National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)’s Post

#EcoSaludGlobal Infection of wild rats with H5N6 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in China We read with interest the report that showed the recent emergence of a novel reassortant of H5N6 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV). 1 H5N6 HPAIVs were first detected in Laos in 2013, and they have since widely circulated in poultry and wild birds in several Asian countries, including China. H5N6 HPAIVs have caused 82 confirmed human cases during the years 2014–2022. 1 ,  2 Among these human cases, 33 (40.2%) were fatal, and 31 occurred in 2021 and 24 occurred in 2022, 2 indicating that the viruses have posed a long-term threat to poultry and humans. https://lnkd.in/euNHWw8z

The risk of avian influenza is evolving with the virus, and needs real-time monitoring. WHO and partners are asking countries to rapidly share information to enable this.  ·               Based on available information, WHO assesses the current overall public health risk posed by A(H5N1) to be low, and for those with exposure to infected birds or animals or contaminated environments, the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate. This may change as we learn more.  ·               The virus has been detected in milk and its potential role in transmission is being investigated. In general, WHO and FAO strongly advise that people consume pasteurized, and not raw, milk.  

During October 2022–March 2023, highly pathogenic #avianinfluenza (HPAI) A(#H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus caused outbreaks in South Korea, including 174 cases in wild birds. Researchers sequenced 113 HPAI isolates from wild birds and performed phylogenetic analysis to understand the origin and role of wild birds in the evolution and spread of HPAI viruses. Phylodynamic analysis showed that the viruses were most likely introduced to the southern Gyeonggi-do/northern Chungcheongnam-do area through whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) and spread southward. Click the link in our bio to learn more in the February 2024 EID journal article, Evolution and Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus in Wild Birds, South Korea, 2022–2023, online now.   Authors: Ye-Ram Seo, et al.

people should avoid unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cattle), as well as with animal carcasses, raw milk, feces (poop), litter, or materials contaminated by birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected HPAI A(H5N1)-virus infection. People should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food or related uncooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or products made from raw milk such as cheeses, from animals with confirmed or suspected HPAI A(H5N1)-virus infection (avian influenza or bird flu). Specific recommendations for farmers; poultry, backyard flock, and livestock owners; and worker protection are also available.

This event highlights the need for improved #surveillance systems at the human-animal-environment interface. #disease #surveillance in intensive animal production systems - particularly pig, poultry and ferret production - is one of the key elements to identify possible future #epidemic and #pandemic #threats #onehealth #epidemiology #surveillance #data #spillover #publichealth #prevention Pan American Health Organization WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence World Organisation for Animal Health FAO

🌍Tomorrow marks World #Zoonoses Day, a reminder of the profound impact of diseases that pass between animals and humans. Globally, approximately one billion cases of illness and millions of deaths occur annually from zoonoses. Shockingly, 60% of emerging infectious diseases reported worldwide are zoonotic. 😷 From Salmonella to Avian Influenza, these diseases highlight the critical need for robust biosecurity measures. At Biocheck.UGent, we are pioneering the fight against zoonotic diseases with our scientific, risk-based, and independent scoring system for on-farm biosecurity. Join us in continuing to strengthen #biosecurity measures worldwide! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eJSDzKvp

BREAKING THE RULES: We still do not understand many key aspects of viruses behaviour and ability to cause infection and jumping from one animal species to another. In the last few decades we have witnessed how viruses broke many of the “rules” we had inscribed in scientific books. Viruses do jump species, travel around the world, recombine their genes and spread. The recent news about avian flu virus spreading to cattle in the USA should make us all take action and increase our infection prevention and disease surveillance programmes worldwide. A global Pandemic Accord like the one currently under discussion at WHO is a must if we want to protect the health of people. This article below is worth a read. #health #OneHealth #pandemicpreparedness

We saw wastewater surveillance take the stage during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now getting valuable information regarding influenza A H5N1. It has been found in wastewater in several cities in Texas likely from animals. This is possible evidence of wider circulation of H5N1 in many birds and animals including poultry and cattle in North America. The infectious disease and public health communities are keeping a close eye on developments. This is not the biggest surprise as influenza A is a bird virus that has crossed over a few times to become human viruses thus starting pandemics. It is not if it will happen, but when it will happen. We will not know until it happens. I had my money on influenza earlier and was proven wrong by SARS-CoV-2 when that spill over occurred in 2019. Only time will tell as humans encroach on natural habitats adding more opportunities for viral spill overs. https://lnkd.in/gVC3imHg

🦠🐓🐮👨🌾⚠️ The avian and human influenza A virus receptors sialic acid (SA)-α2,3 and SA-α2,6 are widely expressed in the bovine mammary gland | This is an important and concerning finding as it means that the virus has a better chance to adapt to human receptors which could pose a higher risk to humans. https://lnkd.in/eQsmWdsC