News highlights on health security threats and countermeasures curated by Global Biodefense
This week’s selections include the 9th Biological Weapons Convention RevCon, the potential for mRNA vaccines against Ebola, and building preparedness capacity for home health care workers.
Contents
POLICY + GOVERNMENT
Investing in Pandemic Prevention is Essential to Defend Against Future Outbreaks
Last year, The White House requested approximately $65 billion for pandemic preparedness, but so far Congress has only approved around $2 billion of funding through the PREVENT Pandemics Act. Given the health and economic costs of COVID-19 and the expected impacts of future pandemics, this is a dramatic under-investment. After 9/11, the United States government spent many trillions of dollars on foreign interference, created the Department of Homeland Security, and declared a war on terror. In comparison, the investment to prevent future pandemics has been miniscule. In purely economic terms, much greater investment makes sense—COVID-19 cost the United States around $4 trillion. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Biden Administration Announces Expansion of Global Health Security Partnerships and Releases Progress Report
Key to the effort is strengthening and supporting the extension of the multilateral GHSA beyond 2023; and strengthening the new Pandemic Fund at the World Bank. Over the next year, the United States will expand and strengthen bilateral partnerships with at least 25 countries to develop measurable capacity to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to epidemic and pandemic threats. White House
The Ninth Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Review Conference: Setting the Scene
Every five years a Review Conference (RevCon) is convened which offers the opportunity for the states parties to carry out a full review of the purposes and the provisions of the Convention, considering relevant scientific and technological developments. Access to peaceful uses of the life sciences is covered by Article X of the Convention, embodying a bargain that the renunciation of biological weapons and the control of the hostile uses of the life sciences should be implemented in such a way as to facilitate and promote the use of the life sciences for peaceful purposes. The need for the BTWC to operate effectively within a rapidly changing scientific landscape has led to numerous proposals for an ongoing systematic review to identify risks. Another key area for this RevCon is the ongoing question of a verification mechanism for treaty violations. BioWeapons Prevention Project .pdf
4th Meeting, 9th Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention
Resources for watching and accessing documents from the BTWC 9th RevCon taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 28 November to 16 December 2022. UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, UN Media Videos, UN Listen Live
A Plan B to Strengthen Biosafety and Biosecurity
The world can supplement the BWC’s traditional multilateralism by creating a coalition of the willing to reach agreements on shared objectives more quickly and avoid spoiler states and lowest-common denominator outcomes prevailing in a consensus format. Minilateral initiatives are well-established in the nonproliferation domain. The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, Proliferation Security Initiative, and Nuclear Security Summits enhance nuclear security and complement the International Atomic Energy Agency’s activities on preventing the proliferation of nuclear materials. Nonproliferation export control groups—such as the Australia Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, and Nuclear Suppliers Group—harmonize national export control regulations to ensure a level playing field for industry and to prevent proliferators from accessing controlled technology and materials. Think Global Health
Russia’s Apoplexy Over Biological Research – Implications for the BTWC
For years now, Russia has been complaining about US-funded biological research in former Soviet states. Russia’s campaign accusing Ukraine and the USA of running biological weapon (BW) activities in violation of the BTWC became more forceful in the months before it invaded Ukraine and an international issue afterwards. A sustained disinformation campaign highlights the BTWC’s weaknesses regarding verification and compliance. Article V may have some relevancy in conflict mitigation but cannot resolve allegations of breaches of the treaty unless the process is modified because of the experiences in 1997 and 2022. Russia’s invocation of Article VI using its position as a permanent member of the UNSC leads the BTWC into uncharted waters. The Trench
U.S. National Statement at the Ninth BWC Review Conference
“…Rapid advances in biotechnology and increasing numbers of laboratories working with high-consequence pathogens offer important benefits, but they are not without risks. We should collaboratively strengthen biosafety and biosecurity around the world…many States Parties have called for the establishment of a voluntary fund for technical cooperation. We agree. President Biden’s budget request for fiscal year 2023 includes five million dollars for the first year of voluntary support to the BWC. I call on States Parties to establish such a fund.” U.S. Department of State
MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES
Consensus on the Key Characteristics of Immunotoxic Agents as a Basis for Hazard Identification
Many of the mechanisms through which pharmaceuticals and occupational or environmental agents modulate immune function are well recognized. Thus Key Characteristics could be identified for immunoactive substances and applied to improve hazard assessment of immunodulatory agents. Environmental Health Perspectives
Monkeypox: Single Dose of Smallpox Vaccine Offers 78% Protection, UKHSA Reports
A single dose of the MVA-BN (modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic) smallpox vaccine provides around 78% protection against monkeypox 14 days after vaccination, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said. The agency said that this was the “strongest UK evidence yet for the effectiveness of the vaccine,” which is sold as Imvanex in the UK and EU and as Jynneos in the US. The BMJ
Emergent BioSolutions Presents Data from Phase 2 Study of Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate in Prior Recipients of Other Alphavirus Vaccines
The study demonstrated that the CHIKV VLP vaccine candidate was well-tolerated and immunogenic in both alphavirus vaccine-naïve participants and participants previously vaccinated against the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. The findings were presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) annual meeting. BioHealth Innovations
Bavarian Nordic Enters Agreement with European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority for Monkeypox Vaccines
The deal will supply of up to 2 million doses of the monkeypox vaccine through 2023 and 2024. This offers 14 participating EU countries the possibility to purchase doses to address their medium- and long-term needs and build stockpiles. The first deliveries under the joint procurement of the vaccine doses will start in the second quarter of 2023. European Commission
Cross-Protection Against African Swine Fever Virus Upon Intranasal Vaccination
African swine fever pandemic is currently the number one threat for the porcine industry worldwide. Lack of treatments hampers its control, and the insufficient knowledge regarding the immune effector mechanisms required for protection hinders rational vaccine design. Here researchers present the first comprehensive study characterizing the complex cellular immune response involved in cross-protection against ASF. PLOS Pathogens
Can mRNA Vaccines Transform the Fight Against Ebola?
Both current Zaire ebolavirus vaccines use technology that relies on another active virus, which limits who can receive them. In most circumstances, Ervebo is approved for use only in people over 18 — and its side effects can be unpleasant. Johnson & Johnson’s regimen can be offered to people one year old and up, but it must be given in two doses, eight weeks apart, which is not ideal in a rapidly growing outbreak. mRNA vaccines could remedy some of these challenges. It’s crucial that any Ebola vaccines help to prevent infection — as well as stopping severe disease — to avoid onward transmission and contain the lethal pathogen quickly Nature
BIOSECURITY + BIOPREPAREDNESS
Unfrozen Flu: Accident With 1918 Pandemic Virus Raises Questions About Pathogen Research
When a ferret inoculated with a recombinant strain of 1918 influenza bit through into the double-gloved hand of a BSL-3 researcher, protocols allowed him to quarantine at home for a week, given an animal bite was unlikely to infect him and his other PPE gear likely prevented any respiratory droplet transmission. But some experts contend that the protocols governing research with the most dangerous pathogens should be stronger. He was further told to wear an N95 if he had to leave and seek medical attention in a facility. But some experts contend that the protocols governing research with the most dangerous pathogens should be stronger, given that “accidents sometimes happen even where there isn’t negligence.” The Intercept
About That ProPublica Piece
Earlier this month, ProPublica and Vanity Fair released a piece in conjunction with the Senate HELP Committee minority’s interim report, claiming to have unveiled new information from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) supporting the lab leak theory of COVID-19’s origin. The authors rely heavily on the work of a single self-proclaimed polyglottal State Department political officer to translate Chinese Communist Party (CCP) “party speak,” which he claims native speakers “can’t really follow…” The piece is now being heavily criticized for having faulty translations, mis-matched dates, misrepresenting the sources of the documents discussed in it, not understanding how common VPN usage is in China-related research, and more. Pandora Report
Identifying Operational Challenges and Solutions During the COVID-19 Response Among US Public Health Laboratories
Recognition of long-standing gaps related to funding, laboratory workforce, and consideration of laboratory needs in preparedness policies must be addressed for future large-scale outbreaks. Analysis identified the following themes regarding challenges faced among Public Health Laboratories: strategic decision making and determining the mandate of the lab; political interference by jurisdictional leadership; federal mismanagement of the emergency; regulatory challenges; managing partnerships with other laboratories; acquisition of appropriate supplies; insufficient information systems; acquiring and retaining workforce; and difficulty accessing sufficient funding. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team
The team partners with low- and-middle income countries to support effective response to outbreaks before they develop into global health emergencies, and are able to deploy teams of public health specialists over a range of technical disciplines to outbreak areas within 48 hours. Gov.UK
Building a Resilient Scientific Network for COVID-19 and Beyond
The current reactive approach to emerging variants is ill-suited to address quickly evolving and ever-changing pandemic dynamics. Investments in pathogen surveillance, systematic variant characterization, and data infrastructure and sharing across public and private sectors will be critical for planning proactive responses. mBio
Characterizing Emergency Supply Kit Possession in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic – 2020-2021
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, household members may experience lack of support services and isolation from one another. To address this, a common recommendation is to promote preparedness through the preparation of an emergency supply kit (ESK). Overall, while most respondents believed that an ESK would help their chance of survival, only a third have one. Age, gender, education level, and region of the country were significant predictors of kit ownership in a multivariate model. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Strengthening Laboratory Biosafety in Liberia
Given the variety of infectious disease threats the laboratory professionals are exposed, biosafety and biosecurity should be prioritized and regular refresher trainings should be conducted to reinforce the concepts, encourage proper behaviors and ensure maximum compliance. Training workshops conducted in Liberia were effective in delivering the fundamental concepts of biosafety in the context of SARS-CoV-2 as evidenced by the significant improvement in the post test scores. One Health
Essential but Excluded: Building Disaster Preparedness Capacity for Home Health Care Workers and Home Care Agencies
As the pandemic overwhelmed hospitals and nursing homes, home care helped individuals remain in the community and recover from COVID-19 at home. Yet unlike many institutional providers, home care agencies were often disconnected from broader public health disaster planning efforts and struggled to access basic resources, jeopardizing the workers who provide this care and the medically complex and often marginalized patients they support. Journal of Post-Acute and Long Term Care Medicine (JAMDA)
New Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response Toolkit
This new toolkit was developed to help rural and tribal communities, healthcare facilities, and other organizations serving rural populations access evidence-based and promising models and resources to support emergency planning, response, and recovery efforts. NACCHO
Rushing Into the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund is a Bad Idea
A dollars first, proposals second, civil society engaged … maybe last approach to rolling out this fund means huge issues when it comes to ensuring this money will effectively go to empowering lower- and middle-income countries for pandemic preparedness. STAT
SELECT AGENTS + PRIORITY PATHOGENS
Uganda’s Ebola Outbreak is a Test of What We’ve Learned from Covid
From the national incident manager for Ebola for Uganda’s Ministry of Health: “People in Uganda, as in everywhere else, are wary since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and they dread further interruptions to their lives like lockdowns, travel bans or airport closures… To regain what’s been lost, health workers and responders in Uganda — and around the world — need to be open with the public and consistent in our messaging. Today people are increasingly knowledgeable about outbreaks, and they seek information. We must make sure people are getting quality messaging.” New York Times
Marburg Virus in Ghana: A Public Health Threat to Ghanaians and to Africans
In July 2022, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) reported three confirmed cases of Marburg. As the disease is highly infectious with very high case fatality, it poses a health security threat to Ghanaians, neighboring African countries, and the world. Public Health Challenges
The Number of Cases, Mortality and Treatments of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are a group of febrile illnesses that constitutes a challenge to public health. Due to high mortality rates and outbreaks that are irregular and hard to predict, difficulties arise when undertaking clinical studies to assess new treatments against viral hemorrhagic fevers. To assess the state of the art around viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), here researchers conducted a systematic review for all reports and clinical studies that included specific results on number of cases, mortality and treatment. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
USDA Researchers Say Deer Susceptible to Scrapie, a Relative of CWD
USDA) researchers in Ames, Iowa, published a new study showing white-tailed deer are susceptible to the prion that causes classical scrapie in sheep, and that differentiation from chronic wasting disease (CWD) may be difficult. CIDRAP
Avian Influenza Prevalence Correlated to Mercury Concentrations in Wild Waterfowl
Low pathogenic avian influenza infections were directly correlated with blood mercury concentrations in wild waterfowl, indicating that mercury exposure may be related to pathogen susceptibility. Further study is needed to determine if and how mercury and other environmental contaminant exposures may affect disease susceptibility in wildlife. USGS
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in Refugee Settlement during COVID-19 Pandemic, Uganda
Here researchers describe 2 confirmed human CCHF cases in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda. Both patients and their family members were rapidly identified and isolated upon seeking care at the health facility, and appropriate infection prevention and control measures were immediately implemented, which likely prevented onward CCHFV transmission. The presence of an isolation facility in the refugee settlement, set up as part of the COVID-19 response, played a key role in rapidly isolating patients. Emerging Infectious Diseases
CHEMICAL + RADIOLOGICAL THREATS
Ukraine Health Care Prepares for Nuclear Disaster
Authorities in Ukraine have begun readying the health-care system to deal with a mass-casualty radiological disaster. But while local doctors say they will be ready if the worst happens, other experts believe the aftermath would be catastrophic, with Ukraine’s health-care system utterly overwhelmed. A bomb is not the only potential nuclear disaster causing concern in Ukraine. The country has several nuclear power stations, including Europe’s largest in Zaporizhzhia in southeast Ukraine. Fighting around the plant, which has been occupied by Russian troops since the first weeks of the invasion, has led the International Atomic Energy Agency to repeatedly warn of the dangers of a catastrophic incident at the facility. The Lancet
Profiling Changes in Endothelial Cells in Response to Doses of Ionizing Radiation
Few studies have explored the transcriptional landscape of endothelial cells in response to radiation. Here researchers investigated the usability of endothelial cells’ radiation response for biodosimetry applications. More mRNA expressions were repressed than induced while more miRNA and lncRNA expressions were induced than repressed. These novel observations imply distinct radiation responsive regulatory mechanisms for coding and non-coding transcripts. It also follows how different RNA species should be explored as biomarkers for different time-points. Scientific Reports
Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents with a Miniaturized High-Performance Drift Tube Ion Mobility Spectrometer
A growing demand for low-cost gas sensors capable of detecting the smallest amounts of highly toxic substances in air, including chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). In view of the preferred mobile use of such devices, miniaturized ion drift tubes are required as the core of IMS-based lightweight, low-cost, hand-held gas detectors. Analytical Chemistry
IAEA Mission Praises Morocco’s Emergency Preparedness
Morocco has a high level of preparedness to respond to radiological emergencies, an IAEA-led mission has found following a ten-day mission to review Morocco’s emergency preparedness and response (EPR) framework for nuclear and radiological emergencies. The review was carried out at the request of the Moroccan Government and was hosted by the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR). WNN
Chemical Security Experts Call for Multisector Cooperation Against Terrorism
Last year over 1,000 improvised explosive device (IED) attacks were conducted by non-state actors, injuring over 7,150 people in more than 40 countries. Many attacks come from chemicals that criminals acquired through weak points in the supply chain – from manufacturing to storage and retail– and made into weapons. To counter this threat, some 220 chemical security practitioners from more than 70 countries met at INTERPOL’s 3rd Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats (25-27 October) to find ways of reducing vulnerabilities by enhancing multisector cooperation and collaboration. INTERPOL
SURVEILLANCE + DETECTION
Call for Proposals: Pathogen Genomic Surveillance and Immunology in Asia
This is an invitation for proposals from investigators in South and Southeast Asia to design and pilot a genomic surveillance program or develop capacity for immunology and immune sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 to inform epidemic response. Up to $300,000 per year for up to two years will be available for each project, with potential additional funding for projects that include a focus on monoclonal antibody discovery. Applications due by 16 Dec 2022. Gates Foundation
FDA Issues EUA for Lucira COVID-19 and Flu Test
The Lucira COVID-19 and Flu Test is a single use molecular test intended for detection of both the SARS-CoV-2 virus and influenza (A or B) if a patient is suspected of respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19. The test can be used in persons aged two years or older and is collected by nasal swab by a health care provider in a POC setting. “This authorization demonstrates our continued commitment to expand the availability of multiplex tests for COVID-19 and flu and provide a streamlined approach to developers to increase the availability of these types of tests,” said Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Food and Drug Administration
Practical Considerations for Establishing a Validated Platform for Pooled Detection of SARS-Cov-2
Pool testing is a strategy that reduces time and costs. However, beyond the detection of infectious diseases in blood banks, this approach is rarely implemented in routine laboratories. The present study, which analyzed 1000 nasopharyngeal samples, showed that the pool testing could detect even a single positive sample with a CT value of up to 30 in pools of 34 samples. This test was performed using three different standard extraction methods, the simplest being heating only, which resulted in substantial savings of extraction reagents in addition to PCR reagents. Moreover, we show that pooling can be extended to use saliva, which is less invasive and allows self-collection, reducing the risk for health personnel. PLOS One
Isolation of Bat Sarbecoviruses, Japan
Surveillance of bat betacoronaviruses is crucial for understanding their spillover potential. Here researchers isolated bat sarbecoviruses from R. cornutus bats in several locations in Japan that were phylogenetically positioned in the same cluster of the SARS-CoV-2–related viruses. These isolates used only bat ACE2 as a receptor and did not replicate in hACE2-expressing cells, forming a unique type, and suggesting a low potential for human infection. Emerging Infectious Diseases
HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND RISK
Public Willingness to Engage With COVID-19 Contact Tracing, Quarantine, and Exposure Notification
Researchers found significant differences in willingness to participate in COVID-19 contact tracing, quarantine, and EN that depended on who requested or recommended the action. When requests or recommendations originated from a personal doctor or health care provider rather than federal public health authorities, participants consistently reported higher levels of willingness to engage or comply. Findings confirm those of a prior national poll in which people reported high levels of trust in health care providers, even though the actual level of engagement was low for contact tracing efforts and exposure notification use throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Health Reports
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Communities with Traditionally Low Vaccination Rates
Understanding the specific anxieties elicited by COVID-19 vaccines in areas with low childhood immunization rates can inform risk communication strategies tailored to increase vaccination in these specific regions: risk perceptions about COVID-19 and the vaccines developed to protect against it; religious and conservative views; and distrust in government and science. Vaccine
Strengthening Scientific Credibility Against Misinformation and Disinformation
The way that scientists are trained to communicate with one another, which focuses on uncertainties and explanations of risk, differs fundamentally from how scientific information should be disseminated to the public. Scientific evidence must be translated into plain language and information campaigns should be tailored to their target audiences’ unique backgrounds and psychosocial factors; regularly refined; and frequently monitored to ensure early detection of misinformation and disinformation. Journal of Controlled Release
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE CRISIS
Use of Leading Practices in US Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs
One leading practice greatly underutilized is measuring adherence to treatment guidelines, which was done by only approximately one-third of hospitals. Without data on adherence, improvement will be difficult for many hospitals. Often hospitals lack the technical support resources or EHR capabilities to electronically capture adherence data. If these resources are not available, time-consuming retrospective manual data collection is required. A lack of standardized metrics or guidance for measuring adherence is another barrier. In cases in which nonadherence is identified, it may be difficult to attribute nonadherence to individual prescribers for targeted interventions to change provider behavior. Changing behavior is more difficult to implement than technical changes to electronic systems. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
How War is Spreading Drug Resistant Superbugs Across Ukraine and Beyond
Chaotic scenes are now the norm in Ukraine. Military casualties go through a messy evacuation and hospital admission process, being passed from one ambulance to the next and stabilized by their comrades along the way. Once out of the red zone, they’re brought either to a field hospital or to a nearby regional hospital. The BMJ
Effect of Resistance to Third-Generation Cephalosporins
In Malawi, third-generation cephalosporins are the antibiotics of choice in patients admitted to hospital despite a rapid proliferation of resistance to these drugs. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins is associated with increased mortality and longer hospital stays in patients with bloodstream infections in Malawi. Bloodstream infections that were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins were more likely to be hospital-acquired or health-care-associated than those that were sensitive to third-generation cephalosporins. The data in this study show the urgent need for allocation of resources towards antimicrobial resistance mitigation strategies in this region of Africa. The Lancet Microbe
Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Young Children
S. pneumoniae is one of the major causes of difficult-to-treat pneumococcal disease in young children. Here researchers identify isolates that have reduced susceptibility to tetracycline and penicillin, which is a major concern for pediatric patients in regions where amoxicillin is often the drug of choice for clinicians. The Lancet Microbe
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Vaccination and Protective Immunity to SARS-Cov-2 Omicron Variants in People with Immunodeficiencies
The majority of patients with immunodeficiency show variable and weaker antibody-mediated responses post-vaccination to SARS-CoV-2 than individuals without immunodeficiency. The CDC reported that patients with compromised immune systems accounted for about 12% of adult COVID-19 hospital admissions and had higher rates of intensive care admissions and in-hospital deaths compared with non-immunocompromised inpatients, in both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. Although healthy individuals seem to show a neutralizing capacity for omicron that progressively increases with subsequent booster immunizations (and infection), individuals with immunodeficiencies responded quite differently. The Lancet Microbe
COVID-19 and Excess Mortality in Russia: Life Expectancy Losses in 2020 and Excess Deaths in 2021
Here researchers estimate that there were 351,158 excess deaths in 2020 and 678,022 in 2021 in the Russian Federation; and, in 2020, around 2.0 years of life expectancy lost. Life expectancy loss is generally greater for males; while excess mortality is greater in urban areas. While national figures show that excess mortality in Russia is perhaps amongst the highest in the world, there is a wide degree of regional variation. Such variation–and its interaction with age, gender, and rural/urban status. PLOS One
The Great Texas COVID Tragedy
The U.S. leads all high-income nations in COVID-19 deaths, even though as a nation at had the greatest access to antiviral vaccines and therapeutics. To understand this disconnect we can look to the COVID-19 deaths and disability in the State of Texas. Because of COVID-19, Texas (estimated population 29 million) is enduring one of the greatest human tragedies in its 186-year history. “The number of deaths from COVID-19 in my state of Texas has reached 90,000, as of September 1, 2022…the nation of Canada with 36 million people suffered an estimated 43,000 deaths, while Australia with 25 million experienced 12,000 deaths.” PLOS Global Public Health
Paxlovid Associated with Decreased Hospitalization Rate Among Adults with COVID-19
Among U.S. adults diagnosed with COVID-19, including those with previous infection or vaccination, persons who were prescribed Paxlovid within 5 days of diagnosis had a 51% lower hospitalization rate within 30 days after diagnosis than those who were not prescribed Paxlovid. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
SPECIAL INTEREST
Webinar: Impacts of Infectious Diseases on the Military: Lessons Learned
On-demand panel hosted by the DoD’s Homeland Defense & Security Information Analysis Center to discuss lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises, recommended responses for future infectious disease threats, and near- and long-term mitigation steps which the military can employ to combat infectious disease threats. Threats analyzed include natural and manmade releases of biological threats. HDIAC
Strategic National Stockpile Industry Day 2022 – Lessons Learned from Recent Emergency Responses
Watch: Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Acquisitions Branch Chief David Kelley shares insights and lessons learned from recent public health emergency responses, including COVID-19 and the 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Response. HHS Preparedness and Response
Call for Papers: Reimagining US Public Health Preparedness With Lessons From COVID-19
This call for papers for Health Security’s Open Access Supplement will consider how the COVID-19 pandemic is transforming public health preparedness policy and practice and discuss what public health preparedness needs to look like in the future. Deadline 17 January 2023. Center for Health Security
IN MEMORIAM
Samuel L. Katz, a Developer of the Measles Vaccine, Dies at 95
Dr. Samuel L. Katz, a virologist who was part of the research team at Harvard Medical School that developed the measles vaccine, an advance more than half a century ago that has saved countless lives, died Oct. 31 at his home in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was 95. Dr. Katz took up the fight against measles in 1956, when he joined a laboratory at Children’s Hospital Medical Center (now Boston Children’s Hospital) run by Dr. John Enders. Measles was a major medical threat at the time: In the decade before the vaccine was made available in 1963, nearly every child in the United States had measles by age 15, with three to four million people infected by it every year, leading to an estimated 400 to 500 deaths annually. Worldwide, measles killed 2.6 million people a year before the availability of vaccines. New York Times
ALSO READING
Analytical Sensitivity of Lateral Flow Devices against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.75. Journal of Clinical Microbiology
UK Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance Annual Report UK-VARSS
The Population Genomic Legacy of the Second Plague Pandemic. Current Biology
Potently neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies against the zoonotic pararubulavirus Sosuga virus. BioRxiv
Identification of a rare SARS-CoV-2 XL hybrid variant in wastewater and the subsequent discovery of two infected individuals in Nevada. Science of the Total Environment
SARS-CoV-2: Challenges in Reconverting Diagnostic Laboratories to Combat the Pandemic. Microbiology Spectrum
Inter-epidemic Rift Valley fever virus infection incidence and risks for zoonotic spillover in northern Tanzania. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Biosafety and Biosecurity in the Era of Biotechnology: The Middle East Region. Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity
Long-term consequences of food insecurity among Ebola virus disease-affected households. PLOS Global Public Health
Divergent SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges in white-tailed deer with deer-to-human transmission. Nature Microbiology
African swine fever virus – variants on the rise. Emerging Microbes and Infections
Multisite surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses in India: 2016–2018. PLOS Global Public Health
Nasal irrigation efficiently attenuates SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection, transmission and lung injury in Syrian hamster model. iScience
Exploration of wastewater surveillance for Monkeypox (mpox) virus. MedRxiv