High number of HPAI H5 virus infections and antibodies in wild carnivores in the Netherlands, 2020-2022

In October 2020, a new lineage of a clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI virus of the H5 subtype emerged in Europe, resulting in the largest global outbreak of HPAI to date, with unprecedented mortality in wild birds and poultry. The virus appears to have become enzootic in birds, continuously yielding novel HPAI virus variants. The recently increased abundance of infected birds worldwide increases the probability of bird-mammal contact, particularly in wild carnivores. Here, we performed molecular and serological screening of over 500 dead wild carnivores and sequencing of RNA positive materials. We show virological evidence for HPAI H5 virus infection in 0.8%, 1.4%, and 9.9% of animals tested in 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively, with the highest proportion of positives in foxes, polecats and stone martens. We obtained near full genomes of 7 viruses and detected PB2 amino acid substitutions known to play a role in mammalian adaptation in three sequences. Infections were also found in without neurological signs or mortality. Serological evidence for infection was detected in 20% of the study population. These findings suggests that a high proportion of wild carnivores is infected but undetected in current surveillance programmes. We recommend increased surveillance in susceptible mammals, irrespective of neurological signs or encephalitis

Naar een Europese landgebruiksdatabase ; achtergronddocument

Monitoring en voorspelling van het milieu op Europese schaal worden sterk beinvloed door de nauwkeurigheid van landgebruiks- en landbedekkingsgegevens. Vanwege een dringende behoefte aan een geo-gerefereerd Europees landgebruiksbestand heeft het Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieuhygiene (RIVM) de vervaardiging van een Europa-dekkend digitaal landgebruiksbestand met een resolutie van 10 minuten geinitieerd. De eerste versie van het Europese Landgebruiksbestand is nu beschikbaar. Zeven landgebruiksklassen worden onderscheiden, waaronder bouwland, grasland voor gebruik in de landbouw, permanent gewas, bos en stedelijk gebied. Belangrijke gegevens kwamen van SEI, Eurostat, USDMA, FAO (kaarten), INENCO en een groot aantal nationale bronnen. Ruimtelijke gegevens (landgebruikspolygonen in vectorformaat) zijn gecombineerd met statistische (statistisch bestand). Over het geheel genomen komen de oppervlakteschattingen van het landgebruiksbestand redelijk overeen met die van externe statistieken.Environmental monitoring and forecasting on a European scale are influenced significantly by the accuracy of land use and land cover data. Due to an urgent need for a geo-referenced European land use database the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM) initiated the creation of a digital 10 minutes Pan-European land use database. The 1.0 version of the European Land Use Database is now available. Seven land use categories were distinguished including arable land, grassland for agricultural use, permanent crops, forest and urban areas. Important input data came from SEI, Eurostat, USDMA, FAO (maps), INENCO and a large number of national sources. Locational data (land use polygons in a vector database) were combined with data from statistical sources (statistical database). In general the areal estimates in the Land Use Database show a reasonable fit with external statistical sources.DGM/DW

Epidemiology of multiple Acinetobacter outbreaks in The Netherlands during the period 1999-2001

An increase in the number of outbreaks of Acinetobacter infection was notified in The Netherlands during 1999-2001. The present study compared the outbreaks at the species and strain levels, and analysed the epidemiology and control measures at the different locations. For each institute, three representative isolates from three patients were identified to the species and strain levels by genotyping methods. A questionnaire investigated the impact of the outbreak, the control measures that were taken, and the possible effects of the measures. Seven outbreaks were associated with Acinetobacter baumannii (three outbreaks with a strain designated strain A, two outbreaks with a strain designated strain B, and one outbreak each with strains designated C and D). An additional outbreak was caused by genomic species 13TU, which is related closely to A. baumannii. Strains B and D were identified as European clones III and II, respectively. Except for two hospitals with outbreaks caused by strain A, there was no known epidemiological link between the participating hospitals. In all hospitals the outbreak occurred on one or several intensive care units, and spread to other departments was noted in two hospitals. The number of patients affected ranged from six to 66 over a period of 2-22 months. In most outbreaks, patients were the likely reservoir from which spread occurred. In all hospitals, a large panel of measures was required to bring the outbreak to an end. Extensive environmental sampling yielded numerous positive samples in most but not all hospitals.</p

High number of HPAI H5 virus infections and antibodies in wild carnivores in the Netherlands, 2020–2022

ABSTRACTIn October 2020, a new lineage of a clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI virus of the H5 subtype emerged in Europe, resulting in the largest global outbreak of HPAI to date, with unprecedented mortality in wild birds and poultry. The virus appears to have become enzootic in birds, continuously yielding novel HPAI virus variants. The recently increased abundance of infected birds worldwide increases the probability of bird–mammal contact, particularly in wild carnivores. Here, we performed molecular and serological screening of over 500 dead wild carnivores and sequencing of RNA positive materials. We show virological evidence for HPAI H5 virus infection in 0.8%, 1.4%, and 9.9% of animals tested in 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively, with the highest proportion of positives in foxes, polecats and stone martens. We obtained near full genomes of 7 viruses and detected PB2 amino acid substitutions known to play a role in mammalian adaptation in three sequences. Infections were also found in without neurological signs or mortality. Serological evidence for infection was detected in 20% of the study population. These findings suggests that a high proportion of wild carnivores is infected but undetected in current surveillance programmes. We recommend increased surveillance in susceptible mammals, irrespective of neurological signs or encephalitis