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The Republic of Chile Ministry of Health today announced the first case of bird flu in humans. Reported from northern Chile, the 53-year-old man is in stable condition.

The avian influenza source of contact is being investigated.

The H5N1 "bird flu" virus can be transmitted from birds or marine mammals to humans, but there are no known cases of human-to-human transmission in Chile as of March 30, 2023.

Infected birds were recently confirmed in Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Technical Report issued on March 17, 2023, confirmed the current risk to the public from A(H5N1) viruses remains low.

If there is a bird flu outbreak in humans, there is one U.S. FDA-approved bird flu vaccine.

However, the CDC says the annual flu shot will not prevent bird flu infections.

According to the CDC FluView dashboard, 54 countries reported bird flu outbreaks to the World Health Organization from 2021 through March 29, 2023.

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Chile Avian Influenza Viruses March 29, 2023
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The World Health Organization's (WHO) Weekly epidemiological update on the COVID-19 pandemic indicates further decreases in cases and related fatalities.

As of March 30, 2023, Edition #136 reports nearly 3.6 million new cases, and over 25,000 deaths were reported in the last 28 days, a decrease of 27% and 39%, respectively, compared to the previous period.

Despite this overall downward trend, it is essential to note that several countries, such as India, have recently reported an increase in COVID-19 cases. 

At the country level, the highest numbers of new 28-day cases were reported from the United States of America (678,002 new cases; -38%), the Russian Federation (333,073 new cases; +6%), the Republic of Korea (270,378 new cases; -23%), China (255,961 new cases; -52%), and Japan (242,894 new cases; -68%).

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WHO COVID-19 Report #136 March 30, 2023
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Zika virus infected infants 2023
RNA vaccination in rabbit mothers confers benefits to offspring in the womb
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Valneva SE announced today it would host a roundtable on Zika virus vaccines at the 23rd World Vaccine Congress in Washington, D.C.

On April 4, 2023, Valneva’s Chief Medical Officer, Juan Carlos Jaramillo, MD, will host a roundtable discussion on the opportunities and challenges of a Zika vaccine.

Valneva successfully developed an inactivated whole-virus Zika vaccine candidate VLA1601 through a Phase 1 clinical trial, which was last updated on July 5, 2019.

The company is evaluating re-entry into clinical development later in 2023 or 2024.

VLA1601 is a purified, inactivated, whole Zika virus vaccine candidate adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide.

As of March 30, 2023, no approved Zika vaccines are available in the U.S.

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Pritelivir (AIC316) Herpes Treatment 2023

Pritelivir (AIC316) Herpes Treatment June 2023

AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG Pritelivir is a highly potent inhibitor of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) replication that belongs to a new chemical class and acts via a novel mechanism of action (inhibition of the viral helicase-primase enzyme complex), in contrast to currently used nucleoside analogues. The discovery of pritelivir resulted from systematic research rather than an accidental discovery. Pritelivir does not require activation by viral enzymes and can thus protect uninfected cells.

AiCuris develops Pritelivir oral tablets for the treatment of acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous HSV infections. As an active ingredient in a new chemical class (thiazolylamides), pritelivir is active against both HSV (HSV-1 and HSV-2) types that cause genital or cold sores. In addition, Pritelivir is also effective against viruses resistant to commercially available drugs.

On December 20, 2016, The JAMA Network published an Original Investigation reporting a double-blind, randomized crossover phase 2 clinical study of 91 adults with recurrent genital herpes, the percentage of genital swabs with HSV detected over 28 days was significantly lower during the use of pritelivir than the use of valacyclovir (2.4% vs. 5.3%).

On March 1, 2023, an Original Article reviewed - First-in-Human, Single- and Multiple-Ascending-Dose, Food-Effect, and Absolute Bioavailability Clinical Trials to Assess the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Pritelivir, a Nonnucleoside Helicase-Primase Inhibitor Against Herpes Simplex Virus in Healthy Subjects. This sponsored study concluded: Considering a therapeutic dose of 100 mg once daily, pritelivir demonstrated a favorable safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile in healthy subjects to support further development.

A phase 3 trial in immunocompromised patients is ongoing. The last Update was Posted on March 24, 2023; the Estimated Primary Completion Date is June 2024. Pritelivir received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Therapy Designation on June 5, 2020.

AiCuris is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2006 in Wuppertal, Germany, as a spin-off from Bayer and focuses on the discovery and development of drugs targeting infectious diseases.

Herpes Testing 2023

Ulta Lab offers confidential herpes tests in June 2023.

Pritelivir Availability 2023

As of June 23, 2023, Pritelivir is unavailable as a marketed product. However, AiCuris supports expanded access requests for Pritelivir oral tablets to treat eligible patients and collaborates with myTomorrows to facilitate early access to Pritelivir for acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients. Expanded Access Programs (EAP) offer an ethical, compliant, and controlled way of providing treatment with a medicine not licensed in a patient's country of residence. Eligible patients for an EAP are in high medical need, cannot participate in a Clinical Trial, and have exhausted all registered treatment options. More information can be requested here.

Pritelivir Indication

Pritelivir is being developed to treat acyclovir-resistant and dual-resistant (resistant to acyclovir and intolerant or resistant to foscarnet) HSV infections. HSV is a common and contagious virus; most adults and pediatric patients are HSV seropositive. The WHO says an estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) have HSV-1 infection globally, and about 491 million people aged 15–49 (13%) worldwide have HSV-2 infection.

Herpes Treatments

Other herpes treatment news is posted at this link

Herpes Vaccines

Herpes vaccine candidates are conducting clinical trials.

Pritelivir News 2023

March 1, 2023 - A study disclosed Pritelivir was evaluated in multiple clinical studies.

October 6, 2022 - ACS Publications: Discovery, Chemistry, and Preclinical Development of Pritelivir, a Novel Treatment Option for Acyclovir-Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Infections.

September 29, 2022 - AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG announced the opening of the third round of its AiCubator corporate innovation accelerator initiative.

June 14, 2022 - AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG announced the opening of its ongoing international Phase 2/3 clinical trial, PRIOH- 1. The study evaluates the efficacy and safety of oral pritelivir compared to standard intravenous foscarnet therapy.

July 8, 2021 - AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG announced the start of pivotal phase 3 development with its proprietary lead compound pritelivir, a novel helicase-primase inhibitor, following encouraging phase 2 interim results achieved in the phase 2 part of its clinical phase 2/3 trial, PRIOH-1.

June 5, 2020 - "The decision by the FDA to grant Breakthrough Therapy designation for oral pritelivir underscores the potential of our product to fill the major need for innovative, more efficacious therapies for immunocompromised patients with HSV infections that have become resistant to standard treatments," said Dr. Holger Zimmermann, CEO of AiCuris Anti-infective Cures GmbH. "Pritelivir already has shown clinically that it has the potential to become an important alternative to current treatments as a highly effective and convenient oral therapy. The Breakthrough Therapy designation should enable us to further accelerate the development of this compound."

December 20, 2016 - The JAMA Network published: Effect of Pritelivir Compared With Valacyclovir on Genital HSV-2 Shedding in Patients With Frequent RecurrencesA Randomized Clinical Trial. Conclusions and Relevance  Among adults with frequently recurring genital HSV-2, the use of pritelivir compared with valacyclovir resulted in a lower percentage of swabs with HSV detection over 28 days. Further research is needed to assess longer-term efficacy and safety.

January 16, 2014 - Medscape wrote: Pritelivir May Be Effective and Safe Against Genital Herpes.

July 2004 - Discovery, SAR and Medicinal Chemistry of Herpesvirus Helicase Primase Inhibitors.

April 2002 - New helicase-primase inhibitors as drug candidates for treating herpes simplex disease.

Pritelivir Clinical Trials

The PRIOH-1 multi-center open-label Phase 3 trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of orally administered pritelivir for treating acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients. In the second part of the trial, conducted at 20 sites in the U.S., 22 immunocompromised patients with acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous HSV infections were randomized (2:1) to receive over up to 28 days either oral pritelivir or intravenously administered foscarnet, a virostatic agent which is mainly used for the treatment of herpes virus infections resistant to other antiviral drugs. In addition, eight immunocompromised patients with acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous HSV infections who showed resistance or intolerance to foscarnet were also treated with pritelivir over up to 28 days. Based on the investigator's assessment, pritelivir treatment showed a very good cure rate of 93.3% in acyclovir-resistant infections. Moreover, in difficult-to-treat patients with minimal treatment options due to acyclovir resistance and foscarnet resistance or intolerance, pritelivir showed good efficacy within 28 days.

Phase 2 Study HIC#: 2000021054 - Trial on Efficacy and Safety of Pritelivir Tablets for Treatment of Acyclovir-resistant Mucocutaneous HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) Infections in Immunocompromised Adults (PRIOH-1).

This Phase 1 clinical trial is a double-blind, single-center, randomized, placebo- and positive-controlled, parallel-group, 'nested crossover' trial with multiple oral dose administration of pritelivir or matching placebo as well as a single oral administration of moxifloxacin (positive control) and corresponding matching placebo in healthy male and female subjects. Last Update Posted: January 4, 2023.

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Expanded Access Programs
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AIC316
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Nonnucleoside helicase primase inhibitor
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Saturday, June 24, 2023 - 06:20
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Pritelivir
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Yes

Herpes Treatments

Herpes Treatments August 2025

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that as of 2025, there is no cure for the herpes simplex virus (HSV). However, the use of antiviral medicine shortens herpes outbreaks. According to Technavio, there were about 15 vendors in the herpes treatment market. To advance research on understanding and addressing HSV infection, the U.S. NIH has established the Strategic Plan for Herpes Simplex Virus Research (2023-2028). This plan aligns with ongoing national efforts, including the National Strategic Plan for Sexually Transmitted Infections. The CDC's STI Surveillance and Data Science Branch determined that the cost of each neonatal herpes patient is about $100,000.

Acyclovir is U.S. FDA-approved to decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters in people with varicella, herpes zoster, and first-time or repeat genital herpes outbreaks. Acyclovir is also sometimes used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes in people who are infected with HSV. Acyclovir belongs to a class of antiviral medications known as synthetic nucleoside analogs. However, Acyclovir (valacyclovir 500 mg) will not cure genital herpes and may not stop the spread of genital herpes to other people. The Acyclovir product segment reported a significant retail pharmacy market share (50.44%).

Zydus Cadila commercializes Acyclovir Ointment USP (US RLD Zovirax), 5%. This medication treats the first onset of genital herpes. Those with weakened immune systems can also use it to treat non-life-threatening lip and skin herpes infections.

Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. offers Valtrex® Tablets with 500mg base and 1g base for adults. However, it does not cure HSV.

Cipla Ltd. offers antiviral medicines for various viral infections, including herpes labialis, herpes simplex, shingles, and genital herpes, under the brand names ACIVIR 200 DT and ACIVIR 400 DT tablets.

Herpes Treatment Candidates 2025

Ruvidar has been shown to deactivate various viruses effectively. The research was conducted at Kevin Coombs's Ph.D. laboratory at the University of Manitoba in conjunction with the National Microbiology Laboratory and Theralase® Technologies Inc. In animal studies, it may be more effective than Acyclovir.

AiCuris's Pritelivir (AIC316) is a potent inhibitor of HSV replication that belongs to a new chemical class and acts via a novel mechanism of action. In contrast to currently used nucleoside analogues, Pritelivir does not require activation by viral enzymes and can thus protect uninfected cells. On March 1, 2023, a clinical study suggested Pritelivir was safe and well tolerated, up to 600 mg following single and up to 200 mg following multiple once-daily doses. Considering a therapeutic dose of 100 mg once daily, pritelivir demonstrated a favorable safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile in healthy subjects to support further development. However, Pritelivir does not cure herpes.

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. announced the selection of development candidate ABI-5366 (5366) to progress to IND-enabling studies for its long-acting HSV-2 helicase inhibitor program. 

Laboratoire Boreaderme Inc. and Ecogene 21 announced in September 2020 that they are focused on a Phase 2 clinical study to evaluate the safety profile of BOR15001L7 to docosanol 10% for managing cold sores in patients with recurrent herpes labialis.

A study published in May 2023 found that a molecule can effectively treat the lesions accompanying shingles and suggests the molecule may also work against the viruses that cause oral and genital herpes.

Herpes Encephalitis in Patients With Autoimmune Conditions or Immunomodulatory Medications

A large national population study published on May 2, 2024, found that Herpes virus encephalitis is strongly associated with preexisting autoimmune disease and exposure to immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory medications. To date, the role of antecedent immune-related dysregulation may have been underestimated.

Mothers' Antibodies Against HSV-1

A study published in the journal mBio® in 2017, headed by Dartmouth Researchers at Geisel, sheds new light on maternal antibodies' critical role in protecting neonatal nervous systems against infections. This study shows that antibody-secreting cells entered the trigeminal ganglion (TG), a key site of HSV infection, and persisted long after establishing latent infection. We also demonstrate the ability of passively administered IgG to enter the TG independently of infection, showing that the naive TG is accessible to antibodies. 

Herpes Tests

The WHO announced in July 2023 that a new report on the Diagnostics Landscape for Sexually Transmitted Infections highlights diagnostics available to support scale-up of screening for STIs, including herpes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published in February 2023 recommendations on screening for genital herpes infection in asymptomatic adults and adolescents, including pregnant individuals. Mylab Discovery Solutions in India launched the PathoDetect™ HSV Type 1& 2 Detection kit, a multiplex real-time PCR test that detects and differentiates HSV-l and HSV-2 in a single tube. And LabCorp Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1/2, DNA PCR.

Herpes Overview

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (oral) and type 2, a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) associated with substantial health losses. To advance research to understand and address HSV infection, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), in September 2023, established the Strategic Plan for Herpes Simplex Virus Research 2023-2030. This plan aligns with ongoing national efforts, including the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) National Strategic Plan. A study published in 2023 estimated 0.05 lifetime quality-adjusted life years lost per incident infection, equivalent to losing 0.05 years or about 18 days of life for one person with perfect health. 

A study published in October 2023 identified that increased serologic titers of herpes simplex virus 2 were associated with reduced whole-brain cortical thickness, and a combined score of HSV-2 and C. pneumoniae displayed an additive effect on reduced cortical thickness. These findings suggest HSV-2 seropositivity may contribute to accelerated brain aging, possibly resulting in an increased vulnerability to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease in aging populations.

Herpes Vaccines

As of 2025, the U.S. FDA has not approved a herpes vaccine candidate.

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Saturday, August 2, 2025 - 12:50
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Herpes treatments are available in 2025
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HSV treatment and vaccine
Pritelivir is a nonnucleoside helicase primase inhibitor against HSV
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With the new slogan "health for all, everyone's task," Equatorial Guinea Health intends to involve the entire population in the surveillance of the Marburg virus, reported ahoraEG.com.

A new action plan will require passengers, especially those coming from the city of Bata, with over 200,000 residents, to fill out a form to enter location information so that they can be located quickly and on time in case of any suspicion.

Obama Nve has indicated that filling out the Marburg virus control form is a civic duty for anyone, "we want to beg the population that we are going to demand that they fill out a small file, not to bother because we do it to safeguard public health in our country."

As of March 29, 2023, about 459 contacts have been followed up since the Marburg outbreak was declared in mid-February 2023.

In an interview on national television, the member of the Technical Committee for Health Emergencies, Maricamen Andeme Ela, assured that we are in a drastic situation because we have not wanted to comply with the measures imposed since the appearance of the first case, "Marburg exists, and we are seeing it, and unfortunately, it is taking human lives."

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at a media briefing on March 29, 2023, included the number of officially reported Marburg cases remaining at nine, with seven deaths, in three provinces. 

However, the WHO is aware of additional cases, and we have asked the government to report these cases.

Breaking news regarding the Marburg outbreaks in Burundi, Tanzania, and Africa is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.

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Google map city of Bata, March 29, 2023
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Vaccitech plc today announced positive topline final data from a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of VTP-300 in people with chronic Hepatitis B (HBV) infection.

VTP-300 is the first antigen-specific immunotherapy shown to induce sustained reductions in Hepatitis B surface antigen. 

"The safety data and HBsAg reductions in the HBV002 study are very encouraging, and we look forward to sharing the full data set, including immune responses, at the EASL conference," said Bill Enright, CEO of Vaccitech, in a press release on March 28, 2023.

"Less than 10% of people with chronic HBV reach a functional cure with current therapies."

"We believe VTP-300 has the potential to be a critical component of a functional cure for HBV, potentially eliminating the need for chronic treatment."

"Our ongoing trials are exploring dosing, including an additional booster, and combination approaches with readouts expected towards the end of the year."

And VTP-300 is a heterologous immunotherapy candidate consisting of an initial dose using the ChAdOx platform and a second dose(s) using MVA encoding multiple hepatitis B antigens, including full-length surface, modified polymerase, and core antigens.

The full announcement and study results are posted at this link.

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by Ahmad Ardity
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The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced it had certified the countries of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan for eliminating malaria in their territories. The certification follows the two countries' sustained, century-long effort to stamp out this vaccine-preventable disease.

As of March 29, 2023, a total of 41 countries and one territory have been certified malaria-free by WHO, including 21 countries in the European Region.

"The people and governments of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have worked long and hard to eliminate malaria," Tweeted WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Their accomplishment further proves that eliminating malaria is possible with the right resources and political commitment. I hope that other countries can learn from their experience."

The final decision on awarding a malaria-free certification rests with the WHO Director-General, based on a recommendation by the independent Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification. For more on WHO's malaria-free certification process, visit this WHO link.

Malaria vaccines are available in certain countries in 2023. However, the United States has not approved a vaccine yet.

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U.S. CDC malaria map March 2023
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