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.

Could mink serve as an immediate host for Influenza A transmission?

A recent study discussed influenza A virus infections in minks, emphasizing their contribution/role as an intermediate host.

3 Apr 2023

Study finds that current antiviral drugs retain efficacy against newly emerged Omicron subvariants

Researchers assessed the efficacy of antiviral medications against novel Omicron subvariants.

30 Mar 2023

Reinfections with Omicron VOCs occur more frequently and over shorter intervals

In a recent study published in Nature's Communications Biology journal, researchers in the United States of America (USA) employed next-generation sequencing (NGS) data to assess the rise in reinfections with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant.

23 Mar 2023

Emergence and persistency of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.3.7 in Taiwan

Researchers utilize whole-genome surveillance to monitor community transmission and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Taiwan.

22 Mar 2023

Research reports spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) into marine mammals in the northeastern United States

A recent study published in the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) journal Emerging Infectious Diseases reported the outbreak of the highly pathogenic hemagglutinin type 5 and neuraminidase type 1 (H5N1) avian influenza virus among New England gray and harbor seals in the United States (U.S.)

20 Mar 2023

H5N1 avian influenza found in stranded harbor porpoise

In a recent study published in the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers from Sweden described the detection of the hemagglutinin type 5 and neuraminidase type 1 (H5N1) avian influenza virus in a stranded harbor porpoise, indicating a potential spillover of this highly pathogenic avian influenza virus into cetacean species.

20 Mar 2023

New influenza virus strain concocted in animals could be the cause of next human pandemic

The next pandemic that cascades through the human population could be caused by a new influenza virus strain concocted in animals, against which humans will have little to no immunity.

13 Mar 2023

Using a mathematical model for future pandemic preparedness

Scientists have developed mathematical models that analyze the data obtained from an initial wave of the influenza pandemic to predict the dynamics of subsequent waves. Such predictions could be useful for pandemic preparedness.

2 Mar 2023

U.S. not prepared for future spread of animal-borne or zoonotic diseases, analysis reveals

The United States, the largest importer of wildlife in the world, is not prepared for future spread of animal-borne, or zoonotic, diseases due to gaps among governmental agencies designed to combat these threats, concludes a new analysis by researchers at Harvard Law School and New York University.

16 Feb 2023

COVID-19 vaccination increases saliva antibody levels after asymptomatic infection

Researchers correlate SARS-CoV-2 load and neutralizing capacity of all saliva immunoglobulins isotypes in asymptomatic individuals.

8 Feb 2023

Do individuals with long COVID ever recover fully?

Researchers investigate the sociodemographic factors that contribute to the remission of long COVID.

7 Feb 2023

Study characterizes mutations in neuraminidase of human-like H5N1 influenza viruses

A study published in PLOS PATHOGENS describes the prevalence and functions of mutations in neuraminidase enzyme of avian H5N1 influenza viruses that are preferentially selected in human H5N1 influenza viruses.

7 Feb 2023

First known epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in farmed mink

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) is a strain of the avian influenza virus that primarily affects birds, particularly poultry. HPAI A(H5N1) is a highly contagious and deadly virus that can cause severe illness and death in birds, including chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys.

22 Jan 2023

How effective are prior SARS-CoV-2 infections and hybrid immunity against Omicron breakthrough infections?

Researchers performed a systematic review and meta-regression study to determine the breadth and duration of the protective immunity conferred by previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and hybrid immunity.

20 Jan 2023

WHO reports a severe case of avian (bird) flu in Ecuador

In a recent article published in the Disease Outbreak News section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website, they reported severe infection from the current H5 clade of avian influenza A virus in a nine-year-old girl inhabiting a rural province of Bolívar in Ecuador.

20 Jan 2023

Deletions in the antigenic regions in SARS-CoV-2 increase transmission and immune evasion ability

A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports examined the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) whole genome data to determine the deletion mutations around the spike protein region associated with increased transmission of the virus and identified an increase in the deletion-prone spike protein regions indicating an evolution strategy for immune escape.

9 Jan 2023

Avian Influenza News and Research

Could mink serve as an immediate host for Influenza A transmission?

Study finds that current antiviral drugs retain efficacy against newly emerged Omicron subvariants

Reinfections with Omicron VOCs occur more frequently and over shorter intervals

Emergence and persistency of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.3.7 in Taiwan

Research reports spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) into marine mammals in the northeastern United States

H5N1 avian influenza found in stranded harbor porpoise

New influenza virus strain concocted in animals could be the cause of next human pandemic

Using a mathematical model for future pandemic preparedness

U.S. not prepared for future spread of animal-borne or zoonotic diseases, analysis reveals

COVID-19 vaccination increases saliva antibody levels after asymptomatic infection

Do individuals with long COVID ever recover fully?

Study characterizes mutations in neuraminidase of human-like H5N1 influenza viruses

First known epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in farmed mink

How effective are prior SARS-CoV-2 infections and hybrid immunity against Omicron breakthrough infections?

WHO reports a severe case of avian (bird) flu in Ecuador

Deletions in the antigenic regions in SARS-CoV-2 increase transmission and immune evasion ability

New model for detecting and estimating pathogen variant dynamics and risk

Sheep milk could be an inexpensive source of therapeutic polyclonal SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

Avian influenza update: Bird keepers in England must house all poultry and captive birds until further notice

Broadly cross-reactive antibodies that protect from SARS-CoV-2 variants are revealed by virus coldspot-driven discovery

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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