Avian Influenza News and Research

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Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

SARS-CoV-2 mutations change proteasome processing to alter CD8+ T cell responses

Researchers identified mutations in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleoproteins (NP) epitope flanking regions and their potential effects on CD8+ T cell activation.

12 Apr 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Delta-Omicron recombinant identified in a transplant patient treated with Sotrovimab

Researchers described a case of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, Delta and Omicron.

8 Apr 2022

Furin inhibitors as potential therapies to combat SARS-CoV-2 and other diseases

Furin inhibitors as potential therapeutics for treating COVID-19 and other diseases, wherein furin is integral for their pathogenicity and progression.

29 Mar 2022

Study evaluates the clinical accuracy of two FDA-approved rapid antigen tests across SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers evaluated clinical accuracy and analytical detection capabilities of the two US Food and Drug Administration-approved rapid antigen tests across SARS-CoV-2 variants.

25 Mar 2022

The intercontinental spread of high-pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus

Researchers aim to better understand the landscape movement of the avian influenza virus.

24 Mar 2022

Genomic sequencing reveals unique pattern of SARS-CoV-2 Epsilon emergence in Alaska

Researchers used genomic sequencing to examine SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Alaska, United States, between December 2020 and June 2021.

23 Mar 2022

Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant is more stable than its ancestral strain on smooth and porous surfaces

Researchers showed that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern is more stable on smooth and porous surfaces compared to its five ancestral strains.

17 Mar 2022

Study finds co-infected individuals carrying two distinct lineages of SARS-CoV-2 in Argentina

Researchers used molecular surveillance to identify cases of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern Delta and Omicron reported in Argentina during December 2021 and January 2022.

17 Mar 2022

Study shows competitive fitness of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants linked to their distinctiveness relative to identified lineages

Researchers defined a novel polynucleotide-based Distinctiveness metric to capture the proteome-level differences of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and lineages against all previously identified ones.

11 Mar 2022

Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission at Purdue University

Researchers performed genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in a university setting.

4 Mar 2022

A study on the evolution of avian coronavirus escape mutants in vitro

A recent study included an in vitro assessment of the effect of antibody titers and vaccine combinations on the emergence of escape mutants of AvCoV.

28 Feb 2022

Assessing the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

A new study investigated and compared the transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 variants of concern.

22 Feb 2022

Comparing the genomic landscapes of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal species relative to that in humans

A recent study identified six candidate mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome adaptive to animal hosts.

21 Feb 2022

UK's fight against zoonotic diseases receives a £200 million boost

The UK's fight against zoonotic diseases, including avian flu and bovine tuberculosis received a major boost today (16 February) with the allocation of £200 million for a programme of investment into world leading research facilities.

15 Feb 2022

First case of avian influenza A(H5N1) in asymptomatic flock owner in Europe

Following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in a flock of around 125 Muscovy ducks in a domestic setting in South West England on 22 December 2021, the virus was later also confirmed in the asymptomatic flock owner.

6 Feb 2022

How did the COVID pandemic affect the spread of other zoonotic diseases?

In new research, scientists from the Beijing University of Technology have been investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and mortality of zoonotic diseases in China. Their work is published in the journal BMJ Global Health.

12 Jan 2022

Single-step RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant detection in respiratory samples

A new preprint describes a single-step molecular diagnostic test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by the Omicron variant that is behind the unprecedented rise in cases over the last few weeks.

11 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Delta binds more strongly to furin protease than other existing variants

Researchers conducted a computational analysis of the furin cleavage domain (FCD) of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, as well as several other viruses.

10 Jan 2022

Study explores relative reproduction of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in South Africa

A new study, focused on the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, presented a modeling result from an analysis of genome surveillance data in Gauteng province, South Africa, using an existing estimation technique.

30 Dec 2021

Genomic study of furin cleavage sites validates the natural evolutionary origin of SARS-CoV-2 in bats

A team of researchers describes the genomic region encompassing the furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2.

20 Dec 2021