Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 2, 2025
05:59
Nasal Wipes for Influenza A Virus Detection and Isolation from Swine
Published on: December 4, 2015
9.5K
Avian influenza overview March - June 2022
EFSA Journal. European Food Safety Authority
|August 11, 2022
Summary
The 2021-2022 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic in Europe was the largest on record, with significant poultry outbreaks and wild bird detections. HPAI A(H5) may be endemic in wild birds, posing a year-round risk to poultry, wildlife, and humans.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Virology
Background:
- The 2021-2022 epidemic season marked the largest highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in Europe to date.
- Significant numbers of poultry outbreaks, captive bird detections, and wild bird events were recorded across 36 European countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiological situation of HPAI in Europe during the 2021-2022 season.
- To assess the implications of HPAI persistence in wild birds and associated risks.
- To evaluate genetic characteristics of circulating HPAI viruses and human infection cases.
Main Methods:
- Data collection on HPAI outbreaks and detections in poultry, captive birds, and wild birds across European countries.
- Analysis of epidemiological trends, including between-farm spread and geographical distribution.
- Genetic analysis of HPAI viruses and review of reported human infections.
Main Results:
- A total of 2,398 poultry outbreaks and 2,733 HPAI events in wild birds were reported. France and Hungary were highly affected poultry-producing countries.
- 86% of poultry outbreaks resulted from secondary, between-farm spread, highlighting transmission challenges.
- HPAI A(H5) virus persistence in wild birds suggests potential endemicity, posing a continuous risk to poultry, wildlife, and humans, with highest risk in autumn/winter.
- Circulating viruses belong to clade 2.3.4.4b; HPAI A(H5) was detected in wild mammals with markers for mammalian adaptation.
- Several human infections with different avian influenza strains were reported globally, with low to medium risk for the general and occupationally exposed populations, respectively.
Conclusions:
- The HPAI epidemic in Europe has reached unprecedented levels, necessitating sustainable mitigation strategies including biosecurity and surveillance.
- The potential endemicity of HPAI A(H5) in wild birds requires ongoing vigilance and adapted risk management approaches.
- While human infections are rare, the genetic adaptation of HPAI viruses to mammals warrants continued monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
00:36Viral Mutations
32.8K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
32.8K
01:51Vaccinations
45.2K
Overview
45.2K
00:57Viral Recombination
23.7K
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
23.7K
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
2.4K
Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
2.4K
02:28Leaky Scanning
5.2K
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
5.2K
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
314
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
314