This edition includes progress on Rwanda’s Marbug outbreak response, a call to establish a National Biosafety and Biosecurity Agency in the U.S., backing for Ebola countermeasure opaganib, and the post-COVID funding crash hitting public health departments hard.
FEATURED
CDC Report on Missouri H5N1 Serology Testing
Missouri state and local officials performed a lengthy retrospective investigation of everyone who came into close contact with the patient and identified seven people (6 health care workers and one family member) who had symptoms that warranted additional investigation given their potential exposure to this patient. A series of tests on blood specimens from 6 of these people – and the original patient – were conducted to help identify signs of previous infection or exposure to H5N1 well after full resolution of their symptoms. They were all “sero-negative.” This finding rules out person-to-person spread between the MO case patient and any of health care workers tested. CDC
Rwanda Sees Progress on Marburg Response, Healthcare Worker Infected
After more than 8 days of no community transmission in the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, a new case of the Marburg virus disease was confirmed on Wednesday, Oct. 23, bringing the case total to 63, with 15 deaths. “The new case is a medical worker who has been treating Marburg patients since the beginning of the outbreak,” the Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, said. Rwanda has so far documented approximately 1,146 contacts. All Africa, Euro News
Establishing a National Biosafety and Biosecurity Agency for the United States
The current fragmented regulatory landscape needs to be refocused to address the complexities of modern biological research, including risks associated with accidental, inadvertent, and deliberate biological incidents. An independent government agency, which we call the National Biosafety and Biosecurity Agency (NBBA), could effectively address these challenges. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
BARDA Backs Advancement of Opaganib for Ebola Treatment
Recent U.S. Army-funded studies showed that opaganib delivered a statistically significant increase in survival in an in vivo EBOV model. The BARDA research and development contract provides initial funding for the collaboration, in pursuit of advancing opaganib to mitigate infection and contain Ebola outbreaks. RedHill Biopharma
Public Health Departments Face a Post-Covid Funding Crash
A familiar boom-and-bust funding cycle is underway with the sunsetting of federal COVID-19 pandemic grant dollars. Now, more than a year since the federal Department of Health and Human Services declared the end of the coronavirus emergency, states — such as Montana, California and Washington — face tough decisions about laying off workers and limiting public health services. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cutting the state’s public health funding by $300 million. And the Department of Health in Washington state slashed more than 350 positions at the end of last year and more than 200 this year. KFF Health News
POLICY + GOVERNMENT
Close ‘Wellness’ IV Hydration Bars Until the Intravenous Fluid Shortage Ends
Hurricane Helene knocked out one of the primary manufacturing plants for IV solutions. The Baxter manufacturing plant in Marion, N.C., which produces about 60% of the IV solutions for the U.S., is not currently operational. Hospital leaders have called on the Biden administration to declare a national emergency around IV fluids. Elective IV hydration bars and spas should cease operations until the shortage is over. Whether for hangovers, ‘wellness,’ or athletes, the infusions are dubious — and, at this moment, particularly wasteful. STAT, CIDRAP
As IV Shortage Continues After Hurricane, U.S. Invokes Wartime Power to Speed Recovery
The Biden administration has invoked the Defense Production Act to speed rebuilding of a major American factory of intravenous fluids that was wrecked by Hurricane Helene last month. Damage to the plant in North Carolina has worsened a nationwide shortage of IV fluids, and hospitals say they are still postponing some surgeries and other procedures as a result. While the factory remains offline, the Food and Drug Administration has greenlighted Baxter to import IV fluids from its other plants around the world. Officials say they are also backing plans to airlift more supplies into the U.S. CBS News
WHO Appeal: Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak Rwanda 2024
WHO urged doners to step up and fund US$ 7.7 million from October to December 2024 to support the Government of Rwanda in controlling the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak. This funding will enable WHO to carry out critical response activities, focusing on surveillance, infection prevention, community engagement, and cross-border collaboration. World Health Organization
Republicans Seek Watchdog Inquiry on FDA Laboratory Safety
Energy and Commerce Republicans requested an assessment of the adequacy of the FDA’s support for the Office of Laboratory Safety (OLS), which was stood-up following the 2014 discovery of vials containing smallpox virus in the FDA laboratory on the NIH campus. The letter points to a lack of frequent laboratory inspections and unannounced inspections by OLS, as required. The letter further calls into question whether the FDA is providing the OLS with adequate funding, authority, and visibility to promote safety. Energy and Commerce Committee
Optimizing Federal, State, and Local Responses to Public Health Emergencies: Lessons from COVID
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to consider whether federal, state, and local governments had the necessary authority to deal with the crisis, how authority was applied, whether there was sufficient clarity as to responsibility, and what should be changed for the future. National Academies
Legal Research Digest: Pandemics and Contractual Issues
Outbreaks of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have the potential to significantly impact the performance of all types of contract work. Where such occurrences are rare and unexpected, it is unlikely that the contracting parties factored the occurrence into contract performance terms such as price and schedule, notwithstanding the significant impact that a pandemic could have on those performance terms. National Academies
Drug Companies That Violate Law Would Fund Medical Research Under New Democratic Legislation
The “Medical Innovation Act” bill would apply to large drugmakers that are found to have violated federal laws and also have received federal funding that helped them develop what the bill calls “blockbuster drugs.” The legislation defines these drugs as those that had net sales of at least $1 billion in the previous calendar year. Funds collected through this legislation would go toward initiatives in the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. Companies would be required to invest a percentage of their profits into these federal health agencies for five years. The Hill
Pakistan Global Health Security Activity
The goal of the Global Health Security (GHS) Activity, worth $25M – $49.99M over 5 years, is to build Pakistan’s capacities to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to new and emerging infectious diseases. The funding aims to strengthen Pakistan’s existing One Health systems, with the goal of building a resilient, sustainable response to emerging infectious disease threats. USAID
Statement on Domestication of the Biological Weapons Convention in Zimbabwe
A statement by former PGA Member Hon. Kindness Paradza on the domestication of the Biological Weapons Convention in Zimbabwe. Parliamentarians for Global Action
Tajikistan Holds its First-Ever National Workshop on the Biological Weapons Convention
From 1 to 3 October, the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) within the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the CBRN Safety and Security Agency of Tajikistan, jointly organized a national workshop on the implementation of the Convention in Dushanbe. The purpose of the workshop was to deepen understanding of the BWC, to share effective practices relating to the preparation of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), and to inform participants about capacity-building opportunities available to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity. United Nations
MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES
FDA Approval Letter for Arepranrix
ID Biomedical Corporation’s BLA Supplemental for Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Monovalent Vaccine, Adjuvanted, manufactured in Quebec City, Canada. AREPRANRIX is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by the influenza A virus H5N1 subtype contained in the vaccine approved for use in individuals 6 months and older at increased risk of exposure to the influenza A virus H5N1. FDA
Anthrax Resource Center
Collection of resources for the DOD Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, Including information on vaccine safety, long-term health concerns, and various DoD guidance documents for the program. Military Health System
Promising Human Rift Valley Fever Vaccine to Enter Phase II Clinical Trials in Kenya
A promising human vaccine candidate against the potentially deadly Rift Valley fever, a mosquito-borne disease affecting countries across Africa, is set to begin Phase II trials in Kenya. This is the most advanced stage of testing a human Rift Valley fever vaccine has reached in an outbreak-prone area to date. CEPI
Mpox Vaccine is Safe and Generates a Robust Antibody Response in Adolescents
Interim results presented at IDWeek 2024 from a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical trial of an MVA-BN vaccine in adolescents found it was safe and generated an antibody response equivalent to that seen in adults. NIH
Novavax Shares Slide as FDA Pauses COVID/Flu Vaccine Candidates
The clinical hold affects Novavax’s COVID-flu combo and standalone flu vaccines, which were on the cusp of Phase III testing. The FDA’s decision stems from a report of a serious adverse event of motor neuropathy. BioSpace
BIOSECURITY + BIOPREPAREDNESS
The Case of Peer Review Exercises in the Context of the BWC
The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) lacks any mechanism to verify compliance. In the absence of a verification mechanism and while not a substitute for such a system, states parties have developed a system of confidence-building measures (CBMs) to increase transparency around a state’s activities in the biological field. However, over the years various limitations in the CBMs regime have been noted. To address these limitations and look for innovative approaches to strengthen the Convention, some states parties have explored the concept of voluntary transparency initiatives (VTIs). UNIDIR
Bush School Launches Center to Tackle Global Biological Threats
The center will support efforts to ensure a world safe, secure and resilient against existential biological threats, such as severe pandemics and biological weapons, through high-impact, non-partisan research and education on relevant policy issues including preparing for future pandemics and improving security in the life sciences. The new center will be led by Dr. Gerald W. Parker, associate dean of Global One Health at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Texas A&M
New Report From the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board Highlights Threat of Future Pandemics
A plethora of risks increase the likelihood of new pandemics according to a new report from the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB). The report, launched at the 15th World Health Summit in Berlin, outlines 15 key drivers of pandemic risk, categorized into five distinct groups: social, technological, environmental, economic, and political. GPMB, WHO Director-General Remarks
SELECT AGENTS + PRIORITY PATHOGENS
WHO Lauds Rwanda’s Marburg Response as Country Shares Initial Genetic Findings
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday praised Rwanda’s Marburg virus outbreak response, including its success in treating patients infected with a disease known to have a high case-fatality rate. The level of critical care that Marburg patients received in Rwanda was also impressive. He said two patients who had multiple organ failure and were put on life support were successfully intubated, then extubated as they recovered. Early sequencing analysis points to a single jump to humans, with no red flags. CIDRAP
Multi-Country Outbreak of Mpox Situation Report
Sixteen countries on the African continent have reported mpox cases in the last six weeks. The most affected country in 2024 continues to be the Democratic Republic of the Congo (6169 confirmed cases, 25 deaths), followed by Burundi (987 confirmed cases, no deaths) and Nigeria (94 confirmed cases, no deaths). This addition provides a focus on the latest epidemiological update on the Zambia, Ghana, Central African Republic, and Nigeria. Zambia reported its first mpox case this month. Ghana also reported its first two mpox cases in 2024. Central African Republic and Nigeria are both considered endemic for mpox, clade I and II respectively. Zimbabwe reported its first mpox cases on 13 Sept. World Health Organization
Recurrent Outbreaks In Kerala, India Highlight the Stable and Threatening Presence of NiV In Local Bat Populations
This article discusses the epidemiological trends, clinical challenges, and strategic imperatives for managing and preventing NiV. It highlights the ongoing transmission dynamics, including the genetic consistency of NiV that suggests a stable but continuously threatening viral reservoir in local bat populations. Clinical Infection in Practice
Mpox Vaccine Campaign Launches in the DRC, with First Doses to Healthcare Workers
Over the weekend, the WHO confirmed it began a Jynneos vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in an effort to stem an ongoing mpox outbreak. DRC has reported more than 30,000 suspected and laboratory-confirmed mpox cases this year, including 990 deaths. The outbreak has spread to 15 other African nations. CIDRAP
Ghana Reports First Mpox Cases in 2024
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has recorded two cases of mpox with several suspected cases, the first instances confirmed in this calendar year. Testing is underway to determine which clade of the virus caused the infections. Reuters, Ghana News Online
Decontamination of Select Agents Isolated in the Clinical Laboratory
Once an isolate from a patient specimen in a non-select agent registered clinical lab has been confirmed by a registered Laboratory Response Network (LRN) reference laboratory as a select agent, within seven days the non-registered clinical lab must either destroy all other relevant patient specimens and cultures remaining in their possession or obtain permission from CDC to transfer them to the nearest LRN reference laboratory that is registered to possess the specific select agent. If a non-registered clinical lab decides to destroy the relevant specimens and cultures in-house, select agent inactivation procedures must be followed. APHL
AVIAN INFLUENZA
Veteran Vaccine Developer Says U.S. Response to Bird Flu Outbreak in Cattle is ‘Frustrating’
Barney Graham, who for decades helped lead U.S. vaccine development efforts, said Wednesday that the lack of cooperation among U.S. agencies is hindering the country’s response to the H5N1 bird flu outbreak among dairy cattle, echoing criticisms that have been building over the past six months. “The USDA and the CDC and the NIH are not sharing and coordinating,” Graham said. STAT
Why Hasn’t Deadly Bird Flu Reached Australia Yet?
Australia and the rest of Oceania are the last regions free of the highly pathogenic strain of bird flu that has caused mass mortality in birds across the world and a massive outbreak in dairy cattle in the United States. Why animals in the southern region have so far escaped infection is a mystery, but scientists have several theories. For one, Australia is geographically isolated and doesn’t import live poultry. Nature
Antiviral Susceptibility of Swine-Origin Influenza A Viruses Isolated from Humans, United States
Since 2013, a total of 167 human infections with swine-origin (variant) influenza A viruses of A(H1N1)v, A(H1N2)v, and A(H3N2)v subtypes have been reported in the United States. Analysis of 147 genome sequences revealed that nearly all had S31N substitution, an M2 channel blocker-resistance marker, whereas neuraminidase inhibitor–resistance markers were not found. CDC recommends against the use of M2 blockers for seasonal influenza A viruses because of resistance, a characteristic independently acquired by A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) subtypes. Emerging Infectious Diseases
Macedonia: Four Zoo employees under health watch After Avian Flu Case in Goose
Epidemiologists from the Public Health Institute and from the Center for Public Health have interviewed Skopje Zoo staff following the confirmation of an H5N1 bird flu case at the zoo. Out of the 15 employees who were available for an epidemiologist interview, four were placed under official health watch on Monday. Macedonia Media Information Agency
CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update October 18, 2024
Serological testing of the contacts of the Missouri human H5 case are still pending. CDC has confirmed 13 farm workers have been infected with H5N1 bird flu in California. Genetic sequencing of six of these cases confirms that all are H5N1 viruses from clade 2.3.4.4b and that all are closely related genetically to the virus causing infections in domestic dairy cattle. To date, more than 5,100 people have been monitored as a result of their exposure to HPAI infected or potentially infected animals, and at least 260 people who have developed flu-like symptoms have been tested as part of this targeted, situation-specific testing. On the animal health side, since March 2024, USDA has confirmed infected cattle in 320 dairy herds in 14 U.S. states. The number of affected herds continues to grow nationally, with almost all new infections identified in herds in California. CDC
First Presumed Human Infections of Avian Influenza Under Investigation in Washington State
Four agricultural workers tested presumptively positive for avian influenza after working with infected poultry at a commercial egg farm in Franklin County. The individuals experienced mild symptoms and have been provided with antiviral medication. Testing of additional individuals on the farm is currently pending. These are the first presumed human cases of H5 virus under investigation in Washington state. The cases took place at a farm that was the site of an avian influenza outbreak in chickens. About 800,000 birds were euthanized after test results by the Washington State Department of Agriculture on Oct. 15 showed that they were infected with avian influenza. WA State Dept of Health
Human Vaccination for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Some countries, such as Mexico, France, and China, have adopted the vaccination of animals as a preventive strategy, achieving a reduction in infection rates and viral load.6 However, to date, there is no mass vaccination programme for humans. Only in Finland has vaccination been initiated for high-risk groups, such as poultry and fur farm workers, opening the debate on the possibility of extending vaccination to the general population as well. The Lancet
CHEMICAL + RADIOLOGICAL THREATS
Russia’s Deflections and Denials About Chemical Weapons Use in Ukraine
Forty-one nations met in the Netherlands to discuss enforcing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), an international ban on chemical weapons. Despite credible evidence from Russian sources of its use of chemical weapons against Ukraine, Russian diplomats continue to deny the accusations and attempt to divert attention by accusing Ukraine of doing so. State parties should demand that Russia stop weakening the global ban on chemical weapons use with its torrent of falsehoods about others, disclose its own secret chemical weapons activities, and lay out a plan for coming into compliance with an accord it helped negotiate. RAND
Emerging Trends in Chemical Weapons Usage in the Middle East
The international community’s failure to deter or punish Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons risks incentivizing the use of chemical weapons by others. Assad’s use of chemical weapons has highlighted their military effectiveness and undermined the norms prohibiting their use. Actors are likely to challenge existing norms by gradually escalating their chemical weapons use from riot-control agents to toxic industrial chemicals or pharmaceutical-based agents while spreading disinformation and impeding evidence collection. CSIS
Metabolomic Changes in Serum Samples of Rhesus Macaques Exposed to Doses of Total-Body Gamma-Radiation
These results offer important and novel insights for identification and validation of biomarkers for lethality, which is valuable for triage during a radiological/nuclear mass casualty scenario. Metabolomic shifts in preterminal groups in the study revealed consistent disturbances in sphingolipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Scientific Reports
From Canary to Computer
The absence of information generates blind spots. This puts commanders at a disadvantage and warfighters’ lives at risk. The Army is harnessing the power of data, digital engineering, software and workforce development to integrate CBRN defense capabilities into the battlefield common operating picture across all the services. Army ALT Magazine
SURVEILLANCE + DETECTION
CDC to Screen Travelers For Marburg, as Outbreak of Ebola-Like Disease Grows
In response to an unprecedented outbreak of Marburg virus in Rwanda, the CDC now plans to screen arriving international travelers for their risk of bringing the deadly Ebola-like disease into the country. The stepped-up screenings will start the week of Oct. 14 for arriving travelers who have been in Rwanda during the past three weeks. CBS News, HHS
Implementing Partners for the Global South Leaders in Epidemic Analytics and Response Network (GS LEARN)
CEPI and the Gates Foundation are launching a new network of partners that could provide rapid epidemic modelling to inform the response to future infectious disease threats. The group will be known as the Global South Leaders in Epidemic Analytics and Response Network or GS LEARN. Multidisciplinary teams with expertise in infectious disease modelling, public health and related or relevant disciplines and track records in modelling outbreak-prone diseases to inform or contribute to policy decisions are encouraged to apply before 15 January 2025. CEPI
AI + CYBERBIOSECURITY
Cyberbiosecurity: Adapting to Emerging Threats in the Biosecurity Landscape
The unique intersection between cyberphysical systems and biological systems in bioscience laboratories and facilities accentuates the critical need for enhanced cyberbiosecurity measures. It is therefore important for biosecurity risk management experts and cybersecurity professionals to collaborate and jointly create standards, technical guidance, and best practices related to the enhancement of cyberbiosecurity in tandem with existing biorisk management practices in life science-related facilities. RSIS
The ROI of Health AI: We Need More Roads, Not Ferraris
Webcast forum on 19 Nov features Dr. Leo Celi, principal investigator behind the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) and its offsprings, MIMIC-CXR, MIMIC-ED, MIMIC-ECHO, and MIMIC-ECG. Bridge2AI
Developing and Patenting AI Inventions: 5 Things for Biotech Companies to Consider
As AI tools become more prevalent in the life sciences, biotechnology companies need to evaluate AI’s impact on their ability to protect the results of their research. Recent USPTO guidance can help inform the scientific development process, from experimental design to patent prosecution to legal disputes that may arise. JD Supra
Makerere, UVRI Join Forces to Enhance Laboratory Cyber Biosecurity
The cyberbiosecurity workshop, held at UVRI’s Entebbe headquarters, aimed to raise awareness about emerging issues at the intersection of biosafety, biosecurity, and Cyber Biosecurity. Prof. Lawrence Mugisha, Principal Investigator at Makerere University, noted that limited knowledge in this field necessitates capacity building for personnel handling valuable biological resources. The Monitor
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Health Officials Warn of Bacteria From Hurricane Helene, Milton Floodwaters
As Florida’s Gulf Coast experiences two major hurricanes — Helene and Milton — within two weeks, health officials are calling attention to the health risks of the floodwaters left behind by the storms. This week, the Florida Department of Health issued an advisory warning residents to avoid floodwaters in order to prevent exposure to Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially life-threatening bacteria. ABC News
Evidence of Human Bourbon Virus Infections, North Carolina
Bourbon virus is a tickborne virus that can cause human disease. Cases have been reported in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, USA. We identified Bourbon virus–specific neutralizing antibodies in patients from North Carolina. Bourbon virus infections are likely more common than previously thought, highlighting the need for improved diagnostics and surveillance. Emerging Infectious Diseases
Deadly Listeria Outbreak Forces California Cheese Factory to Shut Down, Feds Say
California-based cheese and dairy company Rizo-Lopez Foods has been ordered to cease production after a years-long listeria outbreak killed two people and made dozens of others sick, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Wednesday. USA Today
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Children along the US‒Mexico Border
Rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF) causes significant illness and death in children. Although historically rare in California, USA, RMSF is endemic in areas of northern Mexico that border California. We describe 7 children with RMSF who were hospitalized at a tertiary pediatric referral center in California during 2017–2023. Five children had recent travel to Mexico with presumptive exposure, but 2 children did not report any travel outside of California. Emerging Infectious Diseases
Washington State Confirms Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease in San Juan County
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) state veterinarian’s office has confirmed the presence of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus type 2 (RHDV2), in rabbits on Lopez and Orcas Islands in San Juan County. RHDV2 is a highly contagious, fatal disease of rabbits. The rabbits suspected of RHDV2 were sent for testing at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Washington State University and the results returned positive for RHDV2. Washington State Department of Agriculture
Multi-Country Outbreak of Cholera Situation Report
From 1 January to 29 September 2024, a cumulative total of 439,724 cholera cases and 3,432 deaths were reported globally across five WHO regions. Although the number of cases in 2024 is 16% lower than last year, the 126% spike in deaths is deeply concerning. The increase in mortality may partly be attributed to the specific locations of these outbreaks, which include conflict-affected areas where access to healthcare is severely compromised, regions experiencing massive flooding that has damaged critical infrastructure, and areas with inadequate medical facilities. World Health Organization
Malaria Vaccines the New Tools Fighting a Longtime Public Health Threat
In 2022 there were 249 million confirmed cases of malaria worldwide and 608,000 deaths. Children under age 5 account for 78 percent of deaths from malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Climate change and natural disasters are placing greater numbers of people at risk of exposure. Meanwhile, drug resistance and conflict make it challenging for vulnerable populations to access effective diagnosis and treatment. New vaccines that can help prevent malaria infection for the most vulnerable populations promise to be game changers in the fight against this public health challenge. CSIS
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
World-Leading Coronavirus Vaccine R&D Roadmap to Receive Fresh Updates
An important tool created to guide the development of vaccines against multiple potentially deadly Coronaviruses is being expanded. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota will receive US $3.2 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to advance its open-access Coronavirus Vaccines Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap. The roadmap, created under the guidance of 50 scientific leaders, will offer an online summary of all broadly protective coronavirus vaccines in preclinical and clinical development and an online dashboard tracking funding and investment. CEPI, CIDRAP
Order Your 4 Free At-home COVID-19 Tests
Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home tests. The COVID-19 At home Testing Digital Toolkit contains a variety of messages and graphics in English and Spanish to share key messaging in newsletters and on social media. ASPR
Missing Immune Cells May Explain Why COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Quickly Wanes
Neither vaccinations nor immunity from infections seem to thwart SARS-CoV-2 for long. The frequency of new infections within a few months of a previous bout or a shot is one of COVID-19’s most vexing puzzles. Now, scientists have learned that a little-known type of immune cell in the bone marrow may play a major role in this failure. The study found that people who received repeated doses of vaccine, and in some cases also became infected with SARS-CoV-2, largely failed to make special antibody-producing cells called long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs). Science
Immune Escape and Attenuated Severity Associated with the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86/JN.1 Lineage
The SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 lineage, and its sublineage JN.1 in particular, achieved widespread transmission in the US during winter 2023–24. However, this surge in infections was not accompanied by COVID-19 hospitalizations and mortality commensurate with prior waves. Findings from this study implicate escape from immunity acquired from prior vaccination or infection in the emergence of the JN.1 lineage and suggest infections with this lineage are less likely to experience clinically-severe disease. Monitoring of immune escape and clinical severity in emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants remains a priority to inform responses. Nature Communications
HISTORICAL REFLECTIONS
Bridging the Gap Between the FBI and Medical Community (2018)
This presentation provides background and jurisdictional information on the FBI-WMD response process, assists hospitals in understanding the CBRNE threat profile, and provides HIPAA considerations during events where the FBI is engaged. It also outlines other FBI response initiatives that are helpful to hospitals in planning and response for threats, offering outreach and training resources hospitals can utilize in engaging the FBI before, during, and after these events. California Hospital Association
The End of Smallpox Was the Beginning for Mpox
“Monkeypox was detected in 1970 and now it is blowing out of proportion in 2024, what happened along the way?” asked Ugandan health minister Jane Ruth Aceng at a regional World Health Organization meeting in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo in August. Looking back, researchers now see that the origins of mpox are inextricably intertwined with the fight against smallpox. Smallpox and mpox are so closely related that immunity to one helps fight off the other. When smallpox vaccinations were terminated, the world’s immunity to mpox evaporated, and the medical training needed to combat a pox virus started to dissipate too. NPR
SPECIAL INTEREST
Health Security Intelligence: Managing Emerging Threats and Risks in a Post COVID-World
This book looks at the role national security intelligence agencies played in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges they faced and how they need to improve now in the post-COVID state with an increasingly more complex health and biological security environment. The contributors span across national security, public health, data science, ethics and policy areas. Taylor & Francis
These Tiny Worms Account for at Least 4 Nobel Prizes
The one-millimeter nematode has helped scientists understand how healthy cells are instructed to kill themselves and how the process goes awry in AIDS, strokes and degenerative diseases. New York Times
Rick Bright: I Was a Whistle-Blower Under Trump. Here’s What’s at Risk for Public Health.
“Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House in 2025 poses a grave risk to our nation’s security. As the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, a Health and Human Services office, I witnessed firsthand how the Trump administration systematically undermined America’s health infrastructure. My experience during his time in office, which led me to file a whistle-blower complaint, provides a stark warning of what a second Trump presidency could mean for public health.” New York Times
Lessons From Treating Ebola Patients Lead to Emory’s New Healthcare Test Kitchen Lab
Now in operation for a little more than a month, validation in the Healthcare Test Kitchen Lab occurs through simulations where items such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medical devices are contaminated with bacteriophages, which are harmless to humans but spread in a virus-like manner. Lab researchers then observe where the bacteriophages travel within a clinical setting and apply this information to protocols regarding cleaning equipment, donning and doffing PPE, as well as basic and necessary habits, such as touching keyboards, faces and phones. Emory University
ALSO READING
Investigation of a human case of Francisella tularensis Infection, United Kingdom, 2023. Emerging Infectious Diseases
Rwanda’s seven steps in seven days for managing Marburg virus. Nature
Risk to the United States from the Marburg Virus Outbreak in Rwanda. CDC
Inactivation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus with high-temperature short time continuous flow pasteurization and virus detection in bulk milk tanks. Journal of Food Protection
Enabling laboratory readiness and preparedness for the evaluation of suspected viral hemorrhagic fevers. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Rabies in cats—an emerging public health issue. Viruses
Dairy cows inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1. Nature
Influenza H7N9 virus disrupts the monolayer human brain microvascular endothelial cells barrier in vitro. Virology Journal
Decline of Mpox Antibody Responses After Modified Vaccinia Ankara–Bavarian Nordic Vaccination. JAMA
Aerosol immunization with influenza matrix, nucleoprotein, or both prevents lung disease in pig. NPJ Vaccines