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Issyk-Kul virus (ISKV), family Nairoviridae, was first isolated in 1970 from a noctule bat (Nyctalus noctule) trapped near Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan (1). ISKV was subsequently detected in bats of several [...]

Influenza D virus (IDV) was first identified from swine exhibiting influenza-like symptoms in 2011 in the United States (1). IDV RNA or antibodies have been detected worldwide in several animal [...]

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) have pandemic potential and remain a threat to human and animal health, mainly owing to their intrinsic ability to continually diversify and infect a broad range [...]

Influenza A virus (AIV) circulation was investigated in the Lombardy region, during 2022–2024, in wild ducks (through hunting and sampling of faecal samples within natural parks) and wild birds found dead. Samples were analysed through real-time RT-PCRs for Influenza A virus, H5 and H7. Whole genome sequencing was performed on AIV-positive samples. Screening of 3497 hunted Anatidae revealed a total of 184 positive samples. Complete sequencing of 136 samples highlighted the presence of 21 different subtypes ranging from H1N1 to H12N5. The H5N1 HPAIV (high pathogenic AIV) subtype, clade 2.3.4.4b, was the most common during the 2022–2023 winter season (31.8%), while H5 LPAI (low pathogenic AIV) strains were the most prevalent (28.6%) in the 2023–2024 season. The molecular survey on wild birds found dead (n = 481) showed two positive buzzards (14%, 2/14), one grey heron (5.5%, 1/18) and one kestrel (7.6%, 1/13). Regarding the order of Charadriiformes, the dead gulls sampled in 2022 (17 birds) were all negative, whereas 85 out of 167 (51%) individuals were positive in 2023. All positives were caused by an H5N1 HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b virus belonging to genotype BB. All the faecal samples (1699) received from passive surveillance in nature parks were analysed for AIV with negative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica infections critically affect cattle health, producing high rates of morbidity and mortality in calves and reducing the performance of adult cows. Some European countries implemented surveillance and control programs decades ago, but in Italy, there is no national control program for dairy cows. This study describes an outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney in a dairy herd and the consequent control strategies applied. Control strategies included sample collection visits to the farm in order to identify the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and assess biosecurity levels. In this outbreak, there was a higher prevalence in calves and this condition was associated with poor biosecurity practices. Subsequently, the practitioner and farmer were provided with a health management plan to reduce the prevalence and control the outbreak. During the follow-up period, monitoring and testing revealed repeated negative results, indicating adequate control over the outbreak. The procedures undertaken in this project made it possible to collect useful data for the definition of measures for the management of outbreaks of salmonellosis in dairy cows. Salmonellosis in dairy cattle represents an increasing problem for both animal and public health. Nevertheless, in Italy, there is no control plan in place on dairy farms. The aim of this study was to describe a Salmonella Bredeney outbreak that occurred on a dairy farm and the measures that were adopted to control the outbreak. Management consisted in identifying the spread of infection and assessing the environmental contamination of Salmonella spp. and the associated risk factors. After the farm visit, laboratory investigations showed that 48% of rectal swabs collected from calves and 33% of environmental samples were positive for S. Bredeney, and a poor biosecurity level was detected. The farmer and practitioner were provided with a health management plan to control the spread of Salmonella spp., followed by a monitoring period and a follow-up visit in which all samples resulted negative. The results demonstrated the efficacy of indirect prophylaxis measures in reducing the circulation of Salmonella spp., leading to the extinction of the outbreak. Collaboration with farmers, practitioners, and public health veterinarians and the introduction of measures reported in the health management plan constitute a possible model for the management of Salmonella spp. outbreaks in dairy herds, even in complex farm situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigs are very important for the epidemiology of influenza A viruses, being commonly infected with the lineages of most adapted H1N1, H3N2, H1N2 swine subtypes. Epidemiological complexity of swine influenza is increasing by a periodic spillover of human or avian viruses in the pig population when genetic shifts can occur. The objectives of this research were to determine the presence of the influenza A virus in nasal and tracheobronchial swabs and lung tissue samples of ill and dead pigs on commercial farms, to determine circulating subtypes and characterize them through the phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. A total of 255 samples collected from 13 farms were analyzed by means of real-time RTPCR. The genome of influenza A virus was detected in 24 samples, which represented a 61.5% prevalence at the farms level (influenza A virus was confirmed in 8 out of 13 farms included in this study). Based on HA and NA gene sequences of 8 viruses, the circulation of H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes of influenza A viruses were determined. In addition, one farm exhibited a time separated circulation of H1N1 and H3N2 virus subtypes. Using Influenza Research Database, our viruses of the H1 subtype were classified into 1C.2.1 and 1A.3.3.2. clade. Based on the nucleotide sequences of HA genes, three viruses of the H1N1 subtype belong to the H1N1pdm09 lineage, and the other four to Eurasian “avian-like” H1avN1 lineage; while based on NA genes sequences, these seven viruses belong to Eurasian “avian-like” H1avN1 lineage. Both HA and NA genes of the virus of the H3N2 subtype belonged to the A/swine/ Gent/1/1984-like H3N2 lineage.

Influenza D virus (IDV) is a novel orthomyxovirus initially isolated from pigs exhibiting influenza-like disease in the USA. Since then, IDV has been detected worldwide in several host species, including livestock animals, whilst specific antibodies have been identified in humans, raising concerns about interspecies transmission and zoonotic risks. Few data regarding the seroprevalence of IDV in small ruminants have been available to date. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of antibodies against IDV in ovine serum samples in Sicily, Southern Italy. Six hundred serum samples, collected from dairy sheep herds located in Sicily in 2022, were tested by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralization (VN) assays using reference strains, D/660 and D/OK, representative of two distinct IDV lineages circulating in Italy. Out of 600 tested samples, 168 (28.0%) tested positive to either IDV strain D/660 or D/OK or to both by HI whilst 378 (63.0%) tested positive to either IDV strain D/660 or D/OK or to both by VN. Overall, our findings demonstrate that IDV circulates in ovine dairy herds in Sicily. Since IDV seems to have a broad host range and it has zoonotic potential, it is important to collect epidemiological information on susceptible species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus H (RVH) has been detected in humans, pigs and bats. Recently, RVH infections were reported in different porcine farms worldwide, suggesting epidemiological relevance. However, to date, the genome information of RVH strains has been limited due to the scarcity of deposited sequences. This study aimed to characterize the VP7, VP4, VP6 and NSP4 genes of RVHs from 27 symptomatic pigs, in Italy, between 2017 and 2021. RVH genes were amplified via RT-PCR using specific primers, and the amplicons were sequenced. By coupling the data generated in this study with the sequences available in the databases, we elaborated a classification scheme useful to genotype the VP7, VP4, VP6 and NSP4 genes. The nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analyses unveiled an impressive genetic heterogeneity and allowed the classification of the Italian RVH strains into 12G (VP7), 6P (VP4), 8I (VP6) and 8E (NSP4) genotypes, of which 6I, 5E and the totality of the G and P genotypes were of novel identification. Our data highlight the high genetic variability of the RVH strains circulating in pigs and underline the importance of a robust classification system to track the epidemiology of RVHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs are known to be susceptible to influenza A viruses, although information on influenza D virus (IDV) is limited. We investigated the seroprevalence of IDV in 426 dogs in the Apulia region of Italy during 2016 and 2023. A total of 14 samples were positive for IDV antibodies, suggesting exposure to IDV in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) (family Coronaviridae, genus Alphacoronavirus) are enveloped viruses that contain a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome of ≅28 kb. Infection with these [...]

To the Editor: Recent studies have identified a new genus of the Orthomyxoviridae family (1-5). The virus, distantly related to human influenza C virus, has been provisionally designated as influenza [...]

Pigs are considered the 'mixing vessel' in which avian, human, and swine influenza genetic material can be exchanged and result in new influenza viruses (1). Zoonotic influenza A infections in [...]