News highlights on health security threats and countermeasures curated by Global Biodefense
This week’s selections include how to establish a BWC scientific advisory board; status of the tamiflu stockpile; challenges of insurance coverage for businesses for future pandemic losses; and the biomedical advances made possible by gain-of-function research.
POLICY + GOVERNMENT
Pandemic Risk: Federal Insurance Approaches Would Entail Costs to Taxpayers and Businesses Might Not Participate
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some businesses used “business interruption coverage” to recoup losses, but insurers generally didn’t pay pandemic-related claims. Many insurers have since added virus exclusions or removed previously available virus coverage. We looked at whether the government could make pandemic insurance available to businesses. But the government would assume most or all risk. And it would be difficult to provide easily available and affordable coverage, primarily due to potentially large, widespread, and infrequent losses. While still costly, other emergency programs could be improved in advance of a future pandemic. GAO
Presidential Memorandum on Essential Medicines, Medical Countermeasures, and Critical Inputs
President Biden broadened authorities under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to enable investment in domestic manufacturing of essential medicines, medical countermeasures, and critical inputs that have been deemed by the President as essential to the national defense. The White House
Exploring Actions for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness
Although several tools exist for assessing pandemic preparedness at an epidemiological and operational level, less information and fewer approaches are available to guide the prioritization of preparedness investments at the country level. This brief summarizes an international symposium held this summer. National Academies
FDA Inspections of Foreign Drug Manufacturers Haven’t Bounced Back After Pandemic
Researchers tracking a decade of FDA inspections observed an expected decline in inspections in 2020, but 2 years later foreign inspections remained 79% lower than 2019, and domestic inspections remained 35% lower, without any corresponding reduction in drug manufacturing or imports. The decline in foreign inspections is perhaps the most concerning data in the analysis. Although the FDA appears to have the overall inspector resources, it isn’t clear they are “optimally allocating” them; they “don’t seem to be sending them abroad, even in 2022 and 2023”. MedPage Today
Towards a Scientific Advisory Body for the Biological Weapons Convention
IAP in collaboration with the NASEM organized two online meetings to test-drive a proposed mechanism for the input of scientific advice into the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC). The meetings served as the open-ended body of a hybrid mechanism that BWC States Parties are currently discussing, and aimed to test the concept of a scientific advisory body by discussing the topic ‘Possible Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence for Global Biosecurity in the BWC Context’. IAP
Workshop on Disincentivizing State Bioweapons Development and Use
A week ahead of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Working Group meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, NTI | bio convened a workshop on “Disincentivizing State Bioweapons Development and Use.” This two-day workshop brought together academics, diplomats, biosecurity experts, and government policy makers to begin developing a cross-disciplinary thought and practice community to explore and develop potential disincentivizing solutions. NTI
ASPR Confirms Availability of Stockpiled Tamiflu Should Supply Shortages Occur
During the 2022-2023 flu season, HHS made available additional supply of Tamiflu to respond to increased flu activity and demand for antiviral drugs as well as reports of commercial spot shortages for generic oseltamivir. While HHS expects that oseltamivir manufacturers can support demand during the current flu season, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) confirms that Tamiflu previously reserved for pandemic flu and held in state, territorial, and federal stockpiles is again available for use should similar commercial spot shortages of flu antiviral drugs arise this season. ASPR
Introducing CSR’s New Biodefense Budget Breakdown
A key component to enable the pursuit of risk-reducing solutions is sufficient funding. One of the most important goals of this tool is to contextualize trends in biodefense expenditures by providing multiple years of budgetary history and the ability to drill down into layers of data. Council on Strategic Risks
MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES
2024 NIAID Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement: Development of Medical Countermeasures for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases
For FY 25, NIAID estimates up to $16 million for the award of 5 cost reimbursement type base contracts across all three Research Areas: Vaccine Candidates (novel adjuvant vaccine formulations, scalable delivery platforms, mucosal immunity platforms, viral vectors, etc.); Therapeutic Candidates (viral hemorrhagic fevers, novel coronavirus mechanisms of action, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida auris, Aspergillus fumigatus or Mucorales); and In Vitro Diagnostics (portable agnostic and targeted nucleic acid sequencing, multiplex protein detection in near-patient testing systems, bacterial identification and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance characterization). Sam.gov
Next-Gen COVID Vaccines: Advancing Past Early Trials – Plus Shooting for Lifelong Immunity
A massive funding boost from Project NextGen enables 3 phase 2b trials of next generation Covid vaccines to start in the US next year, each with 10,000 participants. Another US vaccine is also heading into phase 2 next year. And could “lifelong,” or even decades-long, immunity against Covid be possible? A vaccine aiming for that is heading into its first clinical trial next year. In this update, there is also new clinical trial data for 3 next generation Covid vaccines. PLOS Blogs
Is the Flu Shot Market A Slam Dunk for mRNA Vaccines? Experts Aren’t So Sure
The major challenge with flu vaccines is that to make them involves predicting the future. Vaccine production using the mRNA platform is quicker; for one thing, it doesn’t involve growing viruses. So vaccine strains could be selected closer to the actual season, potentially reducing the likelihood of mismatches. On the cost front, traditional flu shots are cheap, especially compared to some of the new entrants in the overall vaccines market. To score a preferential recommendation from ACIP and premium pricing, mRNA flu shot makers will have to prove that their vaccines are more effective than regular flu shots. STAT
In Search of a Pan-Coronavirus Vaccine: Next-Generation Vaccine Design and Immune Mechanisms
Details the unmet clinical need associated with the continued transmission of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and the four seasonal coronaviruses (HCoV-OC43, NL63, HKU1 and 229E) in humans and the potential for future zoonotic coronaviruses. Considers the ideal properties of a pan-coronavirus vaccine and propose a blueprint for the type of immunity that may offer cross-protection. Cellular & Molecular Immunology
Brilacidin as a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Enveloped, Acutely Infectious Viruses
Brilacidin, a small molecule that was designed de novo based on naturally occurring host defensins, was investigated for its antiviral activity against these alphaviruses and bunyaviruses in human small airway epithelial cells (HSAECs) and Veros. This testing was further expanded into a non-enveloped Echovirus, a Picornavirus, to further demonstrate brilacidin’s effect on early steps of the viral infectious cycle that leads to inhibition of viral load. Microorganisms
BIOSECURITY + BIOPREPAREDNESS
The Epistemic Value of Gain of Function Experiments
The phrase “gain of function” (GOF) is a long-standing term in the biological sciences that refers to an experimental manipulation in which an organism, cell, or microbe acquires a new function. This article recounts how GOF experiments were critical for establishing DNA as the genetic material, the identification of cellular receptors, and the role of oncogenes in cancer research. Today, many of the products of the biomedical revolution such as synthetic insulin, growth factors, and monoclonal antibodies are the result of GOF experiments where cells were given the new function of synthesizing medically important products. GOF experiments and complementary loss of function experiments are epistemically powerful tools for establishing causality in biology. mSphere
Health Workforce Diversity Improves Outcomes, Strengthens Pandemic Preparedness
Between 2017 and 2021, nearly half of all public health workers left their jobs. Physician shortages are also on the rise, particularly in areas with low socioeconomic mobility. As we move out of the crisis phase of the pandemic, research continues to show pervasive distrust among Black and brown patients, rooted in a well-documented history of medical mistreatment. The future of health and public health is dependent on educational pathways for people who represent the communities they serve. IDSA
Going Viral: Implications of COVID-19 for Bioterrorism
Fundamentally, bioterrorism has to date been rare, and even after COVID-19, it is likely to remain so. Even if the threat of bioterrorism might increase due to technological and other dynamics, this trajectory appears unlikely to be appreciably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Counterterrorism efforts should largely continue to focus on the same set of pre-COVID-19 actors and threats (including the impact of emerging technologies). CTC Sentinel
SELECT AGENTS + PRIORITY PATHOGENS
Select Agent Regulatory Challenges in a Patient Care Setting
These regulations are primarily written for interpretation by diagnostic and research laboratories, with limited text pertaining to the care of individuals infected with a select agent. This article discusses 3 select agent regulation phrases regarding patient care that need clarification— the window of time to transfer, patient care setting, and conclusion of patient care—and provide recommendations for improvement. Health Security
Five African Countries Report Anthrax Outbreaks, Over 1100 Cases Recorded
Five countries in East and southern Africa are experiencing anthrax outbreaks, with more than 1100 suspected cases and 20 related deaths reported since the start of the year, hitting Zambia particularly hard. The outbreaks are likely being driven by multiple factors, including climatic shocks, food insecurity, low risk perception and exposure to the disease through handling the meat of infected animals. Joint multidisciplinary teams have deployed to support assessments, identify gaps and take measures to strengthen the outbreak response. World Health Organization
Long-Term Sudan Virus Ebola Survivors Maintain Multiple Antiviral Defense Mechanisms
Researchers examined virus-specific immune and inflammatory responses in 12 Sudan virus (SUDV) long-term survivors from Uganda’s 2000-1 Gulu outbreak, 15 years after recovery following in vitro challenge. Data integration identified significant correlations among humoral and cellular immune responses and pinpointed a specific innate and adaptive gene expression signature associated with long-lasting immunity. This could help identify natural and vaccine correlates of protection against ebolavirus disease. The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Characterization of Humoral Responses to Nipah Virus Infection
Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic paramyxovirus. Here researchers describe longitudinal humoral immune responses in NiV-infected Syrian hamsters. This model recapitulates key features of human NiV disease and is a critical tool for evaluating antivirals and vaccines. The Journal of Infectious Diseases
The Ebola Survivors Who are Still Infectious – 10 Years After the World’s Biggest Outbreak
A decade after the virus ravaged West Africa, the threat of its return looms in an unlikely source: the testicles of men who survived. Two years ago, the virus re-emerged in Guinea – killing 12 people and infecting 23 – and was eventually traced back to someone who had survived the West Africa epidemic and transmitted it via their semen to a partner. The finding, based on genetic sequencing of patient samples, shocked researchers. Prior to then, the longest the virus had been known to persist in a survivor was 500 days. The Telegraph
Bangladesh Nipah Virus Deaths Show Upward Trend
Bangladesh has reported 14 Nipah virus cases this year, 10 of them fatal, scientists from the country’s Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR) said this week. Scientists also revealed that the virus has been detected for the first time in breast milk. CIDRAP
Mathematical Model of Marburg Virus Disease Outbreaks and the Potential Role of Vaccination in Control
Here researchers present a branching process model of Marburg virus transmission and investigated the potential effects of several prophylactic and reactive vaccination strategies in settings driven primarily by multiple spillover events as well as human-to-human transmission. Results show a low basic reproduction number which varied across outbreaks (from 0.5 to 1.2) but a high case fatality ratio. Of six vaccination strategies explored, the two prophylactic strategies (mass and targeted vaccination of high-risk groups), as well as a combination of ring and targeted vaccination, were generally most effective. BMC Medicine
Risk Assessment: Implications of Mpox Outbreak in DRC on the EU
The vast majority of infections are caused by Monkeypox virus (MPXV) clade I, which is generally considered to be more virulent than MPXV clade II. A cluster of mpox cases from March 2023 was recently documented as the first detection of sexually transmitted MPXV clade I infections. The presumed index case of this cluster is a European traveler who reportedly developed mpox soon after his arrival in DRC. Currently, there is no evidence that MPXV clade I is circulating outside certain central African countries and available MPXV sequences do not suggest circulation in the EU/EEA. The likelihood of infection from the ongoing epidemic mpox due to MPXV clade I is assessed as very low for the general EU population and the impact from such an infection is assessed as low. ECDC
Discovery and Genome Characterization of Six New Orthoparamyxoviruses in Small Belgian Mammals
Orthoparamyxoviruses, a subfamily within the Paramyxoviridae, are important biosurveillance targets, since they include several known animal, human, and zoonotic pathogens such as Nipah virus, measles virus, and Hendra virus. During this study, 127 bat samples, thirty-four rodent samples, and seventeen shrew samples originating from Belgium were screened for orthoparamyxovirus presence. Researchers present here the complete genomes of six putative new viral species, belonging to the genera Jeilongvirus and Henipavirus. Virus Evolution
Multi-Country Outbreak of Mpox
A total of 906 new laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox were reported globally in November 2023 from 26 countries. WHO
AVIAN INFLUENZA
ECDC Assesses EU/EEA Zoonotic Avian Flu Preparedness and Issues Investigation Protocol
To assess the level of preparedness of EU/EEA Member States to respond to zoonotic avian flu outbreaks, ECDC has carried out two surveys – one assessing the laboratory capacity for molecular diagnosis and characterization of zoonotic influenza viruses, and the other focusing on measures applied to protect exposed people during outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza. ECDC
Fatal H5N6 Avian flu in China
China has reported a fatal H5N6 avian flu case involving a 33-year-old woman from Sichuan province who got sick in October after visiting a live poultry market, according to a statement from Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP). Her infection marks China’s seventh H5N6 cases of the year and the country’s 88th since the virus was first found in humans in 2014. The virus is known to circulate in poultry in China and a few other Asian countries. CIDRAP
52 Commercial and Backyard Flocks in B.C. Have Been Infected with Bird Flu
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said this month that 47 commercial farms and five small flocks have been infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus this fall. The rate appears to be slowing as the fall migration of wild birds ends. About 5 million birds in the province have been culled since April 2022. CBC
CHEMICAL + RADIOLOGICAL THREATS
Russian Brigade Admits Dropping Tear Gas on Ukrainian Troops, Which Would Violate the UN Chemical Weapons Convention
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet’s 810th Naval Infantry Brigade wrote a message on Telegram about “a radical change in tactics,” which included dropping K-51 grenades (aerosol grenades filled with CS gas, a type of tear gas used for riot control) from drones onto enemy positions. They said this tactic had been adopted to smoke them out from their fortified positions and then strike fleeing troops with combined weapons. They also released a grainy drone video appearing to show the grenade being dropped, followed by smoke billowing from the target, against Ukrainian forces in Krynky. This is not the first such report of use of K-51 grenades by Russia against Ukrainians, but it appears to be the first time they’ve taken credit. Business Insider
Monitoring Exposure to Five Chemical Warfare Agents Using the Dried Urine Spot Technique
Dried urine spot (DUS) is a micro-sample collection technique, known for its advantages in handling, storage and shipping. It also uses only a small volume of urine, an essential consideration in working with small animals, or in acute medical situations. Here researchers report a new approach for the determination of the metabolites of five CWAs in urine using DUS. The method is based on a simple and rapid sample preparation, using only 50 µL of urine, spotted and dried on DBS paper. The method is highly stable, even with DUS samples stored up to 5 months at room temperature before analysis. Molecules
Ophthalmic Implications of Biological Threat Agents According to the CBRNE Framework
Ophthalmic injury can provide important insight into understanding and treating patients impacted by CBRNE agents. This review specifically addresses the biological agents the Center for Disease Control and Prevention deems to have the greatest capacity for bioterrorism. Frontiers in Medicine
IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine
As of 15 December: Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been re-connected to its only remaining back-up power line after it was suddenly lost two weeks ago, but the site’s overall supply of off-site electricity remains fragile and vulnerable to further disruptions. During the military conflict, frequent power cuts have remained a source of serious concern for safety and security at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant (NPP) as it needs electricity to cool its reactors and for other essential functions, even when all units have been shut down. Earlier this month, the ZNPP suffered its eighth complete loss of external electricity in less than 18 months, caused by grid events outside the plant itself. In the 21 Dec update, IAEA experts report that ZNPP is installing four new mobile diesel boilers to generate additional steam needed for various nuclear safety functions at the site, including for waste treatment. IAEA
Why the World Should Still Worry About Dirty Bombs
As the norm against nuclear weapons is weakening and tensions between great powers mount, there is reason to worry that the dangers posed by radiological arms proliferation may be growing again. Additional states may consider the possible deterrent benefits of possessing nuclear arms or, if the costs of acquiring such weapons are prohibitive, other nonconventional weapons. For these states, radiological weapons may appear a more viable option, something akin to “a poor man’s nuclear weapon.” Foreign Affairs
SURVEILLANCE + DETECTION
Advancing Biological Investigations Using Portable Sensors for Detection of Sensitive Samples
One of the key advantages of portable biosensors is their ability to provide sensitive and non-destructive detection of forensic samples without requiring extensive sample preparation. This comprehensive review outlines current advancements in portable biosensors for the detection of sensitive materials, highlighting their significance in advancing investigations and enhancing sensitive sample detection capabilities. Heliyon
Host‑Response Transcriptional Biomarkers Accurately Discriminate Bacterial and Viral Infections
Without sensitive and specific point-of-care diagnostics to rapidly confirm or refute multiple etiologies of fever, bacterial infections remain untreated and viral infections are treated with antibiotics unnecessarily. The result has been unprecedented inappropriate antibiotic use and associated increasing antimicrobial resistance. Host-response transcription patterns could fill this diagnostic gap by distinguishing between bacterial and viral etiologies early, including before symptoms, to limit spread and guide resource allocation. Scientific Reports
The Potential of Aviation Data in Pathogen Surveillance
Aircraft waste disposal presents opportunities for pathogen testing. Large numbers of passengers provide a way to assess global trends and movement of pathogens. While it is evident from discussions that we are a long way from global data linkage and surveillance capabilities, involving the aviation industry can act as an initial trigger in enabling a truly international landscape of surveillance. RAND
SHIC-Funded Review on Aerosol Biosecurity Published
Infectious diseases such as PED, PRRS, influenza, and others can be transmitted through contaminated airborne particles. A variety of industries use different technologies to control aerosolized emissions such as airborne pathogens. To investigate novel technologies from other industries for potential translation to swine facilities, researchers conducted an extensive review of current and prospective aerosol technologies. Their findings have been published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. AASV
A Point-of-Care Testing Device Utilizing Graphene-Enhanced Fiber Optic SPR Sensor for Real-Time Detection of Infectious Pathogens
A portable fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR) device was developed for the real-time detection of infectious pathogens. Compared with traditional SPR sensing systems, the device is smaller size, lighter weight, and higher convenience. To enhance the detection capacity of pathogens, a monolayer graphene was coated on the sensing region of the FO-SPR sensing probe. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was used to evaluate performance. Biosensors
A New Paradigm for Threat Agnostic Biodetection: Biological Intelligence (BIOINT)
The potential of analyzing environmental genomes has long been recognized for public health and biodefense, as well as biodiversity conservation, ecosystem health, research, and other purposes. Existing initiatives vary widely in their scope. BIOINT goes further, encompassing collection and metagenomic analysis of environmental samples that are drawn from a set of sampling sites that are identified (and updated) based on risk modeling (such as ecological niche modeling), state-of-the-art analytics to rapidly characterize threats and model potential interventions and response scenarios, integration with other sources of data to produce point-of-decision intelligence, and a global, rather than fragmented or federated, approach to data aggregation. Health Security
Evaluation of Recombination Detection Methods for Viral Sequencing
When unaccounted for, recombination can impact evolutionary estimations or complicate their interpretation. Therefore, identifying signals for recombination in sequencing data is a key prerequisite to further analyses. Here, researchers assessed eight recombination detection methods (RDMs) to determine if any are suitable for the analysis of bulk sequencing data; and highlight the benefits and shortcomings of each assessed method. Virus Evolution
Putting Low-Cost Diagnostics to the Test
The COVID-19 pandemic brought home the value of cheap, ‘good enough’ methods of detecting disease. Extending that approach to other illnesses could improve health care in low- and middle-income countries. As an alternative to standard lab materials such as glass and plastics, many groups are cutting costs by performing tests on paper, which naturally absorbs fluids and can be precisely shaped and patterned with channels, reagents. Advances in protein engineering and formulation that are making it increasingly straightforward to store enzymes and other crucial reagents in a stable, dried form that can quickly recover normal function when rehydrated. Nature
Quantum Dot-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassay Strip for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of SARS-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibodies
Quantum dot microspheres and receptor-binding domain (RBD) antigen are coupled by biotin-streptavidin system to establish a novel COVID-19 neutralizing antibody detection kit, without any cells or live virus, that can be completed in 10 minutes. Scientific Reports
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
CDC Issues Health Advisory on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Among People with Recent Travel to Mexico
CDC issued a HAN health advisory to notify healthcare providers and the public about an outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) among people in the U.S. with recent travel to or residence in the city of Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. RMSF is a severe, rapidly progressive, and often deadly disease transmitted by the bite of infected ticks, although many patients do not recall being bitten by a tick. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for patients of all ages. CDC
Mystery Amid an Anthrax Outbreak in Africa
Five African countries are battling outbreaks of anthrax, with nearly 1,200 people affected so far and 20 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. But the official tally belies confusion about the exact nature and scale of the outbreaks, which may complicate the efforts needed to contain them. Many of the presumed cases have resulted in negative tests for anthrax, raising the possibility that a second disease is circulating. “It could simply be that the diagnostic testing is inadequate, or it could be that you have a moderate number of anthrax cases and simultaneously you have an outbreak of something else that could look similar.” New York Times
Emergence of Novel Norovirus GII.4 Variant
Researchers detected a novel GII.4 variant with an amino acid insertion at the start of epitope A in viral protein 1 of noroviruses from the United States, South Africa, and the United Kingdom collected during 2017–2022. Early identification of GII.4 variants is crucial for assessing pandemic potential and informing vaccine development. Emerging Infectious Diseases
‘Long Flu’: Study Finds Hospitalized Flu Patients at Higher Risk of Longer-Term Illness
“Five years ago, it wouldn’t have occurred to me to examine the possibility of a ‘long flu.’ But one of the major lessons we learned from this pandemic is that a virus we all initially thought could only cause acute disease is leaving millions of people with long Covid, he said. “We wondered whether this could be happening with other things. Could this be happening with the flu, for example?” The Guardian
RSV: Recent Developments Providing Promising New Tools For Disease Prevention
Due to the high burden of disease caused by RSV, the differential diagnosis of RSV from other respiratory viruses that cause similar acute respiratory infections is crucial. For this purpose, using multiplex PCRs detecting multiple respiratory viruses simultaneously is key. Moreover, to understand the annual circulation patterns and genomic evolution of RSV, sequencing data need to be collected and reported to publicly accessible databases. Eurosurveillance
RSV: Jab For Winter Virus Could Cut Baby Hospitalizations By 80%, Study Says
Hospital admissions from a winter virus could be reduced by more than 80% if babies are given a single dose of a new antibody treatment, a study says. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The trial involved children in the UK, France and Germany. More than 30,000 under fives are hospitalized with RSV in the UK annually, resulting in 20 to 30 deaths. BBC
Hantavirus Disease Cluster Caused by Seoul Virus, Germany
A cluster of 3 persons in Germany experienced hantavirus disease with renal insufficiency. Reverse transcription PCR–based genotyping revealed infection by Seoul hantavirus transmitted from pet rats. Seoul virus could be responsible for disease clusters in Europe, and infected pet rats should be considered a health threat. Emerging Infectious Diseases
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE CRISIS
The Gordian Knot of C. auris: If You Cannot Cut It, Prevent It
Since its first description in 2009, Candida auris has, so far, resulted in large hospital outbreaks worldwide and is considered an emerging global public health threat. Exceptionally for yeast, it is gifted with a profoundly worrying invasive potential and high inter-patient transmissibility. At the same time, it is capable of colonizing and persisting in both patients and hospital settings for prolonged periods of time, thus creating a vicious cycle of acquisition, spreading, and infection. Current knowledge on C. auris epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and its mechanisms of pathogenicity are summarized in the present review and a comprehensive overview of IPC practices ensuring yeast prevention is also provided. Pathogens
Gaza, Ukraine, and Other Conflicts Could Be Accelerating Antibiotic Resistance
Conflicts often create conditions that are perfect for drug resistance to emerge and spread. What is particularly worrisome about this is that the number of conflicts across the globe is at an historical high, and on the rise. This suggests that, even with nearly 5 million deaths a year now associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), we may have drastically underestimated the true scale of this escalating global crisis. STAT
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Respiratory Virus Levels Climb as JN.1 Dominates COVID Detections
JN.1 is now the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remains elevated, especially for young children. Meanwhile, COVID-19 activity is increasing in many parts of the country, as is seasonal flu. The CDC’s two main severity markers rose compared to the previous week, with hospitalizations up 10.4% and deaths up 3.4%. States in the Midwest and Northeast have numerous counties at the medium level for COVID hospital admissions, with some counties in those regions listed at the high level. CIDRAP
Evolution and Neutralization Escape of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 Subvariant
Results indicate that, although the Omicron BA.2.86 subvariant has evolved extensive escape from neutralizing antibodies, it is recognized by convalescent plasma to a similar degree as the XBB.1.5 subvariant. This similarity in recognition might explain the comparatively slow spread of this variant. Nature Communications
COVID Study: 40% of Children Still Infectious After Symptom Resolution
A study of viral shedding dynamics in children who had COVID-19 during the Omicron surge in Toronto shows that 40% were still infectious on the day after their symptoms resolved. Moreover, rapid antigen tests (RATs) were often negative early in the course of illness. CIDRAP
Preclinical Model Results of mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine GLB-COV2-043
With the focus on creating cost-effective solutions that can reach the low- and medium- income world, GreenLight Biosciences has developed an mRNA vaccine candidate, GLB-COV2-043, encoding for the full-length SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan wild-type spike protein. In pre-clinical studies in mice, GLB-COV2-043 induced robust antigen-specific binding and virus-neutralizing antibody responses targeting homologous and heterologous SARS-CoV-2 variants and a TH1-biased immune response. Scientific Reports
Mucosal Boosting Enhances Vaccine Protection Against SARS-Cov-2 in Macaques
It has been hypothesized that enhanced mucosal immunity will be required to block infection and onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Intranasal administration of current vaccines has proven inconsistent, suggesting that alternative immunization strategies may be required. Here researchers show that intratracheal boosting with a bivalent Ad26 based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine results in substantial induction of mucosal humoral and cellular immunity and near complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 BQ.1.1 challenge. Nature
Needle-Free Covid Vaccines Are (Still) in the Works
Vaccines delivered through the nose or mouth should help stop infection where it begins. But researchers are still working to collect the data they need to prove it. These “mucosal” covid vaccines aren’t available in the US or Europe, but they are in other parts of the world. When we last reported on efforts to develop a mucosal vaccine in 2022, two had been approved in China and India. Now five are in use in China, India, Iran, Indonesia, Morocco, and Russia. A couple dozen more candidates are in clinical trials. And many, many more are on the way. MIT Technology Review
PPE Bought Via ‘VIP Lane’ Was on Average 80% More Expensive, Documents Reveal
PPE was on average 80% more expensive when the government bought it from firms referred through a special “VIP lane” by Conservative ministers, MPs and officials, new information has revealed. The Guardian
Estimating Impact and Diagnostic Requirements for SARS-Cov-2 Test-and-Treat Programs
Individual-level data on the effectiveness of antivirals for reducing severe disease3,4 and the modeling work presented here highlight that substantial reductions in COVID-19 disease burden could arise from population-level test-and-treat programs. However, the low testing rates in the post-emergency phase of the pandemic represent a profound impediment for realizing the benefits of such programs. In many countries, regardless of socio-economic status, the willingness of people to pursue testing for respiratory virus disease is either low or declining and this presents challenges even when tests are available. Nature Communications
Long-Term Outcomes Following Hospital Admission for COVID-19 Versus Seasonal Influenza
Over 18 months of follow-up, compared to seasonal influenza, the COVID-19 group had an increased risk of death, corresponding to an excess death rate of 8.62 per 100 persons in the COVID-19 group versus the influenza group. Although rates of death and adverse health outcomes following hospital admission for either seasonal influenza or COVID-19 are high, this comparative analysis shows that hospital admission for COVID-19 was associated with higher long-term risks of death and adverse health outcomes in nearly every organ system (except for the pulmonary system) and significant cumulative excess DALYs than hospital admission for seasonal influenza. The substantial cumulative burden of health loss in both groups calls for greater prevention of hospital admission for these two viruses and for greater attention to the care needs of people with long-term health effects due to either seasonal influenza or SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Lancet Infectious Diseases
SPECIAL INTEREST
Podcast: Science Is Messy
Host John Verrico sits down with Dr. Nick Bergman, director of S&T’s National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC). DHS S&T
2023 Arms Control Person of the Year Nominees
Since 2007, the independent, nongovernmental Arms Control Association has nominated individuals and institutions that have, in the previous 12 months, advanced effective arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament solutions and raised awareness of the threats posed by mass casualty weapons. Vote by 11 Jan 2024 from a list of nominees that have provided important leadership that helped reduce weapons-related security dangers. Arms Control Association
ALSO READING
Where there is a will, there is a way: independent assessment of member state compliance with the pandemic agreement. The Lancet Global Health
Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Neuraminidase Inhibition Antibodies in Healthy Adults after Exposure to Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. Emerging Infectious Diseases
State-level public health preparedness indices as predictors of COVID-19 mortality outcomes. Frontiers in Epidemiology
Predicted risk of heart failure pandemic due to persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection using a three-dimensional cardiac model. iScience
The spatial distribution of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Europe and neighbouring areas. ECDC
SARS-CoV-2 mucosal neutralising immunity after vaccination. The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Breakthrough Mpox Infection in an Individual Non-Responder to MVA-BN Vaccination. The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Inhaled SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for single-dose dry powder aerosol immunization. Nature
Ocular Manifestations of Flavivirus Infections. Pathogens
Anthrax Outbreak: Exploring Its Biological Agents and Public Health Implications. Frontiers in Tropical Diseases
Micro-Global Positioning Systems for Identifying Nightly Opportunities for Marburg Virus Spillover to Humans by Egyptian Rousette Bats. Emerging Infectious Diseases
Characterization of the Cynomolgus Macaque Model of Marburg Virus Disease and Assessment of Timing for Therapeutic Treatment Testing. Viruses