Joe James

Bovine H5N1 influenza viruses have adapted to more efficiently use receptors abundant in cattle

This study shows bovine H5N1 influenza viruses have adapted to efficiently use NeuGc receptors in cattle, enhancing replication without significantly altering zoonotic risk.

The mammalian-adaptive PB2-E627K substitution preserves viral fitness of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in birds.

This study shows that the mammalian-adaptive PB2-E627K mutation in H5N1 HPAIV maintains viral fitness in avian hosts, increasing zoonotic risk.

Revolutionising notifiable avian disease diagnostics: validation of direct swab testing for Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease using the CENOS platform

The paper validates direct swab testing for Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease using the CENOS platform, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity without sample extraction.

Two epidemics, one genotype, different outcomes: evolutionary changes of Avian Influenza H5N1, genotype EA-2024-DI

The paper tracks the evolution of Avian Influenza H5N1 genotype EA-2024-DI across three epidemic waves, showing changes in transmission patterns and increased mammalian host adaptation.

Dispersal, adaptation and persistence of H5N1 in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctica

This study tracks the spread and evolution of H5N1 in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctica, revealing long-distance dispersal and mammalian-adaptive mutations.

Diverse Genomic Landscape of Swine Influenza A Virus in England (2014 - 2021)

This study analyzes Swine Influenza A Virus (SwIAV) genomic diversity in England from 2014 to 2021, identifying new HA clades and genotypes within the 1B lineage.

Infection of ratites with clade 2.3.4.4b HPAIV H5N1: Potential implications for zoonotic risk

The paper detects H5N1 avian influenza in ratites and identifies mammalian-relevant mutations, suggesting potential zoonotic risk.

Investigating high pathogenicity avian influenza virus incursions to remote islands: Detection of H5N1 on Gough Island in the South Atlantic Ocean

Whole-genome sequencing and geolocation tracking indicate that high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 reached Tristan skuas on remote Gough Island via sub-Antarctic marine networks linked to South Georgia rather than Africa.

Isothermal Detection of Influenza D using RT-LAMP

The paper develops and validates an RT-LAMP assay for detecting influenza D virus with high specificity and sensitivity, offering a cost-effective alternative to RT-qPCR for field use.

Pigeons exhibit low susceptibility and poor transmission capacity for H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b high pathogenicity avian influenza virus

This study shows pigeons are not easily infected by H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus and cannot transmit it to other birds or chickens.

Detection of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus in a sheep in Great Britain, 2025

The paper reports the first detection of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in a sheep in Great Britain, highlighting the zoonotic potential and implications for interspecies transmission.

Investigating Factors Driving Shifts in Subtype Dominance within H5Nx Clade 2.3.4.4b High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza viruses

This study investigates the factors driving the shift in dominance from H5N8 to H5N1 HPAIVs in wild birds, finding that viral pathogenicity and immune responses differ between subtypes.

Genetic reassortment and diversification of host specificity have driven evolutionary trajectories of lineages of panzootic H5N1 influenza

Phylogenetic analysis of pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) detected in the British Isles between 1983 - 2023.

This study sequences PPMV-1 isolates from the British Isles between 1983-2023, identifying three genotypes and tracing the spread of a virulent genotype from Europe to China and Australia.

Asymptomatic infection and antibody prevalence to co-occurring avian influenza viruses vary substantially between sympatric seabird species following H5N1 outbreaks

The paper tests for antibodies and active infection in seabirds following H5N1 outbreaks, finding varied antibody prevalence and low asymptomatic infection rates.

Validation of Optimized Methods for Avian Influenza Virus Isolation in Specific Pathogen-Free Embryonated Fowl Eggs

The paper validates optimized methods for avian influenza virus isolation in specific pathogen-free embryonated fowl eggs, reducing isolation time while maintaining sensitivity.

Evaluating the epizootic and zoonotic threat of an H7N9 low pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) variant associated with enhanced pathogenicity in turkeys

This study evaluates the increased pathogenicity and zoonotic potential of an H7N9 LPAIV variant in turkeys, showing enhanced virulence and transmission risks.

The Haemagglutinin Genes of the UK Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 Avian Influenza Viruses from 2020 to 2022 Retain Strong Avian Phenotype

This study evaluates HA functionality of UK H5N1 avian influenza viruses from 2020-2022, finding they retain strong avian phenotype with low zoonotic threat.

Rapid mortality in captive bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) caused by influenza A of avian origin (H5N1) at a wildlife collection in the United Kingdom

This study reports an unusual mortality event in captive bush dogs caused by avian-origin H5N1 influenza A virus.

Investigating the genetic diversity of H5 avian influenza in the UK 2020-2022

The paper analyzes genetic diversity of H5 avian influenza in the UK from 2020-2022, identifying reassortment events and tracking subtype shifts between H5N8 and H5N1.