ABSTRACT
This special issue contains 23 articles that discuss various aspects of antiviral research, focusing on the contributions and legacy of Dr. Mike Bray, the retiring Editor-in-Chief of Antiviral Research. The articles cover a range of topics, including the underappreciated mouse model for Ebola virus disease, the history and impact of the mouse-adapted Ebola virus model, and the characterisation of CD-1 mice infected with different strains of Ebola virus. Other articles delve into transplacental vertical transmission of flaviviruses, the development of reverse genetic systems for SARS-CoV-2, and the mechanisms of action and drug resistance of nucleotide analogues against the virus. The special issue also explores therapeutics for flaviviral infections, alternative splicing in RNA virus infections, and targeted protein degradation as an antiviral approach.
ABSTRACT
In December 2022, a total of 68 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 235 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were COVID-19 (235), monkeypox (110), dengue fever (28), measles (27) and cholera (14). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Ebola virus disease (47.0%), Rift Valley fever (44.2%), Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (40.0%), Lassa fever (17.6%) and West Nile fever (7.6%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, malaria, cholera, dengue fever and measles. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19, cholera and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever, monkeypox, malaria and measles, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19, cholera, monkeypox, dengue fever and chikungunya fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe were COVID-19, monkeypox and invasive group A streptococcus infection.
ABSTRACT
Vaccination is effective in preventing the increase of disease, especially emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), and it is particularly important for people in close contact with infected sources and susceptible populations who are at increased risk of getting infectious diseases due to behavior, occupation or health. Despite targeted vaccination guidelines, inadequate vaccination of the key populations fails to receive widespread attention, resulting in a high-risk transition of disease from key populations to general populations. Strengthening the vaccination of the susceptible groups can effectively block the spread of pathogens to general populations, and reduce the consumption of medical resources in universal vaccination, which has significant economic value. In this review, we describe the prevalence of EIDs, analyze the experience and lessons of infectious disease vaccination in key populations through several cases, and further explore the causes for the decline in vaccination rates of key populations. According to the trends of EIDs, a plan to strengthen the vaccination of key populations is proposed to effectively prevent the transition of EIDs from key populations to general populations.
ABSTRACT
In December 2022 (from 00: 00, 1 December to 24: 00, 31 December), except COVID-19, a total of 278 907 cases of notifiable communicable diseases, including 2 384 deaths, were reported in China (except Hong Kong, Macao Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan Province, the same below). In communicable diseases in class A, no cases and no deaths were reported. In communicable diseases in class B, no cases and no deaths of severe acute respiratory syndrome, poliomyelitis, human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, diphtheria and human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus were reported. For the remaining 21 communicable diseases except COVID-19 in class B, a total of 148 573 cases were reported, a decrease of 29% compared with last month (210 178 cases) and a decrease of 46% compared with the same period in 2021 (273 361 cases). The first 5 diseases in terms of reported case number were viral hepatitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea and AIDS, accounting for 96% of the total reported cases in class B. A total of 2 384 deaths were reported, an increase of 28% (521 deaths) compared with last month (1 863 deaths) and a decrease of 14% compared with the same period in 2021 (2 763 deaths). In class C communicable diseases, a total of 130 334 cases were reported, a decrease of 33% compared with last month (195 072 cases) and a decrease of 69% compared with the same period in 2021 (420 015 cases). The first 3 diseases in terms of reported case number were influenza, other infectious diarrhea, and hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD), accounting for 96% of the total reported cases in class C. Compared with last month, except filariasis which had no incidence, the reported case number of leprosy was same, and the disease with reported case increase was echinococcosis (47 cases, 48%), the reported cases of other diseases all decreased, the first 3 diseases with reported case decreases were HFMD (22 886 cases, 45%), other infectious diarrhea (21 962 cases, 43%) and influenza (14 775 cases, 18%). Compared with the same period in 2021, except filariasis which had no incidence, the reported cases of other diseases all decreased, the first 3 diseases with reported case decreases were influenza (181 158 cases, 73%), other infectious diarrhea (53 502 cases, 65%) and HFMD (46 674 cases, 63%). No death caused by class C communicable disease was reported, same to last month and a decrease of 7 deaths compared with the same period in 2021 (7 deaths).
ABSTRACT
This supplement is a collection of 13 papers that highlight the work of NETEC and the national network of RESPTCs from the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the story of how RESPTCs made incredible efforts toward special pathogen education and training preparedness that buttressed the US healthcare system's operational response and clinical research capabilities. These papers underscore how sustained RESPTC operations through the COVID-19 pandemic will contribute to the changing landscape of pandemic preparedness and response, globally. This collection provides a vision for the future - where a stronger, more integrated, special pathogen system of care will improve the nation's response in anticipation of the next high-consequence infectious disease outbreak.
ABSTRACT
Hantaviruses are important pathogenes of natural focal diseases that causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. According to the latest classification of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, hantaviruses can be divided into 53 species, 7 genera, and 4 subfamilies. Hantaviruses are widely found in Rodentia, Chiroptera, and Insectivora, and later also found in reptile, Actinopterygii, and Agnatha. There are many species of bats, which are the second largest group of mammals in the world after rodents. At present, 1 446 species have been reported, accounting for about 22% of global mammals. In addition, bats have strong flight ability and are widely distributed in all continents except Antarctica. As the host animal of viruses, bats bear a variety of viruses, and many emerging infectious pathogens such as Marburg virus, Hendra virus, and Nipah virus have been confirmed to come from bats. Bats have also been associated to Ebola virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In recent decades, more and more bat-borne hantaviruses have been discovered. Bats and bat-borne hantaviruses have an important research value. Therefore, this paper reviews the latest classification of Hantavirus and bat-borne hantaviruses.
ABSTRACT
This review article discusses the following: (1) infectious diseases and the Sustainable Development Goals, (2) pandemic proofing and the SDGs, (3) climate change and food insecurity, (4) antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, (5) vaccines, prevention, and vaccine hesitancy, (6) plastics, waste, and pollution. Therefore, it is increasingly clear that the pandemic is disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable of our communities: the elderly, persons with preexisting conditions, and persons living with disabilities, as well as communities of color, immigrants, our prison population, and front-line workers, who often have low income. Promoting respect for cultural diversity (SDG16) within a human-rights-based approach helps facilitate cultural understanding and peace, prevents conflicts, and protects the rights of marginalised groups.
ABSTRACT
Ebola Virus Disease struck Sierra Leone in May 2014. An international response was instrumental in ending the epidemic by December 2015 and has been extensively documented. Less attention has been paid to local responses. Here, we focus on a case in which there was no infection despite high infection in neighbouring areas. This brings into focus the role of customary public authority in implementing successful controls. We pay particular attention to the activities of a chiefdom Ebola Task force committee chaired by the Paramount Chief. Meetings were characterised by protocol and ceremony, but ‘face time’ served to reinforce, in ritual terms, important messages about quarantine and social distancing. The committee's pronouncements had illocutionary force. Local volunteers translated this ceremonial message into practical action to block imported cases. The analysis of ceremonial competence, we conclude, opens a window into how public authority addresses developmental shocks in Africa.
ABSTRACT
In December 2021, a total of 64 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 228 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19, 228), measles (29), dengue fever (28), cholera (12) and chikungunya fever (9). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Ebola virus disease (81.8%), Middle East respiratory syndrome (34.4%), yellow fever (22.0%), Lassa fever (20.0%) and plague (10.8%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, malaria, measles, dengue fever and cholera. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, cholera, yellow fever, plague, Lassa fever, poliomyelitis, malaria and measles, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19, dengue fever, chikungunya fever and Zika virus disease, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe was COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has affected Africa like the rest of the world. However, it can be assumed that the population's representation of the disease differs from one country to another. Based on a qualitative survey, we analyze its social representation in C..te d'Ivoire, and more specifically in Abidjan, the main area of contamination. Our results show that the "social figure" of the disease in this country is marked, on the one hand, by a vision anchored in clientelism with regard to the prohibitions and authorizations linked to the restrictions imposed, and, on the other hand, by a trivialization based on the images of "massification", "generalization", and "naturalization", in particular with respect to HIV-AIDS or Ebola.
ABSTRACT
In November 2021, a total of 65 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 226 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19, 226), dengue fever (31), measles (21), poliomyelitis (11) and cholera (10). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Ebola virus disease (81.8%), Lassa fever (18.6%), yellow fever (15.3%), meningitis (7.9%) and plague (7.6%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, malaria, cholera, dengue fever and yellow fever. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever, poliomyelitis, malaria and measles, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19, dengue fever, chikungunya fever and Zika virus disease, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe were COVID-19 and West Nile fever.
ABSTRACT
Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is currently facing two major infectious disease outbreaks: Covid-19 and Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). We highlight large differences in the socioeconomic impact of these two outbreaks. The data come from a phone survey that we conducted in May 2020 with 456 households and 144 small firms from a megacity and a rural commune in the province of Nord Kivu. While 3,000 EVD cases and 2,000 EVD deaths were confirmed since August 2018, self-reported impacts of EVD on revenues, access to food and behaviour were limited. In contrast, only 43 Covid19 cases were reported as of May 30th but respondents reported sizable effects on livelihoods, especially in the large urban hub, and in part driven by substantial job losses. Our results show that different infectious disease outbreaks can have very different effects, largely unrelated to case numbers of the disease. Moderately virulent but highly transmissible viruses such as Covid-19 can trigger a steep economic downturn, especially in areas with high economic interconnectedness, reflecting both national and international policies to contain the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Humanity faces ongoing and contemporaneous grand challenges. Occasionally, abrupt shocks escalate a grand challenge’s salience over others. Prior research has advocated forming partnerships to address grand challenges via responsible innovation. Yet, it remains unclear how temporal changes in the salience of a grand challenge impact innovation performances of partnerships. We address this research gap by bridging the literature on issue salience, responsible innovation and interorganizational relationships. We argue that shocks either aid or harm the performance of partnerships for responsible innovation depending on whether their domains are directly or indirectly affected. The Ebola outbreak in 2014 sets the empirical context to test our theory. We find that while the innovation performance of Ebola partnerships formed after the outbreak rose eleven‐fold, the performance of partnerships treating Influenza fell by 84.9 per cent. Our theory and findings have immediate implications for today’s COVID‐19 outbreak, cautioning against salience shifts among concurrent grand challenges.