Q-wave (BA.2.12.1) may have peaked in NY.. expect a Q/R transition period of relative calm.. then setting the stage for a R-wave (triggered by BA.5/BA.4)
The Louisiana Department of Health reports the patient who had been hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana and the U.S. has died.
New @NEJM case report describing severe human illness caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A -H5N1 in #BritishColumbia (#Canada) teenager with evidence of potential viral adaptation to humans.
A 13-year-old girl with mild asthma and obesity (BMI >35) presented with conjunctivitis, fever, respiratory distress, and multi-organ complications was hospitalized on 11/7/24, and required intensive care, including ECMO and continuous renal therapy
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RT-PCR confirmed A/H5N1 infection, and the virus was linked to wild birds in British Columbia.
Genetic analysis revealed mutations in the HA protein (E186D, Q222H), associated with increased binding to human airway receptors, facilitating viral entry and replication.
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