Novel reassortant H2N2 low pathogenic avian influenza virus in live bird markets in the Northeastern United States, 2019-2023.

The H2N2 avian influenza viruses (AIV) have been reported in the Northeast United States of America (USA) live bird market (LBM) system since 2014. In this study, we investigated the genetic evolution and characterized molecular markers of the recent H2N2 AIVs in LBMs in the Northeast USA. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the LBM H2N2 lineage has evolved into three distinct subgroups (groups A.

Neu5Gc binding loss of subtype H7 influenza A virus facilitates adaptation to gallinaceous poultry following transmission from waterbirds.

Between 2013 and 2018, the novel A/Anhui/1/2013 (AH/13)-lineage H7N9 virus caused at least five waves of outbreaks in humans, totaling 1,567 confirmed human cases in China. Surveillance data indicated a disproportionate distribution of poultry infected with this AH/13-lineage virus, and laboratory experiments demonstrated that this virus can efficiently spread among chickens but not among Pekin ducks. The underlying mechanism of this selective transmission remains unclear.

Introduction of Avian metapneumovirus subtype A to the United States: molecular insights and implications.

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) poses a significant threat to the poultry industry worldwide, primarily affecting turkeys and chickens. The recent detection of aMPV-A and -B subtypes in the United States marks a significant shift after a prolonged period free of aMPV following the eradication of the previously circulating subtype C. Hence, the demand for molecular diagnostic tests for aMPV has arisen due to their limited availability in the US market.

Molecular Characterization of Non-H5 and Non-H7 Avian Influenza Viruses from Non-Mallard Migratory Waterbirds of the North American Flyways, 2006-2011.

The surveillance of migratory waterbirds (MWs) for avian influenza virus (AIV) is indispensable for the early detection of a potential AIV incursion into poultry. Surveying AIV infections and virus subtypes in understudied MW species could elucidate their role in AIV ecology. Oropharyngeal-cloacal (OPC) swabs were collected from non-mallard MWs between 2006 and 2011.

Genome sequence of isolated from white bass (), Ohio/North Carolina, USA.

We sequenced the genome of a hirame novirhabdovirus isolate recovered from a white bass (). Hirame novirhabdoviruses are in the genus , along with infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus and viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus. This detection highlights that the full host range of rhabdoviruses in fish is not fully understood.

Neu5Gc binding loss of subtype H7 influenza A virus facilitates adaptation to gallinaceous poultry following transmission from waterbirds but restricts spillback.

Migratory waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds serve as natural reservoirs for influenza A viruses, with potential spillovers to domestic poultry and humans. The intricacies of interspecies adaptation among avian species, particularly from wild birds to domestic poultry, are not fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying avian species barriers in H7 transmission, particularly the factors responsible for the disproportionate distribution of poultry infected with A/Anhui/1/2013 (AH/13)-lineage H7N9 viruses.

Environmental Surveillance and Detection of Infectious Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in Iowa Wetlands.

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) infect both wild birds and domestic poultry, resulting in economically costly outbreaks that have the potential to impact public health. Currently, a knowledge gap exists regarding the detection of infectious AIVs in the aquatic environment. In response to the 2021-2022 Eurasian strain highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 clade 2.

Pathogenicity in Chickens and Turkeys of a 2021 United States H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Clade 2.3.4.4b Wild Bird Virus Compared to Two Previous H5N8 Clade 2.3.4.4 Viruses.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of subtype H5 of the Gs/GD/96 lineage remain a major threat to poultry due to endemicity in wild birds. H5N1 HPAIVs from this lineage were detected in 2021 in the United States (U.S.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Dynamics in the Pittsburgh Zoo Wild Felids with Two Viral Variants (Delta and Alpha) during the 2021-2022 Pandemic in the United States.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported in multiple animal species besides humans. The goal of this study was to report clinical signs, infection progression, virus detection and antibody response in a group of wild felids housed in adjacent but neighboring areas at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Initially, five African lions () housed together exhibited respiratory clinical signs with viral shedding in their feces in March of 2021 coinciding with infection of an animal keeper.

H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b in wild and domestic birds: Introductions into the United States and reassortments, December 2021-April 2022.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of the A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage H5 clade 2.3.4.

Successful Detection of Delta and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 by Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Participants in an Interlaboratory Comparison Exercise.

Background: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, veterinary diagnostic laboratories have tested diagnostic samples for SARS-CoV-2 both in animals and over 6 million human samples. An evaluation of the performance of those laboratories is needed using blinded test samples to ensure that laboratories report reliable data to the public. This interlaboratory comparison exercise (ILC3) builds on 2 prior exercises to assess whether veterinary diagnostic laboratories can detect Delta and Omicron variants spiked in canine nasal matrix or viral transport medium.

An Evaluation of Avian Influenza Virus Whole-Genome Sequencing Approaches Using Nanopore Technology.

As exemplified by the global response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, whole-genome sequencing played an important role in monitoring the evolution of novel viral variants and provided guidance on potential antiviral treatments. The recent rapid and extensive introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Europe, North America, and elsewhere raises the need for similarly rapid sequencing to aid in appropriate response and mitigation activities. To facilitate this objective, we investigate a next-generation sequencing platform that uses a portable nanopore sequencing device to generate and present data in real time.

Evaluation of PCR-based hemagglutinin subtyping as a tool to aid in surveillance of avian influenza viruses in migratory wild birds.

The surveillance of migratory wild birds (MWBs) for avian influenza virus (AIV) allows detecting the emergence of highly pathogenic AIV that can infect domestic poultry and mammals, new subtypes, and antigenic/genetic variants. The current AIV surveillance system for MWBs in the United States is based on virus isolation (VI) followed by sequencing isolates. This system primarily focuses on the early detection of H5 and H7 AIVs.

Multi-species outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a zoological institution, with the detection in two new families of carnivores.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a worldwide distribution in humans and many other mammalian species. In late September 2021, 12 animals maintained by the Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo were observed with variable clinical signs. The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in faeces and nasal swabs by qRT-PCR, including the first detection in animals from the families Procyonidae and Viverridae.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 clade B.1.2 in three snow leopards.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of seven coronaviruses known to infect humans. Different from other concerned coronavirus and influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 has a higher basic reproduction number and thus transmits more efficiently among hosts. Testing animals for SARS-CoV-2 may help decipher virus reservoirs, transmission and pathogenesis.

Transmission dynamics of low pathogenicity avian influenza (H2N2) viruses in live bird markets of the Northeast United States of America, 2013-2019.

Live bird market (LBM) surveillance was conducted in the Northeast United States (US) to monitor for the presence of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in domestic poultry and market environments. A total of 384 H2N2 low pathogenicity AIV (LPAIV) isolated from active surveillance efforts in the LBM system of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland during 2013-2019 were included in this analysis. Comparative phylogenetic analysis showed that a wild-bird-origin H2N2 virus may have been introduced into the LBMs in Pennsylvania and independently evolved since March 2012 followed by spread to LBMs in New York City during late 2012-early 2013.

Dietary Counseling Aimed at Reducing Sugar Intake Yields the Greatest Improvement in Management of Weight and Metabolic Dysfunction in Children with Obesity.

Pediatric obesity is a significant public health problem, the negative outcomes of which will challenge individual well-being and societal resources for decades to come. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary counseling on weight management and metabolic abnormalities in children with obesity. One hundred and sixty-five patients aged 2−18 years old were studied over a two and a half year period.

Intercontinental Movement of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4 Virus to the United States, 2021.

We detected Eurasian-origin highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus belonging to the Gs/GD lineage, clade 2.3.4.