Virology News

Influenza pandemics have killed, and will again kill, millions of people. It’s estimated that the Influenza pandemic of 1918 infected one-third of the Earth’s population,  and led to between 20 and 40 million deaths before it subsided in 1920. One million people around the world died in a 1957 influenza outbreak and another 1 to 3 million lives were lost to the same disease in 1968. In 2003, A(H5N1) or so-called Avian Influenza, highlighted how a novel virus could pass from animals to humans putting the world on high alert. The 2009  A(H1N1) pandemic spread to over 214 countries and territories or communities, resulting in tens of millions of cases and an estimated 151,700 to 575,400 deaths in just the first year[1].  COVID-19 has been a stark reminder of the dangers of viral pandemics.   On 24 May 2021, it will be ten years since WHO Member States reached consensus on a pioneering approach to enhancing global preparedness for an equitable response to pandemic influenza: the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.  As we approach this milestone, we look back on some of our greatest achievements.   For a decade WHO has systematically implemented the PIP Framework in partnership with industry and other partners. Thanks to our partners, we have collected more than US$225 million in partnership contributions, enabling us to  invest around the world in capacity strengthening for pandemic influenza preparedness. These capacities contributed to some of the earliest and continuing successes of the global COVID-19 response.   Today, thanks in part to efforts by the PIP Framework and partners:   More than 150 laboratories across 126 countries, areas and territories contribute to the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and can share viruses. 50 000 sentinel specimens are tested for COVID-19 each week through GISRS, with data reported through WHO platforms including FluNet. 233 laboratories (including 130 NICs) in 164 countries, areas and territories, participated in the WHO COVID-19 EQAP; 94% of them scored 100%. 40 countries provided PIP support that were then able to develop a COVID-19 response plan early on. More than 50 countries share their COVID-19 data using an established influenza platform. Many PIP-supported countries were able to authorize COVID-19 vaccines within 15 days of WHO issuing an emergency use listing. More than five million people have enrolled to the OpenWHO platform, including for the 28 COVID-19 courses that are available in 50 languages. 11 new National Influenza Centres (NICs) have been officially recognized by WHO. 10% of future, real-time pandemic influenza vaccine production has been secured by WHO in the event of a pandemic, through legally binding PIP SMTA2 advance supply contracts with 14 manufacturers. 10 million antiviral treatments, 250 000 diagnostics kits and 25 million syringes have also been secured through PIP SMTA2 agreements.   There is still a lot of work to be done. COVID-19 has highlighted several gaps and challenges (e.g., managing global supply chains at the time of an emergency, clinical surge capacity), and the lessons learned will also strengthen influenza preparedness and response. COVID-19 has demonstrated the capabilities and benefits of GISRS beyond influenza; now is an opportune time to use the lessons learned to make GISRS and other PIP activities even stronger for any future respiratory pathogen. The world must be vigilant for influenza viruses with pandemic potential: they can emerge at any moment. WHO, countries, and other stakeholders will continue to prepare for influenza epidemics and pandemics through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework.   [1] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/2009-h1n1-pandemic.html

Moderna becomes second manufacturer to announce successful trial results in adolescents...

Those face masks that everyone has been wearing might be doing more than just keeping us safe from possibly contracting the disease COVID-19...

Here is the official report from 1918, sourced from the National Archives, which sheds more light on what happened.

Geminiviruses cause substantial damage to crops worldwide. Here Wu et al. show that geminivirus replication relies upon the host DNA polymerases α and δ, which produce double-stranded DNA intermediates and new copies of the viral genome, respectively, and is modulated by the viral C3 protein.

Patrick Soon-Shiong will give $213 million to South Africa, the country of his birth, to help with the transfer of new COVID-19 vaccine technology.

Cannabis may offer rapid relief from chronic itch, an unrelenting and at times debilitating condtion.

Investigation of the human antibody response to influenza virus infection has been largely limited to serology, with relatively little analysis at the molecular level. The 1918 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic was the most severe of the modern era.

Getting a flu vaccine can reduce the risk of a common type of heart attack in people 60 and older, according to new research that suggests the virus plays a role in rupturing plaque.

Abstract Hyperinflammatory responses including the production of NLRP3‐dependent IL‐1β is a characteristic feature of severe and fatal influenza A virus (IAV) infections. The NLRP3 inflammasome has...

The regular flu vaccine won't stop the novel coronavirus – but it can prevent confusion from similar symptoms.

For Muslims all over the world, Ramadan is the most blessed month of the year.As Muslims prepare to fast from dawn till dusk every day for a month, whilst striving to improve and strengthen their relationship with God Almighty, this year, the blessed month of Ramadan comes once again, in the midst...

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, relies on a process for replication called frameshifting. Now, researchers say they can inhibit the mechanism.

The first batch of the vaccine will be available at the end of May.

Brazil's federal government on Tuesday nationally suspended the vaccination of pregnant women with the AstraZeneca (AZN.L) COVID-19 shot, after an expectant mother in Rio de Janeiro died from a stroke possibly related to the inoculation.

Research in patients who had COVID-19 shows those who received oxygen therapy or had fever show less gray matter in part of the brain.

Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is well-known in the swine industry, but is there reason to worry about its cousin PCV3?

The country might not be in the grips of a third wave just yet but the COVID situation remains grim. All provinces have recorded a surge in infections with the Northern Cape and North West cited as provinces of particular concern.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's rollout of COVID-19 vaccines began belatedly in mid-February, months behind the United States and many other countries. Officials blamed a shortage of Pfizer Inc. vaccine from Europe as the main culprit in the delay.

Out of 168 countries that have begun administering the Covid-19 vaccine, South Africa places 79 on the list as of April 5 - after vaccinating just 0.5% of the population...

India has approved the use of Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on Monday, confirming earlier reports of its imminent endorsement.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has had to advance at rates never seen before.One of the first big leaps in technology followed the flu pandemic...

The poultry industry was on high alert on Tuesday after an outbreak of avian influenza was confirmed in a commercial layer flock on the East Rand of Johannesburg.