Two quick updates before we get into the weekly wrap-up.
First, the Early Registration Deadline for the Pandemics, Bioterrorism, and International Security professional education course at the GMU Arlington Campus has been extended to June 15. For more information and registration, please click here.
Second, we here at Pandora Report wanted to let you know about a new website designed to provide resources for biosecurity professionals and practitioners and key stakeholders. The International Biosecurity Prevention Forum (IBPF) brings together the world’s leading experts from the health and security communities to share expertise on key biosecurity and bioterrorism prevention issues. Registering to join IBPF is free and easy. Go to http://www.ibpforum.organd click the “Request Membership” button to request an IBPF member account. Members get access to a discussion section and projects, resources, and best practices submitted by other members. Contact the IBPF support team at IBPForum@ic.fbi.gov if you have any questions or problems.
Now, onto the news. This weekend we have stories about British nuclear submarines, anti-vaccine legislation in California, the development of bird flu vaccines, and other stories you may have missed.
Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!!
Britain Investigates Sailor’s Disaster Warning Over Nuclear Subs
Able Seaman William McNeilly—a weapons engineer who served aboard HMS Vanguard, one of the four British submarines carrying Trident missiles—wrote a “lengthy dossier” released on the internet which says that the “Trident nuclear defense system was vulnerable both to enemies and to potentially devastating accidents because of safety failures.” McNeilly has since gone AWOL and both police and naval officials are trying to locate him.
The Japan Times—“The Royal Navy said it totally disagreed with McNeilly’s “subjective and unsubstantiated personal views,” describing him as a “very junior sailor.” But it added it was investigating both his claims and the “unauthorized release” of his dossier. “The naval service operates its submarine fleet under the most stringent safety regime and submarines do not go to sea unless they are completely safe to do so,” a spokeswoman said.”
A Blow to Anti-Vaxxers: California Approves Forced Vaccination Bill
By now, we all know that the measles outbreak that started last winter at Disneyland was a result of unvaccinated individuals. In California, the State Senate has passed a bill which limits parent’s use of the “personal belief exemption” in order to get out of getting their children vaccinated. Under the bill, parents who don’t get their children vaccinated would not be able to send their kids to state-licensed schools, nurseries, or day care centers.
State Column—“Only children who have a medical reason for why they can’t be vaccinated would still be allowed to attend schools without receiving their vaccinations under Senate Bill 277, which was sponsored by a California Sen. Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacremento), a pediatrician, and Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), a former school board member and the son of a survivor of polio, according to a Forbes report.”
Vaccines Developed for H5N1, H7N9 Avian Flu
Findings appearing in the Journal of Virology indicate that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases have developed a vaccine for both H5N1 and H7N9—two strains of avian influenza which can be transmitted from poultry to humans. The vaccine was developed by cloning the Newcastle disease virus and transplanting a small section of the H5N1 virus into it; the same method was used for the H7N9 vaccine.
Toronto Sun—“‘We believe this Newcastle disease virus concept works very well for poultry because you kill two birds with one stone, metaphorically speaking,” Richt said. “You use only one vector to vaccinate and protect against a selected virus strain of avian influenza.’”
Stories You May Have Missed
- North Korea claims that it can miniaturize nuclear weapons, which means the warheads could be attached to missiles and aimed at the U.S. and South Korea. Experts and U.S. military officials doubt the claims.
- Readers in England (or those planning on moving to England), boy, do I have a new apartment for you! A TB sanatorium in Sussex, which was opened in 1906, is being converted into luxury flats. Housing search, done.
- The Obama administration is having a bad week re: Syria. An agreement with Russia on Ukraine and Syria isn’t going well and it appears that ‘red line’ drawn for Bashar Assad may not actually be that red.
- There were reports this week that the avian flu outbreak in the U.S. could cause egg shortages. However, it turns out a federal law will, at least, protect the financial loss for farmers.
- Drones normally have a negative connotation. However, they’re being used to transport medical supplies to remote areas of Papua New Guinea in order to fight tuberculosis.
- Chemical weapons are pretty horrifying, but it was in chemical weapons that doctors developed chemotherapy. Get the whole story on io9.
Image Credit: UK Ministry of Defence
The Pandora Report 
