Martin Beer

The paper proposes a genetic divergence threshold for demarcating orthoflavivirus species, identifying 25 new Euflavivirus and 33 new Fusivirus species.

This study compares the susceptibility of different species to bat-borne H9N2 influenza virus, finding that Eidolon helvum is highly susceptible and transmits efficiently, while pigs and quails are not.

This paper reports Germany's first Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in 37 years, analyzing its origin, transmission potential, and control measures.

The paper identifies a second genetically distinct Shamonda virus clade in European cattle, indicating independent introductions and highlighting implications for diagnostics and control.

This study uses controlled transmission experiments to estimate how vaccination affects susceptibility and infectiousness in geese infected with H5N1, finding that vaccination reduces transmission but not below one under intensive exposure.

This paper develops a multi-species luciferase-based double antigen ELISA for detecting H5 clade 2.3.4.4b-specific antibodies in various species, showing high sensitivity and specificity.

A novel 'Shamonda-like' orthobunyavirus was identified in dairy cattle in Central Europe in 2026, following exclusion of other pathogens.

This study evaluates a human DPP4 transgenic hamster model for MERS-CoV infection and transmission, showing efficient viral replication and similar clinical outcomes with two MERS-CoV strains.

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

This study shows that pigs recovering from a moderately virulent ASFV infection retain protective immunity for at least six months, as evidenced by reduced clinical signs and viral load upon challenge with a highly virulent strain.

The paper assesses pre-existing humoral immunity against H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in unexposed individuals and finds low but distinct cross-neutralizing titers.

This study recovers an ancient Bandavirus genome from a 1919 bat sample and identifies its modern presence in European bats, showing its ability to block interferon induction.

The paper reports mass penguin mortality in Antarctica due to avian cholera, not H5N1 HPAIV, highlighting the need to consider avian cholera in differential diagnoses.

The paper identifies H5N1 avian influenza virus as the cause of a mass mortality event in Eurasian cranes in Germany in 2025, linked to their social behavior.

This study establishes in vivo infection models for RusV in wood mice and rats, showing persistent infection and mucosal shedding in wood mice, suggesting them as potential reservoir hosts.

The paper conducts serological surveillance of H5 HPAI in wildlife in North-East Germany, finding seropositivity in boar and carnivores but not ruminants, indicating avian-to-mammalian spillover.

This study identifies 209 H5Nx reassortant strains of avian influenza viruses from 2020-2024, showing that reassortants from Europe had greater host range and persistence than those from Asia.

This study reports BoDV-1 infection in wild European hedgehogs in Germany, showing severe neurological disease and potential viral shedding, highlighting zoonotic risks.

We experimentally infected laboratory-reared Culicoides sonorensis biting midges with bluetongue virus (BTV) serotypes 3 and 8 using virus-containing blood meal and found slightly higher replication rates of BTV-3.

This study investigates the role of non-structural proteins NSs and NSm in Schmallenberg virus infection of Culicoides sonorensis midges, finding that their absence does not affect infection rates, but a fetal-derived variant fails to replicate in midges.

This study reports H5 HPAIV causing high mortality in skuas in Antarctica, highlighting risks to their populations and potential role in virus spread.

This study validates in silico predictions of Wuhan sharpbelly bornavirus (WhSBV) by showing its ability to infect and persist in cypriniform fish cells, while exhibiting restricted replication in other species.

The paper redefines the taxonomy of Flaviviridae by integrating protein sequence and structure data, revealing new clades and expanding host range.

The paper investigates the impact of HPAIV H5N1 on avian raptors during epizootics in Germany, finding they act as both indicators of the virus and victims, with mixed outcomes for their population stability.

The paper investigates the delayed incursion of H5N1 avian influenza in Antarctica by analyzing surveillance data from before confirmed cases.

This study investigates H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in calves and lactating cows, finding that mammary gland infection causes severe mastitis and reduced milk production, with transmission likely via milk rather than respiratory routes.

The study tested rats in Berlin for coronaviruses and found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in one rat but no evidence of circulation, while detecting rodent-associated alphacoronaviruses.

The paper identifies a diverse virome in European white-toothed shrews, including novel viral species related to WHO priority pathogens, and highlights their potential role in zoonotic spillover.

A unique HPAIV H5N3 genotype caused mass mortality in red knots in 2020, suggesting red knots may act as a reservoir for the virus.