Category: Avian Influenza
First birds, now mammals: how H5N1 is killing thousands of sea lions in Peru
Guardian Avian flu has decimated the marine creatures on the country’s Pacific coastline and scientists fear it could be jumping from mammal to mammal. t first, it appears to be dead. Its head lies in the sand, and a small tide pool has formed around it. Its shoulder blades jut out and its coffee and […]
Mar 21, 2023
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in a Harbor Porpoise, Sweden
CDC We found highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b associated with meningoencephalitis in a stranded harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). The virus was closely related to strains responsible for a concurrent avian influenza outbreak in wild birds. This case highlights the potential risk for virus spillover to mammalian hosts. Europe and, more recently, North […]
Mar 21, 2023
First Texas Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Mammals
Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed this week the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a striped skunk recovered from Carson County. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in mammals for Texas. Detected in all states across the U.S. except Hawaii, HPAI is a […]
Mar 21, 2023
Bird flu may be making foxes and other animals behave in unusual ways
(New Scientist) Analysis of wild mammals infected with H5N1 bird flu in the US found that many had brain infections and neurological symptoms, including lack of fear of people. Bird flu is infecting the brains of wild mammals such as foxes and raccoons and may be making them behave in unusual ways, according to a […]
Mar 21, 2023
USGS Initially restricted to wild birds and poultry, spillover into wild mammals was first confirmed at the beginning of May 2022 in Canada and then a few days later in the United States. The detections were in wild red fox kits. A new study co-authored by USGS scientists describes the detections of disease due to natural infection […]
Mar 21, 2023
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Outbreak in New England Seals, United States
CDC We report the spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) into marine mammals in the northeastern United States, coincident with H5N1 in sympatric wild birds. Our data indicate monitoring both wild coastal birds and marine mammals will be critical to determine pandemic potential of influenza A viruses. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses are […]
Mar 21, 2023
COVID, bird flu, mpox – a virologist on why we’re seeing so many viruses emerge
The Conversation From the widespread outbreak of mpox (formerly called monkeypox) in 2022, to the evolving bird flu situation, to recent cases of Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea, COVID isn’t dominating the headlines as much as it used to. Instead, we’ve been regularly hearing about outbreaks of newly emerging or re-emerging viruses. So, is the incidence of virus outbreaks […]
Mar 14, 2023
Risk of avian flu spread to European poultry set to rise again
Watt Ag Net Over the coming months, migration of wild birds infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus raises the risk of a further surge of outbreaks in European poultry. In a recent review, European health authorities conclude that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) situation continues to evolve — not only in Europe […]
Mar 14, 2023
Emory University Project ECHO Anyone interfacing with patients, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, hospital administrators, etc., are welcome to attend. Registration Required When: March 16, 2023 11:00 Eastern Time Presenters/Panelists:•Tim Uyeki MD, MPH, MPP – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Influenza Division•Cherie Drenzek, DVM, MS – Georgia Department of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology•Anne Piantadosi […]
Mar 14, 2023
BMJ Editorial A One Health approach that links human, animal, and environmental health is essential Global reports of highly pathogenic avian influenzaA(H5N1) in birds are increasing, with cases reportedfrom every region except Australasia and Antarcticasince 2020.1 The global spread of these avianinfluenza outbreaks is unprecedented, exacting largeeconomic losses to poultry industries and tourism,and posing a […]
Mar 14, 2023