#Evidence of #Influenza A(#H5N1) #Spillover Infections in #Horses, #Mongolia

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-1266_article

Abstract
Recent outbreaks of influenza A(H5N1) have affected many mammal species. We report serologic evidence of H5N1 virus infection in horses in Mongolia. Because H3N8 equine influenza virus is endemic in many countries, horses should be monitored to prevent reassortment between equine and avian influenza viruses with unknown consequences.

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#aH3n8 #aH5n1 #abstract #avianInfluenza #equineInfluenza #horses #mongolia #research #seroprevalence

#Transmission #dynamics of highly pathogenic avian #influenza virus at the #wildlife – #poultry – #environmental #interface: A case study

Source: OneHealth, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771424002581?via%3Dihub

Abstract
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) regularly circulate between wild and domestic bird populations. Following several high-profile outbreaks, highly pathogenic AIVs (HPAIV) with zoonotic potential have been the subject of increasing attention. While we know that HPAIV is transmitted between domestic birds, wildlife, and the environment, little is known about persistence and spillover/back at these interfaces. We integrated the test results of samples collected on and around an infected domestic poultry premise (IP) where H5N1 HPAIV was confirmed in a flock of poultry in 2022 in Southern Ontario, Canada to explore the transmission cycle of AIVs in wildlife and the environment. We sampled a captive flock of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) that resided on site, sediment samples collected from water bodies on site, and examined samples collected through surveillance within a 100 km radius of the IP from live wild ducks and sick and dead wildlife. We found serologic evidence of H5 exposure in the captive mallards that resided on site despite no evidence of morbidity or mortality in these birds and no PCR positive detections from samples collected at two different timepoints. Genetic material from the same H5N1 HPAIV subtype circulating in the domestic birds and from low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses were detected in wetlands on site. The results of live and sick and dead surveillance conducted within a 100 km radius confirmed that the virus was circulating in wildlife before and after IP confirmation. These results suggest that biosecurity remains the most critical aspect of minimising spillover/back risk in a virus that has been shown to circulate in asymptomatic wild birds and persist in the surrounding environment.

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#aH5n1 #abstract #avianInfluenza #AVIANINFLUENZA #birdFlu #canada #h5n1 #health #news #ontario #poultry #research #WILDBIRDS

Establishing #methods to #monitor #H5N1 #influenza virus in dairy #cattle #milk

Source: MedRxIV, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.04.24318491v1

Abstract
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza strain H5N1 has caused a multi-state outbreak among US dairy cattle, spreading across 15 states and infecting hundreds of herds since its onset. We rapidly developed and optimized PCR-based detection assays and sequencing protocols to support H5N1 molecular surveillance. Using 214 retail milk from 20 states for methods development, we found that H5N1 concentrations by digital PCR strongly correlated with qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values, with dPCR exhibiting greater sensitivity. We also found that metagenomic sequencing after hybrid selection was best for higher concentration samples while amplicon sequencing performs best for lower concentrations. By establishing these methods, we were able to support the creation of a statewide surveillance program to test bulk milk samples monthly from all cattle dairy farms within Massachusetts, which remain negative to date. The methods, workflow, and recommendations described here provide a framework for others aiming to conduct H5N1 surveillance efforts.

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#aH5n1 #abstract #avianInfluenza #AVIANINFLUENZA #birdFlu #dairyCow #dairyProducts #diagnosticTests #foodSafety #h5n1 #health #massachusetts #news #research #USA

#Croatia – High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) – Immediate notification

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6094

A poultry farm in Zagrebačka Region.

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#aH5n1 #avianInfluenza #croatia #poultry #updates #WOAH

#USA, #Monitoring for Avian #Influenza A(#H5) Virus In #Wastewater {Dec. 6 ’24}

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html

{Excerpt}

Time Period: November 24 – November 30, 2024

— H5 Detection: 43 sites (14.7%)

— No Detection: 249 sites (85.3%)

— No samples in last week: 52 sites

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#aH5n1 #avianInfluenza #updates #USCDC #USA #wastewater

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

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6090

Wild birds in Friesland and Groningen Regions.

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#aH5n1 #avianInfluenza #theNetherlands #updates #WILDBIRDS #WOAH

A single #mutation in #bovine #influenza #H5N1 #hemagglutinin switches specificity to #human #receptors

Source: Science, https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt0180

Editor’s summary

In 2021, a highly pathogenic influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus was detected in North America that is capable of infecting a diversity of avian species, marine mammals, and humans. In 2024, clade 2.3.4.4b virus spread widely in dairy cattle in the US, causing a few mild human cases, but retaining specificity for avian receptors. Historically, this virus has caused up to 30% fatality in humans, so Lin et al. performed a genetic and structural analysis of the mutations necessary to fully switch host receptor recognition. A single glutamic acid to leucine mutation at residue 226 of the virus hemagglutinin was sufficient to enact the change from avian to human specificity. In nature, the occurrence of this single mutation could be an indicator of human pandemic risk. —Caroline Ash

Abstract

In 2024, several human infections with highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b bovine influenza H5N1 viruses in the United States raised concerns about their capability for bovine-to-human or even human-to-human transmission. In this study, analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) from the first-reported human-infecting bovine H5N1 virus (A/Texas/37/2024, Texas) revealed avian-type receptor binding preference. Notably, a Gln226Leu substitution switched Texas HA binding specificity to human-type receptors, which was enhanced when combined with an Asn224Lys mutation. Crystal structures of the Texas HA with avian receptor analog LSTa and its Gln226Leu mutant with human receptor analog LSTc elucidated the structural basis for this preferential receptor recognition. These findings highlight the need for continuous surveillance of emerging mutations in avian and bovine clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses.

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#aH5n1 #abstract #avianInfluenza #AVIANINFLUENZA #birdFlu #dairyCow #h5n1 #health #news #research

#USA, Confirmed #human #H5N1 virus cases summary during 2024 #outbreak, by state and exposure source, as of Nov. 4 ’24: One new case, total = 58

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm

{Excerpt}

Exposure Source
[State – Cattle – Poultry – Unknown – State Total]
1) California – 31 – 0 – 1 – 32 {+1}
2) Colorado – 1 – 9 – 0 – 10
3) Michigan – 2 – 0 – 0 – 2
4) Missouri – 0 – 0 – 1 – 1
5) Oregon – 0 – 1 – 0 – 1
6) Texas – 1 – 0 – 0 – 1
7) Washington – 0 – 11 – 0 – 11
— Source Total – 35 – 21 – 2 – 58 {+1}

NOTE: One additional case was previously detected in a poultry worker in Colorado in 2022.

Additional cases meeting the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) probable case definition have been reported by states: 1 case with dairy cow exposure (CA), 3 cases with poultry exposure (WA). Confirmatory testing at CDC for these cases was negative.

This table is typically updated by 5 PM EST on Mondays (for cases confirmed by CDC on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday), Wednesdays (for cases confirmed by CDC on Monday or Tuesday), and Fridays (for cases confirmed by CDC on Wednesday and Thursday). Affected states may report cases more frequently.

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#aH5n1 #avianInfluenza #AVIANINFLUENZA #birdFlu #h5n1 #health #human #news #updates #USCDC #USA

#USA, #California: Current #H5N1 #Birdflu #Situation: 1 New #Human Case, Total = 32 (as of Nov. 4 ’24)

Source: Department of Health, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Bird-Flu.aspx

{Excerpts}

Updated December 4, 2024​

Human Cases in Califo​rnia​

​​​​​​​Confirmed Human Cases​: 32 {+1}

​These numbers were last updated on December 4, 2024.

California has 1 additional probable case with dairy cow exposure that meets the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) ​probable case definition (PDF)​. That case tested positive by a local lab and confirmatory testing at CDC was negative.​​

Confirmed human case summary during the 2024 outbreak, by exposure source

​Cattle​​​​:​ 31 {+1}
​Poultry: ​0
​Unkn​own:​ 1
​Total: ​32 {+1}

Contact Us: If you have any questions, comments or concerns, submit an inquiry.

If you’re a member of the media and have a question for CDPH, email [email protected]​.​​​

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#aH5n1 #avianInfluenza #birdFlu #california #h5n1 #health #human #news #pandemic #updates #USA

#Colombia – #Influenza A #H5 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) – Immediate notification

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6085

Within the epidemiological surveillance carried out by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) aimed at identifying clinical signs consistent with avian influenza, an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected in the village of Capitancito, municipality of Acandí, Chocó. This outbreak concerns non-poultry birds in a backyard showing clinical signs characterized by unusual mortality. The National Veterinary System is carrying out epidemiological tracing and follow-up activities in the area of origin of the affected bird. As a control measure, stamping out of the birds present in the affected premises is being carried out. In addition, epidemiological surveillance is being reinforced in the surrounding area to detect additional cases and prevent the spread of the outbreak.

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#aH5n1 #avianInfluenza #captiveBirds #COLOMBIA #updates #WOAH