Continuous detection of Chikungunya Virus in a passive surveillance system in southern Thailand, 2012-2019.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections are distributed across the globe, causing significant and, often, lasting morbidity. CHIKV vaccines are in development, but their evaluation is limited by the unpredictability of CHIKV transmission, which classically manifests as explosive epidemics separated by variable interepidemic periods. A passive surveillance study for undifferentiated febrile illness was established in southern Thailand in 2012 and is ongoing.

Genetic diversity of dengue virus circulating in the Philippines (2014-2019) and comparison with dengue vaccine strains.

Dengue virus has four distinct serotypes and the genetic diversity within each of the four serotypes contribute to its complexity. An important aspect of dengue molecular evolutionary studies has been the dissection of the extent and structure of genetic variation among major genotypes within each serotype. It is important to understand the role of dengue genetic variability and its potential role and impact in the effectiveness of the dengue vaccine.

Epidemiology and genetic characterization of influenza viruses circulating in Bhutan in 2022.

Introduction: Influenza (Flu) causes considerable morbidity and mortality globally, and in Bhutan, Flu viruses are a leading cause of acute respiratory infection and cause outbreaks during Flu seasons. In this study, we aim to analyze the epidemiology and the genetic characterization of Flu viruses circulated in Bhutan in 2022.

Method: Respiratory specimens were collected from patients who meet the case definition for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) from sentinel sites.

Outbreak of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Health Service Education and Training Center, September 25-October 10, 2023.

In the last week of September 2023, a surge of influenza-like illness was observed among students of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Health Service Education and Training Center, where 48 (27 males and 21 females; age in years: mean 33, range 27-41) of 247 military students at the Center presented with respiratory symptoms. Between September 25 and October 10, 2023, all 48 symptomatic students were evaluated with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and sequencing for both influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Thirteen (27%) students were found positive for influenza A/H3 only, 6 (13%) for SARS-CoV-2 only, and 4 (8%) were co-infected with influenza A/H3 and SARS-CoV-2.