#Russia denies second case of #pneumonia of unknown cause

 

{Extract, edited}

(...)

[#Russia Denies Second Case of Pneumonia of Unknown Cause#] 

    On October 8th local time, the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) issued a statement denying online reports that a staff member at the Siberian and Far Eastern Institute for Plague Prevention in Irkutsk had died of "pneumonia of unknown cause" and that a second case had emerged among those who had been in contact with her. 

    The statement indicated that medical observation of all contacts of the aforementioned staff member had been completed, and no health abnormalities related to infectious diseases had been found. 

    Nearly 5,000 laboratory tests had not detected any dangerous pathogens. 

    The statement confirmed that the health and epidemic prevention situation in Irkutsk Oblast, Irkutsk City, and Sherekhov City was calm. 

    The institute in question is located in Irkutsk City, and the staff member died in Sherekhov City. 

    The statement also stated that the WHO had not confirmed any new cases. 

    At the request of the WHO, the agency has provided full information on the measures taken. 

    Previously, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on the social media platform X that the patient had died on October 2nd after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia. 

    Since the initial report by independent media, the WHO has been actively monitoring the situation regarding this death. 

    Russian health authorities have informed the WHO that no cases of plague have been reported recently in the Irkutsk region, and no high-threat pathogens have been detected in tests of those who had contact with the patient. (CCTV News video @Knews)

Source: 

Link: https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2026-10-08/doc-iniupnux4339084.shtml?from=pcsearch

____

#Italy, #WNV & #Usutu Virus in Humans - Weekly #Surveillance #Report (ISS, Oct. 8 '26): 754 cases and 57 deaths so far

 

{Extracts}

(...)

Summary

    ° Since the beginning of the arboviral season and as of October 7 '26, 754 confirmed human cases of infection with West Nile Virus have been reported (they were 727 in the last week report);

    ° Of these:

        § 401 were West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (among them, five were imported: 1 from Maldives, 1 France, 1 Belgium, 1 Greece and 1 the Netherlands), 

        § 94 werer asymptomatic cases in blood donors; 

        § 253 were West Nile Fever Cases; 

        § 5 were unspecified cases; 

        § 1 was an asymptomatic case.

    ° The number of provinces with WNV circulation is now 85 in 20 Regions.

    ° In addition, 57 fatal cases have been reported. The case-fatality rate in the WNND cases is now 14.1% (in 2025 it was 19.2%).

    ° Since the start of arboviral season, 18 human cases of infection with Usutu virus were recorded: 8 in Lombardy, 1 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 2 Marche, 3 Latium, 1 Piedmont, 2 Veneto).

Trend in Reported WNV Monthly Cases

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

___

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.epicentro.iss.it/westnile/bollettino/Bollettino_WND_2026_11.pdf

____

#Serological and transcriptomic response of African fruit #bats to immune challenge with recombinant #vaccines expressing #Ebola or #Nipah virus #antigens

 

Abstract

Bats are hosts to diverse zoonotic viruses which can cause high case fatality rates in humans. Since detecting viruses in bats is difficult, antibodies are often used for surveillance, though their significance remains unclear in the absence of in vivo immunological studies. To address this knowledge gap, we measured antibody production and gene expression in bats following injection with vaccines encoding either a Nipah virus G glycoprotein or an Ebola virus GP glycoprotein. We selected two African bat species with overlapping ranges, Eidolon helvum (confirmed reservoir of henipaviruses) and Epomophorus gambianus (putative reservoir of filoviruses). Using a Luminex-based multiplex microsphere immunoassay and a pseudotype virus neutralization assay, we observed an increase in antibodies against the Nipah glycoprotein in most bats that received the Nipah vaccine. In contrast, we could only detect anti-Ebola glycoprotein antibodies in one bat species, Ep. gambianus, in response to the Ebola vaccine. Transcriptomic analysis in Ei. helvum revealed that genes involved in ISGylation and T-cell differentiation pathways were differentially expressed in response to the Ebola, but not the Nipah, vaccine. These results demonstrate species-specific differences in responses to antigen exposure, offering insights into bat adaptive immune systems and providing calibration for serological data from wild bats.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.252189

____

#Taiwan CDC #statement regarding a suspected #plague incident in #Russia, in response to #WHO's information (Oct. 8 '26)

 

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated on October 8, 2026, regarding recent international media reports of a death from pneumonia of unknown cause reported on October 2, 2026, at the Irkutsk Plague Control Institute in Siberia, Russia, followed by a second suspected plague death on October 6. 

    To closely monitor the international epidemic situation, the CDC, through its counterpart in Taiwan's International Health Regulations (IHR), inquired with the World Health Organization (WHO) on October 6 to verify relevant epidemic information.

    The CDC indicated that the WHO officially responded on October 7. According to information provided by the WHO, Russian authorities informed the WHO on October 6 that no plague cases had been reported in the Irkutsk region recently. 

    Regarding the severe pneumonia case involving an employee of the Irkutsk Plague Control Institute, the country has launched an epidemiological investigation and initiated relevant prevention and control measures. All contacts have been identified and tested, and no high-threat pathogens have been detected so far.

    The WHO stated that due to incomplete information regarding the case, it is currently insufficient to draw empirical conclusions regarding whether this event poses a potential risk to the public, and caution is needed while conducting dynamic risk assessments. 

    The WHO Director-General also issued a public statement on October 6th, formally requesting Russian authorities to clarify the exact cause of the first case of severe pneumonia, the pathogen that led to the implementation of large-scale public health measures, and to provide specific explanations regarding media reports of a second case of pneumonia of unknown cause. 

    The WHO will continue to maintain contact with Russian authorities and actively verify the veracity of media reports.

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that Taiwan has not reported any cases of plague since 1953. 

    Furthermore, according to WHO statistics, between 2019 and 2025, a total of 3,860 suspected cases of plague have been reported in 10 countries globally, of which 2,646 were confirmed cases, resulting in 423 deaths (a case fatality rate of 11% for suspected cases). 

    Approximately 98% of confirmed cases globally were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar; neighboring countries such as China reported 19 confirmed cases, and Mongolia reported 17 confirmed cases.

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) emphasized that it has been closely monitoring the development of the outbreak, strengthening quarantine measures such as fever screening at borders, and has established relevant testing capacity and an infectious disease prevention and control medical network in Taiwan. 

    The relevant treatment drugs are also readily available and stably supplied antibiotics in domestic clinical medicine, which can be used for diagnosis, treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis. 

    The public is urged not to panic excessively.

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/ZSgA4XCBC3WbeC0Wb8Em-g?typeid=9

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#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife (Dept. of Agriculture, Oct. 8 '26)

 

{Extracts}

(...)

Event data

    ° 694 Positive events

    ° 59,314 Hotline reports

    As of 4pm AEST, 7 October 2026, Australia has 694 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

        § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

        § 328 in South Australia (SA)

        § 68 in New South Wales (NSW)

        § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

        § 236 in Victoria (VIC)

        § 49 in Tasmania (TAS)

        § 1 in Other Territories*

{*} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government as at 17:00 AEST daily. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the relevant state or territory government. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

___

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

____

Integrated in vivo and transcriptomic analyses of lethal #Oropouche virus #infection reveal suppression of pathogenic host responses by #antiviral therapy

 

Abstract

Oropouche virus (OROV) is an emerging arbovirus responsible for large outbreaks of febrile illness in Central and South America, with increasing reports of severe neurological disease and fatal outcomes. Despite its growing public health impact, no approved antiviral therapies or vaccines are currently available. Here, we show that favipiravir, a broad-spectrum nucleoside analogue, robustly suppresses OROV replication and disease in vivo. In a lethal Syrian hamster model, favipiravir treatment provided complete protection against OROV infection, preventing viral dissemination to peripheral organs and the central nervous system, and remained highly effective when administration was initiated after infection. In contrast, insufficient antiviral control resulted in viral neuroinvasion and fatality. To define host responses associated with OROV pathogenesis and their modulation by antiviral therapy, we performed transcriptomic profiling of liver and brain tissues. OROV infection induced interferon-driven inflammatory programs accompanied by marked disruption of metabolic and tissue homeostatic pathways, whereas these transcriptional signatures were largely abrogated by favipiravir treatment. Together, our findings identify favipiravir as a potent antiviral candidate against OROV and provide the first in vivo, tissue-resolved transcriptomic framework of OROV infection, linking effective viral suppression with the prevention of neuroinvasion and pathogenic host responses. These results highlight antiviral intervention as a viable strategy to mitigate OROV-associated disease and mortality.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1014647

____

#WHO DG's opening #remarks at the media #briefing {about suspected #plague cases in #Russia & #Ebola Bundibugyo in #DRC} (WHO, 7 October 2026, extracts)

{Excerpts}

7 October 2026 | Remarks | Geneva 

    Good morning, good afternoon and good evening.

    Last Friday, the 2nd of October, the first media reports emerged of a suspected case of pneumonic plague in a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute in the Russian Federation.

    The lab worker died after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Initial media reports suggested pneumonic plague following an accidental lab exposure.

    WHO is aware that the Russian government held a meeting on the 2nd of October because they suspected a resident of the Irkutsk oblast had contracted a dangerous infection.

    On Saturday, WHO asked the Russian Federation for more information, in accordance with the International Health Regulations.

    Yesterday, the Russian Federation responded, saying that no case of plague had recently been reported in the Irkutsk oblast, and that they had placed about 200 contacts in quarantine.

    However, WHO has requested further information on the laboratory tests conducted on the individual who died and the contacts, more detail on what prompted the public health measures, and details about the health status of the contacts.

    We have also sought verification of media reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause.

    WHO has offered technical support related to plague and lab biosafety and biosecurity.

    As we don’t yet have the full picture of this event, we are not able to conduct a full risk assessment.

    Timely, complete and transparent information sharing under the International Health Regulations is essential to clarify conflicting reports and enable an accurate assessment of potential public health risks.

===

    Now to the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    The number of confirmed cases has now reached 8665, with 4178 confirmed deaths.

    In some areas, there are clear signs that the epidemic is slowing down, although in others it is continuing to grow.

    Since the outbreak began, contact tracing has improved significantly, around 2000 alerts are reported every day, and about 5 million people have been reached through community engagement activities.  

    Clinical trials of therapeutics are progressing, with more than 600 people enrolled;

    A vaccine trial is expected to start later this month, and we are working on ensuring access to these products should they prove efficacious in trials.

    These advances are the result of hard work over many months, by communities and partners under the leadership of the government.

    But we continue to face significant challenges.

    The majority of deaths still happen in the community instead of in treatment centres, and contact tracing is still not at the level needed.

    And we cannot forget that this epidemic is unfolding in an area beset by a prolonged humanitarian crisis.

    While transmission is going down overall, new hotspots continue to appear, including in areas close to the border with South Sudan.

    And as you know, Kenya yesterday reported a case of Ebola in a Kenyan citizen who fell ill in DRC, was treated at several facilities there, then travelled to the Kenyan capital Nairobi via the Ugandan capital Kampala.

    Immediately upon arrival in Nairobi, he was taken to hospital where he was isolated and Ebola was confirmed. He received care but died on Monday this week.

    Kenyan authorities are monitoring 55 contacts, including passengers and crew who were with the patient on the flight from Kampala to Nairobi.

    Yesterday, I spoke to the Cabinet Secretary to discuss the case and the measures that Kenya had taken to prepare for an event like this.

    I commend the Kenyan government for its prompt action and for reporting the case to WHO under the International Health Regulations in a timely way.

    WHO advises against blanket travel or trade restrictions, which are less effective than screening, contact tracing and other measures. 

    Transparency should be rewarded, not punished.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing---7-october-2026

____

Suspicion of #plague in a #Russia #laboratory resurfaces; #WHO demands explanation for {a possible} second death (Sina, Oct. 7 '26)

 

{Extracts, edited}

Suspicion of a plague leak from a Russian laboratory is escalating? A "second death" has been reported, and the WHO has demanded an explanation from Russia. #OverseasNews#

　　A staff member at a plague research facility in Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia, recently died. The laboratory worker died after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia, leading to speculation that it might be related to pneumonic plague.

    The recent news of a second death from pneumonia of unknown cause in the region has once again drawn attention. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus publicly stated that the WHO has requested further information from Russia to verify the reports and clarify the specific circumstances of the two cases.

    According to foreign media reports, the British newspaper Daily Mail, citing local media sources, claims that another person may have died in the Irkutsk region. However, this claim has not yet been confirmed by Russian health authorities or the WHO.

    The local independent media outlet Baikal also reported that recent reports about the "plague" have begun to decrease, with some media outlets deleting related content.

    According to other reports, the Baikalsk city government had previously issued a notice advising residents to temporarily avoid traveling to Sherekhov. The notice stated that due to "unofficial information," cases of plague might have been discovered in the area. However, the notice was reportedly deleted approximately two hours after its release.

    The WHO has asked Russia to explain the situation of the "second case".

    WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently stated on the social media platform X that the WHO has been monitoring the death of a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Institute of Virology and Epidemiology since related media reports emerged.

    According to a previous notification from the Russian health authorities to the WHO, the staff member died on October 2 after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia.

    Some media outlets previously reported that the death may have been related to accidental exposure in the laboratory and pneumonic plague, but this claim has not yet been confirmed by authoritative departments.

    The Russian health authorities have informed the WHO that no new cases of plague have been registered in the region recently. Russia has launched an epidemiological investigation and implemented preventative and control measures, including medical observation and testing of identified contacts.

    The Russian side stated that no high-risk pathogens were found among the relevant contacts, and all confirmed contacts have completed medical observation.

    However, the WHO still requests Russia to provide more information, including the specific cause of the staff member's severe pneumonia, the pathogen that prompted Russia to take public health measures, and the specific details of the so-called "second employee with unexplained pneumonia" reported in the media.

    Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that timely, complete, and transparent information sharing is crucial for clarifying conflicting reports and accurately assessing potential public health risks.

    There is still a lack of authoritative evidence regarding a "laboratory leak".

    Earlier reports indicated that Darya Shipilova, a female researcher at a plague research institution in Sherekhov, Irkutsk Oblast, accidentally broke a test tube containing pneumonic plague pathogens while collecting samples on September 25 and died on October 2.

    The report also stated that approximately 200 people were identified as close contacts, and some were placed under quarantine or medical observation.

    However, it should be noted that the claims of "test tube rupture leading to pneumonic plague infection," "laboratory leak," and "a second death" all have varying degrees of information gaps and cannot yet be considered as confirmed.

    The most pressing question now is whether Russia will release the final test results for the deceased, as well as the specific details of the so-called "second case."

    Until this crucial information is clarified, it remains to be further investigated whether this incident is a case of ordinary severe pneumonia or involves high-risk pathogens such as plague.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://k.sina.com.cn/article_7295511724_1b2d8acac04001jmsw.html?from=pcsearch

____

Zoonotic #influenza #H5 #vaccination in #humans in #EU/EEA - Assessment - 7 October 2026 (ECDC, summary)

 

{Summary}

Zoonotic influenza A(H5) vaccination in humans in the EU/EEA | Assessment

7 October 2026

    Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) continues to circulate widely in wild birds and cause outbreaks in poultry and other animals across Europe. 

    Despite extensive circulation, human infections remain rare and no human cases have been confirmed in the EU/EEA to date. 

    Considering this, ECDC assesses the risk from A(H5N1) viruses circulating in Europe as low for the general population and low to moderate for people occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments.  

Key findings

    ° Twenty-seven of 30 EU/EEA countries responded to the survey on influenza A(H5) vaccination in humans – national plans and implementation status in EU/EEA. 

        § Eight countries reported having national A(H5) vaccination recommendations in place, eight were currently developing them, and 11 had no plans at the time of the survey. 

    ° Implementation of the plans remained limited: five countries had started vaccination campaigns (Austria, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Portugal) and three planned to do so within one year. 

        § Priority groups most commonly included in the cohort to be vaccinated were veterinarians and animal-health staff, culling teams, laboratory staff and workers in farming and the poultry sector.  

    ° Most countries reported that they are monitoring or planning to monitor vaccine uptake; the majority through immunisation registries. 

    ° Reported vaccine uptake in reporting countries was generally low outside laboratory settings, but data were incomplete and not comparable across countries.  

    ° Overall, results were heterogeneous in the EU/EEA due to variation in national recommendations, implementation plans, delivery arrangements and uptake monitoring.  

        § For preparedness purposes, countries would benefit from clearly defined programme objectives and scenario-based triggers, tested delivery pathways, targeted communication and uptake-monitoring plans. 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/zoonotic-influenza-ah5-vaccination-humans-eueea

____

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

{Excerpts}

(...)

{Vlaanderen Region} 

    ° The birds in the infected aviary have been euthanized (Somateria mollissima, Anas bernieri, Lophodytes cucullatus, Mergellus albellus, brasiliensis brasiliensis, Spatula hottentota, Anas melleri, Aix galericulata) . 

    ° The other birds have not been culled but are being monitored (derogation from Regulation 2020/687, Article 13.2.d) 05/10/2026 

    ° Birds in other aviaries (ibises and geese) were showing symptoms and tested positive for the H5N1 virus. It was therefore decided to euthanise all the animals.

    ° The captive birds in the two infected aviaries were euthanized, as were the three hens in an uninfected aviary. 

    ° The other birds were not culled but are being monitored (derogation from Regulation 2020/687, Article 13.2.d: animals of high genetic, cultural or educational value, duly justified). ; 

    ° PRIMARY OUTBREAK (Tongeren: secondary outbreak linked to the purchase of ducks in Balen)

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7868

____

#Iceland - #Influenza A #H5N5 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

 

{Extracts}

(...)

    ° Pursuant to Article 10.4.1.4 of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the notification reported herein relates to infection in wild birds, which are not considered poultry under the WOAH definition, and therefore does not affect the HPAI-free status of Iceland.

(...)

    ° Wild Birds in the Norðurland vestra Region:

        § Black-headed Gull, 

        § Lesser Black-backed Gull, 

        § Great black-backed Gull, 

        § Great Skua 

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7884

____

#Russia, An Unconfirmed #Report on a Second #Fatal Case of #Plague linked to the first in the #Irkutsk Region (via Baidu, Oct. 7 '26)

 

{Excerpts, edited.}

(...)

    A 28-year-old female researcher working at the Irkutsk Plague Control Institute was hospitalized on September 29 with severe pneumonia and died in Sherekhov on October 2. 

    Russian authorities stated the cause of death was undetermined and no occupational pathogens were detected; however, independent media outlets reported further deaths in quarantine areas and hospital capacity restrictions, presenting inconsistent information.

(...)

    Before her hospitalization on September 29, Shipilova was described by colleagues as having participated in fieldwork in the Buryat region, near the Mongolian border. 

    Local media also reported that she broke test tubes containing live bacteria in the laboratory, but this detail has not been confirmed by Russian officials. 

    Rospotrebnadzor's investigation concluded that no evidence of an accident involving the handling of pathogenic microorganisms was found.

    The number of contacts varies slightly from source to source, with foreign media reports totaling approximately 197 to 200, some of whom are hospitalized for observation. 

    Subsequent official reports indicated that common respiratory pathogens such as COVID-19 and rhinovirus were detected among those under observation, but no dangerous pathogens associated with Yersinia pestis were detected. 

    According to the WHO's report from Russia on October 6, no cases of pneumonic plague have been registered in Irkutsk.

    Around October 1st, the hospital where Sherekhov was treated implemented limited entry and exit, with some departments suspending admissions and discharges. 

    Independent media outlets have described the limited access and closed-loop management of the First, Third, and Tenth Clinical Hospitals in Irkutsk, as well as the Ivano-Matreninskaya Children's Hospital, as a "pandemic model" or "three-week quarantine," though this has not been fully confirmed by officials.

    On October 3, the Baikalsk government posted on Telegram, advising residents to postpone travel to Sherekhov and surrounding areas due to "unofficial confirmed cases of plague in Sherekhov." The post was deleted approximately two hours later. Independent media outlet The Insider reported that REN TV removed five articles related to the incident; Channel 5 and some print media articles were also taken down.

(...)

    On October 2nd, an aluminum plant required employees to wear masks, which was later changed to seasonal respiratory disease prevention on October 4th. 

    Personnel in protective suits were seen at the entrances of childcare facilities and some hospitals, and residents photographed fully equipped staff entering and exiting the Sherekhov medical center. 

    British media reported a 5000% year-on-year increase in searches for the Russian word "chuma," reflecting public panic, but not necessarily indicating a confirmed diagnosis.

    The second death came from independent media reports after October 6th, stating that another person had died in the isolation hospital, possibly a medical staff member or a former patient. 

    Neither Rospotrebnadzor nor the WHO's current reports have confirmed a second death from plague or pneumonic plague. The official wording in the report can only retain phrases like "media reports, awaiting etiological report."

(...)

    Four points need to be verified: whether sputum culture, blood culture, and PCR of the deceased detected Yersinia pestis and phage typing; the fever conversion rate of approximately 200 contacts after October 9; whether the WHO obtained the original test reports; and whether the pathological autopsy in the isolation ward of Sherekhov Hospital was made public. 

    Without all four points, the second case and the laboratory leak remain at the level of suspicion.

Source: 

Link: https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1878371860695545357&wfr=spider&for=pc

____

The #mammalian-adaptive #PB2-E627K substitution preserves viral fitness of clade 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 HPAIV in #birds

 

Abstract

Since emerging in 2020, clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has disseminated globally, causing substantial infection and mortality in wild birds and poultry. Additionally, numerous spill-over events into mammals have occurred, including mass mortalities and sporadic human infections. Such events can drive the acquisition of mammalian-adaptive mutations, which further increase the risk to humans; the most well characterised mutation is the glutamate to lysine change at amino acid position 627 in the polymerase basic 2 protein (PB2-627K). Across avian influenza viruses, PB2-627K enhances polymerase activity and replication in mammalian cells, increasing zoonotic and pandemic potential. However, bioinformatic analyses indicate that PB2-627K remains rare among clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses circulating in avian populations. Here, we investigated the impact of PB2-627K on viral fitness in avian hosts to assess the potential for mammalian-adapted viruses to re-establish in birds, mimicking infection of avian species following scavenging on mammalian species where PB2-627K has already emerged. Using a representative H5N1 virus (European genotype AB), PB2-627K increased polymerase activity and replication in human cells without compromising replication in avian cells. A mammalian-derived PB2-627K H5N1 isolate from a fox exhibited comparable replication kinetics and transmission efficiency in chickens and ducks to a closely related PB2-627E virus. Notably, PB2-627K remained genetically stable at consensus level following infection and transmission in both avian hosts. These findings demonstrate that mammalian-adaptive mutations acquired during spill-over can be maintained in avian populations, potentially elevating zoonotic risk and underscoring the importance of surveillance for such mutations in birds.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.10.06.757006

____

#Kenya confirms first imported #Bundibugyo virus disease case; #WHO supports control efforts (Oct. 7 '26)

 

    Nairobi—Following the confirmation by Kenyan authorities of the country's first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), the World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with the Government of Kenya to intensify key control measures to prevent further spread of the virus.

    The government is strengthening its response coordination and case investigation, while monitoring and listing contacts for enhanced disease surveillance. 

    At the core of the response efforts are screening at high-risk points of entry, and clear risk communication, while engaging communities to help prevent infection. These measures are rapidly being deployed to ensure the identification of cases and help contain further transmission.

    The patient, a Kenyan citizen, fell ill in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they had been living, and was treated at several health facilities there. 

    The patient then travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda through Beni on 2 October 2026, and flew to Nairobi, arriving on 3 October 2026. 

    On arrival, the patient was transported to a hospital in Nairobi and was quickly isolated. 

    Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute. 

    Despite supportive care, the patient died on the night of 5 October 2026 and was buried on 6 October 2026 in line with the country’s Ebola safe and dignified burial protocol.

    The Government of Kenya notified WHO of the case in line with the International Health Regulations (2005) on 6 October 2026. 

    Kenya is the fourth country to confirm BVD. 

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo is responding to an ongoing BVD outbreak, while Uganda, where the Bundibugyo virus species was first detected in 2007, ended the latest outbreak in August 2026. 

    Most cases in Uganda were imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the remaining few were locally acquired among contacts and health workers linked to imported cases. 

    France reported a travel-related case of BVD in June 2026.

    Health authorities in Kenya have so far listed 28 contacts, including family members and health workers who cared for the patient. They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the same flight, with arrangements underway for appropriate follow-up and quarantine of people assessed to be at risk.

    "Health emergency preparedness gives us a head start. Kenya has put important outbreak control measures in place. The priority now is to move swiftly to detect any further cases before the virus has an opportunity to spread. We're supporting the ongoing efforts to strengthen the response, and with rapid and coordinated action, we can prevent the virus from gaining a foothold and stop a potential larger outbreak," said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

    Kenya has been on high alert since May 2026, when outbreaks were declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. As of 6 October 2026, Kenya has screened over 652 000 travellers entering the country, tested 267 suspected samples and trained around 5000 health workers on Ebola prevention and management.

    WHO and partners have supported Kenya’s Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute in these efforts. 

    This includes: 

        § Ebola simulation exercises and training a national pool of rapid response trainers, among them responders who served during the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak. 

        § Isolation units across 27 high-risk counties in Kenya have been identified and assessed, case managers trained, and Ebola surveillance tools have been updated so that suspected cases can be quickly identified, reported and investigated. 

        § Risk communication and community engagement activities have also been strengthened through public messaging, media and community engagement, call centre support, and monitoring and responding to rumours and misinformation.

    WHO has also delivered about 1000 Ebola tests and 1000 personal protective equipment kits to high-risk counties in Kenya.

    Kenya's Ebola preparedness score, which tracks progress on key readiness measures such as surveillance, laboratory testing, isolation and treatment facilities and trained response teams, rose from 66% in May to 82% in July 2026.

    WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or Kenya based on the currently available information. WHO continues to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event.

    WHO calls for continued support to the response in affected countries. Global solidarity, along with government-led responses with engaged communities, is the best route to ending the outbreak.

Source: 

Link: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/kenya/news/kenya-confirms-first-imported-bundibugyo-virus-disease-case-who-supports-control-efforts

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#Australia, #H5 avian #influenza events in #wildlife (Dept. of Agriculture, Oct. 7 '26)

 

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Event data

    ° 690 Positive events

    ° 58,894 Hotline reports

    As of 4pm AEST, 6 October 2026, Australia has 690 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

        § 10 in Western Australia (WA)

        § 327 in South Australia (SA)

        § 68 in New South Wales (NSW)

        § 2 in Queensland (QLD)

        § 235 in Victoria (VIC)

        § 47 in Tasmania (TAS)

        § 1 in Other Territories*

{*} Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)

    As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every animal involved in an investigation. 

    Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.

Data disclaimer

    Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government as at 17:00 AEST daily. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the relevant state or territory government. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.

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Source: 

Link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data#h1_bird_flu

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#Kenya, First Confirmed Case of #Ebola #Bundibugyio Virus Disease imported from #DRC (Min. Health, Oct. 6 '26)

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REPUDLIC OF KENYA | Ministry of Health

CABINET SECRETARY PRESS RELEASE ON CONFIRMED CASE OF BUNDIBUGYO  EBOLA VIRUS

Date: 6th October 2026

    The Ministry of Health wishes to inform members of the public that it has confirmed the first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo) Virus Disease. 

    The patient a Kenyan citizen, who has been living in DRC for the past 7  years fell ill about a month ago and was treated in several hospitals while still in DRC. 

    He travelled from DRC to Kampala by road and then boarded Jambo Jet flight number 8523 and arrived in Nairobi on Saturday 3rd October 2026  at 1.10 pm. 

    He underwent the normal public health screening at the Port health and  immigration desk. 

    He was transported by a relative and a friend directly from the JKIA using KDG 699Z Toyota Fielder to Nairobi hospital where he was quickly isolated in a separate room at the A&E in the Hospital and later transferred to the East Wing Isolation Facility. 

    He presented with fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding under the skin at injection  sites. 

    Based on the above presentation and history of travel to DRC the doctor  considered this a case of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever and collected a sample for  testing which turned positive for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease at both the  National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI Lab. 

    The patient was given supportive treatment but regrettably passed on last night. 

    We take this opportunity to pass our sincere condolences to the family  and friends of the departed. 

    Arrangements for safe and dignified burial of the deceased are ongoing,  and the burial is planned for later today in line with the Ebola safe and dignified  burial protocols.

Source: 

Link: via Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/p/DeJemXJDe0K/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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

 

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A wild Greylag Goose in Nicosia Region.

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Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7864

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Persistent #influenza A #RNA detection in a #fatal #pediatric case of influenza-associated #encephalopathy

 

Abstract

Influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE) is a life-threatening complication of influenza. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with fulminant IAE. The patient received life-sustaining support, intensive immunomodulatory therapy, and antiviral therapy. Following an initial single dose of baloxavir marboxil, persistent influenza A (H3N2) RNA detection prompted a multi-targeted antiviral regimen (oseltamivir, baloxavir marboxil, peramivir, and onradivir) as salvage therapy. Nevertheless, influenza A RNA remained detectable for more than 1 month, potentially reflecting severe neurological injury, immunosuppression, and impaired airway clearance.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103380

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#Urban #waterfowl harbour geographically connected #viral communities across #Aotearoa New Zealand

 

Abstract

Urban waterfowl are important natural reservoirs of viruses that can affect wildlife, livestock and human health, yet the diversity and spatial distribution of these viral communities remain poorly understood. Here, we characterised the faecal viromes of urban waterfowl sampled from 13 locations across the length of Aotearoa (New Zealand). We identified 96 avian viruses (50 species) spanning nine viral families, including 33 previously undescribed viruses. Picornaviruses were the most widespread viral group, while several viruses were closely related to those previously identified in Australian waterfowl, indicating that some viral lineages are likely distributed across the broader Australasian region. Despite sampling locations spanning more than 1,500 km, virome composition exhibited little evidence of geographic structure, with little difference in viral diversity or community composition between sampling locations. Network analyses similarly demonstrated extensive sharing of virus species among sampling locations, indicating little geographic structuring of virome composition among urban waterfowl. In addition, we recovered the complete genome of a low-pathogenic A(H3N8) influenza A virus from mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in the most southern region of Aotearoa. These findings reveal extensive viral diversity and widespread connectivity among urban waterfowl, providing new insights into viral ecology and the potential for widespread virus distribution across Aotearoa.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funder Information Declared

Te Niwha, Aotearoa's Infectious Disease Research Platform, TN/SWC/24/UoOJG

New Zealand Royal Society Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, RDF-20-UOO-007, MTP-UOO2504

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.10.04.756485

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