A recent study published in Nature Communications analyzed over 2 million SARS-CoV-2 samples to detect co-infections and intra-host recombination, identifying 7700 co-infection samples with a 0.35% rate and potential recombinant strains, particularly involving common variants like Delta and Omicron. The study's robust approach offers insights into the dynamics of viral co-infections and recombinants, emphasizing the need for systematic global surveillance to capture the complexities of SARS-CoV-2 evolution accurately.
A new Covid variant called "Pirola" or BA.2.86, with over 30 mutations in its spike protein, is spreading in the United States and has been detected in multiple countries. The World Health Organization is closely monitoring the variant due to its high number of mutations, similar to the Delta variant's mutation rate compared to earlier strains. Pirola has been found in 10 US states and has been associated with a rise in Covid-19 cases. Experts are studying its transmissibility and potential to evade immunity from prior infection or vaccination. The CDC advises people to get vaccinated, tested, seek treatment if at high risk, wear high-quality masks, improve ventilation, and practice hand hygiene to protect against the variant.
ProMED-mail, an early warning system for disease outbreaks, is facing collapse as senior moderators protest against a plan to charge for subscriptions. The moderators expressed a lack of confidence in the administrative operations of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), which operates ProMED. The potential collapse of the program has raised concerns among the infectious diseases community, as ProMED has played a crucial role in alerting the world to major disease events such as SARS and Covid-19. The program, which relies on contributions from scientists and users worldwide, has been a pioneer in global disease surveillance. The ISID has been struggling to raise funds to sustain ProMED, leading to financial difficulties and a decision to put the program's archive behind a paywall. The moderators are calling for ProMED to find a new home with stable funding and a sustainable business model.
China has reported its first human death from H3N8 bird flu, with two non-fatal infections registered last year. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that a wider spread of the virus between humans was unlikely but stressed the importance of global surveillance. The H3N8 virus is commonly detected in birds but causes few symptoms and has also infected other mammals. Health authorities across the world consider it important to monitor all avian influenza viruses, as they can easily evolve and cause a pandemic.
