MedEdge MEA’s Post

Are We Moving the Needle on Our Public Health Preparedness? - Recent scientific studies investigating the epidemiology and mechanisms of H5N1 (Bird Flu) transmission between animals have highlighted significant risks and the likelihood of "spillover"—where infections transmit from animals to humans. This is particularly concerning for a pathogenic form of H5N1 known as Clade 2.3.4.4b.  Ironically, our current surveillance systems for H5N1 primarily focus on sampling poultry and cattle farms and tracking the migratory paths of birds. However, the May 2024 issue of the Journal of Virology emphasizes that migratory birds often interact with urban environments, thereby increasing the risk of avian flu spillover to humans. In fact, a recent report from the NY Department of Health identified a second patient with avian flu symptoms. Whole genome sequencing of viral particles isolated from the patient's eye confirmed the presence of the pathogenic Clade 2.3.4.4b variant. These preliminary findings underscore the urgent need to upgrade our public health surveillance and fortify our investment in public health services. We can no longer tolerate, nor should we accept, the underperformance of public health preparedness. The time to act is now. Almost Always Heaven, WV! 🌲

We are thrilled to announce the publication of our latest article by AL-Eitan Lab in Reviews in Medical Virology (Q1, Wiley Publisher, Impact Factor: 12) titled "Epidemiology, Biosafety, and Biosecurity of Avian Influenza: Insights from the East Mediterranean Region." This comprehensive study examines the highly infectious Avian Influenza Virus, which affects poultry, pet birds, wild birds, non-human mammals, and occasionally humans. The article highlights serious health concerns posed by both low and high pathogenic avian influenza viruses in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for robust surveillance programs and biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks and endemics of new subtypes. It calls for reinforcement of health and research sectors in vulnerable countries and underscores the importance of public education on biosafety and virus prevention to minimize the spread of avian influenza. Read the full article to explore these critical insights and recommendations: https://lnkd.in/eyj2TNZt. 🔗 #MedicalVirology #AvianInfluenza #Epidemiology #Biosafety #Biosecurity #PublicHealth #Research #MiddleEast #HealthSafety #WileyPublications #ImpactFactor12

Avian influenza (AI) poses a significant threat to bird and mammal populations. You can now access this review 👇 which aims to understand the role of mammals in AI transmission 🐦🦠. While evidence suggests mammalian infections, direct mammal-to-mammal transmission remains unconfirmed. Continued surveillance and research are crucial for mitigating potential pandemic risks. https://lnkd.in/gwfby8Qk #AvianInfluenza #BirdFlu #MammalianTransmission #Epidemiology #Virology #Pathology #WildlifeHealth #PandemicPrevention #Surveillance #Research

📃Scientific paper: A systematic review of mechanistic models used to study avian influenza virus transmission and control Abstract: All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its Additional files.;International audience; The global spread of avian influenza A viruses in domestic birds is causing dramatic economic and social losses. Various mechanistic models have been developed in an attempt to better understand avian influenza transmission and to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. However, no comprehensive review of the mechanistic approaches used currently exists. To help fill this gap, we conducted a systematic review of mechanistic models applied to real-world epidemics to (1) describe the type of models and their epidemiological context, (2) synthetise estimated values of AIV transmission parameters and (3) review the control strategies most frequently evaluated and their outcome. Fourty-five articles qualified for inclusion, that fitted the model to data and estimated parameter values (n = 42) and/or evaluated the effectiveness of control strategies (n = 21). The majority were population-based models (n = 26), followed by individual-based models (n = 15) and a few metapopulation models (n = 4). Estimated values for the transmission rate varied substantially according to epidemiological settings, virus subtypes and epidemiological units. Other parameters such as the durations of the latent and infectious periods were more frequently assumed, limiting the insights brought by mechanistic models on these. Concerning co... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/XvEAc ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

📃Scientific paper: Has Epizootic Become Enzootic? Evidence for a Fundamental Change in the Infection Dynamics of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Europe, 2021 Abstract: International audience; Phylogenetic evidence from the recent resurgence of high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, observed in European wild birds and poultry since October 2021, suggests at least two different and distinct reservoirs. We propose contrasting hypotheses for this emergence: (i) resident viruses have been maintained, presumably in wild birds, in northern Europe throughout the summer of 2021 to cause some of the outbreaks that are part of the most recent autumn/winter 2021 epizootic, or (ii) further virus variants were reintroduced by migratory birds, and these two sources of reintroduction have driven the HPAI resurgence. Viruses from these two principal sources can be distinguished by their hemagglutinin genes, which segregate into two distinct sublineages (termed B1 and B2) within clade 2.3.4.4b, as well as their different internal gene compositions. The evidence of enzootic HPAI virus circulation during the summer of 2021 indicates a possible paradigm shift in the epidemiology of HPAI in Europe. Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/yjRmS ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

Mpox is currently a global outbreak which is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by Mpox virus infection—affects both humans and animals. World Health Organization (WHO) declared a concern of its huge spreads is well warranted. Since September, 2023, a surge of cases has occurred involving clade 1b monkeypox virus, which is genomically distinct and has a higher case-fatality rate. Therefore, by learning deeply and thoroughly about Mpox diseases, symptoms, and the prevention we could take from this global outbreak, I comprehensively understand those risks and completed the course of the Mpox introductory which I perhaps could help to my fellows here to get concerned of this outbreak too. #Mpox #WHO #Epidemiology #GlobalHealth

Micro-Epidemiological Investigation of Echinococcus multilocularis in Wild Hosts from an Endemic Area of Southwestern Hungary by Tibor Halász et al. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/drPDUX7V Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm causing severe zoonotic disease in temperate Europe. Between 2018 and 2020, 68 golden jackals and 94 red foxes were investigated to determine the prevalence of E. multilocularis infection and its driving factors. The overall prevalence (golden jackal: 41.2%; red fox: 12.5%) significantly differed, whereas the mean intensities did not. The spatial scan statistics revealed three significant clusters of E. multilocularis infection. The binary logistic and ordinal regression results revealed that the golden jackal is more likely to become infected than the red fox, and the probability of infection level was also higher in jackals. Our findings highlight the golden jackal’s role, which could be as important as the red fox in the spread of this severe zoonotic agent. This micro-epidemiological approach can advance the knowledge on local drivers which facilitate the spread of E. multilocularis and could cause a relevant public health problem on the continent. #Echinococcus #epidemiology #publichealth #openaccess

Scientists Warn of Potential Flu Virus Pandemic Leading scientists are sounding the alarm on the likelihood of the next global pandemic being triggered by the influenza virus, according to an upcoming international survey. Conducted by Jon Salmanton-García from Cologne University, the survey reveals that 57% of senior disease experts view influenza as the most probable cause of the next deadly infectious outbreak. #FluPandemic #GlobalHealth #InfluenzaThreat #PandemicWarning #PublicHealth #ViralOutbreak #InfectiousDisease #HealthAlert #Epidemiology #PandemicPreparedness

🌍 Stay Informed with Real-Time Data on Avian Influenza Outbreaks! 📊 Discover the latest insights into H5N1 avian influenza with this recent article published in The Lancet. The research team, led by Francesco Branda, Massimo Ciccozzi, and Fabio Scarpa, has developed an open-access database to track avian influenza cases globally. This comprehensive tool compiles detailed data from trusted sources to aid in the surveillance and control of this significant public health threat. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eywZVuAK Key highlights: - The evolution and spread of H5N1 since its first identification in 1996. - WHO guidelines for managing influenza at the human-animal interface. - Rigorous data collection and quality control process. - The importance of collaboration and data sharing in emergency response efforts. Join us in enhancing global health surveillance and response capabilities. Your engagement can make a difference in understanding and mitigating the impact of avian influenza and other emerging infectious diseases. #PublicHealth #Epidemiology #AvianInfluenza #H5N1 #DataScience #GlobalHealth #InfectiousDiseases #Research #Surveillance

📃Scientific paper: Has Epizootic Become Enzootic? Evidence for a Fundamental Change in the Infection Dynamics of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Europe, 2021 Abstract: International audience; Phylogenetic evidence from the recent resurgence of high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, observed in European wild birds and poultry since October 2021, suggests at least two different and distinct reservoirs. We propose contrasting hypotheses for this emergence: (i) resident viruses have been maintained, presumably in wild birds, in northern Europe throughout the summer of 2021 to cause some of the outbreaks that are part of the most recent autumn/winter 2021 epizootic, or (ii) further virus variants were reintroduced by migratory birds, and these two sources of reintroduction have driven the HPAI resurgence. Viruses from these two principal sources can be distinguished by their hemagglutinin genes, which segregate into two distinct sublineages (termed B1 and B2) within clade 2.3.4.4b, as well as their different internal gene compositions. The evidence of enzootic HPAI virus circulation during the summer of 2021 indicates a possible paradigm shift in the epidemiology of HPAI in Europe. Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/yjRmS ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.