaccinated geese, Rs=2.6 (1.6-4.5) for transmission to vaccinated contacts, Ri=3.7 (2.0-6.8) for transmission from vaccinated infected geese, and Rvacc=2.0 (0.8-4.9) for a fully vaccinated population. Vaccination reduced transmission but did not reduce the point estimate for Rvacc below one under these intensive exposure conditions. Vaccinated infected geese also shed substantially less viral RNA, whereas the estimated reduction in infectiousness was more modest, indicating that RNA shedding alone may not reliably predict transmission reduction. Experimental reproduction numbers therefore provide a direct population-level complement to conventional vaccine endpoints and separate effects on susceptibility from effects on onward transmission.

Competing Interest Statement

Christophe Cazaban is an employee of CEVA Santé Animale, which provided the experimental vaccine used in this study. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.

Source: 

Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748824v1

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

 

Backyard captive birds in Los Lagos Region.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7802

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Immunogenicity and #safety of seasonal #influenza #vaccine co-administered with other vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis

 

Abstract

Seasonal influenza remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, highlighting the need for vaccination strategies that improve coverage and streamline vaccine delivery. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, evaluating immunogenicity and safety of same-day co-administration of influenza vaccines with COVID-19 or other vaccines, compared with non-concomitant administration. Comparators included sequential administration, single vaccine administration or placebo-controlled delayed vaccination. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for Randomized Trials and Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions; certainty of evidence was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Immunogenicity was assessed using geometric mean fold rise (GMFR) in antibody titres and seroprotection rate. Safety was assessed by adverse event (AE) incidence. 52 eligible studies were included. Influenza immunogenicity was comparable between the co-administration and non-concomitant comparator group across all strains (H1N1 GMFR ratio of means (ROM): 1.02 [95% CI: 0.95–1.10]; H3N2, 1.05 [95% CI: 0.97–1.13]; B strain, 1.01 [95% CI: 0.97–1.05]). Pooled risk ratio (RR) for seroprotection was 1.00 for all three strains with 95% CIs ranging from 0.99–1.01. GMFR for COVID-19 vaccines was modestly reduced under co-administration (ROM 0.84 [95% CI: 0.74–0.95]; p = 0.006). Serious AEs were more frequent in the co-administration group compared to the non-concomitant group (RR 1.41 [95% CI: 1.07–1.86]; p = 0.014; absolute risk difference: 1.56 percentage points). Overall, co-administration preserves influenza immunogenicity but modestly reduces COVID-19 vaccine GMFR. Although safety findings warrant cautious interpretation, the low absolute risk difference supports its feasibility as a strategy to streamline vaccination schedules and improve uptake.

Source: 

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-026-01548-z

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