Michelle Wille
@DuckSwabber
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Avian influenza & avian virome ecology | "Expert in Ducks" - spam mail | "Walking encyclopedia for avian influenza" - CVdS | (she/her)
Melbourne, Victoria
Joined February 2014
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We are delighted to share with you that 11th International Symposium on Avian Influenza will be 24-25 June 2025 in St. John’s, Canada. We are looking forward to getting everyone together in one room to share their experiences and the latest science.
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HPAI now confirmed in the Antarctic region. Devastating news.
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Vaccination has been approved for California Condors, comprising the first approval for HPAI vaccines in the US. It took 20 years to help the species recover, the 21 dead birds found has been highly concerning. First trials occurring in Black Vultures.
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Great paper discussing arboviruses. While humans are of course important, more work needs to be done in animal reservoirs to understand epidemiology and infection risks.
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Baby peregrine falcons now the size of the adults, and with just a few baby feathers left I expect they will fledge soon!
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Death of 63-year-old woman in China, due to co-infection with human H3N2 + avian H10N5. First reported human infection with H10N5. Clinical presentation = flu like symptoms. Exposure to duck meat, 7 samples +ve for H10N5 + 2 +ve for N5.
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A whopping 304
#SARS_COV_2
#CODVID19
sequences from Australia are now available on
@nextstrain
- viruses from Australia are found in just about every clade showing a wide source of introductions! Incredible effort by all the labs involved
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Comparison of RNA extraction approaches, paired with nanopore sequencing as a surveillance approach.
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🚨 New paper out!
In this
#SciencePerspective
we outline the facets to the resurgence of H5N1.
Since Oct 2021 there have been >3000 outbreaks of avian influenza, with substantial poultry losses, mass mortality events in wild birds, and human cases.
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🚨 New paper out!
We analysed >10,000 swab & serum samples from 75 species of Australian wild birds to reveal host range and the key role of phylogeny in explaining host range of avian influenza in wild birds.
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Lots of HPAI activity in S America, with >50,000 wild birds dead, a human case, and now a mass mortality event in sea lions (634 animals)
Extremely concerning, demonstrates the potential scale of outbreaks that may occur if this virus enters Australia
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One major barrier to avian influenza infecting humans (and mammals) is a difference in the host receptor. Cool review addresses the gradual adaptation of animal influenza A viruses to human-type sialic acid receptors.
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Great to see this paper with
@DrSnygg
now out in
@WaterbirdsJourn
. Given the ever changing HPAI situation, its probably a bit out of date now, but gives a summary of events until ~July 2023.
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H9N2 influenza A virus in Egyptian bat exhibits high replication and transmission potential in ferrets, efficient infection of human lung cultures and escape from the antiviral activity of MxA. = criteria for pre-pandemic virus.
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If you are in Australia and see dead birds this spring - be sure to report it! Regardless of which state you are in, call the emergence animal disease watch hotline 1800 675 888
More information about avian influenza on my website
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🚨 New paper out in
@PLOSPathogens
We aimed to understand genomic patterns of avian influenza in Australia - how the continent is connected to the global gene pool, virus importation onto the continent, and virus movement in Australia.
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H5N1 in bears: species, including American +Asia black bears, grizzly bears, Kodiak brown bears, and recent Polar Bear in Alaska. Dead H5N1 shearwaters found in location of polar bear, murres previously. Ingestion of infected seabirds?
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HPAI confirmed in skuas at Primavera base on the Antarctic Peninsula. Sadly, not unexpected.
Great work by the Spanish teams here, including the capacity to collect samples and PCR in Antarctica.
Press release (in spanish):
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Aahhh, Ive officially made it. Asked to review a paper of which I am a co-author 😅
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Did you know wild birds are hosts to at least 10 species of coronaviruses?
Our paper on coronaviruses in birds has been accepted. We evaluated virus ecology across hosts, disease propensity and porosity of the wild bird: poultry interface.
#WatchThisSpace
for more details soon!
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As the end of 2020 rapidly approaches, I have been considering my achievements for the year...
Arguably, managing to see some new birds amongst lockdowns and travel bans is probably up there.
These are Mulga parrots and I really love their red "pants"
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The loss of RIG-I in chickens (not ducks) was thought to be the reason for their increased susceptibility. New study shows that loss likely evolved to counteract deleterious inflammation caused by viral infection 🤯
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New report of H7N9 avian influenza in camels. Other than humans (2013-2017), H7N9 has never caused mammalian infections (that we know of). The virus had mammalian adaptations (e.g. PB2 mutation), higher SA-α2 binding and mammalian cell replication.
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Took a few years, but my final PhD paper (oops) is now out in
@Virus_Evolution
.
We wanted to understand what features of influenza allow it to reinfect a population of Mallards year after year.
Lineage replacement and reassortment are key features
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Incredible overview of sealion outbreaks due to HPAI in South America. More than 24,000 died in Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay bw Jan- Sept 2023. Route of infection likely eating infected birds.
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Good to see this one in print. Multiple HPAI H5N1 genotypes detected in four different avian species in New York City highlighting risk of zoonotic infections extends into urban centres.
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Human infection of H5N6 - patient cooked frozen chicken from a market. Sample from patient bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and frozen poultry samples were highly similar.
(In Chinese, unsure how to access)
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New study demonstrating a diverse range of novel viruses harboured by New Zealand’s only native terrestrial mammals including Corona-, Flavi-, Picrona-, Paramyxo-, Astro-, and Rhabdoviridae
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Isolation of HPAI H5N1 from environmental swab samples from a dairy farm in Kansas. Two distinctive mutations in the PB2 (E249G) and NS1 (R21Q) genes, 1.7% of reads w PB2 E627K. PB2 and NS most closely related to human case.
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First confirmed cases of HPAI in Albatross- one Black-browed Albatross in the Falklands.
👉
(Image: Falklands conservation)
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Now with over 1000(!!) sequences from Australia on GISAID following massive data dumps from VIC and NSW we can see that sequences from all states are scattered throughout the subsampled tree on
@nextstrain
. Large source of introductions. Amazing work by all labs involved!
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RIG-I is part of the first line of defense against avian influenza infection, and while present in ducks is missing in chickens. A screen of the avian tree of life indicates absence in other avian families too (penguins, shearwaters)
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🚨 Our latest study showing the role of host phylogeny (and ecological effects as previously shown) on host competency for avian influenza is finally out
@royalsociety
!
Culmination of MANY years of sampling to reveal avian influenza dynamics in Australia
👉
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Incredibly pleased to have been awarded an
@arc_gov_au
DECRA!!!! Am very grateful to all the mentors and collaborators who have been invaluable along the way. Looking forward to more viruses and birds in my future!
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Very concerning that HPAI has now reached the Southern tip of South America.
We wrote some recommendations last year in preparation of HPAI entering Antarctica. You can find them here:
Highly pathogenic avian
#influenza
detected in
#poultry
in Puerto Natales,
#Magallanes
Region (see map),
#Chile
. Now the virus has reached the southern tip of South America, it is only one step further to the
#Antarctic
and its abundant
#seabird
and marine mammal populations.
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In only a few months H5N1 killed >100,000 birds of 24 different species in protected areas of Peru, with hug eimpacts on boobies, cormorants and pelicans. Virus has severely affected bird populations and the ecosystem services they provide.
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Finally time to share one of our papers, now out!
@MarsKlaassen
and I outline the plight of wild birds in the HPAI panzootic, and our concerns around the severe discrepancy in reporting of mortality data.
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Now that Japanese Encephalitis Virus has emerged in Australia, if it sticks around, what are the highest risk locations? Based distributions of birds, pigs, mosquitos.
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SeaLion story continues, now in Brazil. Lots more dead sea lions. Genotype B3.2 first detected in Brazil October 2023 = new amino acid substitutions related to mammalian host affinity.
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Summary of mass mortality event of Great Skuas on Foula in summer 2022 due to avian influenza.
"a decline in the order of magnitude of 60–70% in occupied territories is more likely"
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With increased HPAI activity in birds, we are seeing an increased geographic spread of human cases of HPAI. Time to update the map
Ecuador confirms first human bird flu infection in 9-year-old girl
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🚨 new preprint
@RhysHParry
@Jemma_Geoghegan
@edwardcholmes
Think you know what an influenza virus is? We found 5 novel influenza viruses in fishes and amphibians: these viruses are probably found across all vertebrates, not just birds/mammals
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Australian friends, colleagues -
Webinar on HPAI H5N1 lined up for Friday with lots of different perspectives. Should be an interesting discussion.
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Review of global H5 and H7 situation. Unlike the battery of others, this one includes detailed discussion of the vaccination strategies being used in China - what vaccines, how they have been updated, and the outcomes.
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🚨The summary of our enhanced surveillance program, targeted to incoming migratory birds to Australia is now out. We sampled ~ 1000 birds, with no indication of HPAI. Oceania last continent free from HPAI
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Host phylogeny plays a key role in determining infectivity, virus loads, transmission. New study shows that host phylogeny also plays a role in virome scale transmission networks.
Great paper by Rebecca French
@edwardcholmes
and collaborators in NZ.
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How do viruses go from LPAI to HPAI? The RNA structure use to trap polymerase drives insertions into the cleavage site. Insertion frequencies strongly affected by substitutions in flanking regions. Big implications of this study!!!
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To confirm, neither the outbreak in the Victorian poultry farm nor the infectio in the return traveller are due to HPAI H5N1 2.3.4.4b. Oceania remains free from this virus.
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🚨 Now online 🚨
Wild birds as reservoirs for diverse and abundant gamma- and deltacoronaviruses
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🚨 Latest article from us, now published.
No evidence for HPAI H5N1 2.3.4.4b incursion into Australia in 2022
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In order to mitigate the zoonotic risk of HPAI H5, essential to understand + monitor at avian-mammal interface.
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First human case of co-infection with H10N5 and seasonal H3N2 influenza viruses. Epidemiological investigations identified H10N5 in environmental samples linked to patient, but no transmission to close contacts occurred.
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Using antibiotic to promote poultry growth makes chicks more susceptible to H9N2! More studies linking the gut microbiome with influenza virus susceptibility!
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Our manuscript about the viromes of Antarctic Penguins and their ticks is now out on bioRxiv with
@edwardcholmes
.
We found 107 viral species associated with penguins, their diet, microbiome and Ixodes uriae ticks.
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More cool viruses from fish, including these influenza -like viruses. Important for us to reframe what influenza viruses are - not only human and livestock viruses!
Antarctic fish viromes are just as rich and diverse as their tropical fishy friends
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Good to see this published. HPAI viruses from Uruaguay suggest pinnipeds ancestral to birds. Viruses in South America may have spread from mammals to mammals and seabirds, revealing a new transmission route. Big implications!
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I've updated my avian influenza resources page, with links to Australia's official response guidelines (AUSVETPLAN) and starting to collate all the literature I tweet.
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Case report of first human case of H10N3. H10 seems to infect a broad host range. Patient w severe pneumonia, type I respiratory failure, complications w fungi & bacteria. four mutations potentially hazardous to human health.
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Unrelated to the outbreak of avian influenza on a victorian poultry farm, Department of Health has reported the detection of avian influenza in a returned traveller. Confirmed HPAI H5N1, but not which lineage is involved.
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🚨Now published,
Aug-Nov is the highest risk period for HPAI introduction to Australia - here a summary of our "enhanced surveillance" targeting arriving migratory seabirds and shorebirds in 2023. HPAI still absent in Oceania.
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Good to see this pre-print now published. Excellent description of HPAI spread in sea lions of south america - down the pacific coast, and back up the Atlantic coast. Huge impact on these animals.
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Substantial expansion of the Flaviviridae through transcriptome mining - lots of new viruses in amphibians, reptiles, and ray-finned fish.
Transcriptome mining extends the host range of the Flaviviridae to non-bilaterians
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First detection of HPAI on the Falklands Islands, in a southern fulmar. For more information:
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Amazing document compiled by the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds statement on: H5N1 High pathogenicity avian influenza in wild birds - Unprecedented conservation impacts and urgent needs
👉
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Great resource from the
@_BTO
on impacts, planning for future outbreaks, and conservation and research priorities in regards to HPAI
👉
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Lovely analysis demonstrating bidirectional movement of HPAI H5N8 avian influenza viruses between Europe and Asia. Specifically that temporal estimates from virology data match bird migration timing. Featuring
@EvolveDotZoo
@jnaraghwani
@Hill_SarahC
👉
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Case report of HPAI in a bottle nosed dolphin in Florida. Neuronal necrosis, inflammation of the brain, highest viral load in brain. S246N neuraminidase substitution = reduced inhibition by the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir
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Further updates to my website this morning outlining current avian influenza outbreaks here in Australia. Of course, lots of other useful stuff there too.
👉
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Happy to be out last night with the aim of catching ducks. Samples will be integrated into our long-term avian influenza data, but also help support current H7 response by providing key information about H7 load and diversity in wild birds
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You'll find me at poster 670 today if you want to chat all things avian influenza , including more about the which will be in Canada June 2025!
@options2024
#options24
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HPAI is truly affecting animals everywhere. Surveillance in the urban environs of NY city, over 1700 samples collected and virus detected in 4 different bird species. Viruses w different genotypes. Important for risk, response, biosecurity
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The (HP)AI paper deluge is real. Since I started keeping track, I've summarised over 600 papers/reports. Orange are the number of papers per batch. Batches are consistently ~20 papers per week now. Lots of amazing science happening in this space!
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🚨 And out now!
Check out paper about influenza viruses in fish and amphibians - no longer only viruses of humans and production animals, rather likely to have co-evolved with vertebrates!
w
@edwardcholmes
@Jemma_Geoghegan
@RhysHParry
@_OliviaTurnbull
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Crazy new tech - air sampling and simultaneous detection of airborne influenza virus via plasmonic PCR -> plasmonic thermocycling using laser pulse and duration to rapidly heat and cool a solution
👉
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Super cool study:
- seasonal bird migration can explain salient features of the global dispersal of 2.3.4.4.
- differing vulnerable bird orders at geographical origins and destinations of HPAIV H5 lineage movements
- role of Suliformes and Ciconiformes
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In years with a high burden of influenza in humans, many antivirals may be administered. These enter the water system, and may drive antiviral resistance in avian viruses. New study shows these resistant viruses can transmit from wild birds to poultry.
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Flying foxes in Australia have a diversity of viruses, with the detection of novel Coronaviruses (subgenus Nobecovirus of betacoronaviruses), Caliciviruses and Birnaviruses in fecal samples from colonies.
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Do seabirds respond to outbreaks on colonies or do they just stick it out? From tracking studies, Northern Gannets had dramatic behavioural change, with evidence of surviving adults prospecting other breeding locations.
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We know that you can detect AI on bird feathers, and this may play a role in transmission. In HPAI outbreaks, viruses exhibited persistent and marked feather epitheliotropism in infected commercial ducks = source of environmental infectious material.
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How do avian influenza viruses spill over to mammals? Great summary and big picture article of a recent study of canine influenza viruses.
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🚨 New paper out
The highest risk period for HPAI incursion into Australia is when the migratory birds arrive in the spring. Here
@MarsKlaassen
and I report the results of our surveillance of migratory birds from Sept-Dec 2022. No HPAI detected.
👉
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How do AI viruses spread through barnyards? New study addressing how H7N9 spreads through multispecies poultry. Quail and chickens key transmitters. Sparrows infected, but not transmitters.
👉
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My avian influenza resource page has officially made it into the literature!
👉
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PSA:
"Deltacoronavirus" is a genus of coronaviruses found in birds and pigs.
This is not the same thing as "Delta-variant of SARS-CoV-2"
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While the biggest impact has been on pinnipeds, and dairy cattle are all the rage currently, this graph really demonstrates the diversity of mammals which have been infected with HPAI to date. Detailed data in the
@EFSA_EU
quarterly reports.
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Detailed study of influenza movement with wild birds, particularly revisiting the recent introduction into North America via the Atlantic shows the importance of bird migration via the arctic and subarctic. Great study by
@Nichola_HillTop
et al.
👉
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Overview of potential mixing vessel/intermediate hosts for zoonotic influenza viruses. Found avian and swine influenza viruses are of high zoonotic potential, while influenza viruses of bovine, equine, canine, bat origin low zoonotic risk.
👉
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Last year we wrote a review on the diversity and abundance of coronaviruses in wild birds which won the best article in FEMS!
Paper here:
Link to interview below.
We interviewed Dr Michelle Wille (
@DuckSwabber
) and Prof Edward Holmes (
@edwardcholmes
) the WINNERS of the best
#ArticleAward
from
#FEMSMicrobiolRev
for 2020 🎤
Many congratulations to both! Read the interview 👇
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Which viruses in animal reservoirs are at risk of emerging in human populations? Key parameters include: average lifespan of host, rate of viral mutation, and the virus causes persistent infections and/or a transient immune response in the reservoir host
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Comprehensive overview of influenza A virus from a OneHealth perspective.
👉
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H5N1 from various species in Indonesia developed mammalian adaptation markers that enhance viral attachment to the α2,6 receptor, polymerase activity and pathogenicity in mammals, including humans.
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Great piece by Nicola Lewis & Martin Beer: "Even difficult viral adaptations can occur if there are enough opportunities for contact and replication in new host species. Adaptation of the virus to cattle must be prevented."
👉
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🚨Happy to share that our preprint on recommendations for virome scale studies has emerged from pre-print purgatory. Herein we outline 10 suggestions for reporting in virome studies to ensure improved clarity and reporting.
👉
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Interested in viruses of Antarctic penguins?
We have a new paper out!
“Sustained RNA virome diversity in Antarctic penguins and their ticks”
with
@edwardcholmes
Erin, Mang, Daniel and Aeron
1/4
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Zoonotic mutation PB2-E627K of HPAI H5N1 identified in the brain of multiple wild carnivore species: fox, polecat, otter, and badger.
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Substantial review outlining viruses found in passerines, and the role of passerines as virus reservoirs and for virus transmission
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Are you in Australia and concerned about HPAI? I've collated a small list of key resources on what to do if you see dead birds, more about what we are doing in Australia, and global situation facts.
👉
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707 novel avian viruses described in a huge array of avian species in this recent paper.
Virome in the cloaca of wild and breeding birds revealed a diversity of significant viruses
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Shift in HPAI infection dynamics causes significant losses in seabird populations, here with data from Great Britain. 1454 positive wild birds across 61 species (Although numbers of infected birds expected to be much higher in reality).
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Mammalian infections with HPAI renews concerns of pandemic potential. Infection of mammals increases the opportunity for the virus to acquire mutations that enhance efficient infection, replication, and spread in mammals
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