China reports another H7N9 death. IHR Emergency Committee on MERS-CoV meets for the first time. A few key publications are out this week. Here are the latest updates to MIDAS H7N9 and MIDAS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) repositories (click these links for nicely formatted versions of the information listed below): https://epimodels.org/midas/pubh7n9home.do https://epimodels.org/midas/pubncovhome.do Publications: Belser_2013, Nature: Pathogenesis and transmission of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in ferrets and mice Watanabe_2013, Nature: Characterization of H7N9 influenza A viruses isolated from humans Morens_2013, mBio: H7N9 Avian Influenza A Virus and the Perpetual Challenge of Potential Human Pandemicity Easterbrook_2013, Virology: Protection against a lethal H5N1 influenza challenge by intranasal immunization with virus-like particles containing 2009 pandemic H1N1 neuraminidase in mice Reeves_2013, J. Wild Life Diseases: Genomic analysis of avian influenza viruses from waterfowl in western Alaska, USA News & Briefings: WHO Update, July 9: First meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee on MERS-CoV The first meeting of the Committee was held on Tuesday, 9 July 2013, from 12:00 to15:00 Geneva time (CET). After reviewing data on the current situation provided by the Secretariat, and information presented to the Committee by officials of several States Parties which have, or have had, cases of MERS-CoV, and after further deliberation, the Committee considered that additional information was needed in a number of areas. The Committee also considered it needed time for further discussion and consideration. In this regard, it noted that a second Committee meeting is set to be held Wednesday, 17 July 2013, at 12:00 Geneva time (CET). TerraDaily, July 11: China H7N9 bird flu toll up to 43: govt The death toll from the H7N9 bird flu outbreak in China has risen to 43, national health authorities said in their latest monthly update on the disease. A total of 132 human infections of the virus had been confirmed on the Chinese mainland by the end of June, the National Health and Family Planning Commission said late Wednesday. CDC Study: CDC Study Analyzes H7N9 Viruses’ Disease Characteristics and Transmissibility A study published today in Nature by CDC researchers presents findings from animal studies conducted by CDC to better understand the transmissibility and disease characteristics of influenza A (H7N9) viruses isolated in China in late March. Understanding the properties of H7N9 viruses that contribute to human disease and the capacity of these viruses to spread between people is a critical component of the public health response to this emerging disease threat. News.Wisc.Edu, July 10: Study puts troubling traits of H7N9 avian flu virus on display An international team led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka of UW-Madison and the University of Tokyo conducted a comprehensive analysis of two of the first human isolates of the virus from patients in China. Their efforts revealed the H7N9 virus’s ability to infect and replicate in several species of mammals, including ferrets and monkeys, and to transmit in ferrets — data that suggests H7N9 viruses have the potential to become a worldwide threat to human health. MedicalNewsToday, July 11: Continuing Concerns About H7N9 Influenza The virus has several highly unusual traits that paint a disquieting picture of a pathogen that may yet lead to a pandemic, according to lead scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. David Morens, Jeffery Taubenberger, and Anthony Fauci, in a paper published in mBio®, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, describe the history of H7 viruses in animal and human disease and point out that H7 influenza has a tendency to become established in bird, horse, and swine populations and may spillover repeatedly into humans. Science2.0, July 7: Western Alaska Identified As Potential Hot Spot For Avian Flu Transmission The Statesman, July 6: H1N1 flu kills 11 in Chile Santiago, 5 July: At least 11 people have been killed in an outbreak of H1N1 flu virus in northern Chile, where the rate of infection is more than six times higher than the rest of the country, as reported by the authorities. “The average across the country is 24 patients per 100,000 residents, but in Tarapaca, in the past week, the rate was 148 patients per 100,000 residents,” Medical Association president Enrique Paris said yesterday. Citing fears of aggravating the outbreak, Paris recommended postponing or cancelling the upcoming Fiesta de la Tirana, which is a religious celebration planned for 15 to 17 July where 200,000 people are expected.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 13:56:23 +0000
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