Pasteurisation temperatures effectively inactivate influenza A viruses in milk.

In late 2023 an H5N1 lineage of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) began circulating in American dairy cattle Concerningly, high titres of virus were detected in cows' milk, raising the concern that milk could be a route of human infection. Cows' milk is typically pasteurised to render it safe for human consumption, but the effectiveness of pasteurisation on influenza viruses in milk was uncertain. To assess this, here we evaluate heat inactivation in milk for a panel of different influenza viruses.

Asymptomatic infection and antibody prevalence to co-occurring avian influenza viruses vary substantially between sympatric seabird species following H5N1 outbreaks.

Emerging infectious diseases are of major concern to animal and human health. Recent emergence of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) (H5N1 clade 2.3.

Concurrent Rabies and Canine Distemper Outbreaks and Infection in Endangered Ethiopian Wolves.

Intensive disease surveillance in an endangered population of Ethiopian wolves provided evidence of concurrent outbreaks of rabies and canine distemper viruses in 2019, including co-infection in an individual animal. Disease surveillance and intensive monitoring of wolf packs in Ethiopia were essential in detecting the concurrent outbreaks and enabled accurate assessment of disease from both pathogens. The study highlights the risk posed to endangered populations that are susceptible to, or live in areas with, reservoir hosts for canine distemper and rabies viruses.

Validation of a reduction in time for avian influenza virus isolation using specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs.

Background: The international gold standard for avian influenza virus (AIV) diagnosis is virus isolation (VI) in specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs). AIV isolation typically involves a 6-day turnaround, during which premises under suspicion for notifiable AIV infection are held under restriction regardless of molecular diagnoses, often with significant welfare implications.

Methods: A reduction in time for negation by VI was investigated following experimental inoculation of AIV from known-positive original clinical material into ECEs.