Author: Siddha Hover

First Human Infection with H6N1 Bird Flu virus

by Siddha Hover, posted in News

For the first time, the H6N1 Influenza A virus has successfully infected a human. A study published today in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine details the case, which occurred in May of this year. The patient, a 20-year-old woman living in Taiwan, had no prior contact with poultry, nor were any infected poultry detected in the farms near her home – the method of infection therefore remains unknown. The patient presented primarily with mild pneumonia, and successfully recovered  following a routine course of Tamiflu.

According to the Center for Disease Control in Taiwan, sequencing of the virus discovered  a mutation enabling a “G228S substitution in the haemagglutinin (HA) protein that might increase its ability to infect human cells”. After a thorough epidemiological investigation, no further cases of the virus were detected. H6N1 is a relatively low pathogenic strain of influenza.

For the Taiwanese CDC press release, see here.

(Image: Robert Sharp/Flickr)

Slideshow: MERS

by Siddha Hover, posted in Images

In light of the recent discovery of live MERS in a Saudi Arabian camel, we thought we’d revisit the emergent pathogen. For this week’s image gallery then, the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome virus, in false color.

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MERS Confirmed in Camel

by Siddha Hover, posted in News

For the first time since the virus’ emergence earlier this year, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been confirmed in an animal host. The virus itself, rather than the antibodies against it, has been found in a camel belonging to a man also infected with MERS. Tests are currently underway to isolate the virus strains in the man and camel respectively. The Saudi Health Ministry is quoted as saying that if the strains are identical,  it “would be a first scientific discovery worldwide, and a door to identify the source of the virus.”  In three prior outbreak clusters, the first patient to become ill had prior contact with camels.

The presence of the virus in camels seems to support the most popular theory of the virus’ transmission, involving bats as the primary reservoir and camels as the main vector. However, it is still unclear what contributes to the virus’ selective infection within camels, as previous studies sampling the animals have returned negative for presence of the virus or its antibodies.

According to the most recent WHO numbers, there have been 153 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS, including 64 deaths. The virus most commonly causes symptoms associated with severe respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath), but can also cause diarrhea, renal failure, and shock.

This Week in DC: Events 11.11.13

by Siddha Hover, posted in Events, Week In DC

Our (slightly biased) pick for this week is “Blinking Red: Crisis and Compromise in American Intelligence After 9/11” featuring author Michael Allen, General Michael Hayden, and Chuck Alsup.

Tuesday, November 12

U.S. Health Partnerships in the Mekong
CSIS
8:00AM – 2:45PM

We wish to invite you to a day-long conference on November 12 on U.S. Health Partnerships in the Mekong, organized by the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the CSIS Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies. Registration will begin at 8:00am, with the opening of the conference at 8:30am. The conference will be held in CSIS’ new building at 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, NW (a short walk from Dupont or Farragut North metro stops.) The conference is an important opportunity to hear from several high-level U.S. officials on how the Mekong’s health challenges increasingly matter to U.S. national interests, and how accelerating U.S. engagement in the region reflects this shift. It is also an unusual opportunity to hear from diverse Mekong leaders, in government, university, non-governmental bodies and international organizations, on how they view both the region’s priority health challenges and the expanding opportunities for partnerships with U.S. agencies. Priority attention will be given to how investments in health address equity and broad developmental challenges. There will also be considerable discussion of health security, including artemisinin-resistant malaria and emerging infectious diseases.

NATO’s Deterrence and Collective Defense
Atlantic Council
9:00AM

Please plan to join the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security and the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies (IFS) for a conference on NATO’s Deterrence and Collective Defense. This event is part of the Atlantic Council and IFS project on NATO in an Era of Global Competition. This eighteen-month project examines new ways of thinking strategically about NATO’s future role in the context of emerging security challenges, global power shifts, and disruptive technologies. The first conference in this series, NATO in a New Security Landscape, which took place in June, covered emerging trends in the global security environment and identified key challenges that NATO must confront to maintain strategic relevance in the future.

Public Health in the Philippines: Progress and Challenges
CSIS
2:00PM – 5:00PM

The Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies is pleased to cohost a half-day conference focusing on public health in the Philippines. The conference will present an overview of the status of public health in the Philippines, the challenges of reproductive health, and will explore strategies in which the private sector, local leadership, and policy makers can respond. The forum will be followed by a reception at the Romulo Hall, Embassy of the Philippines. For more information please contact The U.S. Philippines Society.

Blinking Red: Crisis and Compromise in American Intelligence After 9/11
 Date:  6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Founders Hall,  Arlington Campus of George Mason University

The National Security Law Journal in partnership with the Homeland and National Security Law Program at George Mason University School of Law, the Biodefense Program at George Mason University, and George Mason University School of Public Policy presents a conversation with author Michael Allen on his new book with a panel discussion and critique featuring General Michael V. Hayden (Ret.) former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency and Mr. Chuck Alsup former Associate Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy, Plans and Requirements. Registration is complimentary, but attendance is limited and advance registration is required. Please register online at www.nslj.org.

Wednesday, November 13

New Strategies for Countering Homegrown Violent Extremism
The Washington Institute
(Webcast)

Countering violent extremism abroad and at home remains one of the most challenging and important priorities facing policymakers, law enforcement officers, and intelligence personnel. Since the September 11 attacks, hundreds of individuals have been implicated in more than fifty homegrown plots, and authorities continue to work tirelessly in thwarting such plans. Yet events such as the Fort Hood shooting and Boston Marathon bombing underscore the urgency of developing a preventive strategy for reducing homegrown violent extremism. To discuss how policymakers and law enforcement are addressing these difficult issues, The Washington Institute is pleased to host a Policy Forum luncheon with George Selim, J. Thomas Manger, Hedieh Mirahmadi, and Matthew Levitt.

Hearing: Examining Nuclear Negotiations: Iran After Rouhani’s First 100 Days
U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs
10:00AM

Chairman Royce on the Hearing: “Instead of toughening sanctions to get meaningful and lasting concessions, the Obama Administration looks to be settling for interim and reversible steps. A partial freeze of enrichment, as we’re hearing, is not a freeze. As called for in U.N. Security Council resolutions, all of Iran’s enrichment – the key bomb-making technology – should be ceased. We now run the risk of seriously weakening the sanctions structure painstakingly built-up against Iran over years. Once weakened, it will be harder to ratchet up the economic pressure on Iran than it will be for the Iranians to ratchet up their nuclear program.”

Joint Subcommittee Hearing: The Continuing Threat of Boko Haram
U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittees on on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations;on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
1:00PM

Chairman Smith on the hearing: “Boko Haram, even given the breakaway group known as Ansaru, clearly is an organization dedicated to terrorizing Nigerians and now even foreigners. The group should be declared a Foreign Terrorist organization as they fit the entire definition, and our hearing is intended to demonstrate why this declaration has become imperative for our government to confirm.” Chairman Poe on the hearing: “Boko Haram has become more violent and radical in recent years. Spectacular attacks against international targets in Nigeria suggest they may take on a terrorist agenda outside the region. This should be of grave concern to the U.S. and our allies in the region.”

Thursday, November 14

Doomsday Clock Symposium
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists
Time: 9:00AM – 7:00PM

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will convene its 5th Annual Doomsday Clock Symposium on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. The daylong program, this year titled “Communicating Catastrophe,” is free and open to the public. Panelists will include scientists, artists, authors, and a psychiatrist. Following the Symposium at the AAAS, the Bulletin is co­hosting a “Meet the Artist” event at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden featuring Japanese artist Yoshimoto Nara; Nara’s work is included in the Hirshhorn’s current exhibit, “Damage Control: Art and Destruction Since 1950.” Students and faculty are welcome to the Symposium and Hirshhorn events; please see the Symposium program on the Bulletin website. Attendance is free but registration is required – please register here.  For more information about the symposium, including an agenda, please visit the website.

Armed Actors and Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean 
GMU Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center; SPP
12:00 – 1:30PM

The Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) will host Professor Desmond Arias for a discussion of the role of different types of armed actors in policy making and governance processes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Medellin, Colombia; and Kingston, Jamaica. His talk will show the varying effects of different types of armed dominance on local political and social life in each of these places. Professor Arias has recently joined the faculty of the School of Public Policy at George Mason University, and this will be his introductory lecture to the community.

(image: Dell/Flickr)

November Biodefense Policy Seminar: Dr. Kathleen Vogel

by Siddha Hover, posted in Biodefense Policy Seminar, Events

November Seminar Title: Project BACHUS: Forecasting Bioweapons Threats with Experiment and Demonstration

Speaker: Kathleen Vogel
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2013, 7:20PM
Location: Meese Conference Room, Mason Hall,  GMU Fairfax Campus

20110912_Fall Scholars 2011Dr. Vogel will describe a 1990s bioweapons threat assessment that involved setting up a mock bioweapons production facility as an “experiment”. The talk will discuss the difference between a scientific experiment and scientific demonstration and why it is important to interrogate what things are labeled as “experiments” and the implications that has for bioweapons assessments. Kathleen Vogel is an associate professor at Cornell, with a joint appointment in the Department of Science and Technology Studies and the Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. Vogel holds a Ph.D. in biological chemistry from Princeton University. Prior to joining the Cornell faculty, Vogel was appointed as a William C. Foster Fellow in the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Proliferation Threat Reduction in the Bureau of Nonproliferation. Vogel has also spent time as a visiting scholar at the Cooperative Monitoring Center, Sandia National Laboratories and the Center for Nonprolif­eration Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies. Her research focuses on studying the social and technical dimensions of bioweapons threats and the production of knowledge in intelligence assessments on WMD issues.

The Pandora Report 11.8.13

by Siddha Hover, posted in Pandora Report

Highlights include MERS in Spain and Abu Dhabi, a possible H1N1 fatality in Alaska, polio potentially spreading to Europe, and differing containment strategies for H5N1 outbreaks in Cambodia and Vietnam. Be sure to check out this week’s “Delving Deeper”, in which GMU Biodefense’s Yong-Bee Lim explores the threats and challenges of synthetic biology. Happy Friday!

MERS in Spain; Abu Dhabi

Both Spain and Abu Dhabi have identified their first cases of the Middle Eastern Respiratory Virus (MERS). The Spanish case involved a Moroccan citizen who lives in Spain and recently returned from hajj-related travel to Saudi Arabia. Health officials with Spain and the WHO are attempting to determine if the patient was treated in Saudi Arabia, whether she had contact with animals, and whether she flew commercially or by private plane (hopefully the latter). In Abu Dhabi, a 75-year-old Omani man has contracted the virus – it remains unclear where or how he became infected. In both cases, concerns over infection stemming from contact during the Muslim pilgrimage of hajj remain. If the two cases do involve hajj-related transmission, we may start to see similar cases popping up in regions with no prior incidence of the virus (North America, anyone?)

Spain reports its first MERS case; woman travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj

Vancouver Sun – “In its press release, the ministry said it is following up with people who were in contact with [the patient] to determine if others have contracted the sickness. That will likely involve tracking people who travelled on the same plane or planes with the ill woman, who journeyed back to Spain shortly before being hospitalized. The woman was already sick before she left the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a World Health Organization expert said Wednesday. ‘She became symptomatic while she was in KSA,’ said Dr. Anthony Mounts, the WHO’s point person for the new virus, a cousin of the coronavirus that caused the 2003 SARS outbreak.

Mers coronavirus diagnosed in patient in Abu Dhabi hospital

The National (UAE) – “The victim, who was visiting the UAE, began to suffer from respiratory symptoms last month and is now in intensive care. The diagnosis of Middle East respiratory syndrome was revealed by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi today, reported the state news agency Wam. The health authority is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and other organisations as it treats the patient. The authority said it had taken the necessary precautionary measures in line with international standards and recommendations set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO).”

H1N1 Fatality in Alaska?

A young adult patient in Anchorage has died from what is thought to be the 2009 strain of H1N1. According to Alaskan health officials, it is still too early to tell if H1N1 will be the dominant strain for their flu season – however, the majority of flu cases reported to health officials in the area involved the H1N1 strain. People, even sometimes young, healthy people, die of flu – get vaccinated.

Alaska Dispatch – “The hospital sent out an email Wednesday informing employees of the death of a young adult who had tested positive for what in-depth results could reveal as H1N1. The email also noted that some of the patients admitted to the medical center during the past week who tested positive for flu are ‘seriously ill’…It’s the time of year when flu cases increase, although flu is difficult to predict, said Donna Fearey, a nurse epidemiologist in the infectious disease program with the state of Alaska. There’s no way to know how severe the flu will be or how long it will last, she said.”

Polio emergence in Syria and Israel endangers Europe

In an article published in the Lancet today, two German scientists argue that the outbreak of wildtype poliovirus 1 (WPV1) in Syria, as well as the discovery of the virus in Israeli sewage, may pose a serious threat to nearby Europe. The vast majority of polio infections are asymptomatic – only one in 200 cases results in acute flaccid paralysis. Therefore, the flood of refugees streaming out of Syria and seeking asylum in European countries may serve as a large pool of asymptomatic carriers, resulting in the virus’ silent spread. Following polio’s eradication in Europe in 2002, many states limited their vaccination campaigns, resulting in large, unprotected populations, and a recipe for reintroduction of the crippling disease. This is why we should all care about eliminating polio from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria – because the one thing an asymptomatic virus can do well is spread. 

The Lancet – “It might take more than 30 generations of 10 days (5) —nearly 1 year of silent transmission—before one acute flaccid paralysis case is identified and an outbreak is detected, although hundreds of individuals would carry the infection. Vaccinating only Syrian refugees—as has been recommended by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (6)—must be judged as insufficient; more comprehensive measures should be taken into consideration. Oral polio vaccination provides high protection against acquisition and spreading of the infection, but this vaccine was discontinued in Europe because of rare cases of vaccination-related acute flaccid paralysis. Only some of the European Union member states still allow its use and none has a stockpile of oral polio vaccines.2 Routine screening of sewage for poliovirus has not been done in most European countries, (2) but this intensified surveillance measure should be considered for settlements with large numbers of Syrian refugees.”

H5N1 Epidemics in Cambodia; Vietnam

Both Cambodia and Vietnam are experiencing small outbreaks of H5N1, with the Cambodian outbreak infecting over 23 humans and the Vietnamese outbreak concentrated mainly within farm animals in two regions. To date, twelve of the 23 Cambodian cases have resulted in fatalities, compared with just two cases of human H5N1 in Vietnam. Vietnamese containment of the virus is attributed to the prevalence of larger, commercial farms, in which culling can occur quickly and effectively. This is unfortunately not the case in Cambodia, in which farming is largely sustenance-driven.  The differing methods of spread and containment in two otherwise similar countries help shed light on what practices can be undertaken to limit the virus’ reach.

Cambodia Daily – “But managing [the virus] in backyards, we are dealing with free-range poultry who run around villages and transmit it from one poultry to another,” he said, adding that 80 percent of Cambodian poultry are kept in people’s backyards. In all 23 avian influenza cases reported this year, the victims had contact with dead or sick animals. The Cambodian government also does not provide compensation for farmers whose poultry needs to be killed, which many experts say provides a disincentive to report sick birds.”

Tuoitre News (Vietnam) -“The southern Tien Giang Province People’s Committee on Wednesday declared an epidemic of the H5N1 avian flu in two communes, where the disease spread widely with most of the 557 affected ducks having died. The declaration was issued by deputy chairwoman of the Committee, Tran Thi Kim Mai, who asked the local Veterinary Sub-Department and other concerned agencies to take measures to control and drive back the epidemic in accordance with the Ordinance on Veterinary. All concerned agencies are required to tighten control over poultry-related activities and absolutely ban transporting of poultry into or out of epidemic areas, the authorities said.”

In case you missed it:
– Delving Deeper: Synthetic Biology and National Security Policy
– Fourth Case of H7N9 in China

(Image: Syrian refugees on the Turkish border, via Henry Ridgwell/VOA/Wikimedia Commons)

Event: Doomsday Clock Symposium

by Siddha Hover, posted in Events

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will convene its 5th Annual Doomsday Clock Symposium on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C.

The daylong program, this year titled “Communicating Catastrophe,” is free and open to the public. Panelists will include scientists, artists, authors, and a psychiatrist. Following the Symposium at the AAAS, the Bulletin is co­hosting a “Meet the Artist” event at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden featuring Japanese artist Yoshimoto Nara; Nara’s work is included in the Hirshhorn’s current exhibit, “Damage Control: Art and Destruction Since 1950.” Students and faculty are welcome to the Symposium and Hirshhorn events; please see the Symposium program on the Bulletin website.

Attendance is free but registration is required – please register here.  For more information about the symposium, including an agenda, please visit the website.

The day’s events will be streamed live through the Bulletin website. Students may also be interested in submission requrements for the Bulletin’s “Voices of Tomorrow,” a monthly essay, op­ed article, or multimedia presentation written or produced by a high school student, college undergraduate, or graduate student. For more information, please visit the website here.

Fourth Case of H7N9 in China

by Siddha Hover, posted in News

Chinese health officials have confirmed the fourth case of H7N9 in China in the last three weeks. The most recent case, involving a 64-year-old woman, was confirmed on October 30th in the Zhejiang province on China’s eastern shore.  At this point, the scattered cases are in keeping with expected patterns of infection, and are not yet a cause for concern. It remains too early to tell if this is simply indicative of normal numbers of H7N9 cases due to cooler weather, or if another outbreak may occur. We’ll keep you posted.

(Image: A Chinese poultry shop, via Jing Photography/Flickr)

Image of the Week: Y. Pestis

by Siddha Hover, posted in Images

We know we featured a gallery of plague pictures last week, but the one picture we failed to include was of the bacteria itself. Pictured below is the Yersinia pestis, the bacteria which killed millions by causing plague. While today plague in its bubonic form is easily treated, pneumonic plague has a 100% fatality rate unless antibiotics are administered within 24 hours.
7316086176_d95bc87f19_c

(Image credit: NIAID)

Event: Blinking Red – Crisis and Compromise in American Intelligence After 9/11

by Siddha Hover, posted in Events

“Blinking Red: Crisis and Compromise in American Intelligence After 9/11”

Speakers: Michael Allen, General Michael Hayden, Chuck Alsup
Date: Tuesday,  November 12, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Founders Hall, at the Arlington Campus of George Mason University.

The National Security Law Journal in partnership with the Homeland and National Security Law Program at George Mason University School of Law, the Biodefense Program at George Mason University, and George Mason University School of Public Policy presents a conversation with author Michael Allen on his new book with a panel discussion and critique featuring General Michael V. Hayden (Ret.) former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency and Mr. Chuck Alsup former Associate Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy, Plans and Requirements.

Registration is complimentary, but attendance is limited and advance registration is required. Please register online at www.nslj.org.