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Lindh E, Lounela H, Ikonen N, Kantala T, Savolainen-Kopra C, Kauppinen A, Österlund P, Kareinen L, Katz A, Nokireki T, Jalava J, London L, Pitkäpaasi M, Vuolle J, Punto-Luoma AL, Kaarto R, Voutilainen L, Holopainen R, Kalin-Mänttäri L, Laaksonen T, Kiviranta H, Pennanen A, Helve O, Laamanen I, Melin M, Tammiranta N, Rimhanen-Finne R, Gadd T, Salminen M. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection on multiple fur farms in the South and Central Ostrobothnia regions of Finland, July 2023. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300400. [PMID: 37535475 PMCID: PMC10401912 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.31.2300400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since mid-July 2023, an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b genotype BB is ongoing among farmed animals in South and Central Ostrobothnia, Finland. Infections in foxes, American minks and raccoon dogs have been confirmed on 20 farms. Genetic analysis suggests introductions from wild birds scavenging for food in farm areas. Investigations point to direct transmission between animals. While no human infections have been detected, control measures are being implemented to limit spread and human exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Lindh
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Niina Ikonen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Pamela Österlund
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Anna Katz
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jari Jalava
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hannu Kiviranta
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aino Pennanen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otto Helve
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Merit Melin
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Tuija Gadd
- Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Salminen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
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2
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Fredriksson-Ahomaa M, London L, Skrzypczak T, Kantala T, Laamanen I, Biström M, Maunula L, Gadd T. Correction to: Foodborne Zoonoses Common in Hunted Wild Boars. Ecohealth 2022:10.1007/s10393-022-01585-9. [PMID: 35301600 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-022-01585-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fredriksson-Ahomaa
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 66, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Laura London
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teresa Skrzypczak
- Veterinary Bacteriology and Pathology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuija Kantala
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilona Laamanen
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mia Biström
- Veterinary Bacteriology and Pathology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Maunula
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 66, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuija Gadd
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
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Fredriksson-Ahomaa M, London L, Skrzypczak T, Kantala T, Laamanen I, Biström M, Maunula L, Gadd T. Foodborne Zoonoses Common in Hunted Wild Boars. Ecohealth 2020; 17:512-522. [PMID: 33326058 PMCID: PMC8192372 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01509-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The northern European wild boar population has increased during the last decade. Highest wild boar numbers in Finland have been reported in the southeastern part near the Russian border. Wild boars may be infected with several human and animal pathogens. In this study, we investigated the presence of important foodborne pathogens in wild boars hunted in 2016 in Finland using serology, PCR and culturing. Seroprevalence of Salmonella (38%) and Yersinia (56%) infections was high in wild boars. Antibodies to hepatitis E virus, Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella were found in 18%, 9% and 9% of the wild boars, respectively. Trichinella antibodies were detected in 1% of the animals. We recorded no differences in the seroprevalence between males and females. However, Yersinia and T. gondii antibodies were detected significantly more often in adults than in young individuals. Listeria monocytogenes (48%) and stx-positive Escherichia coli (33%) determinants were frequently detected in the visceral organs (spleen and kidneys) by PCR. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis O:1 and L. monocytogenes 2a and 4b were identified by culturing from the PCR-positive samples. Brucella suis biovar 2 was isolated from visceral organs. No African swine fever, classical swine fever or Aujeszky's disease were detected in the wild boars. Our study shows that wild boars are important reservoirs of foodborne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fredriksson-Ahomaa
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 66, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Laura London
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teresa Skrzypczak
- Veterinary Bacteriology and Pathology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuija Kantala
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilona Laamanen
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mia Biström
- Veterinary Bacteriology and Pathology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Maunula
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 66, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuija Gadd
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
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Loikkanen E, Oristo S, Hämäläinen N, Jokelainen P, Kantala T, Sukura A, Maunula L. Antibodies Against Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in European Moose and White-Tailed Deer in Finland. Food Environ Virol 2020; 12:333-341. [PMID: 32894411 PMCID: PMC7658061 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-020-09442-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The main animal reservoirs of zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) are domestic pigs and wild boars, but HEV also infects cervids. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of HEV in Finnish cervid species that are commonly hunted for human consumption. We investigated sera from 342 European moose (Alces alces), 70 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and 12 European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The samples had been collected from legally hunted animals from different districts of Finland during 2008-2009. We analysed the samples for total anti-HEV antibodies using a double-sandwich ELISA assay. Seropositive sera were analysed with RT-qPCR for HEV RNA. HEV seroprevalence was 9.1% (31/342) in moose and 1.4% (1/70) in white-tailed deer. None of the European roe deer were HEV seropositive (0/12). No HEV RNA was detected from samples of seropositive animals. HEV seropositive moose were detected in all districts. Statistically, HEV seroprevalence in moose was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the North-East area compared to the South-West area. The highest HEV seroprevalence (20.0%) in district level was more than six times higher than the lowest (3.1%). We demonstrated the presence of total anti-HEV antibodies in European moose and white-tailed deer in Finland. Our results suggest that HEV is circulating among the moose population. Infections may occur also in white-tailed deer. We were the first to report a HEV seropositive white-tailed deer from Europe. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the HEV genotypes in cervids in Finland and to evaluate the importance of the findings in relation to food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Loikkanen
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Satu Oristo
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Natalia Hämäläinen
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuija Kantala
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Virology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Sukura
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Maunula
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), together with hepatitis A virus, transmits via the fecal–oral route. The number of domestic hepatitis E cases among Europeans has grown alarmingly during the past 5 years. Surveillance studies suggest that the number of foodborne HEV infections is increasing most rapidly. Zoonotic HEV genotype HEV-3 is prevalent among pigs and wild boars in Europe and many developed countries, whereas zoonotic genotype HEV-4 is more common in pigs in some Asian countries. This review presents the most recent data about possible foodborne transmission of HEV via pigs and other production animals and about the presence of HEV in high-risk foods, such as ready-to-eat meat products. Possible solutions about how to tackle this problem are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuija Kantala
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Maunula
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
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Nokireki T, Tammiranta N, Kokkonen UM, Kantala T, Gadd T. Tentative novel lyssavirus in a bat in Finland. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:593-596. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Nokireki
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira; Virology Research Unit; Helsinki Finland
| | - N. Tammiranta
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira; Virology Research Unit; Helsinki Finland
| | - U.-M. Kokkonen
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira; Virology Research Unit; Helsinki Finland
| | - T. Kantala
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira; Virology Research Unit; Helsinki Finland
| | - T. Gadd
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira; Virology Research Unit; Helsinki Finland
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Kantala T, Kinnunen PM, Oristo S, Jokelainen P, Vapalahti O, Maunula L. Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies in Finnish Veterinarians. Zoonoses Public Health 2016; 64:232-238. [PMID: 27621202 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We investigated hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in Finnish veterinarians engaged in different practice specialties and evaluated the effect of different background factors on HEV exposure by examining total HEV antibodies in samples collected from the participants of the 2009 National Veterinary Congress in Helsinki, Finland. Finnish veterinarians commonly have total HEV antibodies with seroprevalence of 10.2%. Of the non-veterinarians, 5.8% were seropositive. Increasing age was associated with HEV seropositivity, and, surprisingly, the highest HEV seroprevalence (17.8%) among veterinarians was detected among small animal practitioners. Although no positive correlation between swine contacts and HEV seropositivity was found, 22.7% of veterinarians who had had needle stick by a needle that had previously been injected into a pig versus 9.0% of those who had not were seropositive, even though the finding was statistically non-significant (P = 0.07). Our results suggest that, although contact with swine is a known risk factor for HEV infection, the sources of HEV infections are probably numerous, including travelling abroad and possibly also other reservoirs of HEV than pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kantala
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - P M Kinnunen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - S Oristo
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - P Jokelainen
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - O Vapalahti
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology and Immunology, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - L Maunula
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Kantala T, Heinonen M, Oristo S, von Bonsdorff CH, Maunula L. Hepatitis E virus in young pigs in Finland and characterization of the isolated partial genomic sequences of genotype 3 HEV. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2015; 12:253-60. [PMID: 25568927 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2014.1841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections occur in swine worldwide. The porcine infection is usually subclinical, but HEV genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic agents that cause sporadic, indigenous human cases of hepatitis E. The aims of this study were to investigate the occurrence and dynamics of HEV infections in young pigs by analyzing a total of 273 fecal samples collected from six farrowing farms, to genetically characterize the HEV isolates obtained, and to examine the phylogenetic relationships of HEV isolates occurring at different swine farms in Finland. Fecal shedding of HEV of individual piglets was followed at two farms that were selected from five farms identified as HEV RNA positive. Excretion of HEV was detected in 87.5% of the piglets during the survey. Piglets contracted primary HEV infection 3-8 weeks after weaning, and at the time they were transferred to fattening farms, practically all (96.6%) of the pigs with a sample available at this occasion still excreted the virus. According to phylogenetic analysis, all HEV isolates obtained belonged to HEV genotype 3, subtype e, and a separate, farm-specific isolate originated from 10 of 11 farms examined. The results of our study show that HEV infections are highly common in young pigs, and HEV RNA-positive pigs enable HEV transmission from farrowing to fattening farms, creating a possible risk of infection for pig handlers, and that genetic variations in HEVs originating from different farms occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuija Kantala
- 1 Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki , Helsinki, Finland
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Kantala T, Oristo S, Heinonen M, von Bonsdorff CH, Maunula L. A longitudinal study revealing hepatitis E virus infection and transmission at a swine test station. Res Vet Sci 2013; 95:1255-61. [PMID: 24119762 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2012] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic agent that causes acute hepatitis in humans, and infects several animal species, most importantly swine. In the current study, that presents the first evidence of HEV infections in pigs in Finland, genetic divergence and transmission of HEV was investigated among pigs at a swine test station at two occasions. In 2007, HEV RNA was found in 25% of pens, and 35% of 2-3 month-old pigs at the station. Three different isolates, comprising 13 sequences of HEV genotype 3 e that were imported from different farms were detected. In 2010, 39% of pigs were HEV RNA positive on weeks 1, 3, or 5 of a 3-month follow-up, and 11 sequences, all representing one of the isolates that was also present in 2007, were detected. The isolate was considered to be either re-introduced to, or to persist at the station, and it was transmitted between the pigs. The study sheds light on the rate and time of HEV transmission in swine, and describes the epidemiologic variability of HEV isolates over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kantala
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, P.O. Box 66, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
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Kettunen O, Vuorela M, Kuusi M, Kantala T, Maunula L, Jalava K, Blomster T, Koskela R, Haapasaari KM. [A domestic human case of hepatitis E in Finland]. Duodecim 2013; 129:2169-2173. [PMID: 24340718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We describe the first verified domestic HEV case in a previously healthy 53-year-old man who presented a three-day history of upper stomach pain, nausea, fever, arthralgia and fatigue. At the first phase laboratory tests revealed high levels of AST and ALT and at the second phase high levels of bilirubin. Serum was positive for anti-HEV IgM and for HEV RNA confirming the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E. The HEV was genotype 3. Jaundice resolved in three months. In nonendemic areas autochthonous hepatitis E is more common than previously recognized and is possible in patients with acute hepatitis.
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Kantala T, Maunula L, von Bonsdorff CH, Peltomaa J, Lappalainen M. Hepatitis E virus in patients with unexplained hepatitis in Finland. J Clin Virol 2009; 45:109-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2009.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Revised: 12/06/2008] [Accepted: 03/13/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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