Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Clade 2.3.2.1a in Traveler Returning to Australia from India, 2024.

We report highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.2.

Quantitative evaluation of water, sanitation, and hygiene measures on COVID-19 pandemic peak reduction in the Philippines.

New cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are continually being recorded worldwide, despite global efforts in implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions and establishing vaccination programs. This trend highlights the need to identify the factors associated with the continued spread of COVID-19. The World Health Organization recommends hand washing as a cost-effective intervention for preventing COVID-19, indicating that water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) are central to the prevention of the disease.

Identification of Various Recombinants in a Patient Coinfected With the Different SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Background: Viral recombination that occurs by exchanging genetic materials between two viral genomes coinfecting the same host cells is associated with the emergence of new viruses with different virulence. Herein, we detected a patient coinfected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta and Omicron variants and identified various recombinants in the SARS-CoV-2 full-length spike gene using long-read and Sanger sequencing.

Methods: Samples from five patients in Japan with household transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were analyzed using molecular assays for detection and identification of SARS-CoV-2.

Characterization of human respiratory syncytial virus in children with severe acute respiratory infection before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Annual outbreaks of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) are caused by newly introduced and locally persistent strains. During the COVID-19 pandemic, global and local circulation of HRSV significantly decreased. This study was conducted to characterize HRSV in 2018-2022 and to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the evolution of HRSV.

Report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza during 2022.

As part of its role in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a record total of 12,073 human influenza positive samples during 2022. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties. Selected viruses were propagated in qualified cells or embryonated hen's eggs for potential use in seasonal influenza virus vaccines.

Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Using Reverse Transcription Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RT-RPA) with Lateral Flow for N-Protein Gene and Variant-Specific Deletion-Insertion Mutation in S-Protein Gene.

Rapid molecular testing for severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants may contribute to the development of public health measures, particularly in resource-limited areas. Reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification using a lateral flow assay (RT-RPA-LF) allows rapid RNA detection without thermal cyclers. In this study, we developed two assays to detect SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) gene and Omicron BA.

Genotyping of respiratory syncytial virus among influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection cases of children in the Philippines from 2006 to 2016.

Objective: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of severe lower respiratory infection, and therefore, a major threat to global health. This study determined the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of RSV among cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) among children in the Philippines.

Method: The study included archived nasopharyngeal swab and oropharyngeal swab samples collected from patients under the age of five who are presented with ILI or SARI for the period of 2006-2016.

Serotype Identification of Human Adenoviruses Associated with Influenza-Like Illnesses in the Philippines from 2006-2012 by Microneutralization and Molecular Techniques.

Objectives: Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are known to cause a wide range of diseases including acute respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, and acute gastroenteritis. In this study, we aimed to determine the serotypes of HAdV in patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) in the Philippines from 2006-2012 and to describe the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of patients who tested positive for HAdV.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2012, the Philippine National Influenza Centre detected HAdV in 1294 samples of patients with ILI.

Near-Complete Genome Sequencing of Influenza C Virus in the Philippines between 2014 and 2019.

We report 19 nearly complete genome sequences of influenza C virus isolated from clinical samples recovered from children in the Philippines between 2014 and 2019.

Complete Genome Sequences of Enterovirus D68 Clade A and D Strains in the Philippines.

Complete genome sequences were determined for 4 clade A and 12 clade D enterovirus D68 strains detected in nasopharyngeal swabs from children with acute respiratory illness in the Philippines. These sequence data will be useful for future epidemiological monitoring, including watching for viral evolution.

Evolutionary analysis of human respiratory syncytial virus collected in Myanmar between 2015 and 2018.

We studied genetic variation in the second hypervariable region (HVR) of the G gene of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) from 1701 nasal swab samples collected from outpatients with acute respiratory infections at two general hospitals in the cities Yangon and Pyinmana in Myanmar from 2015 to 2018. HRSV genotypes were characterized using phylogenetic trees constructed using the maximum likelihood method. Time-scale phylogenetic tree analyses were performed using the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method.

Gene signature of children with severe respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Background: The limited treatment options for children with severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the host cellular response during infection. We aimed to identify host genes that are associated with severe RSV disease and to identify drugs that can be repurposed for the treatment of severe RSV infection.

Methods: We examined clinical data and blood samples from 37 hospitalized children (29 mild and 8 severe) with RSV infection.

Norovirus-specific immunoglobulin A in breast milk for protection against norovirus-associated diarrhea among infants.

Background: Norovirus (NV) causes acute gastroenteritis in infants. Humoral and fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses have been correlated with protection against NV; however, the role of breast milk IgA against NV infection and associated diarrhea is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of NV-specific IgA (NV-IgA) in breast milk.

Genetic analysis of sapoviruses detected in outbreaks and sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

Background: Human sapovirus (SaV) causes sporadic and endemic acute gastroenteritis worldwide. However, little is known about the relationship between the mode of transmission and genetic characteristics of SaV.

Objective: To investigate the molecular characteristics of SaV-associated acute gastroenteritis among sporadic cases, foodborne, and nonfoodborne outbreaks.

Epidemic of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 analyzed by full genome sequences and the first case of oseltamivir-resistant strain in Myanmar 2017.

A community outbreak of human influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus strains was observed in Myanmar in 2017. We investigated the circulation patterns, antigenicity, and drug resistance of 2017 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses from Myanmar and characterized the full genome of influenza virus strains in Myanmar from in-patients and out-patients to assess the pathogenicity of the viruses. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from out-patients and in-patients with acute respiratory tract infections in Yangon and Pyinmana City in Myanmar during January-December 2017.

Aetiology and risks factors associated with the fatal outcomes of childhood pneumonia among hospitalised children in the Philippines from 2008 to 2016: a case series study.

Objective: Pneumonia remains the leading cause of hospitalisations and deaths among children aged <5 years. Diverse respiratory pathogens cause acute respiratory infections, including pneumonia. Here, we analysed viral and bacterial pathogens and risk factors associated with death of hospitalised children.

Phylogeographic analysis of human influenza A and B viruses in Myanmar, 2010-2015.

We investigated the circulation patterns of human influenza A and B viruses in Myanmar between 2010 and 2015 by analyzing full HA genes. Upper respiratory tract specimens were collected from patients with symptoms of influenza-like illness. A total of 2,860 respiratory samples were screened by influenza rapid diagnostic test, of which 1,577 (55.

Etiology and epidemiology of community-acquired pneumonia in adults requiring hospital admission: A prospective study in rural Central Philippines.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among adults worldwide. However, the distribution of the etiology of CAP varies from one country to another, with limited data from rural areas.

Methods: A prospective hospital-based study on adult CAP was conducted in Leyte, Central Philippines from May 2010 to May 2012.

Complete Genome Sequences of 12 Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus () Strains Detected in Children with Repeated Subgroup B Infections in the Philippines.

Complete genome sequences were determined for 12 human respiratory syncytial virus strains collected from nasopharyngeal samples obtained from children with repeated subgroup B infections. Eight common amino acid polymorphisms in the G, F, and L proteins were identified between the viruses detected in initial and subsequent infections.

Molecular Characterization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children With Repeated Infections With Subgroup B in the Philippines.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe acute respiratory infection in infants and young children, which is characterized by repeated infections. However, the role of amino acid substitutions in repeated infections remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate the genetic characteristics of RSV in children with repeated infections using molecular analyses of F and G genes.

Complete Genome Sequences of 13 Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Subgroup A Strains of Genotypes NA1 and ON1 Isolated in the Philippines.

Complete genome sequences of 13 human respiratory syncytial virus strains were determined from samples obtained from children hospitalized in the Philippines between 2012 and 2013 because of acute respiratory infection. We identified amino acid polymorphisms between the NA1 and ON1 genotypes in the P, G, F, and L proteins.

Bordetella pertussis infection in children with severe pneumonia, Philippines, 2012-2015.

A case-comparison study was conducted based on an observational study of severe pneumonia among hospitalized children in the Philippines. The children, from 8days to 13years old and hospitalized with clinical diagnosis of severe or very severe pneumonia from August 2012 to February 2015, were recruited. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 1152 cases and B.

Laboratory Diagnosis for Outbreak-Prone Infectious Diseases after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), Philippines.

Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the central part of the Philippines on November 8, 2013. To identify possible outbreaks of communicable diseases after the typhoon, nasopharyngeal swabs, stool and blood samples were collected from patients who visited the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center due to acute respiratory infection (ARI), acute gastroenteritis (AGE) or other febrile illness (OFI) including suspected dengue fever, between November 28, 2013 and February 5, 2014.   Methods: Samples were tested on-site for selected pathogens using rapid diagnostic tests.