Pandora Report 10.23.2026: What Russia Isn’t Saying – and Why America Isn’t Ready

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue examines Russia’s biological weapons legacy and the unanswered questions surrounding a laboratory worker’s death, alongside the latest developments in H5N1 avian influenza in wildlife and dairy cattle. It also explores U.S. pandemic preparedness, the future of biodefense policy, and emerging biological risks at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

📣 Interested in Graduate Study in Public Policy, Biodefense, or International Security?

The Schar School of Policy and Government is hosting a series of upcoming virtual information sessions for prospective master’s and PhD students. These interactive sessions offer a direct opportunity to learn about curriculum structure, career pathways in biodefense and policy, and the student experience at George Mason University.

Reading Russia’s Silence: A Summary of the Atlantic Council’s “Russia’s Bioweapons Legacy and the Plague Scare”

By Melissa Skoog, MPH, Biodefense Certificate Student, GMU | Molecular Biology & Diagnostic Genetics

Figure 1. From top left, clockwise: Dr. Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University; Dr. Kevin Esvelt, Associate Professor at the MIT Media Lab and Director of the Sculpting Evolution Group; John Herbst, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan; and Dr. Gregory D. Koblentz, Associate Professor and Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, participate in the Atlantic Council and Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense’s virtual event, “Russia’s Bioweapons Legacy and the Plague Scare,” on October 19, 2026.

On Monday, October 19, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense hosted the virtual event “Russia’s Bioweapons Legacy and the Plague Scare.” The panel examined the death of a laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East, against the backdrop of Russia’s offensive biological weapons program. Russian authorities attributed her death to pneumonia of unknown origin. Even so, nearly 200 people were placed under medical observation. (For earlier Pandora Report coverage, see Russia’s Plague Lab Mystery.)

The discussion was moderated by John Herbst, Senior Director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council and former US Ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The featured experts were Dr. Gregory D. Koblentz, Associate Professor and Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government; Dr. Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason; and Dr. Kevin Esvelt, Associate Professor at the MIT Media Lab and Director of the Sculpting Evolution Group. A full recording of the event is available on YouTube.

Koblentz opened the event by noting that while Moscow rejected any connection to plague and had early online mentions of the disease taken down, authorities isolated nearly 200 contacts and tested them repeatedly before formally telling the World Health Organization (WHO) that the woman had died of pneumonia of undetermined etiology. The central questions, he said, remain unanswered. If plague killed her, what laboratory mishap caused the exposure? If it was ordinary pneumonia, what justified such an aggressive and sweeping response? And was the secrecy merely a reflection of a police state under Putin, or an indication of something more troubling?

Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, who has studied anti-plague facilities in several post-Soviet states, traced the laboratory network to the Tsarist era, when it was created to counter endemic and imported cases of plague, tularemia, cholera, and hemorrhagic fevers. Though built for public health, its expertise drew it into Soviet biodefense projects, giving the institutes a genuine dual-use role as they developed diagnostics, vaccines, and countermeasures to protect soldiers and civilians. She warned that this past reveals little about the institutes today: after the Soviet collapse, their budgets shrank, and their workforce fell by as much as 80 percent. Buildings and equipment deteriorated, and most attempts at commercialization failed. Judging any institute’s current capabilities requires knowing which skills survived and whether Moscow is investing enough for it to recover.

Esvelt argued that the goal should be reducing overall public risk, which means rebuilding the trust eroded during COVID-19 by sharing information promptly. He noted that the majority of laboratory accidents do not pose an epidemic risk to the public, because most pathogens that are researched are not easily transmissible from human to human. However, because a young, healthy adult so rarely dies of pneumonia, he concluded that an infection contracted in the lab is the likeliest cause, and that Russia should have disclosed the pathogen and the safeguards it was putting in place.

Koblentz urged the audience to distinguish the Irkutsk case from Russia’s weapons program. Russia inherited the world’s largest biological weapons enterprise in 1991, keeping three military-run biological weapon facilities. Moscow started upgrading these facilities roughly ten years ago and began constructing a second BSL-4 laboratory about two years ago, none of which it has declared under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). He said it is these activities that warrant greater attention from the current administration and NATO.

Ben Ouagrham-Gormley added that, unlike the nuclear field, biology often has no clear line distinguishing beneficial research from weapons development, and that the BWC requires the adoption of a means of verification to shed light on Russian activities.

Esvelt noted that current sequencing technology means that Moscow is all but certain to know the lab tech’s cause of death, forcing outside observers to deduce it from Russia’s actions, which he judged did not match a routine plague case. In the United States, plague is easily treated with antibiotics for patients and their contacts. Lab staff are generally immunized, and labs know their strains’ antibiotic resistance profile. Given Russia’s silence, he cautioned, a weapons-related explanation, including an engineered strain, cannot be ruled out.

Koblentz offered a more likely explanation. Vaccine protection can be incomplete, and often laboratory staff do not realize they have been exposed by a breach in biosafety. since it is currently flu season in Siberia, the technician may have mistaken early symptoms for influenza, reaching the hospital only after the disease had outpaced antibiotics, which sanctions have made scarcer in Russia. The heavy-handed public health response, he contended, looks more like a police state responding to an embarrassment than evidence of something more sinister. Koblentz advised tempered analysis rooted in facts, plausible explanations and cautioned against speculation.

Ben Ouagrham-Gormley furthered the Russian contextualization of the scenario, noting that both the disease’s evolution and the government’s response are consistent with plague. She urged that judgments be grounded in existing evidence before turning to worst-case scenarios.

During the Q&A, Esvelt cautioned that currently biodefense lag behind what modern biotechnology makes possible. Ben Ouagrham-Gormley countered that strengthening the BWC and norms against biological weapons is a more constructive, positive route to address such events. Koblentz assessed Western preparedness as being insufficient and added that stronger BWC norms, while desirable, may be unrealistic under Putin. He continued that the West must therefore pair defense with deterrence, anchored in the ability to attribute outbreaks to their source, which requires investing in the kind of pathogen analysis that Esvelt conducts. He closed by arguing that the most effective step Washington could take to prompt Russian reporting to the WHO would be for the United States to rejoin to the organization.

Further Reading:

Avian Flu Caused Death of Beloved Eagle

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Necropsy results released October 14 by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife showed that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was the primary cause of death for Jackie, a beloved bald eagle watched by livestream viewers online for more than a decade. Jackie and her mate, Shadow, occupied a nest in Big Bear Valley, California, for years. A nest camera installed in 2015 by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley let viewers worldwide follow the pair as they raised eaglets. Jackie, about 14, died in August after weeks of treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center in California.

Her care team was surprised by the diagnosis, as the presentation of her illness was atypical for HPAI. The virus caused a severe stomach ulcer, an unusual complication that led to internal bleeding, anemia, and bacterial sepsis. Pathologists at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance found chronic disease in the ventriculus, the muscular part of a bird’s stomach, along with inflammation and blood clots in her heart and major blood vessels. Brodifacoum, a common anticoagulant rodenticide was identified on a toxicology screen of her liver, but necropsy findings suggested it did not cause her illness and death. West Nile virus and heavy metals, including lead, were also ruled out. The USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the infection, and Jackie’s remains were cremated to prevent further spread. Fortunately, Shadow, who remains in Big Bear, and the pair’s final eaglets together have shown no signs of illness. Eagles and other raptors are often exposed to HPAI through contact with infected birds or by consuming infected prey.

First Washington Dairy Cattle Cases Bring Human Infection

Last week’s Pandora Report reported that Washington state confirmed its first cases of HPAI in dairy cattle in early October. Since then, additional cases have been detected, bringing the state’s total number of new confirmed cases to 8 in the last 30 days. Now, a dairy worker has tested positive as well, the first human case of H5N1 in the United States this year.

The worker has mild illness and is isolating at home. Health officials are contacting close contacts, offering testing, and supplying protective equipment to affected farms. Public risk still remains low, and human-to-human transmission has never been documented in the US. Pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe, though raw milk should be avoided. Officials recommend seasonal flu vaccination for people with animal exposure. The last confirmed human case of H5N1 in the US was in February 2025, though Washington detected the first ever human case of H5N5 globally last November.

Further Reading:

GMU Biodefense Alum Calls for Modernizing U.S. Pandemic Preparedness

In a new commentary for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Sophia Hirshfield, a George Mason University Biodefense MS alumna and CSIS Associate Fellow, coauthors an analysis with Paul Friedrichs, Senior Fellow at RAND, marking the 25th anniversary of the 2001 anthrax attacks. The authors argue that the United States remains insufficiently prepared for evolving biological threats and urge Congress to reauthorize and modernize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). Their recommendations include strengthening biosurveillance, clarifying federal agency responsibilities during biological emergencies, improving oversight of AI-enabled biological risks, and investing in medical countermeasures and public health preparedness.

IN OTHER NEWS

U.S. Public Health Policy, Research Funding, and Vaccines

Ebola Outbreaks and Global Health Preparedness

AI, Biotechnology, and Biosecurity

NEW: Hiding in Plain Sight: Mpox and the Cost of Neglecting Known Threats

Friday, October 30 | 9:00 – 10:15 am ET

From the Independent Panel: “For decades, mpox caused sporadic outbreaks in parts of West and Central Africa, but the disease was largely neglected by the international community. That neglect later produced not one, but two international emergencies. Today the virus has spread worldwide, with multiple variants now established in the human population. Through research and conversations with those working on mpox, the report seeks to answer how this happened and, more importantly, what it will take to prevent the same failures in future.”

Link to register

Biosecurity & Pandemic Preparedness: Why We Need a Stronger Health Emergency Workforce

Friday, October 23 | 11:00 am ET

From the Pandemic Center Biosecurity Game Changer Fellows: “The current Ebola outbreak and other recent health emergencies have highlighted the critical role of a well-prepared health emergency workforce in preventing and responding to biological threats. This seminar will explore approaches to strengthening health emergency workforces, including workforce capacity, surge preparedness, coordination, and leadership, while drawing on practical lessons to support preparedness and response.”

Link to register

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

Link to register

Milbank Quarterly Webinar – State Policy Levers for Infectious Disease Control

Thursday, October 29 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET

From Milbank Memorial Fund: “Major infectious disease outbreaks in 2026, including a multi-state measles surge, the iceberg lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak, and the hantavirus outbreak, underscore the importance of infectious disease control infrastructure. Join us for a Milbank Quarterly webinar with the authors of two articles about state infectious disease policy from our special issue, Disease Burden, Mortality, and Life Expectancy in the United States: What Can State Policymakers Do to Meet the Challenges?”

Link to register

Frontiers in Synthetic Biology: SpudCells, Mirror Life and Societal Implications

Thursday, October 29, 3:00 PM ET

From the Consortium on Law and Values: “Advances in cell engineering and synthetic biology offer enormous potential benefits, while raising ethical and policy issues. SpudCell, the first synthetic cell that can grow and reproduce, built from non-living chemicals, was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota. Scientists have cautioned against creating organisms with molecules that are mirror images of the biological components of known life, as existing organisms would have no immune defenses. Join three experts on synthetic biology, biosecurity, and bioethics to explore how to realize the promise of synthetic biology while controlling potential risks.”

Link to register

Understanding Zoonotic Disease Risk in Violent and Conflict-Affected Places: Where Do We Go from Here? – A Talk

Friday, October 30 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET

From Johns Hopkins: “The next pandemic will likely be caused by a zoonotic pathogen and will likely emerge in a place affected by conflict and violence. As such, disease spillover and spread will likely be affected by informal and extralegal economies, population displacement, distrust between people and governmental authorities, and failing health and disease surveillance systems. This talk will discuss findings and lessons learned from collaborative, interdisciplinary research on zoonotic disease risk among pastoralists in eastern Ethiopia and gather feedback on remaining questions and potential next steps.”

Link to register

AI, Biosecurity, and Pandemic Preparedness in the Global South

Monday, November 2, from 8:00-9:30 AM ET

Medical Events Global is hosting a free 90-minute virtual workshop examining how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping biological risk and what preparedness requires in the Global South. The panel will explore where biological risks are concentrated, the capabilities of AI-enabled biological design, operational preparedness, and approaches to governance. Confirmed speakers include Alex Kyabarongo, BIOD MS student at George Mason University, along with Rahul Nagvekar of Stanford University’s Department of Genetics and Adam Abdullahi of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Link to register

After NSCEB: What Comes Next for U.S. Biotech Policy

Tuesday, November 17 | 2:00 – 6:00 pm ET

From the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB): “​The Commission’s authority ends December 31. What it built is the beginning. Carrying it forward takes Congress, industry and capital. In April 2025, the Commission called for $15 billion over five years to secure American leadership in biotechnology. Join Commission leadership, members of Congress, founders and investors for an afternoon on who carries that work into 2027.”

Link to register

nk to apply

Pandora Report 10.16.2026: Biosecurity Under Pressure

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue examines mounting pressures on global biosecurity, from a funding crisis threatening the OPCW to new H5N1 detections in Washington state and proposed changes to federal biosafety oversight.

OPCW Funding Crisis Threatens Global Chemical Weapons Oversight

Former Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ahmet Üzümcü, warns that delayed member-state contributions are jeopardizing the organization’s ability to monitor and prevent chemical weapons proliferation. As of October 13, the OPCW had received less than 65% of its assessed contributions for the year. The United States, which contributes over 20 percent of the budget, reportedly owes $17 million for 2026. Üzümcü highlights the organization’s continuing work to investigate chemical weapons use in Syria, address allegations in Ukraine and Sudan, and strengthen safeguards against emerging chemical threats, including those enabled by artificial intelligence. He urges the United States and other member states to meet their financial obligations to ensure the OPCW can continue protecting international security.

Washington State to Washington DC: Bird Flu Hits the Headlines

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been detected in dairy cattle in Washington state for the first time. After two years and over 7,000 negative surveillance tests for HPAI, the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory detected the virus on two Yakima County dairy farms. The USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) confirmed the results via PCR on October 8, 2026. Both farms are under quarantine with strict biosecurity measures in place, and veterinarians are working to treat the sick cows.

Officials stated pasteurized milk remains safe and no supply shortages are expected but advised that raw milk and other raw dairy products are unsafe for consumption. CDC and the Washington State Department of Health consider the risk to the general public to be low, though people working closely with infected animals are advised to wear personal protective equipment.

Dairy cattle in 19 states have been infected since the outbreak began in March 2024. In the last 30 days, Kansas and Texas have also had confirmed cases of H5N1 in dairy herds. Veterinary officials urged implementation of enhanced biosecurity efforts and prompt reporting of any symptoms. Unlike in poultry, whose mortality rate from bird flu is 75-100%, most cattle affected by HPAI recover in about six weeks with supportive care.

As efforts to strengthen biosecurity across agricultural sectors continue into the fall flu season, discussions surrounding H5N1 vaccines have again made the headlines. News outlets recently reported that a federal strategy for vaccinating poultry against the virus was shelved due to vaccine hesitancy within the Trump administration. Insiders told Politico that although USDA gave conditional approval for a poultry vaccine against H5N1, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was concerned the plan would conflict with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s views on vaccines. Kennedy publicly disavowed vaccinating chickens in March 2025 and suggested letting the disease “run through the flock” to identify birds with natural immunity. Veterinary experts criticized that idea, warning it could give the virus more opportunities to mutate. Rollins reportedly still urged the importance of a comprehensive vaccination strategy and directed USDA veterinary services staff to develop an internal plan. Although the strategy’s technical and communication components were reportedly ready by summer 2025, the final document was ultimately shared with fewer than a dozen people. At this time, USDA has not indicated that it plans to begin vaccinating domestic poultry against H5N1 in the near future.

Further Reading:

NIH Seeks Public Comment on Draft Biosafety Policy

NIH has issued a request for public comment on its Draft Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards (Biosafety Policy). In September 2025, NIH announced its intention to strengthen and modernize biosafety oversight. Since then, NIH has extensively engaged stakeholders to inform the development of a new oversight paradigm better calibrated to risk. NIH invites stakeholders to provide feedback on the Draft Biosafety Policy and the associated Draft Incident Reporting Template and Draft Meeting Minutes Template. Comments must be submitted through the online portal and will be accepted until October 19. To further assist stakeholders in interpreting the Draft Biosafety Policy, NIH has also developed a summary table of proposed changes. Questions may be sent to SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov.

Further Reading:

IN OTHER NEWS

Biological Weapons and the Russian Plague Incident

Chemical Weapons, Arms Control, and International Security

AI and Emerging Biological Threats

Global Health Security and Existential Risks

NEW: Biosecurity & Pandemic Preparedness: Why We Need a Stronger Health Emergency Workforce

Friday, October 23 | 11:00 am ET

From the Pandemic Center Biosecurity Game Changer Fellows: “The current Ebola outbreak and other recent health emergencies have highlighted the critical role of a well-prepared health emergency workforce in preventing and responding to biological threats. This seminar will explore approaches to strengthening health emergency workforces, including workforce capacity, surge preparedness, coordination, and leadership, while drawing on practical lessons to support preparedness and response.”

Link to register

Cross-Sector Collaborations to Counter Deliberate Biothreats – A Webinar Series

Thursday, October 22 | 8:00 – 9:00 pm Singapore Time or 8:00 – 9:00 am ET

From Asia Centre for Health Security (ACHS): “Deliberate biothreats present complex challenges that cannot be addressed by health or security sectors acting alone. Effective prevention, detection, and response to biological threats require sustained intersectoral coordination, including across public health, animal health, law enforcement, and defense. Mr. Trevor Smith will speak from his extensive experience with Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program in international weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threat reduction initiatives. We will explore how partnerships across sectors and countries can strengthen resilient systems to counter current and emerging deliberate biothreats.”

Link to register

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

Link to register

Milbank Quarterly Webinar – State Policy Levers for Infectious Disease Control

Thursday, October 29 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET

From Milbank Memorial Fund: “Major infectious disease outbreaks in 2026, including a multi-state measles surge, the iceberg lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak, and the hantavirus outbreak, underscore the importance of infectious disease control infrastructure. Join us for a Milbank Quarterly webinar with the authors of two articles about state infectious disease policy from our special issue, Disease Burden, Mortality, and Life Expectancy in the United States: What Can State Policymakers Do to Meet the Challenges?”

Link to register

Frontiers in Synthetic Biology: SpudCells, Mirror Life and Societal Implications

Thursday, October 29, 3:00 PM ET

From the Consortium on Law and Values: “Advances in cell engineering and synthetic biology offer enormous potential benefits, while raising ethical and policy issues. SpudCell, the first synthetic cell that can grow and reproduce, built from non-living chemicals, was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota. Scientists have cautioned against creating organisms with molecules that are mirror images of the biological components of known life, as existing organisms would have no immune defenses. Join three experts on synthetic biology, biosecurity, and bioethics to explore how to realize the promise of synthetic biology while controlling potential risks.”

Link to register

Understanding Zoonotic Disease Risk in Violent and Conflict-Affected Places: Where Do We Go from Here? – A Talk

Friday, October 30 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET

From Johns Hopkins: “The next pandemic will likely be caused by a zoonotic pathogen and will likely emerge in a place affected by conflict and violence. As such, disease spillover and spread will likely be affected by informal and extralegal economies, population displacement, distrust between people and governmental authorities, and failing health and disease surveillance systems. This talk will discuss findings and lessons learned from collaborative, interdisciplinary research on zoonotic disease risk among pastoralists in eastern Ethiopia and gather feedback on remaining questions and potential next steps.”

Link to register

AI, Biosecurity, and Pandemic Preparedness in the Global South

Monday, November 2, from 8:00-9:30 AM ET

Medical Events Global is hosting a free 90-minute virtual workshop examining how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping biological risk and what preparedness requires in the Global South. The panel will explore where biological risks are concentrated, the capabilities of AI-enabled biological design, operational preparedness, and approaches to governance. Confirmed speakers include Alex Kyabarongo, BIOD MS student at George Mason University, along with Rahul Nagvekar of Stanford University’s Department of Genetics and Adam Abdullahi of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Link to register

After NSCEB: What Comes Next for U.S. Biotech Policy

Tuesday, November 17 | 2:00 – 6:00 pm ET

From the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB): “​The Commission’s authority ends December 31. What it built is the beginning. Carrying it forward takes Congress, industry and capital. In April 2025, the Commission called for $15 billion over five years to secure American leadership in biotechnology. Join Commission leadership, members of Congress, founders and investors for an afternoon on who carries that work into 2027.”

Link to register

Chief of Staff for the Responsible AIxBio Collaboration – Job Opening

From the R-ABC: “We are a new nonprofit working to make the world a safer place by reducing the misuse risk of AI-enabled biological tools. We do that by catalyzing and accelerating governance for AI x bio: bringing into being the standards and shared resources that don’t exist yet. Our stakeholders are the world-leading frontier companies, platforms, and research groups building AI for the life sciences. We work with them directly, not around them. R-ABC was founded in 2026 and is still small.”

Link to apply

Fellowship for Ending Bioweapons – Call for Applications

Monday, October 19

From the Council on Strategic Risks: “Whether biological threats arise naturally, by accident, or through a deliberate effort to weaponize pathogens, risks posed by biological threats are grave risks to international security and stability. The urgency for mitigating this area of catastrophic risks is driven home by the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and biological sciences, which may simplify pathways to the development of biological weapons and can spur the creation of novel pathogens.”

Link to apply

Pandora Report 10.09.2026: Russia’s Plague Lab Mystery, AI Biosecurity & H5N1

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue examines unanswered questions surrounding a Russian plague lab researcher’s death, persistent gaps in U.S. biodefense preparedness, and new research challenging assumptions about H5N1’s ability to infect humans.

📢 Interested in Graduate Study in Public Policy, Biodefense, or International Security?

The Schar School of Policy and Government is hosting a series of upcoming Faculty Information Sessions for prospective master’s and graduate certificate students. These interactive sessions offer a direct opportunity to learn about curriculum structure, career pathways in biodefense and policy, and the student experience at George Mason University.

Remaining Sessions:

A Plague Lab Worker Died in Russia. The WHO Still Wants Answers.

By Carmen Shaw, Managing Editor, The Pandora Report | PhD Biodefense, GMU

Figure 1. A researcher works inside a biosafety cabinet at a high-containment laboratory. (Credit: Pexels)

The death of a 28-year-old laboratory researcher at a Russian anti-plague research institute has raised questions from the international community about lab safety and transparency. Darya Shipilova, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and Far East, died on October 2 from pneumonia of unknown origin, according to Russian authorities. Media reports have suggested that a broken test tube containing Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague, may have been involved, but this has not been independently confirmed, and Russian officials have denied that plague caused her death. Authorities initially placed approximately 200 of her contacts under quarantine or medical observation. On October 7, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the WHO lacked sufficient information to conduct a full risk assessment and was seeking clarification about reports of a second employee with unexplained pneumonia.

Russian officials have since denied reports of a second case, stating that checks of Shipilova’s contacts found no evidence of dangerous pathogens. The cause of her death has not been definitively established publicly. Although a laboratory accident has not been confirmed and WHO has assessed the broader risk as low, the case highlights the challenges of assessing potential biological exposures when information is limited. For the biodefense community, the incident underscores the importance of transparent reporting, effective laboratory biosafety and biosecurity measures, and timely international communication when dealing with biorisks.

Further reading:

AI Biosecurity Risks Must Not Distract from Persistent Biodefense Gaps

In a new commentary for Nature, CEO of the Global Health Security Network (GHSN) and GMU’s BIOD 2019 alumna and Assistant Professor, Saskia Popescu, argues that growing concerns about AI-enabled biological threats must not overshadow longstanding vulnerabilities in biodefense and public health preparedness. Twenty-five years after the 2001 anthrax attacks, Popescu highlights persistent gaps in biosurveillance, oversight of private laboratories, bioattribution, and outbreak response. She calls for stronger government regulation, stronger monitoring processes, and robust safeguards. Read more here.

Further Reading

Lentzos and Lim Challenge Worst-Case Biological Warfare Scenarios

In a new analysis for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Filippa Lentzos and Yong-Bee Lim, GMU Biodefense 2021 alum, challenge the assumptions underpinning Annie Jacobsen’s bestselling book Biological War: A Scenario. The authors argue that the book’s catastrophic scenario stacks worst-case assumptions about pathogen transmissibility, blurred distinctions between dual-use research and weaponization, and overstating what AI changes about biological weapons development, making it a somewhat narrow-minded guide for assessing plausible biological threats. Their analysis highlights the importance of evidence-based threat assessments over sensationalized scenarios when shaping biological security policy.

Fake Bird Flu Patients, Real Gaps in Preparedness

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

A recent report published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) revealed the results of unannounced drills assessing the readiness of healthcare facilities to respond to a potential infectious disease outbreak. Between January and June 2026, 73 unannounced “mystery patient” drills were conducted in emergency departments, outpatient clinics, and urgent care centers in New Jersey, New York, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Professional actors presented with symptoms consistent with avian influenza A(H5), including simulated conjunctivitis, but without travel-related exposure.

Results were mixed. Symptom screening occurred in 93% of drills and travel history was obtained in nearly 80%, yet only 10% of the time did staff ask about exposure history specific to H5, such as contact with birds or livestock. Although fewer than half of the drills hit the target times of 1 minute for masking (43.1%) and 10 minutes for isolation (48.1%), the median times of 2 minutes and 11 minutes, respectively, were still very close. Concerningly, clinicians wore all recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) in only a quarter of encounters, and in 6% of encounters wore no PPE at all.

Overall, 44/73 drills (60.3%) were deemed successful because both patient masking and isolation were completed. The patient actor was identified as being at risk for avian influenza in 63.4% drills. Urgent care centers were slowest to mask patients, and outpatient clinics slowest to isolate them. The authors recommend role-specific training for front-line staff, such as receptionists and security, who are often first to meet patients, and updated screening protocols that reflect zoonotic exposure routes.

What Scientists Found in Canada’s First Human H5N1 Case

In November 2024, a teenager in British Columbia (B.C.) became critically ill with H5N1, Canada’s first human case. Sequencing by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control revealed two unusual mutations in the surface protein the virus uses to attach to cells. A similar mutation was later found in the Louisiana patient who died in the United States in January 2025, causing experts to speculate that these mutations may allow H5N1 to better infect humans. However, a University of British Columbia team tested that idea in a study published in Nature Communications and, surprisingly, found the opposite.

Using cryo-electron microscopy, they mapped the mutated protein at near-atomic detail and found the mutations actually weakened binding to human receptors. The protein could still trigger fusion with the cell membrane, the step that lets viral genetic material enter, though with far less efficiently than other H5N1 strains tested. The researchers suggest that many weak interactions may add up to enough attachment for infection. This case, in which the patient fully recovered, shows why infectious disease surveillance and research systems need to work together to assess emerging threats. Ongoing genetic surveillance can rapidly detect changes in a virus, and sustained laboratory capacity to investigate those changes helps scientists and public health officials separate meaningful warning signs from those that only look concerning on paper.

Further Reading

Publication Highlights: Global Molecular Detection of Influenza

GMU Biodefense PhD student Dara Russell, MPH, has published a new article in the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division’s Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR) comparing influenza surveillance data from the U.S. Department of War’s Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) program with the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) from 2025 through 2026. Read the full September 2026 report here.

IN OTHER NEWS

Infectious Disease Outbreaks and Public Health Preparedness

Chemical Weapons, Arms Control, and International Security

🎙️ What We’re Listening To:

NEW: Milbank Quarterly Webinar – State Policy Levers for Infectious Disease Control

Thursday, October 29 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET

From Milbank Memorial Fund: “Major infectious disease outbreaks in 2026, including a multi-state measles surge, the iceberg lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak, and the hantavirus outbreak, underscore the importance of infectious disease control infrastructure. Join us for a Milbank Quarterly webinar with the authors of two articles about state infectious disease policy from our special issue, Disease Burden, Mortality, and Life Expectancy in the United States: What Can State Policymakers Do to Meet the Challenges?”

Link to register

NEW: Understanding Zoonotic Disease Risk in Violent and Conflict-Affected Places: Where Do We Go from Here? – A Talk

Friday, October 30 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET

From Johns Hopkins: “The next pandemic will likely be caused by a zoonotic pathogen and will likely emerge in a place affected by conflict and violence. As such, disease spillover and spread will likely be affected by informal and extralegal economies, population displacement, distrust between people and governmental authorities, and failing health and disease surveillance systems. This talk will discuss findings and lessons learned from collaborative, interdisciplinary research on zoonotic disease risk among pastoralists in eastern Ethiopia and gather feedback on remaining questions and potential next steps.”

Link to register

NEW: After NSCEB: What Comes Next for U.S. Biotech Policy

Tuesday, November 17 | 2:00 – 6:00 pm ET

From the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB): “​The Commission’s authority ends December 31. What it built is the beginning. Carrying it forward takes Congress, industry and capital. In April 2025, the Commission called for $15 billion over five years to secure American leadership in biotechnology. Join Commission leadership, members of Congress, founders and investors for an afternoon on who carries that work into 2027.”

Link to register

Training Course on ‘Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity’

October 12-16 in New Delhi, India

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit: “This training focuses on strengthening capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to manage biothreats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants and the environment. It addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).”

Link to register

Cross-Sector Collaborations to Counter Deliberate Biothreats – A Webinar Series

Thursday, October 22 | 8:00 – 9:00 pm Singapore Time or 8:00 – 9:00 am ET

From Asia Centre for Health Security (ACHS): “Deliberate biothreats present complex challenges that cannot be addressed by health or security sectors acting alone. Effective prevention, detection, and response to biological threats require sustained intersectoral coordination, including across public health, animal health, law enforcement, and defense. Mr. Trevor Smith will speak from his extensive experience with Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program in international weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threat reduction initiatives. We will explore how partnerships across sectors and countries can strengthen resilient systems to counter current and emerging deliberate biothreats.”

Link to register

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

Link to register

Frontiers in Synthetic Biology: SpudCells, Mirror Life and Societal Implications

Thursday, October 29, 3:00 PM ET

From the Consortium on Law and Values: “Advances in cell engineering and synthetic biology offer enormous potential benefits, while raising ethical and policy issues. SpudCell, the first synthetic cell that can grow and reproduce, built from non-living chemicals, was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota. Scientists have cautioned against creating organisms with molecules that are mirror images of the biological components of known life, as existing organisms would have no immune defenses. Join three experts on synthetic biology, biosecurity, and bioethics to explore how to realize the promise of synthetic biology while controlling potential risks.”

Link to register

AI, Biosecurity, and Pandemic Preparedness in the Global South

Monday, November 2, from 8:00-9:30 AM ET

Medical Events Global is hosting a free 90-minute virtual workshop examining how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping biological risk and what preparedness requires in the Global South. The panel will explore where biological risks are concentrated, the capabilities of AI-enabled biological design, operational preparedness, and approaches to governance. Confirmed speakers include Alex Kyabarongo, BIOD MS student at George Mason University and former member of the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) and NTI bio team, along with Rahul Nagvekar of Stanford University’s Department of Genetics and Adam Abdullahi of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Link to register

NEW: Chief of Staff for the Responsible AIxBio Collaboration – Job Opening

From the R-ABC: “We are a new nonprofit working to make the world a safer place by reducing the misuse risk of AI-enabled biological tools. We do that by catalyzing and accelerating governance for AI x bio: bringing into being the standards and shared resources that don’t exist yet. Our stakeholders are the world-leading frontier companies, platforms, and research groups building AI for the life sciences. We work with them directly, not around them. R-ABC was founded in 2026 and is still small.”

Link to apply

Fellowship for Ending Bioweapons – Call for Applications

Monday, October 19

From the Council on Strategic Risks: “Whether biological threats arise naturally, by accident, or through a deliberate effort to weaponize pathogens, risks posed by biological threats are grave risks to international security and stability. The urgency for mitigating this area of catastrophic risks is driven home by the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and biological sciences, which may simplify pathways to the development of biological weapons and can spur the creation of novel pathogens.”

Link to apply

Director, Global Biological Policy and Programs – Job Opening

From the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI): “NTI – a nonprofit, nonpartisan global security organization focused on reducing nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats imperiling humanity – is seeking a Director to join the Global Biological Policy and Programs team. The NTI | bio team is focused on reducing catastrophic biological risks, and we are working toward this goal by strengthening biotechnology governance; bolstering biosecurity in countries around the world; strengthening international capabilities to uphold the norm against bioweapon development and use; driving progress in Global Health Security; and building the biosecurity field.”

Link to apply

Pandora Report 10.02.2026: UNGA Pandemic Deal Stalls. H5N1 Keeps Spreading.

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue examines the fallout from the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, where Member States did not endorse a negotiated Political Declaration; questions surrounding the U.S. response to an H5N1 outbreak at a Utah mink farm; and calls to maintain U.S. support for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

📢 Interested in Graduate Study in Public Policy, Biodefense, or International Security?

The Schar School of Policy and Government is hosting a series of upcoming Faculty Information Sessions for prospective master’s and graduate certificate students. These interactive sessions offer a direct opportunity to learn about curriculum structure, career pathways in biodefense and policy, and the student experience at George Mason University.

UNGA81: Pandemic Preparedness Takes Center Stage – But Declaration Stalls

At the UN General Assembly’s 81st session, pandemic preparedness and response (PPPR) remained a major focus amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On September 25, Member States convened the second UN High-Level Meeting on PPPR, where leaders discussed progress since the COVID-19 pandemic and the work still needed to strengthen global preparedness.

The Political Declaration negotiated ahead of the meeting was not endorsed at the High-Level Meeting, despite calls from the Friends of the HLM and others for Member States to adopt it. The President of the General Assembly said the declaration will instead move to the General Assembly for consideration, although a date has not yet been announced. The Independent Panel and Friends of the PPPR HLM are urging the President of the General Assembly and Member States to advance the declaration and move quickly to address remaining gaps in pandemic preparedness.

GMU Biodefense Student Represents G20 Youth (Y20) at UNGA81 Event

Participants in the “Diverse Voices, Shared Challenges, & Goals” session during UNGA81 in New York City. From left: Richard Ponzio (T20 U.S. 2026), Anne Simmons-Benton (W20 U.S. 2026), Gary Litman (U.S. Chamber of Commerce), Christine Sequenzia (Bread for the World), Mark Mittelhauser (Labor20 U.S. 2026), Sarah Howard (Values20 U.S. 2026), Carmen Shaw (Y20 U.S. 2026), and Reon Van Der Merwe (WINGS).

Carmen Shaw, PhD student in Biodefense at George Mason University, participated as the U.S. Head Delegate for the G20 Youth (Y20) Food Security and Global Health track at a UNGA81 event on Friday, September 25. The discussion, “Engaging Diverse Voices in the G20 U.S. for Better Policymaking and Action in Uncertain Times,” brought together representatives from the G20 engagement groups and senior officials to discuss global priorities ahead of the 2026 G20 Summit. Shaw joined representatives from the T20, W20, Labor20, Values20, and other engagement groups to discuss the digital divide, youth priorities, and what success should look like for the U.S. G20 presidency.

Questions Raised over Utah’s H5N1 Mink Outbreak Response

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

In September, USDA confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks in 13 commercial farms and seven backyard flocks, affecting a total of 600,000 birds. Over half of these birds (~338,000) were at commercial turkey facilities in Minnesota, but the largest individual outbreak involved nearly 80,000 birds at a Wisconsin turkey operation. Other states with confirmed cases included North and South Dakota, Idaho, and Iowa. Minnesota also recorded at least 40 detections in wild birds, including mallards, Canada geese, and bald eagles.

In other news, particular concern has centered on an H5N1 outbreak at a Utah mink farm, the first documented outbreak in captive mink in the U.S. Following confirmation of H5N1 on the farm in mid-August 2026, state records indicated that officials considered vaccination, depopulation, or continued monitoring. Without intervention, the farm owner expected to lose 80% of their mink to the outbreak. Utah officials placed the facility under a hold to restrict activity and notified state health authorities, but due to the relative novelty of H5N1 infection in farmed mink and a lack of defined protocols to follow, agriculture officials have been limited in their response capacity. An H5N1 vaccine approved for animals exists, but it cannot be used without authorization from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. However, no decision has been made.

Response to the situation has drawn sharp criticism from veterinary and animal-welfare organizations, who have called for authorities to disclose more information. Previous H5N1 detections on European mink and fur farms, including a 2022 outbreak in Spain and a 2023 outbreak in Finland, suggested mink-to-mink transmission and mutations associated with mammalian adaptation. Extensive investigation, culling, and surveillance occurred in response. In contrast, it has been over a month since the H5N1 detection in Utah, yet limited information has been communicated to the public, including even the county of the affected farm. Multiple groups have now called on federal and state authorities to disclose information about herd size, mortality, worker exposure, possible mink-to-mink transmission, the suspected source of infection, and viral sequencing. They argue that detailed sequencing and epidemiologic investigation of the Utah outbreak could help determine whether the cases resulted from independent animal exposures or transmission within the farm, information which could be critical to guide surveillance for other potential mammalian outbreaks as H5N1 continues to spread globally.

Further Reading:

Time to Fund the OPCW

The Trump Administration has refused to pay the United States’ assessed contribution to the  Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization responsible for preventing the proliferation and use of chemcial weapons. Professor Gregory Koblenz, director of the Biodefense Graduate Program and a member of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation’s Scientists Working Group on Biological and Chemical Security has written a letter, co-signed by 18 leading experts on chemical weapons and non-proliferation from across the political spectrum, on the importance of funding the OPCW.  The OPCW has historically enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the United States. The 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention was drafted during the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and ratified by the Republican-controlled Senate in 1997. This is no time to shortchange the OPCW. The global chemical weapon landscape remains complex and challenging. The OPCW is currently engaged in operations in Syria and Ukraine and new missions involving Sudan and Cambodia/Thailand are on the horizon. The letter urges the United States to pay its assessed contribution as soon as possible to avoid any disruption to the OPCW’s activities, which are vital to U.S. national security.

IN OTHER NEWS

AI, Biotechnology, and Biological Security

Pandemic Preparedness and Global Health

Chemical and Biological Weapons

What We’re Listening To:

NEW: Cross-Sector Collaborations to Counter Deliberate Biothreats – A Webinar Series

From Asia Centre for Health Security (ACHS): “Deliberate biothreats present complex challenges that cannot be addressed by health or security sectors acting alone. Effective prevention, detection, and response to biological threats require sustained intersectoral coordination, including across public health, animal health, law enforcement, and defense. Mr. Trevor Smith will speak from his extensive experience with Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program in international weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threat reduction initiatives. We will explore how partnerships across sectors and countries can strengthen resilient systems to counter current and emerging deliberate biothreats.”

This webinar will be held on October 22 from 8:00-9:00 pm Singapore Time (GMT+08:00). Learn more and register here.

NEW: AI, Biosecurity, and Pandemic Preparedness in the Global South

Medical Events Global is hosting a free 90-minute virtual workshop examining how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping biological risk and what preparedness requires in the Global South. The panel will explore where biological risks are concentrated, the capabilities of AI-enabled biological design, operational preparedness, and approaches to governance. Confirmed speakers include Alex Kyabarongo, BIOD MS student at George Mason University and former member of the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) and NTI bio team, along with Rahul Nagvekar of Stanford University’s Department of Genetics and Adam Abdullahi of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

This virtual workshop will take place on Monday, November 2, from 8:00-9:30 AM ET. Learn more and register here.

Training Course on ‘Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity’

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit: “This training focuses on strengthening capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to manage biothreats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants and the environment. It addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).”

This in-person event will be held from October 12-16 in New Delhi, India. Learn more and apply here.

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

This event will take place from October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD. Learn more and register here.

Frontiers in Synthetic Biology: SpudCells, Mirror Life and Societal Implications

From the Consortium on Law and Values: “Advances in cell engineering and synthetic biology offer enormous potential benefits, while raising ethical and policy issues. SpudCell, the first synthetic cell that can grow and reproduce, built from non-living chemicals, was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota. Scientists have cautioned against creating organisms with molecules that are mirror images of the biological components of known life, as existing organisms would have no immune defenses. Join three experts on synthetic biology, biosecurity, and bioethics to explore how to realize the promise of synthetic biology while controlling potential risks.”

This webinar will take place on Thursday, October 29, at 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

NEW: Fellowship for Ending Bioweapons – Call for Applications

From the Council on Strategic Risks: “Whether biological threats arise naturally, by accident, or through a deliberate effort to weaponize pathogens, risks posed by biological threats are grave risks to international security and stability. The urgency for mitigating this area of catastrophic risks is driven home by the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and biological sciences, which may simplify pathways to the development of biological weapons and can spur the creation of novel pathogens.”

Learn more and submit your application by October 19 here.

Director, Global Biological Policy and Programs – Job Opening

From the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI): “NTI – a nonprofit, nonpartisan global security organization focused on reducing nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats imperiling humanity – is seeking a Director to join the Global Biological Policy and Programs team. The NTI | bio team is focused on reducing catastrophic biological risks, and we are working toward this goal by strengthening biotechnology governance; bolstering biosecurity in countries around the world; strengthening international capabilities to uphold the norm against bioweapon development and use; driving progress in Global Health Security; and building the biosecurity field.”

Learn more and submit your application here.

Pandora Report 9.25.2026: Syria’s Chemical Weapons Legacy, US Dual-Use Oversight & WHO Biorisk Education

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue examines ongoing international efforts to demilitarize Syria’s residual chemical weapons arsenal and seek accountability, community feedback on new U.S. implementation guidance for high-risk life sciences research, and new WHO global training tools on dual-use research oversight.

📢 Interested in Graduate Study in Public Policy, Biodefense, or International Security?

The Schar School of Policy and Government is hosting a series of upcoming Faculty Information Sessions for prospective master’s and graduate certificate students. These interactive sessions offer a direct opportunity to learn about curriculum structure, career pathways in biodefense and policy, and the student experience at George Mason University.

Virtual Briefing: Syria’s Chemical Weapons Legacy – Current Issues and Challenges

Fifteen years after the forces of deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad used banned nerve agents outside Damascus, killing more than 1,200 people, Syria’s new government and the international community are working to address the deadly legacies of the civil war. The video recording for last week’s briefing on Syria’s Chemical Weapons Legacy: Current Issues and Challenges, moderated by Biodefense Program Director Dr. Gregory Koblentz, is now available online. Hosted in partnership with the Arms Control Association Inc., the panel features expert remarks from Amb. Katoub, former OPCW Director-General Amb. Ahmet Üzümcü, Fadel Abdulghany from the Syrian Network for Human Rights, and Richard Yates, the UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the OPCW on demilitarization, victim support, and accountability. Watch the full recording here.

Closing the Bird Flu Surveillance Gap

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

A recently published study led by Arizona State University professor Matthew Scotch, found that the D1.1 variant of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, the avian influenza strain driving the global bird flu outbreak over the last several years, circulated undetected in North American wild birds for roughly three months before it was first identified in September 2024. By comparing Arizona samples against thousands of viral sequences nationwide, the team traced the virus’s spread in a west-to-east pattern, moving from the Pacific Flyway into the Central, then the Mississippi, and finally the Atlantic, with each region shifting between acting as a source or sink for transmission over the course of the fall migration. Notably, the Arizona samples lack the Q226L mutation linked to a shift toward binding human-type receptors, though Scotch cautioned the virus is still continually evolving. This avian influenza strain has already caused human infections, including the first U.S. death linked to H5N1, in Louisiana in early 2025. Looking ahead to the next migration season, Scotch recommends sequencing unusual detections more rapidly, strengthening genomic surveillance in the weeks before and during migration, and connecting surveillance across wildlife, poultry, and mammals under a unified “One Health” framework, with regions sharing data in real time rather than waiting until infection numbers rise.

Despite the need to strengthen surveillance and rapid data reporting for bird flu, some experts note it is easier said than done. Alveo Technologies is nearing USDA approval for a barn-side test for poultry that delivers results in 45 minutes from a single throat swab. The device uses a chemistry process that skips some of the steps required for PCR and validation reports 100 percent specificity against 12 influenza A strains and 19 non-influenza organisms. Since February 2022, bird flu has hit nearly 2,000 U.S. poultry premises and cost more than 185 million birds. The technology is paired with a predictive tool, UC Davis epidemiologist Maurice Pitesky’s Waterfowl Alert Network, which predicts daily waterfowl abundance around commercial poultry farms using empirical bird flu detections, weather radar, satellite imagery and telemetry. However, accessible detection alone is not the issue, reporting is. Only about 1,500 of the roughly 160,000 farms covered by the Network have opted in, leaving data too coarse to connect individual farm outbreaks to nearby waterfowl activity. Pitesky noted it is a collective-action problem that could be better addressed by giving farms a secure, confidential channel to share their data with researchers and suggests USDA consider withholding indemnity payments from farms that refuse to share.

Further Reading: 

Crowdsourcing Feedback on US Dual-Use Research Oversight Policy

David Gillum, Research Assistant Professor at Arizona State University, and Rebecca Moritz have developed a preliminary white paper, “A White Paper on Developing Implementation Guidance for the United States Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research,” for which they are seeking input from the scientific, biosafety, biosecurity, research compliance, research administration, research security, and broader life sciences communities. The experience of these communities will be important in identifying where federal guidance needs greater clarity, where implementation may be difficult in practice, and where additional tools, examples, or approaches are needed. Their practical input is essential to developing guidance that is scientifically sound, clear, and workable across institutions. 

📄 Read the current version of the white paper here. The document is publicly available for viewing. David and Rebecca sincerely welcome proposed edits, additional examples, identification of gaps, alternative approaches, and other substantive comments. Anyone who would like access to comment can email David Gillum at David.Gillum@gmail.com.

WHO Academy Launches Online Training on Dual-Use Research and Responsible Life Sciences

With more than 1000 learners enrolled and 237 certificates awarded, the WHO Academy hosted a basic-level training course titled “Dual-use research and the responsible use of the life sciences,” which is helping professionals worldwide strengthen their understanding of biorisks, dual-use research oversight, and responsible research practices. Designed to be practical and interactive, this course equips researchers, laboratory personnel, policymakers, and regulators across the One Health spectrum with the knowledge and tools needed to identify, assess, and mitigate biorisks while promoting effective governance of dual-use research. 

🌐 The course is available free of charge in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Participants receive a certificate of completion upon finishing. Learn more and register via the WHO Academy here.

Schar School Faculty In the News

IN OTHER NEWS

AI Governance, Outbreak Response and Global Health

NEW: Singapore Conference on Mirror Life

Since the December 2024 publication of the Science article, Confronting risks of mirror life, and the associated Technical Report on Mirror Bacteria: Feasibility and Risks, scientific, policy, and other conferences have explored the feasibility and risks of mirror life. Now, nearly two years later, the Singapore Conference on Mirror Life brings together senior experts from Singapore and the broader international community to discuss the policy implications of mirror life.

This webinar will take place on Monday, September 28, 3:00-6:00 AM ET. Learn more and register here.

International Bio-Responsibility Conference 2027

Organized under the Bio-Responsibility Initiative at the Centre for Society and Policy (CSP), the conference brings together people to advance dialogue, build partnerships, and promote safe, secure, and responsible life science research, development, and innovation. The conference will host experts, policymakers, and practitioners around the world to discuss emerging biological risks and ways to strengthen responsible governance.

The deadline to register is September 30. Learn more and register here.

Training Course on ‘Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity’

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit: “This training focuses on strengthening capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to manage biothreats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants and the environment. It addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).”

This in-person event will be held from October 12-16 in New Delhi, India. Learn more and apply here.

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

This event will take place from October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD. Learn more and register here.

Frontiers in Synthetic Biology: SpudCells, Mirror Life and Societal Implications

From the Consortium on Law and Values: “Advances in cell engineering and synthetic biology offer enormous potential benefits, while raising ethical and policy issues. SpudCell, the first synthetic cell that can grow and reproduce, built from non-living chemicals, was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota. Scientists have cautioned against creating organisms with molecules that are mirror images of the biological components of known life, as existing organisms would have no immune defenses. Join three experts on synthetic biology, biosecurity, and bioethics to explore how to realize the promise of synthetic biology while controlling potential risks.”

This webinar will take place on Thursday, October 29, at 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

NEW: Director, Global Biological Policy and Programs – Job Opening

From the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI): “NTI – a nonprofit, nonpartisan global security organization focused on reducing nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats imperiling humanity – is seeking a Director to join the Global Biological Policy and Programs team. The NTI | bio team is focused on reducing catastrophic biological risks, and we are working toward this goal by strengthening biotechnology governance; bolstering biosecurity in countries around the world; strengthening international capabilities to uphold the norm against bioweapon development and use; driving progress in Global Health Security; and building the biosecurity field.”

Learn more and submit your application here.

Pandora Report 9.18.2026: Bird Flu Returns as Ebola Persists

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue examines the renewed H5N1 activity as the fall season begins, the continuing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and emerging challenges shaping biosecurity and public health developments.

Bird Flu Cases Climb Across the Upper Midwest

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Since September 1, federal animal health officials have recorded seven H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections in commercial poultry, concentrated in turkey operations across the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Idaho. Over the past month, roughly 360,000 birds have been affected nationwide, though this total largely reflects the mandatory culling of entire flocks required once a single case is confirmed, not mass die-offs from illness itself. The increase in detections aligns with the autumn uptick in waterfowl migration, when wild birds most often introduce the virus into commercial barns. Separately, two Idaho dairy cow herds were also confirmed infected. Fortunately, human risk still remains low. The CDC has recorded 71 cases nationally since 2024, nearly all among agricultural workers with direct animal contact, and no sustained person-to-person spread has been detected.

A Different Kind of Risk: AI and Pathogen Research

Although the current HPAI outbreak is primarily an animal-health issue, a recent Anthropic safety report offered a stark reminder that avian influenza remains high on the list of pathogens with pandemic potential. Some worry this risk could be compounded by AI assistance, though not all experts are as concerned. Anthropic disclosed that researchers attempted to use its Claude models to plan experiments that would make mutations in HPAI to help it adapt to mammals and transmit more easily. This was one of three pathogen-related cases the company flagged, which also included chikungunya virus and an unspecified orthopoxvirus. Two additional cases involved toxins. The researchers disguised their access through VPNs, intermediate servers, and disguised accounts, which Anthropic treated as a red flag.

Some security experts called the cases seriously alarming, though others disagreed. Virologist Kristian Andersen argued that much of the work resembled ordinary virology using mutations already found in nature rather than novel dangerous engineering. George Mason University’s own biosecurity expert Gregory Koblentz was similarly untroubled, noting that researchers using VPNs or other workarounds to access AI models is unsurprising given how indispensable these tools have become across scientific fields. He also was not surprised that the research was done at state institutions or labs with ties to the military, pointing out that the U.S. military itself “conducts and sponsors research on a range of infectious diseases that pose a potential risk to our troops.” Despite the mixed reactions, it is clear that Anthropic’s disclosure has value, as it shows how AI models are actually being used in biological research and provides real-world evidence about biosecurity risks that have until now been mostly hypothetical. Even skeptics of the report’s framing agree that it points to a risk that will need regulation down the road.

Further Reading: 

Ebola Outbreak in DRC Surpasses 7,000 Cases

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 7,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,500 deaths for the first time since the epidemic began in May. The outbreak, which has now spread to a province in the northwest of Congolese territory, has become the country’s largest in recent years, prompting an intensified response involving disease surveillance, contact tracing, vaccination, and community engagement. Although health officials have reported signs that transmission is slowing, the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned that the outbreak remains far from over and that continued vigilance is needed to prevent further spread.

WHO Launches New Tool for Biorisk and Dual-Use Research Governance

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Biorisk Implementation and Evaluation Tool (BRIET), a new resource to help countries and institutions strengthen governance of biorisks and dual-use research of concern (DUR/DURC). BRIET operationalizes the WHO Global Guidance Framework for the Responsible Use of the Life Sciences: Mitigating Biorisks and Governing Dual-Use Research by providing a structured, action-oriented approach to evaluating existing governance capacities, identifying strengths and gaps, prioritizing areas for improvement, and supporting ongoing capacity development. The tool generates capacity assessments, risk scores, and tailored key actions to inform decision-making and implementation efforts.

U.S. Public Health Is Under Strain

Last week, Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) released Underfunded and Under Strain: The State of America’s Public Health System, a new report examining how longstanding funding disruptions, severe workforce reductions, and institutional uncertainty during 2025 and 2026, have critically weakened the public health system’s capacity across the United States.  The report emphasizes that maintaining appropriations alone does not guarantee that public health programs can operate effectively, particularly when agencies also face staffing shortages, reduced institutional expertise, and administrative disruptions. The report features interviews with state and local health officials illustrating how federal funding and operational uncertainty complicate planning and compromise community response on the front lines. Click here for a fact sheet on the report.

BioGovernance Commons and China’s Role in Global Risk Governance

In this new volume, the authors address the critical question of how scientific collaboration can remain possible in an era of deepening geopolitical tension. Co-edited by Dr. Sonia Ouagrham-Gormley, Professor at George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government, examines how scientific collaboration can persist amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Drawing on real transnational dialogue on biogovernance commons among scientists, ethicists, lawyers, and policy scholars, the book explores governance challenges of the life sciences spanning genetic data, biobanking, biosecurity, CRISPR, and global health, with particular attention to research cultures and regulatory dynamics in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and beyond. The volume is available for pre-order now and is scheduled to be published on October 29, 2026.

IN OTHER NEWS

AI, Biotechnology and Biological Security

Chemical Weapons and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Security

U.S. Military Biodefense and Preparedness

Outbreaks, Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biological Preparedness

NEW: How do we Prevent Future Health Emergencies and Pandemics?

The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response will participate in several events during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), including discussions on pandemic prevention, preparedness, response, financing, and global health resilience. This event will bring together global health leaders and experts to examine persistent gaps between scientific knowledge and political action on pandemic prevention.

This event will take place on September 21 from 4:00-5:30 PM ET. Learn more and register for the in-person event here or follow the live stream here.

America’s Ebola Response: Travel Restrictions, Quarantines, and Citizen Rights

From The Pandemic Center: “As part of the U.S. response to the still-ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Trump administration took unprecedented steps to block American citizens in the DRC from returning to the U.S., placing them on a “do-not-board” list until they spend at least 21 days in a third country. These travel restrictions, the quarantining and detainment of US citizens, and the construction of the facility in Kenya have spurred ethical concerns and even legal challenges.”

This webinar will take place on Friday, September 18 at 12:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

Bioeconomy Summit

The Bioeconomy Summit, hosted by TechConnect, will bring together industry leaders, investors, federal officials, and experts to examine how the United States can strengthen and scale its bioeconomy. The summit will focus on aligning capital, policy, infrastructure, procurement, and industrial capacity; addressing vulnerabilities in biomanufacturing supply chains; and accelerating the deployment of bioindustrial technologies.

The summit will take place on Monday-Tuesday, September 21-22, at the National Harbor in Maryland. Learn more and register here.

Science of Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Life Sciences and Biotechnology Conference

From the National Academies: “This meeting brings together researchers and practitioners across various fields to define the emerging scientific method for artificial intelligence, focusing on benchmarks, leaderboards, challenges, and the evidence needed to trust systems that reason, act, discover, and operate in high-stakes domains, including the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.”

This conference will take place on Tuesday-Wednesday, September 22-23. Learn more and register here.

Data and Situational Awareness for Medical and Public Health Preparedness and Response: A Workshop Series

From the National Academies: “The Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies workshop series will explore how medical, public health, emergency management, and critical infrastructure data are collected, integrated, analyzed, and translated into real-time information to support timely, coordinated decision-making before, during, and after disasters and emergencies.”

This workshop series will take place on September 23. Learn more and register here.

The Second Bio-Responsibility Policy Lecture: “From Lab Safety to Bio-Responsibility: Building the Human Infrastructure for Safe and Secure Science.”

From organizers: “Advances in the life sciences are creating new opportunities for health, biotechnology, and economic development while also presenting increasingly complex biosafety and biosecurity challenges. The lecture will examine how institutions can develop practical, risk-based biorisk management systems, with a focus on the trained professionals and institutional capacity needed to translate policy into practice. It will also explore approaches to expanding biorisk management capacity through scalable training, competency development, and institutional support, including in resource-constrained settings.”

The virtual lecture will take place on Thursday, September 24, 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM ET. Learn more and register here.

International Bio-Responsibility Conference 2027

Organized under the Bio-Responsibility Initiative at the Centre for Society and Policy (CSP), the conference brings together people to advance dialogue, build partnerships, and promote safe, secure, and responsible life science research, development, and innovation. The conference will host experts, policymakers, and practitioners around the world to discuss emerging biological risks and ways to strengthen responsible governance.

The deadline to register is September 30. Learn more and register here.

Training Course on ‘Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity’

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit: “This training focuses on strengthening capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to manage biothreats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants and the environment. It addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).”

This in-person event will be held from October 12-16 in New Delhi, India. Learn more and apply here.

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

This event will take place from October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD. Learn more and register here.

Frontiers in Synthetic Biology: SpudCells, Mirror Life and Societal Implications

From the Consortium on Law and Values: “Advances in cell engineering and synthetic biology offer enormous potential benefits, while raising ethical and policy issues. SpudCell, the first synthetic cell that can grow and reproduce, built from non-living chemicals, was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota. Scientists have cautioned against creating organisms with molecules that are mirror images of the biological components of known life, as existing organisms would have no immune defenses. Join three experts on synthetic biology, biosecurity, and bioethics to explore how to realize the promise of synthetic biology while controlling potential risks.”

This webinar will take place on Thursday, October 29, at 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

Pandora Report 9.11.2026: 25 Years After 9/11 – Biodefense Then, Now, and What Comes Next

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue examines the evolution of U.S. biodefense 25 years after 9/11, the continuing debate over H5N1 vaccination, and the emerging applications of AI for detecting biological threats.

Join the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition and Arms Control Association for a virtual briefing, “Syria’s Chemical Weapons Legacy: Current Issues and Challenges,” on September 16 from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM ET. The briefing will examine Syria’s ongoing efforts to address the chemical weapons legacy of the Assad regime. Gregory Koblentz, Director of GMU’s Biodefense Program, will moderate the discussion.

25 Years After 9/11: Remembering and Reflecting on the Evolution of Biodefense

By Carmen Shaw, Pandora Report Managing Editor

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, the Pandora Report reflects on the lives lost, the attacks’ enduring impact, and how 9/11 and the subsequent anthrax attacks reshaped U.S. approaches to biodefense and national security. Source: Pexels.

Twenty-five years ago today, the United States experienced one of the most consequential terrorist attacks in its history. On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed in New York City, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and in Pennsylvania. Thousands more were injured, and countless families, communities, and first responders have continued to live with the consequences of that day.

For the Pandora Report, September 11 offers an opportunity for both remembrance and reflection on how the attacks transformed the way the United States understands and prepares for modern security threats.

In the weeks following the attacks, letters laced with Bacillus anthracis spores were mailed to news media organizations and U.S. Senate offices, resulting in 22 cases of anthrax and five deaths. The 2001 anthrax attacks radically changed U.S. biosecurity and public health preparedness, including through the creation of the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) to regulate and oversee the use of dangerous biological agents that pose a threat to public, animal, or plant health.

Together, the September 11 and the subsequent anthrax attacks helped accelerate the development of the modern U.S. biodefense enterprise. They also triggered a broader transformation in homeland security, including the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act, which expanded government surveillance and law enforcement powers to prevent future terrorism.

Twenty-five years later, the threat landscape has continued to evolve. Emerging infectious diseases, advances in biotechnology, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence (AI), and the possibility of biological misuse present challenges that require many of the same capabilities that became priorities after 2001: early warning and biosurveillance, scientific expertise, interagency information sharing and coordination, and the ability to respond quickly when the nature of a threat is uncertain.

At its core, 9/11 is about the people who were killed and the families, first responders, service members, public servants, and communities forever changed by that day.

We remember those who were lost, honor those who responded, and reflect on our shared responsibility to build a safer and more resilient future.

Bird Flu Season Returns, So Does the Vaccination Debate

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

As the northern hemisphere begins to head into autumn, Bulgaria and France each confirmed their first H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks of the season. France’s case was notable because the affected ducks had already been vaccinated under the country’s mandatory H5N1 immunization program. This recent outbreak in France, alongside two articles published this week, reignites the question of the role of vaccination in H5N1 control and prevention efforts.

The first article, published in Poultry Science and Management by researchers in Egypt, tested six commercial H5 vaccines against currently circulating clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 and H5N8 strains in chickens. Most vaccines prevented death, with 75-100% survival compared to 100% mortality in the unvaccinated control group. However, none stopped birds from shedding virus for up to a week after exposure, and vaccines built on older or more distantly matched strains produced weaker protection. The authors concluded vaccination reduces mortality but, without regularly updated strains, still permits silent spread. Furthermore, use of suboptimal vaccines or inadequate vaccination programs may contribute to the selection of mutant strains through immune pressure, potentially reducing vaccine effectiveness.

The second, a Viewpoint article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, asks why the US still does not vaccinate its poultry against H5 HPAI at all? The authors, from the University of Minnesota’s Secure Food Systems team, note that while effective vaccines, risk-mitigation frameworks, and risk-based surveillance systems already exist in the US, trade is the biggest issue. Vaccination plans could alter trade agreements, putting the US poultry meat and egg trade surplus at risk. There are also fears that products from vaccinated flocks could carry undetected, asymptomatic infections, leading to import restrictions. Traceability is another major hurdle. A vaccination program would require tracking which flocks were vaccinated and following their products through the supply chain. The poultry industry already does this for other purposes, like antibiotic-free labeling, but adapting those systems to a centralized, auditable, and validated process that trading partners will accept remains a barrier.

Vaccination is a valuable tool, but it isn’t a complete solution. Vaccinated flocks can still become infected and continue shedding virus, particularly when vaccine strains fall out of step with circulating field viruses. Meanwhile, in places where vaccine adoption has stalled, the holdup often has less to do with vaccine efficacy and more to do with economic concerns. Closing the gap on H5N1 will require progress on both fronts. Vaccine programs need to become more adaptive and be backed by surveillance and policy frameworks that give countries the confidence to actually use them.

Further Reading: 

DHS S&T Launches “Ready, Set… ID The Biothreat” Prize Challenge to Advance AI-Assisted Biodefense

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has launched “Ready, Set…ID the Biothreat,” a prize challenge seeking AI-assisted algorithms for biodefense. The challenge is seeking innovative artificial intelligence approaches to help identify biological threats in complex environmental data. Eligible U.S. innovators, companies, academics, laboratories, and other technology developers over the age of 18 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents can compete for up to $999,990 in prizes, with submissions due October 14, 2026. To learn more about the Challenge, visit the website here.

IN OTHER NEWS

Chemical Weapons & WMD Proliferation

AI & Biosecurity

U.S. Biodefense Policy and Institution & Funding

Global Health Security

NEW: America’s Ebola Response: Travel Restrictions, Quarantines, and Citizen Rights

From The Pandemic Center: “As part of the U.S. response to the still-ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Trump administration took unprecedented steps to block American citizens in the DRC from returning to the U.S., placing them on a “do-not-board” list until they spend at least 21 days in a third country. These travel restrictions, the quarantining and detainment of US citizens, and the construction of the facility in Kenya have spurred ethical concerns and even legal challenges.”

This webinar will take place on Friday, September 18 at 12:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

Exponential AI and Biotech Growth: Translating Technical to Policy – Workshop

From AI for SynBio: “The continued acceleration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), Biological Design Tools (BDTs), and Biological AI Models (BAIMs) has transformed the technological landscape, enabling tremendous benefits and potential misuse that could massively impact national security, defense, health, and economy. Mitigating this risk will require collaboration across Government, Industry, and Academia with both technical and policy focuses. Significant effort, especially at the federal level, has been made to raise awareness of this challenge, yet additional discussion is necessary to keep pace with the ever-evolving speed of this global technology.’

This workshop will take place from September 15-17 at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC. Learn more and register here.

Bioeconomy Summit

The Bioeconomy Summit, hosted by TechConnect, will bring together industry leaders, investors, federal officials, and experts to examine how the United States can strengthen and scale its bioeconomy. The summit will focus on aligning capital, policy, infrastructure, procurement, and industrial capacity; addressing vulnerabilities in biomanufacturing supply chains; and accelerating the deployment of bioindustrial technologies.

The summit will take place on Monday-Tuesday, September 21-22, at the National Harbor in Maryland. Learn more and register here.

Science of Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Life Sciences and Biotechnology Conference

From the National Academies: “This meeting brings together researchers and practitioners across various fields to define the emerging scientific method for artificial intelligence, focusing on benchmarks, leaderboards, challenges, and the evidence needed to trust systems that reason, act, discover, and operate in high-stakes domains, including the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.”

This conference will take place on Tuesday-Wednesday, September 22-23. Learn more and register here.

Data and Situational Awareness for Medical and Public Health Preparedness and Response: A Workshop Series

From the National Academies: “The Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies workshop series will explore how medical, public health, emergency management, and critical infrastructure data are collected, integrated, analyzed, and translated into real-time information to support timely, coordinated decision-making before, during, and after disasters and emergencies.”

This workshop series will take place on September 23. Learn more and register here.

The Second Bio-Responsibility Policy Lecture: “From Lab Safety to Bio-Responsibility: Building the Human Infrastructure for Safe and Secure Science.”

From organizers: “Advances in the life sciences are creating new opportunities for health, biotechnology, and economic development while also presenting increasingly complex biosafety and biosecurity challenges. The lecture will examine how institutions can develop practical, risk-based biorisk management systems, with a focus on the trained professionals and institutional capacity needed to translate policy into practice. It will also explore approaches to expanding biorisk management capacity through scalable training, competency development, and institutional support, including in resource-constrained settings.”

The virtual lecture will take place on Thursday, September 24, 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM ET. Learn more and register here.

International Bio-Responsibility Conference 2027

Organized under the Bio-Responsibility Initiative at the Centre for Society and Policy (CSP), the conference brings together people to advance dialogue, build partnerships, and promote safe, secure, and responsible life science research, development, and innovation. The conference will host experts, policymakers, and practitioners around the world to discuss emerging biological risks and ways to strengthen responsible governance.

The deadline to register is September 30. Learn more and register here.

Training Course on ‘Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity’

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit: “This training focuses on strengthening capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to manage biothreats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants and the environment. It addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).”

This in-person event will be held from October 12-16 in New Delhi, India. Learn more and apply here.

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

This event will take place from October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD. Learn more and register here.

Frontiers in Synthetic Biology: SpudCells, Mirror Life and Societal Implications

From the Consortium on Law and Values: “Advances in cell engineering and synthetic biology offer enormous potential benefits, while raising ethical and policy issues. SpudCell, the first synthetic cell that can grow and reproduce, built from non-living chemicals, was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota. Scientists have cautioned against creating organisms with molecules that are mirror images of the biological components of known life, as existing organisms would have no immune defenses. Join three experts on synthetic biology, biosecurity, and bioethics to explore how to realize the promise of synthetic biology while controlling potential risks.”

This webinar will take place on Thursday, October 29, at 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

Pandora Report 9.04.2026: Biodefense Goes Local, H5N1 Hits Mink Farms, and AI Reshapes Bioweapons Risk

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue examines the growing importance of local capacity in biodefense, the detection of H5N1 on a U.S. mink farm, and emerging questions at the intersection of AI, biotechnology, and biological security. 

Join the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition and Arms Control Association for a virtual briefing, “Syria’s Chemical Weapons Legacy: Current Issues and Challenges,” on September 16 at 11:00 AM-12:30 PM ET. The event will examine Syria’s ongoing efforts to address the chemical weapons legacy of the Assad regime.

The Elephant in the Room: Biodefense Goes Local—or Outbreaks Go Viral

By Carmen Shaw, Pandora Report Managing Editor

Figure 1. Fresh produce on display at a supermarket.
Source: Pexels.

Washington has long approached biodefense through a centralized, top-down approach, with federal agencies setting national priorities and strategies. However, recent outbreaks expose a critical vulnerability in that model: national biodefense is only as resilient as the local systems that carry it out. During this year’s cyclospora outbreak, Michigan investigators waited 12 days for Taco Bell supply chain records that a delayed FDA traceability rule would have required within 24 hours – a delay compounded by staffing shortages and an estimated $5.8 billion cut to CDC grant funding since last year. Meanwhile, Michigan was tracking more than 12,000 cyclospora cases while the national count stood at just 145.

The answer is not to abandon federal leadership, but to strengthen frontline capacity at the state and local levels. On Sep. 1, ASPR and NETEC announced a second round of STAND Awards, adding 21 hospitals across 16 states and territories to the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS), bringing the network to 75 facilities. In Bethel, Alaska, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation has demonstrated how a tribal health system can build its own wastewater surveillance capacity, detecting influenza A up to 10 days before clinical data confirmed it and identifying rising COVID-19 and RSV activity. Uganda offers another example: during the 2026 Bundibugyo virus outbreak, the country met all three WHO 7-1-7 outbreak response benchmarks, detecting the outbreak in six days, notifying authorities in under one day, and completing early response actions within two days.

True biodefense preparedness requires federal leadership to actively strengthen state, local, tribal, and regional capacity, ensuring people and institutions are ready to detect and respond where threats first emerge.

Further Reading:

H5N1 Arrives on U.S. Mink Farms

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

The USDA confirmed avian influenza H5N1 on a Utah mink farm in mid-August, marking the virus’s first detection in a U.S. mink operation. Scientists have long flagged farmed mink as a potential pandemic risk as the size and density of the farms create a perfect environment in which the virus can mutate. An H5N1 outbreak in Spain in 2022 infected tens of thousands of minks and demonstrated the first documented evidence of mammal-to-mammal spread. Minks also have very similar respiratory systems to humans, creating conditions that researchers warn could help the virus evolve toward person-to-person transmission. Unfortunately, the concern isn’t purely theoretical. During the Covid-19 pandemic, mutated coronavirus strains circulated on fur farms across several European countries, and Denmark reported a dozen farm workers infected with a mink-linked variant that was less responsive to vaccines.

In addition to ethical and economic reasons, the zoonotic disease risk from farmed mink has already prompted most European countries to shut down or phase out fur farming. The U.S., however, has no federal ban on mink farming, and states including Utah, Wisconsin, and Minnesota still operate dozens of farms housing up to 12,000 animals apiece. Roughly 1.3 million pelts a year are produced in the U.S. for export, largely to Chinese fashion manufacturers. In response to the Utah detection, animal welfare groups are now pressing the USDA to phase out mink farming entirely, citing both the animal welfare concerns of the industry and its potential role as a breeding ground for the next pandemic virus.

Screwworm Zones Lifted in Texas

On a more encouraging note, USDA APHIS announced the release of two New World screwworm (NWS)-infested zones in Texas after coordinated surveillance, sterile fly releases, and livestock movement restrictions met federal criteria. It’s the first such release since the re-emergence of NWS in Texas in early June. The move lifts NWS-related movement requirements for producers in those zones, though other infested areas remain under restriction as the state-federal response continues. No new cattle infestations were detected in August in the U.S., but that does not mean NWS is disappearing just yet. Texas confirmed four new cases in domestic species in August: two in sheep, one in goats, and, most recently, in a dog detected on Monday, August 31st. Three of these cases remain active as of this week.

Further Reading: 

Schar School Professor Examines AI and Biological Weapons Risks

Dr. Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, Associate Professor of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, examines the “de-skilling” narrative surrounding AI and biological weapons policy in a new article for the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. She argues that assessments of AI-driven biological threats often overestimate the ability of AI and other emerging technologies to lower barriers to biological weapons development while underestimating the importance of tacit knowledge, integration across stages of development, and the challenges of constructing durable sociotechnical systems. Ouagrham-Gormley calls for more empirically grounded threat assessments that consider the full bioweapons development process and inform targeted policy responses.

IN OTHER NEWS

Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Biotechnology

Public Health, CDC and Health Security

Emerging Infectious Diseases and Outbreaks

NEW: Bloomsday 2026

From Biotic: “Bloomsday 2026 will bring together researchers, ethicists, and policymakers to explore the emerging field of synthetic-cell engineering and the foundations needed to make the technology safe, reliable, and broadly accessible. The program will examine genome construction, computational tools, safety and security, dual-use risks, governance, and the ethical implications of engineered cellular systems.”

The event will take place on Thursday, September 10, 9:15 AM – 6:00 PM ET at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia. Learn more and register here.

NEW: Bioeconomy Summit

The Bioeconomy Summit, hosted by TechConnect, will bring together industry leaders, investors, federal officials, and experts to examine how the United States can strengthen and scale its bioeconomy. The summit will focus on aligning capital, policy, infrastructure, procurement, and industrial capacity; addressing vulnerabilities in biomanufacturing supply chains; and accelerating the deployment of bioindustrial technologies.

The summit will take place on Monday-Tuesday, September 21-22, at the National Harbor in Maryland. Learn more and register here.

NEW: Science of Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Life Sciences and Biotechnology Conference

From the National Academies: “This meeting brings together researchers and practitioners across various fields to define the emerging scientific method for artificial intelligence, focusing on benchmarks, leaderboards, challenges, and the evidence needed to trust systems that reason, act, discover, and operate in high-stakes domains, including the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.”

This conference will take place on Tuesday-Wednesday, September 22-23. Learn more and register here.

NEW: The Second Bio-Responsibility Policy Lecture: “From Lab Safety to Bio-Responsibility: Building the Human Infrastructure for Safe and Secure Science.”

From organizers: “Advances in the life sciences are creating new opportunities for health, biotechnology, and economic development while also presenting increasingly complex biosafety and biosecurity challenges. The lecture will examine how institutions can develop practical, risk-based biorisk management systems, with a focus on the trained professionals and institutional capacity needed to translate policy into practice. It will also explore approaches to expanding biorisk management capacity through scalable training, competency development, and institutional support, including in resource-constrained settings.”

The virtual lecture will take place on Thursday, September 24, 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM ET. Learn more and register here.

NEW: Frontiers in Synthetic Biology: SpudCells, Mirror Life and Societal Implications

From the Consortium on Law and Values: “Advances in cell engineering and synthetic biology offer enormous potential benefits, while raising ethical and policy issues. SpudCell, the first synthetic cell that can grow and reproduce, built from non-living chemicals, was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota. Scientists have cautioned against creating organisms with molecules that are mirror images of the biological components of known life, as existing organisms would have no immune defenses. Join three experts on synthetic biology, biosecurity, and bioethics to explore how to realize the promise of synthetic biology while controlling potential risks.”

This webinar will take place on Thursday, October 29, 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB)

From the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH): “The 28th PACCARB public meeting will explore how microbiome science can support AMR prevention, drive novel interventions, and build public awareness and understanding of microbiome-focused health measures. The meeting will focus on innovative and emerging topics in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the microbiome.”

This hybrid meeting will take place on September 9-10 from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

Exponential AI and Biotech Growth: Translating Technical to Policy – Workshop

From AI for SynBio: “The continued acceleration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), Biological Design Tools (BDTs), and Biological AI Models (BAIMs) has transformed the technological landscape, enabling tremendous benefits and potential misuse that could massively impact national security, defense, health, and economy. Mitigating this risk will require collaboration across Government, Industry, and Academia with both technical and policy focuses. Significant effort, especially at the federal level, has been made to raise awareness of this challenge, yet additional discussion is necessary to keep pace with the ever-evolving speed of this global technology.’

This workshop will take place from September 15-17 at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC. Learn more and register here.

Data and Situational Awareness for Medical and Public Health Preparedness and Response: A Workshop Series

From the National Academies: “The Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies workshop series will explore how medical, public health, emergency management, and critical infrastructure data are collected, integrated, analyzed, and translated into real-time information to support timely, coordinated decision-making before, during, and after disasters and emergencies.”

This workshop series will take place on September 23. Learn more and register here.

International Bio-Responsibility Conference 2027

Organized under the Bio-Responsibility Initiative at the Centre for Society and Policy (CSP), the conference brings together people to advance dialogue, build partnerships, and promote safe, secure, and responsible life science research, development, and innovation. The conference will host experts, policymakers, and practitioners around the world to discuss emerging biological risks and ways to strengthen responsible governance.

The deadline to register is September 30. Learn more and register here.

Training Course on ‘Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity’

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit: “This training focuses on strengthening capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to manage biothreats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants and the environment. It addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).”

This in-person event will be held from October 12-16 in New Delhi, India. Learn more and apply here.

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

This event will take place from October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD. Learn more and register here.

Pandora Report 8.28.2026: Syria’s Chemical Weapons Legacy, Bird Flu, and AI-Biosecurity

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights Syria’s ongoing chemical weapons legacy; Biodefense alumna Saskia Popescu and her work in global health security; emerging infectious disease threats, including H5N1 in Australian mammals and New World screwworm in Mexico; and the evolving landscape of AI-enabled biology and biosafety regulations. 

Join the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition and Arms Control Association for a virtual briefing, “Syria’s Chemical Weapons Legacy: Current Issues and Challenges,” on September 16 at 11:00 AM-12:30 PM ET. The event will examine Syria’s ongoing efforts to address the chemical weapons legacy of the Assad regime.

Schar School Highlights Biodefense Alumna Saskia Popescu

The Schar School of Policy and Government profiled Dr. Saskia Popescu, 2019 Biodefense PhD alumna and current adjunct professor, highlighting her work in global health security, biosecurity policy, and outbreak preparedness. Popescu currently serves as CEO of the Global Health Security Network (GHSN), an Australian-based NGO dedicated to the detection, prevention, and control of infectious disease threats, and recently led the 4th Global Health Security Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which brought together more than 1,300 participants from 88 countries around the world. She continues to research biosecurity and resilience while teaching in the Schar School’s Biodefense program. Read the full profile here.

Figure 1. Dr. Saskia Popescu, Biodefense PhD ’19, leads the Global Health Security Network (GHSN) while continuing to teach and conduct research in biosecurity. Photo provided.

Bird Flu Reaches Australian Mammals

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Australia’s H5N1 avian influenza outbreak has hit a new milestone as mammalian cases have been confirmed. A long-nosed fur seal was found dead on South Australia’s coast last week, marking the nation’s first mammalian case. The animal had no visible injuries and did not appear to be associated with other sick or dead marine mammals. Seals are especially vulnerable to avian influenza because they share coastal habitat closely with wild birds. Only days later, a red fox in suburban Adelaide became the first suspected case in a terrestrial mammal, likely infected after scavenging a sick bird. University of Sydney veterinary public health expert Michael Ward warned foxes could serve as a “bridge species,” potentially carrying the virus far inland to livestock like sheep. Australia’s red fox population is estimated at 1.7 million animals across 80% of the continent. More than 300 infection events have now been confirmed nationwide since the virus arrived in June, including deaths among ravens, penguins, terns, and gulls. Authorities are urging residents to leash dogs and keep cats indoors, while conservation sites like Cleland Wildlife Park begin vaccinating native birds. Fortunately, the virus has not reached Australia’s commercial poultry industry.

U.S.-Mexico Cattle Trade Resumes Despite Screwworm Concerns

The U.S. reopened its border to Mexican cattle this week, ending a year-long ban imposed due to concern for the spread of New World screwworm. Nearly 700 cattle crossed into Douglas, Arizona, on Monday, following a rigorous inspection procedure which includes RFID tagging and screening by specially trained screwworm-sniffing dogs. USDA chief veterinary officer Alan Huddleston called it a proof-of-concept protocol that could expand to more border crossings if successful. The reopening came just days after Sonora, the exporting state, reported its first screwworm case, though officials maintain the cattle pose no risk. Import volumes will scale gradually from 700 to 1,300 cattle daily. The ban previously pushed U.S. beef prices to record highs while forcing Mexican ranchers to sell domestically at steep discounts. Mexico currently has nearly 2,000 active screwworm cases nationwide, less than half of the infections reported a year ago, which authorities say shows progress in containing the outbreak.

Further Reading: 

Biodefense PhD Alum Chris Quillen Signs Book Deal

Dr. Chris Quillen, Biodefense PhD ’25, has signed a book contract with Routledge Taylor & Francis Group and its Contemporary Terrorism Series to publish his dissertation as The Critical Role of Scientists in Chemical and Biological Terrorism. His thesis argues that scientific personnel are the driving force behind terrorist efforts to develop chemical and biological weapons (CBW) rather than the leaders of terrorist groups. Although terrorist leaders may provide strategic vision, scientists often propose the idea of CBW programs to advance their own position within their groups. Once such programs begin, scientists—not leaders—select which CBW agents to pursue based on what they believe they can achieve, decide how best to pursue them based on what they know, and ultimately determine whether the effort succeeds or fails. Leaders play only a small part in these decisions. As a result, our current focus on targeting terrorist leaders is mistaken. Instead, efforts to prevent terrorist acquisition of CBW need to focus first and foremost on targeting the scientific personnel. Rather than treating scientists as non-combatant support personnel, these individuals should be targeted as active combatants like bombmakers and attack planners. The book will be available in 2027.

IN OTHER NEWS

Pandora Preparedness and Global Health Security

AI, Biotechnology, and Biosecurity

Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB)

From the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH): “The 28th PACCARB public meeting will explore how microbiome science can support AMR prevention, drive novel interventions, and build public awareness and understanding of microbiome-focused health measures. The meeting will focus on innovative and emerging topics in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the microbiome.”

This hybrid meeting will take place on September 9-10 from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

Exponential AI and Biotech Growth: Translating Technical to Policy – Workshop

From AI for SynBio: “The continued acceleration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), Biological Design Tools (BDTs), and Biological AI Models (BAIMs) has transformed the technological landscape, enabling tremendous benefits and potential misuse that could massively impact national security, defense, health, and economy. Mitigating this risk will require collaboration across Government, Industry, and Academia with both technical and policy focuses. Significant effort, especially at the federal level, has been made to raise awareness of this challenge, yet additional discussion is necessary to keep pace with the ever-evolving speed of this global technology.’

This workshop will take place from September 15-17 at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC. Learn more and register here.

Data and Situational Awareness for Medical and Public Health Preparedness and Response: A Workshop Series

From the National Academies: “The Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies workshop series will explore how medical, public health, emergency management, and critical infrastructure data are collected, integrated, analyzed, and translated into real-time information to support timely, coordinated decision-making before, during, and after disasters and emergencies.”

This workshop series will take place on September 23. Learn more and register here.

International Bio-Responsibility Conference 2027

Organized under the Bio-Responsibility Initiative at the Centre for Society and Policy (CSP), the conference brings together people to advance dialogue, build partnerships, and promote safe, secure, and responsible life science research, development, and innovation. The conference will host experts, policymakers, and practitioners around the world to discuss emerging biological risks and ways to strengthen responsible governance.

The deadline to register is September 30. Learn more and register here.

Training Course on ‘Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity’

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit: “This training focuses on strengthening capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to manage biothreats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants and the environment. It addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).”

This in-person event will be held from October 12-16 in New Delhi, India. Learn more and apply here.

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

This event will take place from October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD. Learn more and register here.

Horizon Fellowship

From Horizon Institute for Public Service: “Through our fellowship, we place fully-funded fellows at host organizations to help tackle policy challenges related to artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies. Fellows selected for our program receive policy-focused training, mentorship, and support in matching with a host organization for a full-time, fully-funded fellowship based in the Washington, DC area. Fellows join a collaborative, close-knit community of public service-oriented experts. Potential host organizations include executive branch offices, congressional offices, national laboratories, and think tanks.”

Learn more and submit your application here by August 30.

Asia Centre for Health Security (ACHS) Fellowship Programme

From ACHS: “The ACHS Fellowship Programme aims to inspire and connect the next generation of health security leaders and innovators. Launched in 2025 by ACHS, based at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), National University of Singapore (NUS), the ACHS Fellowship Programme is a highly competitive, part-time fellowship that provides graduate students and early- to mid-career professionals with an opportunity to deepen their expertise, expand their professional network, and build leadership skills through educational opportunities and project work.”

Learn more and submit your application here by August 31.

Pandora Report 8.24.2026: G20 Youth Diplomacy, H5N5, and Africa’s Health Security Index

by Carmen Shaw, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights reflections on the 2026 G20 Youth (Y20) Summit culminating in the G20 Youth Communiqué, emerging infectious disease threats including H5N5 and human screwworm infections, lessons from the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s Africa Health Security Index on strengthening health capacity and resilience, and the evolving landscape of biosafety, biosecurity, and AI-enabled biology.

Reflections on the 2026 G20 Youth (Y20) Summit: Realities, Global Consensus, and the Future of Diplomacy

By Carmen Shaw, U.S. Head Delegate for Food Security and Global Health (Y20 2026) | Biodefense PhD Student and Managing Editor, The Pandora Report

Figure 1. Over 100 global delegates convened in Washington, D.C., from August 11–14 for the 2026 G20 Youth (Y20) Summit. Delegates negotiated across five key tracks—global economy, energy, digital transformation, food security and global health, and conflict resolution—culminating in the 2026 G20 Youth Communiqué presented to G20 heads of state.

Over a week ago, more than 100 global delegates came together for the 2026 G20 Youth (Y20) Summit in Washington, DC. As the U.S. Head Delegate for Food Security and Global Health, participating in this summit on American soil during a period of profound political and economic transformation was both an honor and the responsibility of a lifetime. Hosted by Globally and the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP), the summit culminated in months of rigorous multilateral negotiations among delegates, resulting in the publication of the 2026 G20 Youth Communiqué, which was formally presented to G20 leaders.

Figure 2. Delegates participate in multilateral negotiation sessions on policy proposals for the 2026 G20 Youth Communiqué report.

Containing 81 actionable policy recommendations, this communiqué offers a clear snapshot of global youth priorities across the global economy, digital innovation, energy, conflict and violence, food security, and global health. We did not shy away from hard or uncomfortable conversations; we engaged in them openly. Across these tracks, we debated frameworks for ethical AI governance, examined concrete pathways for securing energy supply chains, and pushed for Universal Health Coverage while prioritizing resilient healthcare financing. We also tackled deeply polarizing geopolitical issues, openly debating whether tariffs and economic sanctions can—and should—be used as tools of coercion in international affairs, while considering the legal protections required for displaced populations.

Throughout these negotiations, my objective was to ensure that high-level policy remained grounded in the realities facing communities and institutions. International frameworks have limited impact unless they protect and invest in the people who drive and depend on these global systems–farmers, workers, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, journalists, frontline healthcare professionals, humanitarian workers, and communities affected by conflict and displacement. Our experience demonstrated that effective multilateralism is built not on the absence of disagreement, but on deep empathy, strategic cooperation, and the willingness to find common ground.

There is no shortage of noise today about how divided our world has become, and America’s shifting role within it. Yet when you sit down at the negotiating table with young leaders from across the globe—doing the hours-long, painstaking work of reaching consensus across deep ideological divides—a very different story emerges. The future of international diplomacy and policy is stronger when young, empathetic, and pragmatic leaders step forward, listen openly, and work together to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

The channel between youth and our leaders is open. Our voices are unified, and the work of translating these policy recommendations into meaningful diplomatic action begins now.

Transmission Risk of Human H5N5

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

In a study published last week in the Journal of Virology, researchers evaluated the transmission risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) A(H5N5) following the world’s first confirmed human infection and fatality in November 2025. The patient, an older adult in Washington State with underlying health conditions, developed fever, confusion and worsening respiratory illness that required hospitalization and ultimately resulted in death. The patient kept a mixed backyard poultry flock, and environmental samples from the property tested positive for the H5N5 virus. No person-to-person spread was identified.

Testing the virus stain in human bronchial epithelial cells and in a ferret model, researchers found that the isolate replicated efficiently at human airway temperatures and caused fatal systemic disease but showed no capacity for airborne spread. Limited transmission occurred only with direct contact. Collectively, the results underscored the heterogeneity among clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5Nx viruses and the need for genotype-by-genotype evaluation of newly emerged influenza viruses to understand the public health risk.

The potential public health risk of HPAI is also at the forefront of the ongoing outbreak in Australian wildlife. Dr. Frank Wong, a Senior Research Scientist with the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) said the risk of bird flu spreading to humans within the country remains very low. He noted an “ecological perfect storm” would be required for the virus to spill over, though that does not mitigate the need to stay on high alert. Clinicians should still inquire about recent contact with potentially infected animals and should strongly encourage seasonal influenza vaccination, particularly as national flu vaccine coverage has fallen from 45.6% in June 2020 to 26.2% in June 2026.

Human Screwworm Infections Climb in Mexico

More than 500 people in Mexico have been infected with New World screwworm (NWS), a sharp rise in infections from last year. A recent study in CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases examined 202 confirmed Mexican cases from April 2025 to March 2026 and found that reporting rose from roughly three cases a week in 2025 to more than nine a week in 2026. Legs or feet were affected in 55% of cases, with others involving the nose, mouth and eyes. Six patients died, though only one death was directly attributed to the infestation.

Although Mexico was declared free of NWS in 2003, this recent rise in human cases is not unexpected given the northward spread of the parasite, which re-emerged in animals in Mexico in 2024. The same obligate parasite affects livestock, wildlife, companion animals, and humans, so a rise in animal cases indicates local circulation of the fly and an increased risk for concurrent human infestation. Thus, NWS is both a public health and animal health problem and calls for a One Health approach. Since the spread of NWS is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, the authors urge surveillance, diagnostic preparedness, animal movement controls, and fly-suppression activities to be implemented proactively at the leading edge of expansion, rather than only after human cases are detected. Coordination between human health, animal health, wildlife, and agricultural sectors will be essential to guide prevention and control measures.

Further Reading: 

Exploring Global Health Security Policy: My Summer Internship Experience with the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)

By Alex Kyabarongo, MS Biodefense Student, George Mason University

Figure 3. Alex Kyabarongo is a second-year MS Biodefense student at George Mason University, with a special interest in global health security policy and biothreat reduction programs. He recently completed a summer internship with NTI, where he contributed to the Africa Health Security Index.

As the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) outpaces containment efforts, with over 4,600 cases and more than 2,100 confirmed deaths as of August 12, the world remains more vulnerable to infectious disease threats than ever before. This outbreak—which experts say might be the deadliest Ebola outbreak yet due to its rapid spread—should serve as a stark reminder of the need to strengthen global health security programs. It should be a call to focus on improving disease surveillance capacities, biosafety and biosecurity, and other prevention, preparedness, and response efforts across the globe. Yet, this outbreak has occurred at a time when global health security financing remains fragmented, with shifts in international development assistance severely affecting health security programs in many countries, while the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States continue to face challenges in operationalizing the Pandemic Agreement.

It is such concerning global health security challenges that inspired me to enroll in the Master of Biodefense program at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, with the intention of deepening my knowledge and understanding at the intersection of health and security. With the same aspirations, this summer, I joined the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s Global Biological Policy and Programs (NTI | bio) team for a 10-week internship. This internship came at an important point in my graduate school journey, as I remain with only one semester left before graduation. It was an important time to put my classroom experience into practice, and many topics explored during the previous semesters helped me transition smoothly to working in this important field during the internship period.

With the NTI | bio team, I gained hands-on experience working on projects focused on countering health security threats and emerging technology risks. It was such a unique opportunity to learn from the NTI | bio team and contribute to ongoing projects such as AIxBio and DNA synthesis screening. Importantly, it was great timing that I joined when the team was working on the Africa Health Security Index (AHS Index). The AHS Index, which was jointly developed by the Nuclear Threat Initiative, the Brown University Pandemic Centre, and the Science for Africa Foundation, builds upon the previous Global Health Security Index framework to assess African countries’ health security capacities. Working on this project after having taken Dr. Scott Wollek’s BIOD 710: Health Security Preparedness class during the spring semester was highly relevant and enabled me to put the class theoretical principles learned from class into practice. For the AHS Index, I specifically worked on the risk environment category, exploring why its regional scores have continuously declined over the last three Index issues and the implications of this trend for the implementation of Africa’s health security capacities.

The AHS Index scores show that Africa’s health security capacities have improved by 9.1 points from 2021, with strong improvements in disease surveillance, prevention, and response capacities. The region has expanded laboratory capacities but still struggles with biosafety and biosecurity systems, which increases the risks of laboratory accidents and the potential misuse of biological materials. Similarly, dual-use research oversight and the culture of responsible science remain critically low, at 1.9 out of 100 across the region, which ultimately serves as an alarming call for regional health security leaders to strengthen Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) governance. Most importantly, the region’s political and security risks, infrastructure inadequacies, and environmental risks remain areas of vulnerability. For more on the Index launch, explore my recently published blog article, and to explore the details of the Index data, results and the recommendations, visit the Index website.

Internship programs are an important aspect of students’ professional development. I am glad that the Schar School of Policy and Government has such a supportive career development team that continuously supported me throughout my internship period. I even got academic credit for the internship! The internship was very enriching, and I gained invaluable practical experience, which ultimately complements and enhances my current graduate program experience and prepares me for new challenges. I benefited from the excellent mentorship and support of the NTI | bio team, who provided me with an opportunity to explore the topics they were working on, guided me, and provided important feedback.

One important lesson I gained was the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which were central components of the AHS Index project. I deepened my understanding of health security policy, the research needed to identify gaps to be addressed, the importance of partnerships, and how these elements come together to address global health security challenges. The current Ebola crisis in Central Africa serves as a significant reference point of how important it is to invest in health security preparedness, improve capacity, and, most importantly, make health security an integral component of national security. It is internship programs like this that build the next generation of global health security leaders.

Further Reading:

NIH Releases a Draft Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards for Public Comment

The NIH has released a Draft Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards (Biosafety Policy) for public comment as part of its effort to strengthen and modernize biosafety oversight. In September 2025, NIH announced plans to strengthen and modernize biosafety oversight and has since engaged stakeholders to inform the development of an oversight framework that addresses risk. NIH invites stakeholders to provide feedback on the Draft Biosafety Policy and associated templates via its online portal, with comments accepted until October 19, 2026.

IN OTHER NEWS

Vaccines, Immunization Policy, and U.S. Public Health

Ebola and Other Infectious Disease Emergencies

AI, Bioweapons, and Emerging Biological Threats

Biosecurity, Resilience, and Defense Strategy

NEW: International Bio-Responsibility Conference 2027

Organized under the Bio-Responsibility Initiative at the Centre for Society and Policy (CSP), the conference brings together people to advance dialogue, build partnerships, and promote safe, secure, and responsible life science research, development, and innovation. The conference will host experts, policymakers, and practitioners around the world to discuss emerging biological risks and ways to strengthen responsible governance.

The deadline to register is September 30. Learn more and register here.

Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB)

From the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH): “The 28th PACCARB public meeting will explore how microbiome science can support AMR prevention, drive novel interventions, and build public awareness and understanding of microbiome-focused health measures. The meeting will focus on innovative and emerging topics in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the microbiome.”

This hybrid meeting will take place on September 9-10 from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

Exponential AI and Biotech Growth: Translating Technical to Policy – Workshop

From AI for SynBio: “The continued acceleration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), Biological Design Tools (BDTs), and Biological AI Models (BAIMs) has transformed the technological landscape, enabling tremendous benefits and potential misuse that could massively impact national security, defense, health, and economy. Mitigating this risk will require collaboration across Government, Industry, and Academia with both technical and policy focuses. Significant effort, especially at the federal level, has been made to raise awareness of this challenge, yet additional discussion is necessary to keep pace with the ever-evolving speed of this global technology.’

This workshop will take place from September 15-17 at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC. Learn more and register here.

Biosecurity Simulation Exercise (BSX 2026): Laboratory Incidents & Deliberate Biothreats

From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “This table-top simulation exercise aims to enhance inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary preparedness for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity (LBB) and deliberate biothreat events (DBE). Through lectures, discussions, and structured, scenario-driven exercises, participants will explore decision-making to detect, risk-assess, and manage high-consequence biological incidents under conditions of incomplete information and unfolding events. Participants will collaborate in teams, building on expert perspectives to address issues in surveillance, diagnostics, public health response, security assessment, and risk communication.”

This in-person event will take place from August 27-28. Learn more and register here.

Data and Situational Awareness for Medical and Public Health Preparedness and Response: A Workshop Series

From the National Academies: “The Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies workshop series will explore how medical, public health, emergency management, and critical infrastructure data are collected, integrated, analyzed, and translated into real-time information to support timely, coordinated decision-making before, during, and after disasters and emergencies.”

This workshop series will take place on September 23. Learn more and register here.

Training Course on ‘Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity’

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit: “This training focuses on strengthening capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to manage biothreats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants and the environment. It addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).”

This in-person event will be held from October 12-16 in New Delhi, India. Learn more and apply here.

Biomanufacturing for Defense & Security Summit

From Diversified Solutions Incorporated (DSI Groups): “This event will bring together senior thought leaders and stakeholders from across DoW, Military Research Labs, Federal Government, Commercial Industry, & Academia to discuss how each are advancing biomanufacturing to enhance national security objectives, produce critical materials for defense applications, and strengthen the overall U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing base. Biomanufacturing is crucial for U.S. national security because it enables domestic production of critical materials, medicines, and defense supplies, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, which in turn creates resilient supply chains for the military and economy.”

This event will take place from October 27-28 at the National Harbor, MD. Learn more and register here.

Researcher, Built Environment Team – Job Opening

From Blueprint Biosecurity: “The built environment encompasses the indoor spaces where people work, learn, gather, and receive care. Equipping these spaces with additional layers of protection against infectious airborne pathogens can help reduce risk in these spaces and support safer, more resilient communities. This work will focus on identifying and advancing promising interventions to mitigate pathogen transmission in occupied indoor spaces and strengthen society’s ability to contain outbreaks before they become widespread. Blueprint Biosecurity is hiring up to two Researchers to work directly with the Built Environment Program Director to lay the groundwork for new areas of interest and expand Blueprint’s portfolio.”

Learn more and submit your application here by August 21.

Respiratory Protection Program Officer, PPE Team – Job Opening

From Blueprint Biosecurity: “One of the most impactful ways to suppress pathogen transmission and save lives in a future outbreak is to ensure that highly protective respiratory PPE can be deployed to millions of critical workers on day one. Despite this, if a pandemic occurred tomorrow, U.S. stockpiles and supply chains would be unable to meet the demand. This problem motivated the development of the Blueprint for Pandemic PPE and has shaped our efforts to mobilize tens of millions of dollars toward advancing its goals. To build upon this momentum, Blueprint Biosecurity is hiring up to two Program Officers to expand our PPE team. These program officer roles are structured into two distinct tracks: Research Management or Grant Evaluation. Both positions will work closely with the PPE Program Director to help build a more resilient future in which critical workers have access to respirators during emergencies.

Learn more and submit your application here by August 21.

Horizon Fellowship

From Horizon Institute for Public Service: “Through our fellowship, we place fully-funded fellows at host organizations to help tackle policy challenges related to artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies. Fellows selected for our program receive policy-focused training, mentorship, and support in matching with a host organization for a full-time, fully-funded fellowship based in the Washington, DC area. Fellows join a collaborative, close-knit community of public service-oriented experts. Potential host organizations include executive branch offices, congressional offices, national laboratories, and think tanks.”

Learn more and submit your application here by August 30.

Asia Centre for Health Security (ACHS) Fellowship Programme

From ACHS: “The ACHS Fellowship Programme aims to inspire and connect the next generation of health security leaders and innovators. Launched in 2025 by ACHS, based at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), National University of Singapore (NUS), the ACHS Fellowship Programme is a highly competitive, part-time fellowship that provides graduate students and early- to mid-career professionals with an opportunity to deepen their expertise, expand their professional network, and build leadership skills through educational opportunities and project work.”

Learn more and submit your application here by August 31.

WHO Internship Programme

From WHO: “A competent and dynamic health workforce at the heart of each health system is essential to advance global health goals. Countries need a pool of health professionals trained and exposed to the systems and processes in the health sector and who understand how stakeholders interact within the international health arena. WHO’s Internship Programme offers a wide range of opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain insight into the technical and administrative programmes of WHO and enrich their knowledge and experience in various areas, thereby contributing to the advancement of public health.”

Learn more and apply here.

OpenAI Bio Bug Bounty Program

From OpenAI: “As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen our safeguards for advanced AI capabilities in biology, we’re evolving our GPT‑5.5 Bio Bug Bounty to become an ongoing private program—the OpenAI Bio Bounty Program. The program will remain focused on universal jailbreaks that can defeat our predefined biosafety challenge against OpenAI’s frontier models, starting with GPT‑5.6 and going forward. The reward for a universal jailbreak for the OpenAI Bio Bounty Program has been raised from $25,000 to $50,000 for both GPT‑5.6 and GPT‑5.5. Smaller awards may be granted for partial wins at our discretion.”

Learn more and submit your application here.

Disarmament and non-proliferation of WMD – Training Program

From Asser Institute and OPCW: “By 2026, pressure on the international arms control system has reached a point few experts anticipated would arrive so quickly, driven largely by intense geopolitical fragmentation. There is a critical need for professionals who possess the legal, technical, and diplomatic expertise to navigate these modern complexities. This intensive five-day training provides a comprehensive, practical overview of the international non-proliferation and disarmament framework.”

This program will take place from October 26-30 in The Hague, the Netherlands. Learn more and register here.