Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! 🍂 This issue features developments in vaccine safety and regulatory instability in the U.S., including continued leadership upheavals at the FDA and NIH and the potential public health consequences of weakening vaccination mandates. It also covers global health topics, from avian influenza outbreaks to emerging biosecurity and biosafety initiatives.
The Vaccine Safety Net is Fraying – and Communities Will Pay the Price
By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor of the Pandora Report
Figure 1. Preparing a vaccine dose – an essential tool in protecting communities as health agencies confront rising mis- and disinformation and shifting immunization policies. (Credit: Pexels)
Regulatory stability in the U.S. faces major shocks this week. StatNews reported that two senior FDA officials – Vinay Prasad and Tracy Beth Høeg – are quietly reshaping vaccine regulation by introducing new policies. These changes include stricter approval requirements and a narrower focus on high-risk populations for COVID-19 vaccines, raising alarms about transparency, the erosion of established norms, and potential negative impacts on public health. The turbulence continues with the abrupt replacement of the director of the NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Kyle Walsh, PhD, a neuroepidemiologist and close ally of Vice President JD Vance, was appointed as the new director. NIH employees noted that Walsh was not selected through the standard selection process for filling a vacant position.
At the FDA, deeper turmoil unfolded as Dr. George Tidmarsh, head of the agency’s drug center, resigned last Sunday following the launch of an HHS investigation into “serious concerns” about his personal conduct. His departure came as a drugmaker connected to Tidmarsh filed a lawsuit alleging that he made “false and defamatory statements” during his tenure at the FDA. Tidmarsh’s ousting marks the latest in a string of chaotic leadership changes at the FDA, which have been impaired for months by firings, departures, and controversial decisions on vaccines, fluoride and other issues.
Against this backdrop, experts are working to preserve public trust in vaccines amid mounting disinformation. Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, and his team at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) launched the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) in April – an initiative designed to provide clear, science-based information on vaccine safety and efficacy in order to fill gaps left by weakened advisory bodies such as ACIP.
Meanwhile, in Florida, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has announced plans to end nearly half a century of childhood vaccination mandates. Physicians warn that removing these requirements could trigger a resurgence of diseases like measles, hepatitis, meningitis, and pneumonia – disease historically kept at bay because mandates reliably boost vaccination rates. Yet many critics, including doctors, say they are afraid to publicly oppose the policy despite the well-documented evidence that mandates protect communities by increasing vaccine uptake – and in turn, strengthening the overall health and resilience of communities.
The consequences of retreating from immunization are already visible at the regional level. Canada officially lost its measles elimination status, meaning the entire Americas region has now lost the designation due to sustained transmission. The cause is clear: “We’re seeing transmission of the measles virus in communities, essentially, that are under-vaccinated. So measles is a very contagious virus, and when it gets into a community where there’s a low vaccine rate, then we see really quick spread of that virus,” says Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Outbreaks of avian influenza H5N1 continue to emerge across the United States as migratory birds carry the bird flu virus south for winter. In the past 30 days alone, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported bird flu cases in over 60 commercial and backyard poultry flocks. Indiana has become a hotspot, with Lagrange County recording six major detections since late October. Most recently, three commercial farms were affected, including facilities housing 8,400 ducks, 8,300 ducks, and 18,300 egg-laying chickens. Michigan and Minnesota have also experienced increases activity, with additional cases reported on both coasts in California, Oregon, and Virginia.
Compounding the crisis is a scaled-back federal response. Wendy Puryear, a virologist at Tufts University acknowledged that the U.S. is not in a great position to monitor the ongoing outbreaks as much of the infrastructure to do so has been shut down or hampered by the current administration. Collaboration between researchers and federal health agencies has diminished significantly due to restrictions on communication and staffing cuts within the government. Funding cuts have also forced many to halt H5N1 studies. Even prior to the government shutdown, which further exacerbated the situation, data from federally-run labs processing genetic sequencing data from infected animals was already notably slow. Experts warn this reduced surveillance leaves the country vulnerable, particularly as farm worker testing remains inadequate despite their high-risk exposure.
Europe is experiencing an equally severe surge, with 688 wild bird outbreaks documented this season compared to just 189 last year. Currently, 15 of 27 EU countries have recorded farm outbreaks so far this season. Germany has been hit hardest, recording 66 outbreaks between October 1 and November 5, with over 400 cases in wild birds, particularly cranes. The outbreak has prompted sweeping protective measures across the continent including confinement of poultry indoors to protect them from wild birds. Ireland implemented a nationwide housing order on November 5 after its first outbreak in three years, joining France, Britain, the Netherlands, and Belgium, all of which imposed similar lockdown measures over the past month.
Special Collection: How Scandals Shape Responsible Research and Innovation
Figure 2. The Journal of Responsible Innovation has launched a series of articles focused on how scandals shape Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). Learn more here.
The Journal of Responsible Innovationis releasing a new series of articles examining how scientific scandals reshape norms, governance, and public expectations of research. Drawing on historical and contemporary cases from both the Global North and South, the collection explores the relationship between scandals and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) through three interlinked perspectives: systemically (how scandals expose the gaps between legal frameworks and knowledge production), culturally (how scandals challenge perceptions of legitimacy and ethics), and epistemically (how scandals reveal hidden power structures and vested interests). Together, these pieces argue that scandals are not only moments of wrongdoing, but also opportunities for learning, reform, and strengthening RRI.
Guest Editors: Joy Y. Zhang, Kathleen Yogel, and Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley.
MIHCLE: A New Standard for High-Containment Lab Safety and Transparency
Researchers have proposed a new reporting standard called MIHCLE (Minimum Information about a High Containment Laboratory Experiment) to improve transparency and safety in work with high-risk pathogens. While it’s especially designed for BSL‑4 labs, MIHCLE could also apply to BSL‑3 research, helping standardize how experiments are documented under maximum containment conditions. This framework aims to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity by making high-risk experiments more traceable and accountable.
Biosecurity Knowledge Day 2025: Anticipating Biorisks and Building Preparedness
Figure 3. Introducing a new Dual-Use Infographic launched by the Biosecurity Office at the International Biosecurity Symposium 2025. It provides a practical, step-by-step guide to the phases of dual-use risk assessment cycle.
On last Thursday, November 6, the International Biosecurity Symposium 2025brought together an inspiring community of biosafety and biosecurity professionals to discuss emerging biorisk topics in the life sciences. Highlights included Johanna Sweere’s presentation on #mirrorlife, exploring how we can anticipate and govern risks from novel biotechnologies before they emerge.
Participants also engaged with the new dual-use infographic developed by the Biosecurity Office, a practical tool for assessing and mitigating dual-use risks (see here: link). Afternoon workshops offered hands-on experiences, from tabletop exercises testing organizational preparedness, to sessions on knowledge security dilemmas led by experts from TUDelft and the National Contact Point for Knowledge Security. Attendees also explored integrating security into Safe & Sustainable-by-Design (or #SSbD) and tackled biosecurity challenges in an interactive escape room. Learn more here.
NEW: How Can the Biological Weapons Convention Address the Dual-Use Challenges of AI-Driven Biodesign Tools?
From UNIDIR: “In collaboration with the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC-ISU) at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), UNIDIR is organizing a series of online technical briefs on emerging technologies and the BWC. The upcoming session will focus on artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools for molecular design and biological engineering – areas advancing at a rapid pace. It will examine their current capabilities, potential dual-use risks, evolving international policy responses, and implications for strengthening the BWC. The session will include a conversation-style expert panel, followed by an interactive question-and-answer segment with the audience.”
This event will take place online on November 26, 2025. Learn more and RSVP here.
NEW: Cyberbiosecurity: Emerging Risks and Opportunities for the Biological Weapons Convention
From UNIDIR: This session is organized as part of UNIDIR’s “Science and Technology Watchtower” project, aimed at identifying science and technology (S&T) developments and analysing their risks and opportunities for disarmament and international security. It will feature a short presentation of the main findings of UNIDIR’s new paper Cyberbiosecurity: A Matter of International Peace and Security?. The session will then feature a conversation-style panel with experts to explore the implications of cyberbiosecurity for bioscience governance, verification, and national implementation of the BWC, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.”
This event will take place online on December 4, 2025. Learn more and RSVP here.
GHS 2026
From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12June, 2026!”
“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”
“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”
The Human Biosafety Health Foundation – A New Hub for Biosafety in the Mediterranean
From the Human Biosafety Health Foundation: “The Human Biosafety Health Foundation has been established to promote research, training, and international cooperation in the fields of biosafety, public health, and health resilience. The Foundation aims to serve as a Mediterranean hub for the development of shared and innovative strategies in response to global challenges related to conventional and non-conventional biological threats, climate change, and health emergencies. The Scientific Committee is composed of medical officers and biosafety experts in high biocontainment transport from the Italian Air Force, ensuring a highly qualified, interdisciplinary, and operationally secure approach. By bringing together academic expertise, institutions, and civil society, the Foundation seeks to build an integrated network for health security, based on knowledge, prevention, and prediction.”
“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:
Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”
Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health
From Harvard’s Global Health Institute: “To equip and empower more leaders in global health, the Harvard Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offers a transformational 1-year fellowship specifically designed to promote leadership skills in individuals in low- and middle-income countries who will, in turn, mentor future female leaders in global health. Candidates should be currently based/working in a LMIC, and plan to return there after their fellowship.
The fellowship experience provides global health leaders time to reflect, recalibrate, and explore uncharted territories. To date, fellows have come from 18 different countries, with representation from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Their areas of focus have ranged from HIV/AIDS and healthcare to health policy at the highest levels of government. Past fellows’ areas of expertise span disciplines including research, advocacy, administration, and policy.”
Learn more and submit your application by November 30here.
Call for Presenters: International Bio Recovery Summit
The American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA) has opened its Call for Presenters for the 2026 International Bio Recovery Summit, taking place March 16-18 in Aberdeen, Maryland. As the industry’s leading event, the summit brings together bio-recovery professionals to address emerging challenges, regulatory updates, new technologies, and evolving safety standards in the field. ABRA invites experts to submit proposals aligned with conference objectives – including discussions on industry guidelines, insurance claims, hazardous substances, and business practices.
Learn more and submit your presentation by December 31here.
64th ISODARCO Course
From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”
“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”
“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”
“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”
This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.
Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! 🍂 This issue features new emerging pathogens and persistent vulnerabilities in the nation’s health system as scientists identify a new bat coronavirus in Brazil, CEPI scales up global partnerships to create the world’s largest Nipah vaccine reserve, and the U.S. biotech sector faces post-pandemic stagnation. We also cover new findings on silent avian influenza infections, and a global initiative redefining DNA screening standards for biosecurity.
Progress and Peril: New Viruses and Old Weaknesses in Global Health Preparedness
By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor of the Pandora Report
Figure 1. Bats in Latin America, such as Pteronotus parnellii, are key reservoirs for a new coronavirus, underscoring the importance of continued wildlife surveillance in pandemic prevention (Credit: Pexels)
Even as the world moves further away from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global health landscape continues to reveal both progress and peril in the fight against emerging pathogens.
This week, scientists identified a new coronavirus in wild Brazilian bats carrying a key genetic feature also found in SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for COVID-19 and MERS. The virus, named BRZ batCoV, was detected in Pteronotus parnellii – a small insect-eating bat common across Latin America. Researchers collected samples from the states of Maranhão and São Paulo, and while there’s no evidence that BRZ batCoV can infect humans, its discovery underscores the importance of sustained wildlife surveillance to track and mitigate spillover risks.
At the same time, global health organizations are racing to strengthen defenses against another deadly zoonotic threat: Nipah virus. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI) has partnered with the Serum Institute of India and the University of Oxford to manufacture ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccines for Phase II trials to create the world’s largest Nipah vaccine reserve – up to 100,000 investigational doses ready for emergency deployment. The collaboration aims to ensure rapid response capacity during future outbreaks, a model that could reshape how the world preemptively prepares for viral threats.
Yet while scientists work to prevent the next pandemic, the private biotech sector is grappling with waning momentum of interest. Moderna – once a pandemic-era powerhouse – has seen its market value plummet by more than 90% since 2021. Following declining COVID-19 vaccine sales and falsehoods touted by anti-vaxxers, the company faces deep layoffs and federal contract cancellations. In May, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. terminated $766 million in contracts intended for bird flu preparedness, amplifying concerns about political interference and declining investment in public health countermeasures.
Meanwhile, a new survey by Emergent BioSolutions revealed sobering perceptions among U.S. policy leaders: 65% believe a biological attack on U.S. soil is becoming more likely – and easier to execute – than a nuclear strike, while 45% say the country remains unprepared to respond. Experts like Khahlil A. Louisy highlight that the pandemic exposed major weaknesses in the nation’s health system, warning that decades of underfunding, disinformation, and gaps in local- and state-level infrastructure have left the U.S. “still unprepared for the next pandemic.” As climate change reshapes disease ecology and mis- and disinformation undermines science-based policymaking, the cracks in the U.S. biodefense system continue to widen.
Taken together, these developments highlight a troubling paradox: the world continues to make scientific strides against emerging pathogens, yet political instability, funding shortfalls, and public mistrust threaten to erode the very systems meant to protect us.
A scoping review by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers published in JAMA Network Open last week has shown that asymptomatic human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus have occurred. Additionally, the research indicates person-to-person transmission may be possible in certain environments, challenging previous assumptions about the clinical presentation and transmission patterns of this pathogen.
CDC researchers identified 18 cases of asymptomatic H5N1 infection from reports published through August 25, 2025. These cases include two with both molecular and serologic confirmation and 16 with molecular confirmation alone. While asymptomatic infections represent a small fraction of the more than 1,000 human H5N1 infections reported globally since 1997, their documentation has significant implications for public health surveillance and risk assessment.
The two fully confirmed asymptomatic cases occurred in adults in Pakistan (2007) and Vietnam (2011), both identified through household contact investigations of H5N1 patients. The Pakistani case patient had no documented exposure to infected poultry and is believed to have acquired infection through human-to-human transmission from symptomatic household members. The patient in Vietnam lived in the same household as a symptomatic confirmed H5N1 patient, but both handled and slaughtered virus-infected chickens before their infections were confirmed. Neither patient reported using personal protective equipment during exposure to symptomatic, confirmed cases within their household or, in the case of the patient in Vietnam, infected poultry.
Among the 16 molecularly confirmed cases, 11 were identified through enhanced surveillance programs targeting individuals with occupational exposure to infected poultry in Bangladesh, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The remaining five cases, including the only two cases in children, were detected through household contact investigations in Vietnam and Cambodia.
In an accompanying commentary, Rick Bright, PhD, of Bright Global Health, and Nicole Lurie, MD, MSPH, of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Harvard Medical School, emphasized the substantial implications of this review and highlighted critical deficiencies in current surveillance systems. Since March 2024, the ongoing H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b outbreak in U.S. dairy cattle has affected over 800 herds across at least 16 states, with 70 confirmed human cases and one death reported as of mid-2025. The findings of this review directly challenge the notion that there has been no human-to-human transmission related to these events.
Bright and Lurie stressed the need to strengthen, not curb, H5N1 surveillance reporting, noting, “the persistence of influenza A(H5N1) in wild birds, its ongoing adaptation in mammals, and its repeated incursions into human populations make it clear that the threat does not subside when immediate headlines fade.” Surveillance systems designed primarily for symptomatic case detection are insufficient for pathogens with pandemic potential. They argued that if asymptomatic infections occur undetected, transmission chains can progress unrecognized, providing opportunities for viral adaptation before an emerging pandemic is identified.
This research underscores the need for prospective surveillance studies incorporating serial molecular and serologic testing of high-risk populations, including farm workers, veterinarians, and household contacts of confirmed cases, regardless of symptom status. Furthermore, enhanced surveillance systems using a One Health approach integrating animal, human, and environmental data are essential for early detection and containment of a potential avian influenza pandemic threat.
New Initiative: The Sequence Biosecurity Risk Consortium (SBRC)
Figure 2. Homepage of the Sequence Biosecurity Risk Consortium (SBRC), a new initiative to define and manage biological “sequences of concern.”
A new international partnership is advancing the frontiers of sequence-level biosecurity. The Sequence Biosecurity Risk Consortium (SBRC), founded in 2024, brings together DNA synthesis providers, screening tool developers, policymakers, and scientific experts to establish clear, science-based standards for identifying and managing biological “sequences of concern.”
By maintaining a standardized Biosecurity Flag Rubric and a large Test Sets Collection of labeled genetic sequences, the SBRC aims to harmonize risk assessments and strengthen oversight across the biotech ecosystem. Through a community-driven consensus process, the consortium defines which genetic sequences pose clear risks, which are low-risk, and where uncertainties remain – reducing confusion and regulatory risk for responsible providers. The SBRC’s work addresses a long-standing challenge: while some sequences, such as toxin genes, clearly warrant scrutiny, many others occupy a gray area where risk assessment is subjective. The consortium’s standards and test materials help align screening practices across the bioeconomy, bridging gaps between science, policy, and industry.
From AI for SynBio: “Agentic AI and Biological Design Tools reduce the required expertise for new biotech developments enabling new benefits and novel harms. To guard against these harms, technical and policy solutions leveraging these AI and biotech advances should be deployed proactively to help red-team and safeguard against misuse in an exponentially changing landscape. This workshop series will shape the safeguards necessary to prevent harm and empower the community with technical and policy resources for the changing threat landscape. The workshop seeks participation from academia, non-profits, industry, and government.”
This event will take place on November 13. Register here.
GHS 2026
From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12June, 2026!”
“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”
“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”
NEW: Global South Fellowship Programme: Biosecurity
From CEPI: The Global South Fellowship Programme (GSFP) at CEPI, in its second round, is offering a fifth fellowship to actively participate in Global Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR) forums while locally/nationally/regionally championing the vision for the development of vaccines in 100 days and preparation for a world free from pandemics.
The fellowship duration will be up to maximum 1 year (fixed term) and will commence most likely in January 2026. Throughout this duration, the selected fellow will remain in their country of residence/employment. The Fellow shall conduct all of their work for CEPI remotely from their normal working location. The fellow will be subject to a successful contractual agreement between CEPI and their current employer (the Host Institution), and the Host Institution agreeing to second the Fellow to CEPI for the period of the Fellowship. Please refer to the following sections on more detailed information on scope and ways of working. The fellowship is a full-time position. However, if a full-time commitment is not possible for you, please flag this in your application and we would be happy to discuss.” Learn more and submit your application by November 16 here.
NEW: Call for Presenters: International Bio Recovery Summit
The American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA) has opened its Call for Presenters for the 2026 International Bio Recovery Summit, taking place March 16-18 in Aberdeen, Maryland. As the industry’s leading event, the summit brings together bio-recovery professionals to address emerging challenges, regulatory updates, new technologies, and evolving safety standards in the field. ABRA invites experts to submit proposals aligned with conference objectives – including discussions on industry guidelines, insurance claims, hazardous substances, and business practices.
Learn more and submit your presentation by December 31here.
The Human Biosafety Health Foundation – A New Hub for Biosafety in the Mediterranean
From the Human Biosafety Health Foundation: “The Human Biosafety Health Foundation has been established to promote research, training, and international cooperation in the fields of biosafety, public health, and health resilience. The Foundation aims to serve as a Mediterranean hub for the development of shared and innovative strategies in response to global challenges related to conventional and non-conventional biological threats, climate change, and health emergencies. The Scientific Committee is composed of medical officers and biosafety experts in high biocontainment transport from the Italian Air Force, ensuring a highly qualified, interdisciplinary, and operationally secure approach. By bringing together academic expertise, institutions, and civil society, the Foundation seeks to build an integrated network for health security, based on knowledge, prevention, and prediction.”
“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:
Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”
Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health
From Harvard’s Global Health Institute: “To equip and empower more leaders in global health, the Harvard Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offers a transformational 1-year fellowship specifically designed to promote leadership skills in individuals in low- and middle-income countries who will, in turn, mentor future female leaders in global health. Candidates should be currently based/working in a LMIC, and plan to return there after their fellowship.
The fellowship experience provides global health leaders time to reflect, recalibrate, and explore uncharted territories. To date, fellows have come from 18 different countries, with representation from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Their areas of focus have ranged from HIV/AIDS and healthcare to health policy at the highest levels of government. Past fellows’ areas of expertise span disciplines including research, advocacy, administration, and policy.”
Learn more and submit your application by November 30here.
64th ISODARCO Course
From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”
“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”
“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”
“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”
This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.
Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! Happy Halloween! 🎃 This issue uncovers the real horrors haunting U.S. public health: anti-science bills eroding trust and slashed PhD admissions threatening the next generation of scientists; explores rising biosecurity and chemical threats, from U.S. biotech gaps to Kazakhstan’s global oversight initiatives; and tracks Europe’s early bird flu wave, BWC verification innovations, and must-read pandemic preparedness insights. We also spotlight upcoming events, fellowships, and calls for papers shaping the future of global health security.
🎃The Scariest Story This Halloween: How American Public Health is Falling Apart 😱
By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor of the Pandora Report
This Halloween, the real horrors haunting the U.S. research and public health ecosystem aren’t ghouls or ghosts – they’re policy decisions and administrative chaos. From statehouses pushing anti-science laws to universities slashing PhD admissions amid federal funding cuts, America’s public health system faces a frightening test of endurance.
An AP investigation revealed that more than 420 anti-science bills have been introduced across many U.S. statehouses this year – targeting long-standing protections like vaccines, milk safety, and fluoride. Many of these efforts have been coordinated by allies of the HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Trump administration officials, aiming to reshape laws and minds nationwide.
Experts warn that the very programs under attack have saved millions of lives: vaccination programs have prevented an estimated 154 million deaths since 1974, while fluoridation and pasteurization have dramatically reduced cavities and foodborne illness. Yet, in a political climate increasingly hostile to science, facts are losing their footing against the rapid onslaught of misinformation, disinformation and populist rhetoric.
The damage is showing. According to new poll from Axios/Ipsos, public trust in federal health agencies is plummeting. Confidence in the CDC has fallen to 54%, down from 66% in December 2024, while trust in the FDA dropped to 52% from 60%. Support for childhood vaccinations has also slipped, with just 74% of Americans now agreeing that parents should follow the CDC’s recommended schedules – down from 81% in March 2025.
Figure 1. If you think this is scary, imagine a zombie apocalypse. Back in 2011, the CDC published a graphic novel called Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic to teach Americans about outbreak preparedness. In the story, CDC experts rapidly detect a pathogen that turns people into zombie, coordinate emergency operations, sequence the virus in labs, and roll out mass vaccination campaigns.
These numbers mirror the rough year the CDC has had under the Trump-Kennedy administration. Following months of upheaval, the agency has lost roughly a third of its workforce through firings, resignations, or administrative leave. Many of those caught in the purge led chronic disease programs, measured health and nutrition across the U.S., or provided mental health support for employees after the August shooting at CDC headquarters. Additionally, the fates of more than 600 workers continues to hang in the balance now that a federal judge has temporarily blocked their terminations.
The administration tied the firings to the shutdown, while other officials had offered a piteous “system glitch” as the cause for the termination notices that were sent and later rescinded, but few buy that explanation. “It seemed like intentional chaos for the sake of chaos so that nobody knew what was going on,” said one CDC employee, speaking anonymously out of fear of retribution.
Some observers believe the administration’s moves are retaliatory. “What they want to do is humiliate the CDC in the same way that they felt humiliated by it during COVID,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, who resigned in February as the CDC’s principal deputy director. The fallout has already frozen key operations: the agency’s ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) has indefinitely postponed its October meeting, potentially leaving the U.S. without a mechanism to update routine vaccination recommendations for 2026 and jeopardizing the pipeline for new vaccines.
The crisis extends beyond federal agencies. As Nature reports, universities nationwide are slashing PhD admissions by up to 75%, with some halting recruitment entirely. The cuts follow sweeping freezes on federal science funding, and now the administration is asking all US universities to support its priorities, really, ideological directives, including a ban on diversity programs, in exchange for better access to future federal research grants.
Experts warn this coercive use of funding power could result in a “lost generation” of scientists. Graduate students perform much of the hands-on research that drives biomedical and biodefense innovation – and without them, labs go quiet. “If this persists for a number of years,” economist Donna Ginther told Nature, “The scientific workforce will shrink,” and with it, America’s capacity for discovery.
🧪Biosecurity Nightmares: Biotech, Dual-Use Risks, and Chemical Threats 👻
Preparing for a Biotech-Powered Future in the U.S.
As biotechnology advances at an unprecedented rate, so do the risks – and the stakes – for national security. The U.S. is moving to ensure its defense and security apparatus can keep pace, especially as China makes significant gains in both civilian and military biotechnology applications. House lawmakers recently passed an amendment to the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the Secretary of Defense to establish training programs for Pentagon personnel on biotechnology and its convergence with emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. Led by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and informed by findings from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), the initiative aims to equip U.S. defense personnel to understand, evaluate, and respond to developments in biotech across research, risk assessment, testing and evaluation, and operational deployment.
The private sector is also stepping up in the bio-domain. Valthos Inc., a New York-based biodefense startup company received $30 million in funding to develop AI-driven software to detect emerging bioweapon threats and refine medical countermeasure designs. The company’s work comes at a critical time: U.S. biotechnology funding has dropped to its lowest levels in more than a decade, even as AI advancements increase both the potential and the risks of biotech misuse. Companies like Valthos are now on the frontline of preventing biotech innovations from being weaponized.
Global Moves Toward Biosecurity Oversight in Kazakhstan
Internationally, Kazakhstan continues to push the frontiers of global biosecurity. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev advanced the establishment an International Agency for Biosafety (IABS) to strengthen oversight under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). Five years later, Kazakhstan held a seminar in Almaty to mark the BTWC’s 50th anniversary and explore ways to reinforce the treaty. Developed in consultation with states and experts, the draft final report outlines mechanisms for international cooperation, review of scientific and technological developments, while considering the creation of a working group to address verification and compliance. This initiative also navigates potential overlaps with existing organizations such as WHO, WOAH, and FAO. Looking forward, Kazakhstan may transform IABS into a “testbed” for technical studies, enabling scientists and civil society to develop models that inform Geneva negotiations while remaining flexible in the face of emerging biological threats.
Chemical Weapons Remain a Global Threat
The shadow of chemical weapons continues to loom over global security. France has issued a new arrest warrant for ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad over deadly chemical attacks in Adra, Douma, and Eastern Ghouta in August 2013, which reportedly killed or injured nearly 1,500 people. This marks France’s third arrest warrant for Assad, who is now living in Russia following his ousting in December 2024. Charges include complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes, and a separate warrant issued for Talal Makhlouf, a former Syrian Republican Guard commander.
African Civil Society Acts Against Chemical Weapons
Meanwhile, African civil society is taking historic steps to address chemical weapons concerns closer to home. At the 85th Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, the NGO Forum passed a resolution addressing chemical weapons use in Sudan’s Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, Sennar, and Darfur states. The measure calls on Sudan to fully cooperate with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, allowing independent investigations into the reported attacks. While Sudan, a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), has previously denied using such weapons, the Forum found the government’s assurances insufficient, citing inadequate transparency and enforcement measures. Adoption of the resolution represents a milestone for African human rights advocacy in holding Sudan accountable and could influence both regional and international mechanisms for monitoring chemical weapons use.
A concerning wave of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza is sweeping across Europe, prompting urgent biosecurity measures and large-scale culling operations as authorities work to prevent viral spread. Bird flu has already triggered 56 outbreaks across ten European countries and Britain since August, marking the earliest widespread seasonal occurrence in at least a decade, although the total number of outbreaks still remains lower than in 2022 when the bird flu crisis hit its peak.
Poland, the EU’s top poultry producer, along with Spain and Germany have been hit especially hard. German authorities recently announced the country has culled more than 400,000 poultry with detections across 30 farms housing chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. Experts noted the current outbreak resembles Germany’s devastating 2021 bird flu wave, which forced the country to cull over 2 million birds.
In response to the mounting crisis, preventive action is being implemented across the EU and the United Kingdom. Great Britain and Northern Ireland are implementing an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone on November 1st, requiring all flock owners to follow strict biosecurity protocols. While birds can still go outdoors, keepers must ensure wild birds cannot access their food or water, and mandatory cleaning and disinfection rules must be followed.
As migration season continues, veterinary and human health authorities across Europe remain on high alert, recognizing that vigilance and biosecurity compliance are critical to preventing further escalation of this agricultural and public health challenge.
Meanwhile, the United States faces readiness challenges as migratory birds continue to drive up avian flu cases across the country, with infections detected in 62 commercial and backyard flocks across 17 states in the last month, affecting nearly 6.6 million birds. Public health officials warn that federal response has been hampered by staff cuts at both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the government shutdown, which has suspended critical activities like weekly calls among animal health laboratories. The shutdown is also preventing USDA participation in a key meeting of top animal health experts next week. Concerns have been intensifying in public health circles since the administration gutted the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness this summer and pulled funding for an mRNA vaccine for bird flu in humans. Despite a $1 billion comprehensive strategy to fight bird flu announced by the administration in February, which focused primarily on biosecurity audits and financial relief for impacted farmers, experts warn that shrinking resources and information blackouts are making it increasingly difficult to make evidence-based decisions about how to respond to this pandemic-potential threat.
GMU Biodefense Alumni Tackles BWC Verification with Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Dr. Yong-Bee Lim, a GMU PhD Biodefense alumni and Associate Director, Global Risk at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), recently co-authored a paper exploring how open-source intelligence (OSINT) could bolster verification of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
OSINT, a type of intelligence-gathering discipline, involves information collection, analysis, and methods application, offers a “layered” approach to help fact-check, investigate suspicious activities, and examine areas of concern or interest. While the BWC established critical norms against the development of biological weapons, it continues to face deep challenges – especially in verification, interstate friction and distrust, and issues with intentional treaty violation. The authors argue that OSINT, which has already proven effective in tracking other weapons of mass destruction, could now help strengthen the BWC’s architecture and support international norms as biological data continues to proliferate.
Learn more about Dr. Yong-Bee Lim and his work: FAS bio page
Book Review – The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics
By: Shreya Rajkumar, MS Biodefense student at GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government
“The Big One” is the stuff of nightmares, a pandemic more deadly, transmissible, and long-lasting than COVID-19, and precisely what Michael Osterholm and Mark Olshaker address in their aptly named book, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics. This book is not the first to dissect US preparedness for a pandemic or offer suggestions for improvements, nor it is the first to warn the public about the ramifications of a devastating “Disease X.” However, The Big One brings a much-needed dose of humility and reality that cuts through the noise surrounding current discussions about pandemics and public health.
Combining Osterholm’s decades of public health experience with Olshaker’s storytelling and analytic writing, The Big One is a comprehensive review of US pandemic preparedness and response. The authors succeed in making the book accessible to those without a background in public health and infectious disease yet still relevant to practitioners in those fields. Whether discussing basic science, disease transmission, public health mandates, vaccines, risk communication, biosurveillance, or politics, Osterholm’s strong voice carefully explains public health concepts, addresses the failures of the past, and recommends improvements for the future.
There are many public health actions that Osterholm criticizes in The Big One, of which the most consequential may be the public health establishment’s reluctance to admit its mistakes. As the former state epidemiologist for the Minnesota Department of Health and consultant to a variety of national and international public health agencies, Osterholm is a prominent member of this establishment and concedes several instances where he was wrong and had to re-evaluate his arguments. By doing this, he reaffirms his dedication to the scientific method, accepting new data, and speaking uncomfortable truths. Osterholm holds prominent public health organizations accountable for their reluctance to do the same during the earlier days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples include when public health officials continued supporting contact tracing even when it was shown that asymptomatic transmission severely complicated those efforts, and when public health organizations persisted in stating that the virus was spread through droplets despite scientific evidence demonstrating aerosol-based transmission.
At the same time, The Big One pushes back against anti-science rhetoric and encourages increased funding for innovative public health programs. Vaccines and respirators are two such areas the book argues in favor of. Specifically, the authors call for a funding schedule like that of the Department of Defense, where technologies receive investments prior to the point of need, and new products are continuously funded and developed. After all, “The Big One” will be poised to take millions of lives, so these costs will be worth it.
One of the clever ways The Big One cuts through the noise of debates on pandemic preparedness and response is the use of fiction. Framed as a tabletop simulation, each chapter of The Big One feeds into an overarching plot where the world responds to a novel coronavirus outbreak. Fiction has an ability to grab the attention of the public that is hard to match. Consider Richard Preston’s The Cobra Event, which captivated then-President Bill Clinton and resulted in his administration’s efforts to counter bioterrorism. The scenarios presented in The Big One could have a similar effect as Osterholm and Olshaker expertly illustrate concepts that the chapters dive into, making it easier for the reader to imagine the public health factors that the authors analyze.
In the more technical parts of the chapters, a combination of humility and reality form the basis for Osterholm’s recommendations. As early as the prologue, the authors state, “Indeed, it [humility] is an acknowledgement of reality.” This “acknowledgement” and its role as the foundation for future improvements is something that other public health experts echo in their work. Former CDC director Tom Friedman’s newest book, Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives-Including Your Own, impresses upon the reader the formula: “See, Believe, Create.” According to Frieden, managing public health crises begins with identifying an issue and believing it exists and can be fixed, before taking action to create solutions. Some of the issues Osterholm addresses and proposes solutions for include misinformation (which could be combatted by an independent third-party validation bureau) and lengthy school closures (which could be shortened and enacted only during periods of high disease transmission, inspired by the logic behind declaring “snow days”).
I must admit to some shortfalls in The Big One. The early chapters first touch upon basic science, disease transmission, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccines before pivoting to address communication, disease reporting, and politics. This sequence implies the order of priorities in responding to a pandemic, and we see this play out in the book’s tabletop simulation, to the detriment of the fictional government. Because they neglect to combat misinformation in favor of focusing on vaccine development, the administration struggles to play catch-up in the wake of rampant disinformation in the media. I would have preferred to see communication, surveillance, and politics be addressed concurrently to the progression from pathogen identification to vaccine development to show an increased importance on those concepts. For a book that communicates so well, it is ironic that it waits until its second half to properly address the topic of communication.
Another criticism regards the fictional president’s actions and their consequences. In the scenario, the president listens to scientists and employs honest, empathetic communication in the style of World War II-era leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. However, in the epilogue section, it is revealed that the president’s efforts could not save their re-election campaign. It would be hypocritical for a book rooted in humility and accepting reality to present a scenario where perfect decisions result in perfect endings. However, in a world where political leaders have a vested interest in being re-elected, one must wonder how helpful this example is in convincing officials to champion science and adopt empathetic honest communication. Perhaps this dose of reality is too strong.
Despite these flaws, The Big One remains a refreshing read. In the context of biodefense and health security, the succinct nature of the book allows the authors to address an exhaustive list of factors in pandemic preparedness and response, and to propose many tailored future steps. Any of these ideas, such as the improper use of mathematical modeling, could be an interesting topic of study on their own. The willingness to hold public health agencies accountable and the discussion around politics in public health are also valuable aspects of the book.
When “The Big One” inevitably hits, we will either find ourselves in the role of the fictional officials who lament the lack of proactive pandemic preparedness programs, or we will be in a situation where we have built upon the lessons from COVID to enact a more effective response. As Osterholm and Olshaker state at the end of The Big One, “we have seen what’s coming. The choice of how we prepare for and face it is up to us.” Indeed, this is one last humble act of the book, for we have not only “seen what’s coming” in this book, but also “how to prepare for and face it.” The only question left is whether we will act on what we have learned.
NEW: Bridging Perspectives in COVID’s Wake: Science Policy, and Public Trust in Crisis Response
From AEI: “As we move beyond the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to thoughtfully examine the health outcomes and policy decisions that shaped our collective response to the crisis. Structured around Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee’s In COVID’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us, this flagship event will feature a fireside chat with the authors and panel discussions examining how scientific evidence, policy implementation, and public communication intersected during the pandemic. These conversations aim to build mutual understanding among leading public health, science, and policy experts and identify lessons that can strengthen our response to future challenges.
This event is part of a broader collaboration between Johns Hopkins University faculty and American Enterprise Institute scholars.”
This event will be from 2:00 – 5:45 PM ET in Baltimore, MD on Thursday, November 6. Register here.
DC Biosecurity Happy Hour at Blackfinn DC!
This will be an informal event for biosecurity enthusiasts and professionals in DC to get to know each other outside of email and Zoom calls and talk about new ideas in this space.
The next event will be from 5:30 – 7:30 PM ET in Washington, DC, on Monday, November 3. Register here.
Nexus Series: AI x Bio: Workshop 1
From AI for SynBio: “Agentic AI and Biological Design Tools reduce the required expertise for new biotech developments enabling new benefits and novel harms. To guard against these harms, technical and policy solutions leveraging these AI and biotech advances should be deployed proactively to help red-team and safeguard against misuse in an exponentially changing landscape. This workshop series will shape the safeguards necessary to prevent harm and empower the community with technical and policy resources for the changing threat landscape. The workshop seeks participation from academia, non-profits, industry, and government.”
This event will take place on November 13. Register here.
GHS 2026
From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12June, 2026!”
“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”
“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”
The Human Biosafety Health Foundation – A New Hub for Biosafety in the Mediterranean
From the Human Biosafety Health Foundation: “The Human Biosafety Health Foundation has been established to promote research, training, and international cooperation in the fields of biosafety, public health, and health resilience. The Foundation aims to serve as a Mediterranean hub for the development of shared and innovative strategies in response to global challenges related to conventional and non-conventional biological threats, climate change, and health emergencies. The Scientific Committee is composed of medical officers and biosafety experts in high biocontainment transport from the Italian Air Force, ensuring a highly qualified, interdisciplinary, and operationally secure approach. By bringing together academic expertise, institutions, and civil society, the Foundation seeks to build an integrated network for health security, based on knowledge, prevention, and prediction.”
“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:
Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”
From ERA: “ERA, in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, is now accepting applications for our AIxBio Fellowship – an eight-week, fully-funded research programme focused on addressing biosecurity risks amplified by advances in frontier AI. Running from 25th January to 22nd March, 2026 in Cambridge, UK, this fellowship offers researchers the opportunity to design and execute concrete research projects at the AIxBiosecurity interface.”
Learn more and submit your application by November 5 here.
Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health
From Harvard’s Global Health Institute: “To equip and empower more leaders in global health, the Harvard Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offers a transformational 1-year fellowship specifically designed to promote leadership skills in individuals in low- and middle-income countries who will, in turn, mentor future female leaders in global health. Candidates should be currently based/working in a LMIC, and plan to return there after their fellowship.
The fellowship experience provides global health leaders time to reflect, recalibrate, and explore uncharted territories. To date, fellows have come from 18 different countries, with representation from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Their areas of focus have ranged from HIV/AIDS and healthcare to health policy at the highest levels of government. Past fellows’ areas of expertise span disciplines including research, advocacy, administration, and policy.”
Learn more and submit your application by November 30here.
64th ISODARCO Course
From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”
“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”
“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”
“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”
This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.
Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! 🍂 This issue unprecedented workforce disruptions at the CDC, as mass layoffs and leadership changes raises questions about ‘America’s first’ public health readiness; a deeper dive into the global fallout of U.S. foreign health aid cuts; and a look at the new biotech and AI race, where China’s rapid rise and fragile U.S. supply chains expose risks for both national security and innovation.
Thinking About Graduate Study in Biodefense?
The Schar School of Policy and Government has several upcoming recruitment events, including one for prospective PhD students:
Following multiple rounds of mass firings, partial reversals, and several terminations still pending legal review, the union representing the employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)estimates that roughly 3,000 of its 13,000 staff received RIF (reduction-in-force) notices this year. Many of these affected worked on chronic disease prevention, nutrition and health initiatives, or handled state requests to investigate overdose and drowning deaths. Others were mental health professionals who supported staff after the August shooting at CDC headquarters in Atlanta.
Officials warn that these layoffs have left the CDC dangerously unprepared to protect Americans’ health and safety. “The CDC cannot protect all of us in the U.S. if they continue to have staff and resource cuts,” said Debra Houry, the former Chief Medical Officer.
The leadership turmoil doesn’t end there. In recent weeks, former acting CDC Director, Richard Besser, called the cuts “absolutely heartbreaking” and criticized current acting Director Jim O’Neill’s proposal to split the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots – despite O’Neill’s lack of public health or scientific training. The proposal has raised alarms from health experts, who warn that dividing the vaccine into multiple doses would increase the number of health care visits needed; reduce access to the vaccines; and lower overall vaccination rates.
Broader Impacts Across Health and Security Agencies in the U.S.
The CDC is not the only federal agency reeling from disruptions. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has faced furloughs and staffing cuts – just days before the start of open enrollment. CMS later confirmed that workers would return on Oct. 27, noting that the agency would cover user operation fees as the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week.
Meanwhile, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) – responsible for overseeing the U.S. nuclear stockpile – furloughed 1,400 employees on Monday as part of the ongoing shutdown, with fewer than 400 remaining to safeguard the stockpile. Earlier this year, the Trump administration also fired hundreds of NNSA employees, before reversing the decision following criticism of jeopardizing national security.
The Fallout of U.S. Aid Cuts: Threats to Global Health
Global health leaders are sounding the alarm over a fractured aid system and declining U.S. support. At the World Health Summit in Berlin last week, executives from major institutions – including the Global Fund, Gavi, and the World Health Organization (WHO) – called to addressed the financial crisis facing global health as the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. aid under the Trump administration exposed structural problems that officials acknowledged had existed for years.
Between 2024 and 2025, global development assistance for health fell 21%, driven primarily by a 67% drop in U.S. funding – over $9 billion – according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Health Policy Watch notes: “Tens of millions of lives, particularly among children under five and people in the world’s poorest countries, are threatened by the cuts.”
Therefore, ongoing RIFs in the U.S. now unfortunately also include reductions-in-funding. This reflects a shift in foreign aid priorities, exemplified by the State Department’s America First Global Health Strategy. While the strategy promotes bold U.S. leadership, observers warn that it overlooks the realities faced by communities on the ground. Disregarding the needs of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) risks worsening the very problems the strategy aims to solve.
The Swift American Exit Threatens Communities Worldwide – from Somalia to the DRC
The consequences of U.S. aid cuts to LMICs are already being felt. For years, funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) sustained hundreds of community health clinics, food programs, and maternal health initiatives worldwide. When the Trump administration dismantled the agency and slashed foreign aid, much of this support abruptly ended – including programs run by Save the Children and the International Medical Corps.
U.S. humanitarian aid to Somalia, for example, has plummeted – from an average of $450 million per year over the past decade to just $128 million in 2025, crippling programs that once provided fortified food and basic healthcare services. The impact is devastating: in Baidoa, a city in southern Somalia, emergency feeding centers are overwhelmed with malnourished children suffering from preventable diseases like measles, diphtheria, cholera, and whooping cough. Save the Children had to close some emergency centers and other countries, including the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, have also reduced contributions.
Global initiatives are also affected. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a coalition to eradicate polio including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Gates Foundation, will see a 30% budget reduction in 2026 and a $1.7bn funding gap through 2029, largely due to the U.S. withdrawal from WHO. To copy, GPEI plans to prioritize surveillance, vaccination in high-risk areas, and adopt strategies such as fractional dosing, which stretches limited vaccine supplies while protecting children from infection.
These funding shortfalls exacerbate ongoing health crises. In Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the worst cholera outbreaks in a decade is rapidly spreading, with 20 of 26 provinces affected. Since mid-October, more than 58,000 suspected cases and over 1,700 deaths have been reported. Doctors Without Borders warns that the country’s healthcare system is ill-equipped to contain the outbreak amid shortages of medical supplies and vaccines.
The New Biotech Race: How Supply Chain Fragility and China’s Rise Threaten U.S. Health Security
From life-saving medicines to AI, U.S. leadership in critical technologies and supply chains is under pressure. The pandemic revealed how fragile global supply chains for essential drugs had become – and how quickly technological dependencies can turn into security risks. Now, these vulnerabilities are deepening, spanning from the factory to the cloud.
China is rapidly becoming a global biotech powerhouse. Over the past five years, Chinese companies producing cancer and gene therapy drugs have more than doubled licensing agreements for their intellectual property, while they’ve also invested heavily in raw material production and advanced manufacturing capacity. In contrast, the U.S. still lacks a coordinated national biotechnology strategy. Federal research funding in the U.S. has also stagnated, regulatory systems remain fragmented burdened with barriers to slow the translation of discoveries from lab to market, and private investors remain cautious to fund cutting-edge research in the face of political and economic uncertainty. As Todd Young writes in Foreign Affairs, failure for the U.S. to act decisively could mean ceding control over the technologies that define global health, economic power, and national and international security in the decades ahead.
The consequences of this drift are already visible. Nearly 700 medicines approved in the U.S., including antibiotics and generics for heart disease, seizures, and HIV, rely on at least one chemical solely sourced from China. A new module on the USP Medicine Supply Map highlights vulnerabilities in the U.S. upstream pharmaceutical supply chains. They highlighted three key findings:
Most key starting materials (KSMs) used to synthesize active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are extremely concentration, with 58% sole-sourced from a single country.
There are sourcing clusters in China and India, with China supplying 41% of KSMs used in US-approved APIs and India 16%.
Many APIs rely on one country for key ingredients.
From USP: “To strengthen American medicine supply chain, we should incentivize diverse manufacturing through onshoring and friend-shoring and modernize procurement practices to prioritize reliability and resilience alongside cost.”
By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor
PAHO Reports Continued Spread of Bird Flu Across the Americas
Last week, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) released its latest epidemiological update on highly pathogenic avian influenza A subtype H5N1 (HPAI), documenting the ongoing expansion of the virus across the Americas. Since 2022, 19 countries and territories in the Americas Region have reported 5,063 outbreaks of HPAI to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), with 115 additional outbreaks recorded since PAHO’s last update published May 2025.
Between 2022 and October 2025, 76 human infections and two deaths caused by HPAI were reported across five countries in the Americas (United States, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and Ecuador). On October 2, Mexico confirmed its second human H5 infection this year (the neuraminidase of the strain has yet to be identified). A 23-year-old female with no history of seasonal influenza vaccination or recent travel developed symptoms including fever, runny nose, and difficulty swallowing which progressed to hemoptysis (coughing up blood) and chest pains requiring hospitalization. Subsequent RT-PCR testing of the patient’s respiratory samples confirmed infection with influenza type A (H5). The patient was treated with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and discharged on October 11. Environmental investigation revealed influenza A(H5)-positive samples from poultry and pigeons found in her apartment building’s courtyard. Fortunately, this patient recovered; however, globally, the cumulative fatality rate of H5N1 since 2003 remains alarmingly high at 48%, with 475 deaths among 990 cases across 25 countries.
The PAHO report also noted the continued unprecedented jump of avian influenza from birds to mammalian species. In the United States alone, 1,080 dairy herds across 18 states have been affected since March 2024, with 27 additional herds identified since May. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has reported 20 detections in wild mammals in Canada this year. PAHO emphasized the concerning increase in HPAI detection in both terrestrial and marine mammals worldwide, including companion and production animals, and the need for heightened surveillance and implementation of biosecurity measures to reduce virus spread. This week, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported dozens of new detections in wild waterfowl across multiple states, including mallards in New Hampshire, black vultures in four states, and various species in Minnesota, Montana, and Oregon. The ease with which the virus transmits from wild birds to domestic flocks underscores ongoing surveillance challenges.
Although avian influenza outbreaks primarily affect animals, the virus still poses ongoing risks to public health. PAHO urges continued intersectoral collaboration between Member States to strengthen human-animal surveillance and improve infection prevention and control in health and agricultural settings.
NEW: The Role of the Media in Investigating the Origin of the COVID-19 Pandemic
From Brookings: Free media institutions are essential for informing the public and serving as a check on those in power — uncovering corruption and other malfeasance through investigative reporting, and elevating transparency in our governing processes. The media was perhaps even more important when the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, as it played a key role in disseminating public health information and shaping public perception.
On October 27, the Brookings Center on Regulation and Markets will hold an event to examine the role of the media in investigating the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and draw important lessons for journalistic investigations of future crises to ensure independence and accountability in reporting. This event is part of a CRM workstream on biosafety regulation and pandemic prevention, which also included a recent event on “Building resilience: Enhancing biosafety, biosecurity, and pandemic preparedness.”
This event will take place from 1:30 – 3:15 PM EDT on October 27 in Washinton, DC, and virtually. Learn more and register here.
NEW: DC Biosecurity Happy Hour at Blackfinn DC!
This will be an informal event for biosecurity enthusiasts and professionals in DC to get to know each other outside of email and Zoom calls and talk about new ideas in this space.
The next event will be from 5:30 – 7:30 PM ET in Washington, DC, on Monday, November 3. Register here.
2025 Scowcroft Institute Pandemic Policy Summit, “Bridging the Gaps: Resilient Supply Chains in the Age of Pandemics.”
From the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs: “This summit will convene scholars, policymakers, emergency managers, international partners, and industry leaders to examine the vulnerabilities exposed by recent global health emergencies and explore innovative policy solutions to strengthen domestic and global supply chain resilience. Together, we will identify strategies to ensure the reliable flow of critical goods and services in the face of future pandemics and public health crises.”
The summit will take place on October 27-28 in College Station, TX. Learn more and register here.
Exploring Applications of AI in Genomics and Precision Health: A Workshop
From NASEM: “The National Academies’ Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health will host a hybrid public workshop on October 28 to explore current and potential future applications for AI in genomics and precision health along the continuum from translational research to clinical applications. The workshop will:
Explore the current implementation of AI in genomics and precision health (e.g., variant interpretation, data integration, patient and participant identification, return of results, treatment selection).
Discuss potential benefits and challenges of future AI applications (e.g., data harmonization and security, workforce, and usefulness for all).
Consider evaluations for and impact of the accuracy of, and bias inherent to, AI technologies in genomics-related research and clinical care.
Examine lessons learned from applications of AI in other fields that may be transferable to genomics and precision health throughout the translational research process.”
This workshop will take place 8:30am-5:00pm ET on October 28. Register here.
Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction
From the World Organisation for Animal Health: “In October 2025, WOAH is hosting its third Global Conference, with the goal of galvanising advocacy efforts to manage the rising risk of biological threats from across the world.”
“The Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction – which will take place in Geneva on 28-30 October 2025 – will bring together top minds in the fields of health-security, emerging technologies, and biothreat reduction policies, from the public and private sectors – to focus on the latest strategies, challenges and innovations in combating biological threats to our interconnected ecosystems.”
“The Conference will bring together approximately 400 participants from different sectors, including animal health, law enforcement and security, public health, international and regional organisations, investment and development partners, private sector and industry representatives, research, academia and regulatory authorities, youth organisations.”
“Attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions and innovative technical presentations aimed at strengthening prevention, preparedness and response capabilities across the world.”
“The event will be guided by a narrative that traces WOAH’s commitment to biological threat reduction and the increasingly relevant role it plays at the health-security interface. Against the backdrop of an uncertain future, WOAH believes that synergies between sectors can drive positive change – making the world a safer and healthier place. ”
AI-Accelerated Biological Risk: Delving into Asia’s Challenges and Emerging Solutions
From Singapore AI Safety Hub: “As AI-enabled biodesign accelerates, so do the questions around responsible development, risk mitigation, and international cooperation. This 90-minute virtual roundtable brings together experts from AI safety, biosecurity research and policy to explore:
🔬 What are the most urgent AI-bio risks we face today—and which ones aren’t getting enough attention?
🌏 How does Asia’s unique regulatory and research landscape shape these challenges and opportunities?
🛡️ What solutions and interventions show the most promise for responsible governance?
🚀 What practical steps should researchers, policymakers, and practitioners prioritize in the next 12 months?
This panel will explore the convergence of AI and biosecurity—unpacking Asia’s unique challenges, emerging solutions, and the pathways toward responsible governance. From urgent risk assessment to practical next steps for researchers and policymakers, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.”
This virtual roundtable will take place from9:00 AM-10:30 AM EDT on Thursday, October 30. Register here.
Nexus Series: AI x Bio: Workshop 1
From AI for SynBio: “Agentic AI and Biological Design Tools reduce the required expertise for new biotech developments enabling new benefits and novel harms. To guard against these harms, technical and policy solutions leveraging these AI and biotech advances should be deployed proactively to help red-team and safeguard against misuse in an exponentially changing landscape. This workshop series will shape the safeguards necessary to prevent harm and empower the community with technical and policy resources for the changing threat landscape. The workshop seeks participation from academia, non-profits, industry, and government.”
This event will take place on November 13. Register here.
GHS 2026
From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12June, 2026!”
“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”
“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”
The Human Biosafety Health Foundation – A New Hub for Biosafety in the Mediterranean
From the Human Biosafety Health Foundation: “The Human Biosafety Health Foundation has been established to promote research, training, and international cooperation in the fields of biosafety, public health, and health resilience. The Foundation aims to serve as a Mediterranean hub for the development of shared and innovative strategies in response to global challenges related to conventional and non-conventional biological threats, climate change, and health emergencies. The Scientific Committee is composed of medical officers and biosafety experts in high biocontainment transport from the Italian Air Force, ensuring a highly qualified, interdisciplinary, and operationally secure approach. By bringing together academic expertise, institutions, and civil society, the Foundation seeks to build an integrated network for health security, based on knowledge, prevention, and prediction.”
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – Addressing Agricultural Biorisk Evidence Base Gaps with Applied Research
“There is a global recognition that the current evidence base to inform laboratory and on-farm biological risk management has gaps, and that applied agricultural biosafety and biosecurity policies are not always based on evidence. This notice of funding will support the design and implementation of applied agricultural biorisk research to address evidence gaps in working with high-consequence veterinary and agricultural pathogens as identified during the RAV3N Biorisk and Biosafety Gap Assessment Workshop or similar gap analysis like the WOAH working group agent specific biorisk gap analysis. ERGP is seeking proposals that address one or more key focus area components listed below. Each proposal will go through an internal ERGP and external expert review. Successful proposals should address at least one of the key focus areas and at least one component under that area.”
Learn more and submit your proposal by October 31here.
Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly Call for Papers
“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:
Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”
“The Editors of Applied Biosafety are pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue focused on the myriad of topics associated with global biosafety management. This special issue will showcase examples of innovative approaches, creative solutions, and best practices developed and used around the world for managing risks associated with the handling, use, and storage of infectious biological agents, toxins, and potentially infectious materials in research and clinical settings.”
From ERA: “ERA, in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, is now accepting applications for our AIxBio Fellowship – an eight-week, fully-funded research programme focused on addressing biosecurity risks amplified by advances in frontier AI. Running from 25th January to 22nd March, 2026 in Cambridge, UK, this fellowship offers researchers the opportunity to design and execute concrete research projects at the AIxBiosecurity interface.”
Learn more and submit your application by November 5 here.
Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health
From Harvard’s Global Health Institute: “To equip and empower more leaders in global health, the Harvard Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offers a transformational 1-year fellowship specifically designed to promote leadership skills in individuals in low- and middle-income countries who will, in turn, mentor future female leaders in global health. Candidates should be currently based/working in a LMIC, and plan to return there after their fellowship.
The fellowship experience provides global health leaders time to reflect, recalibrate, and explore uncharted territories. To date, fellows have come from 18 different countries, with representation from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Their areas of focus have ranged from HIV/AIDS and healthcare to health policy at the highest levels of government. Past fellows’ areas of expertise span disciplines including research, advocacy, administration, and policy.”
Learn more and submit your application by November 30here.
64th ISODARCO Course
From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”
“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”
“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”
“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”
This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.
Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue features unprecedented disruptions across U.S. federal health agencies, including mass layoffs at the CDC and HHS, emerging challenges in biotechnology governance with BIOSECURE 2.0 and AI-drive generative biology, and new global health security initiatives from WHO and GPMB to improve early detection and pandemic preparedness across governments and communities.
Thinking About Graduate Study in Biodefense?
The Schar School of Policy and Government has several upcoming recruitment events, including one for prospective PhD students:
☕ Plus: Regional coffee chats with faculty and admissions staff across Maryland, Virginia, and DC. Learn more here.
💡 Tuition Benefit: Master’s and certificate students living in Maryland and DC quality for in-state tuition rates. Learn more and register here.
Fragmented Foundations: The Consequences of Mass Firings, Government Shutdown, and Political Turmoil Across U.S. Federal Agencies
By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor
The U.S. public health system is reeling from an unprecedented wave of mass firings, rehirings, and leadership reshuffles across federal health agencies. The Hill reports that more than 4,100 federal employees were laidoff on Friday, Oct. 10 – what many are describing as a “workforce massacre.” More than 1,000 staff at the CDC received layoff letters, while another 1,100-1,200 were terminated from the HHS. This marks the latest blow to the CDC that was already strained by mass resignations, a shooting at its Atlanta headquarters in August, and the recent firing of its director, Dr. Susan Monarez, under pressure from the HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Many of the CDC layoffs were later rescinded following public outcry, with the Trump administration claiming the decisions were made in error. The reversals, however, only deepened the sense of confusion and unease within the agency, and were not without consequences – as critical teams in biodefense and preparedness were still gutted. Those affected included staff from the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), known as “disease detectives,” experts from the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) – the CDC’s flagship alert system for emerging infectious diseases, and teams working on chronic disease, immunization, respiratory illnesses, and responses to the growing measles outbreak in the U.S.
“The effect of the on-again, off-again RIF on the psyche of a traumatized organization is not inconsequential,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, one of the three senior CDC leaders who resigned in August to protest Monarez’s firing. “Americans are going to get hurt,” he warned. Daskalakis, formerly the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, saw his leadership team laid off – and then hastily brought back.
Other agencies were also affected. According to The Hill, “Friday’s RIFs also impacted approximately 466 Education Department employees, 442 Department of Housing and Urban Development employees, 315 Commerce Department employees, 187 Energy Department employees and 176 Department of Homeland Security employees.”
The cuts came during the second week of a government shutdown – a move both unusual and legally contested. Lawsuits have since been filed by the American Federal of Government Employees, the nation’s largest federal employee union, among others, which sued hours before the government funding lapsed on Oct. 1, arguing that the administration lacks the authority to permanently eliminate positions during a shutdown and may only furlough workers.
Taken together, these mass firings and policy shifts represent more than bureaucratic mismanagement; they signal a strategic and dangerous devaluation of scientific integrity and public health. Each day of the shutdown leaves federal research programs in limbo, delaying critical work in university labs that rely on federal funding. Experts warn that if the shutdown continues for even a few more weeks, the disruptions could become “devastating,” echoing challenges from the longest shutdown in 2019. Every dismissal, delayed report, and frozen study further erodes national preparedness against biological risks. Unless decisive action is taken to restore transparency, scientific independence from political motives, and stable leadership, the United States risks entering the next public health emergency with a fractured, demoralized workforce and a weakened scientific infrastructure.
From BIOSECURE 2.0 to Generative Biology: Evolving Challenges in Biotechnology Governance
Lawmakers and analysts are sounding the alarm over the rapid pace of biotechnology advanced abroad – particularly in China – arguing that U.S. leadership in defense biotech is slipping at a critical moment. As Defense One reports, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Rep. Chrissy Houlaha (D-Pa.), and other members of Congress are urging greater investment in defense-oriented biotech research to counter China’s growing dominance in gene editing, biomanufacturing, and pharmaceutical innovation. RealClear World similarly warns that the American biotech ecosystem is increasingly “made in China,” with U.S. supply chains, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and chemical industries deeply dependent on Chinese firms.
In response, the House and Senate services committees have added a number of biotechnology measures into the most recent National Defense Authorization Act bill, including a new amendment named “BIOSECURE 2.0,” building on 2024’s BIOSECURE 1.0 Act. While BIOSECURE 1.0 explicitly named four Chinese firms as “biotechnology companies of concern,” the updated legislation shifts toward a process-based identification system. Instead of naming any specific companies, BIOSECURE 2.0 will identify companies of concern based on whether they meet certain statutorily defined criteria and national security risk assessments, allowing for more adaptive and transparent enforcement.
Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum highlights the urgent need to build safeguards around generative biology, which integrates AI, automation, and computational design to accelerate the creation of novel biological systems. While this convergence is transforming industries – from Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold, which has successfully predicted 3D structures of millions of proteins, to food companies like Perfect Day and Impossible Foods using engineered microbes to produce alternatives to conventional dairy and livestock – generative biology also introduces profound security concerns. One group of risks include emerging AI threats, warning that these systems could lower barriers to misuse, are vulnerable to adversarial attacks that could compromise the model’s accuracy, and allow for the insertion of poisoned datasets that could distort results, leading to inflated false positives and negatives.
A recent NBC News investigation found that certain versions of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) could be “tricked and manipulated” to provide detailed instruction on creating chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, underscoring how AI may inadvertently expand access to dangerous expertise. These vulnerabilities illustrate the dual-use dilemma of emerging technologies, emphasizing the urgent need for pre-deployment testing, regulatory oversight, and ethical frameworks to prevent malicious applications while advancing scientific progress.
Advancing Global Health Security: WHO and GPMD Launch New Preparedness Systems
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMD) launched its 2025 report, The New Face of Pandemic Preparedness, during the World Health Summit in Berlin on Oct. 13, calling for a paradigm shift in pandemic preparedness through scaled up investment in primary healthcare, real-time risk assessment, and strengthened international cooperation to ensure local, regional and global communities are ready to prevent and respond to the next pandemic.
Complementing this, the WHO has introduced two major initiatives to bolster global health security. First, the PHSM Decision Navigator, a first-of-its-kind decision navigator framework designed to support governments in making complex, evidence-informed, and threat-agnostic public health and social measures (PHSM) decisions during global health emergencies. By offering a step-by-step guide to prioritize and adjust interventions like quarantine, masking, and mobility restrictions, the navigator aims to balance epidemiological risks, economic and social impacts, and ethical considerations.
Second, WHO launched version 2.0 of the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system, which leverages AI and expanded data sources to provide early detection of public health threats worldwide. Together, these tools exemplify the critical need for agile, transparent, and science-driven systems in preparing governments and communities to respond effectively in health emergencies.
By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor
Bird Flu Season Kicks into High Gear Across the United States
Fall bird flu season appears well under way as H5N1 activity surges across the United States in commercial poultry operations, backyard flocks, and wild bird populations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed multiple significant outbreaks in the last month, with 47 flocks affected, including 28 commercial operations and 19 backyard locations, totaling more than 4.4 million birds.
The geographic distribution appears concentrated in Midwest and Southern states. Three large commercial turkey farms in Minnesota experienced major losses this week, with facilities reporting 30,000, 61,000, and 92,000 infections across three counties. The Pacific Northwest also faces rising bird flu fears following detection of H5N1 in a commercial egg layer facility in Washington, housing nearly 2 million birds. Oregon and Idaho identified additional cases in both backyard flocks and, in Idaho’s case, a preliminary confirmation in a dairy herd as well.
Wild bird detections have spiked particularly among migratory waterfowl species. Hunter-harvested blue-winged teal in Kansas tested positive for H5N1, as did specimens collected in Louisiana. Black vultures, turkey vultures, Canada geese, and trumpeter swans have shown H5 positivity across multiple states including Wyoming, Ohio, Colorado, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, and Michigan.
From Farm to Table: Bird Flu May be Hiding in Artisanal Cheeses
As bird flu expands into cattle populations, emerging research has identified an unexpected food safety concern in cheese. The virus has been shown to survive the aging process in certain raw milk cheeses, potentially reaching consumers on supermarket shelves months after contaminated milk was used.
A study published in early October in Nature Medicine revealed that in cheeses with moderate pH levels between 5.8 and 6.6, infectious H5N1 persisted after 120 days of aging at a temperature of 39 Fahrenheit. The FDA requires that raw milk cheese must be aged a minimum of 60 days at or above 35 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning there is a potential health risk for consumers. However, not all raw milk cheeses appear to pose a risk. Researchers found that highly acidic cheeses like feta, which has a pH around 4.6 or lower, showed no detectable virus, suggesting acidity acts as a natural antiviral barrier.
These findings create a troubling situation for the cheese industry as the qualities that give artisanal cheeses their prized flavors and textures are the same conditions that may allow H5N1 to persist. It also puts additional strain on dairy farmers already grappling with herd infections across 17 states. A single contaminated milk batch could produce hundreds of wheels of cheese destined for distribution before any problem is detected.
Mitigation pathways exist but will require industry coordination: screening milk samples prior to cheese making to ensure only virus-free milk is used or heating milk to sub-pasteurization temperatures to preserve the desirable raw milk characteristics while rendering the pathogen harmless. The challenge lies in implementing these measures rapidly enough to protect both industry viability and public health.
H5N1 Vaccine Project Aims to Meet 100-Day Development Target
This week the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced a significant partnership with the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, to develop a new H5N1 vaccine as a prototype for Disease X, an as-yet unknown pathogen with pandemic potential.
The goal of the project, which has been granted $16.4 million in financial support, is to allow rapid development of broadly protective vaccines capable of responding to multiple H5 virus strains. The vaccine will be developed on a baculovirus platform and will compare two H5 antigens for a recombinant protein vaccine: a wild-type and an artificial intelligence (AI)-optimized, broad-spectrum H5 antigen designed by scientists at Houston Methodist Research Institute.
According to CEPI leadership, the project is a key component of the organization’s ambitious 100-day mission, which aims to compress vaccine development timelines to within 100 days of identifying a pandemic threat.
“Milton Leitenberg: Pioneering Work on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Wars and Arms Control”
Kathleen M. Vogel, Nicole J. Ball, and Milton Leitenberg are pleased to announce the publication of Milton Leitenberg: Pioneering Work on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Wars and Arms Control (Springer, 2025). This nearly 900-page book is a collection of 44 representative publications and papers by Milton Leitenberg on nuclear and biological arms control, wars, conflicts, genocide and humanitarian intervention, and weapons of mass destruction. Several chapters explore aspects of disinformation, notably on the use and production of biological weapons and the origins of Covid. In addition to publications that appeared in journals and books, this volume contains several previously unpublished reports prepared for national and international organizations. Spanning 55 years, these studies made substantial contributions to policy literature and discussions over the years and are of continued interest to security studies, political science, and policy audiences today.
This book is available in hard copy and eBook formats here
NEW: 2025 Scowcroft Institute Pandemic Policy Summit, “Bridging the Gaps: Resilient Supply Chains in the Age of Pandemics.”
From the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs: “This summit will convene scholars, policymakers, emergency managers, international partners, and industry leaders to examine the vulnerabilities exposed by recent global health emergencies and explore innovative policy solutions to strengthen domestic and global supply chain resilience. Together, we will identify strategies to ensure the reliable flow of critical goods and services in the face of future pandemics and public health crises.”
The summit will take place on October 27-28 in College Station, TX. Learn more and register here.
AI, Health, and the Future of Scientific Cooperation: A Seminar
From Harvard Kennedy School: “This seminar explores how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, global health, and the scientific enterprise: accelerating discovery, strengthening biosecurity, and reshaping international collaboration. Moderated by Dr. Syra Madad, fellow and biosecurity expert, the discussion will highlight both the opportunities and risks at the intersection of AI, medicine, and scientific cooperation in a rapidly evolving world.”
This event will take place from 12:00-2:00pm ET on October 20. Register here.
Improving Resiliency in the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Through Make-Buy-Invest Strategic Actions: A Workshop
From NASEM: “The National Academies will convene a hybrid public workshop, October 22-23, to develop a framework to inform policymakers and stakeholders on how to apply Make, Buy, or Invest strategies across the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain. Discussions will consider variables such as national security and health; drug manufacturing practices; systemic enablers to support implementation practices; methods to assess market conditions; and the roles of key public and private stakeholders to influence the resilience of the domestic drug supply chain.”
This event will take place from 8:30am-5:30pm ET on October 22-23. Register here.
Governance of Dual-Use Risks of Synthetic Biology: Recent Efforts in China
From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “Scientific progress in cutting-edge biotechnology has enabled the development of new medical countermeasures and disease surveillance capabilities. With the increasing ease of use and accessibility, and lower cost of biotechnology, unintentional misuse or deliberate abuse of dual-use cutting edge biotechnology will result in serious economic and security consequences.
Professor Zhang will explain how the Tianjin University Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, the first scientific think tank focusing biotechnology-related biosecurity governance in China, raises awareness of the dual-use risks of biotechnology, develops solutions and policies to address these risks, and reinforces ethical practice in the scientific community.”
This event will take place from 6:00–7:00 pm (GMT+08:00) on October 23. Register here.
Exploring Applications of AI in Genomics and Precision Health: A Workshop
From NASEM: “The National Academies’ Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health will host a hybrid public workshop on October 28 to explore current and potential future applications for AI in genomics and precision health along the continuum from translational research to clinical applications. The workshop will:
Explore the current implementation of AI in genomics and precision health (e.g., variant interpretation, data integration, patient and participant identification, return of results, treatment selection).
Discuss potential benefits and challenges of future AI applications (e.g., data harmonization and security, workforce, and usefulness for all).
Consider evaluations for and impact of the accuracy of, and bias inherent to, AI technologies in genomics-related research and clinical care.
Examine lessons learned from applications of AI in other fields that may be transferable to genomics and precision health throughout the translational research process.”
This workshop will take place 8:30am-5:00pm ET on October 28. Register here.
Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction
From the World Organisation for Animal Health: “In October 2025, WOAH is hosting its third Global Conference, with the goal of galvanising advocacy efforts to manage the rising risk of biological threats from across the world.”
“The Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction – which will take place in Geneva on 28-30 October 2025 – will bring together top minds in the fields of health-security, emerging technologies, and biothreat reduction policies, from the public and private sectors – to focus on the latest strategies, challenges and innovations in combating biological threats to our interconnected ecosystems.”
“The Conference will bring together approximately 400 participants from different sectors, including animal health, law enforcement and security, public health, international and regional organisations, investment and development partners, private sector and industry representatives, research, academia and regulatory authorities, youth organisations.”
“Attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions and innovative technical presentations aimed at strengthening prevention, preparedness and response capabilities across the world.”
“The event will be guided by a narrative that traces WOAH’s commitment to biological threat reduction and the increasingly relevant role it plays at the health-security interface. Against the backdrop of an uncertain future, WOAH believes that synergies between sectors can drive positive change – making the world a safer and healthier place. ”
AI-Accelerated Biological Risk: Delving into Asia’s Challenges and Emerging Solutions
From Singapore AI Safety Hub: “As AI-enabled biodesign accelerates, so do the questions around responsible development, risk mitigation, and international cooperation. This 90-minute virtual roundtable brings together experts from AI safety, biosecurity research and policy to explore:
🔬 What are the most urgent AI-bio risks we face today—and which ones aren’t getting enough attention?
🌏 How does Asia’s unique regulatory and research landscape shape these challenges and opportunities?
🛡️ What solutions and interventions show the most promise for responsible governance?
🚀 What practical steps should researchers, policymakers, and practitioners prioritize in the next 12 months?
This panel will explore the convergence of AI and biosecurity—unpacking Asia’s unique challenges, emerging solutions, and the pathways toward responsible governance. From urgent risk assessment to practical next steps for researchers and policymakers, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.”
This virtual roundtable will take place from9:00 AM-10:30 AM EDT on Thursday, October 30. Register here.
Nexus Series: AI x Bio: Workshop 1
From AI for SynBio: “Agentic AI and Biological Design Tools reduce the required expertise for new biotech developments enabling new benefits and novel harms. To guard against these harms, technical and policy solutions leveraging these AI and biotech advances should be deployed proactively to help red-team and safeguard against misuse in an exponentially changing landscape. This workshop series will shape the safeguards necessary to prevent harm and empower the community with technical and policy resources for the changing threat landscape. The workshop seeks participation from academia, non-profits, industry, and government.”
This event will take place on November 13. Register here.
GHS 2026
From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12June, 2026!”
“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”
“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”
NEW: The Human Biosafety Health Foundation – A New Hub for Biosafety in the Mediterranean
From the Human Biosafety Health Foundation: “The Human Biosafety Health Foundation has been established to promote research, training, and international cooperation in the fields of biosafety, public health, and health resilience. The Foundation aims to serve as a Mediterranean hub for the development of shared and innovative strategies in response to global challenges related to conventional and non-conventional biological threats, climate change, and health emergencies. The Scientific Committee is composed of medical officers and biosafety experts in high biocontainment transport from the Italian Air Force, ensuring a highly qualified, interdisciplinary, and operationally secure approach. By bringing together academic expertise, institutions, and civil society, the Foundation seeks to build an integrated network for health security, based on knowledge, prevention, and prediction.”
“The fellowship ensures a pipeline of the brightest, most dedicated, and diverse next-generation experts into leading think tanks and advocacy groups in order to inspire creative new approaches to the pervasive challenges to peace and security. Its goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world by providing an entree for mission-driven grads eager to learn about and contribute to public-interest organizations. The fellowship was established to honor longtime nuclear arms control activist Dr. Herbert (Pete) Scoville, Jr., a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and dedicated public servant, who encouraged young people to become involved in arms control and national security.”
Learn more and submit your application by October 20 here.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – Addressing Agricultural Biorisk Evidence Base Gaps with Applied Research
“There is a global recognition that the current evidence base to inform laboratory and on-farm biological risk management has gaps, and that applied agricultural biosafety and biosecurity policies are not always based on evidence. This notice of funding will support the design and implementation of applied agricultural biorisk research to address evidence gaps in working with high-consequence veterinary and agricultural pathogens as identified during the RAV3N Biorisk and Biosafety Gap Assessment Workshop or similar gap analysis like the WOAH working group agent specific biorisk gap analysis. ERGP is seeking proposals that address one or more key focus area components listed below. Each proposal will go through an internal ERGP and external expert review. Successful proposals should address at least one of the key focus areas and at least one component under that area.”
Learn more and submit your proposal by October 31here.
Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly Call for Papers
“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:
Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”
“The Editors of Applied Biosafety are pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue focused on the myriad of topics associated with global biosafety management. This special issue will showcase examples of innovative approaches, creative solutions, and best practices developed and used around the world for managing risks associated with the handling, use, and storage of infectious biological agents, toxins, and potentially infectious materials in research and clinical settings.”
From ERA: “ERA, in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, is now accepting applications for our AIxBio Fellowship – an eight-week, fully-funded research programme focused on addressing biosecurity risks amplified by advances in frontier AI. Running from 25th January to 22nd March, 2026 in Cambridge, UK, this fellowship offers researchers the opportunity to design and execute concrete research projects at the AIxBiosecurity interface.”
Learn more and submit your application by November 5 here.
Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health
From Harvard’s Global Health Institute: “To equip and empower more leaders in global health, the Harvard Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offers a transformational 1-year fellowship specifically designed to promote leadership skills in individuals in low- and middle-income countries who will, in turn, mentor future female leaders in global health. Candidates should be currently based/working in a LMIC, and plan to return there after their fellowship.
The fellowship experience provides global health leaders time to reflect, recalibrate, and explore uncharted territories. To date, fellows have come from 18 different countries, with representation from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Their areas of focus have ranged from HIV/AIDS and healthcare to health policy at the highest levels of government. Past fellows’ areas of expertise span disciplines including research, advocacy, administration, and policy.”
Learn more and submit your application by November 30here.
64th ISODARCO Course
From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”
“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”
“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”
“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”
This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.
This edition of the Pandora Report focuses on public and global health developments from the first week of the second Trump administration. This includes the executive order to withdraw the US from the WHO, the pause on communications from the Department of Health and Human Services, and more.
HHS Formally Debars Peter Daszak and EcoHealth Alliance
Last week, following eight months of investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) severed all funding and formally debarred EcoHealth Alliance Inc. and its former president, Dr. Peter Daszak, for a period of five years. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer said in a statement about the formal announcement that, “Justice for the American people was served today. Bad actor EcoHealth Alliance and its corrupt former President, Dr. Peter Daszak, were formally debarred by HHS for using taxpayer funds to facilitate dangerous gain-of-function research in China. Today’s decision is not only a victory for the U.S. taxpayer, but also for American national security and the safety of citizens worldwide.”
He continued, “In May 2024, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup released evidence that EcoHealth repeatedly violated the terms of its NIH grant. EcoHealth routinely ignored government oversight requests, failed to report dangerous gain-of-function experiments conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and produced a required research report two years late. HHS cited all of these discoveries as key reasons for formally debarring EcoHealth and Dr. Daszak. Given that a lab-related incident involving gain-of-function research is the most likely origin of COVID-19, EcoHealth and its former President should never again receive a single cent from the U.S. taxpayer.”
RFK Jr. Petitioned FDA to Revoke COVID-19 Vaccine EUAs
The New York Timesreported last week that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick to lead HHS, filed a petition with the FDA in May 2021 that demanded the agency rescind emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines and refrain from approving any such vaccines in the future. In the petition, Kennedy and Meryl Nass (a physician on the Children’s Health Defense Scientific Advisory Board, an organization founded by Kennedy), claimed, in reference to COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, that “…the current risks of serious adverse events or deaths outweigh the benefits, and because existing, approved drugs provide highly effective prophylaxis and treatment against COVID, mooting the EUAs.”
These “effective prophylaxis and treatment” drugs include ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, both of which had already been proven ineffective against COVID-19. Furthermore, at the time the petition was filed, some estimates were already showing that the rapid rollout of these vaccines had saved around 140,000 lives in the US alone. While the petition garnered little attention at the time, it is now a demonstration of the profound lack of understanding RFK Jr. has of medicine and public health. His confirmation hearing as the nominee to become the Secretary of HHS is scheduled for January 29.
Trump Issues Executive Order to Withdraw the US from the WHO
On January 20, President Trump issued an executive order stating the intention of the US to withdraw from the World Health Organization. The order explains in part, “The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO.”
However, these numbers are at odds with those tallied by the WHO itself. While President Trump asserted that the US gives the WHO $500 million in contrast to $39 million from China, the US was set to contribute $706 million while China is at $184 million in the organization’s 2024-25 budget.
Furthermore, WHO funding comes from two pots. The first is based on the UN’s assessment of a country’s “capacity to pay,” which is calculated based on countries’ populations and wealth. For the US and China, these numbers are sat at $264 million and $181 million respectively. This pot makes up less than 20% of WHO’s budget. The other, much larger pot, involved voluntary contributions that come not just from member states, but from philanthropic organizations, corporations, NGOs, and even private citizens. The US is projected to contribute $442 million to this fund, while China is on track to contribute just $2.5 million. While China is not contributing as much as the US, it is meeting its assessed contributions capacity to pay as determined by the UN. (Source: NPR)
As the EO alludes to, Trump tried to withdraw the US from the WHO during his first administration, with his administration formally notifying the UN Secretary-General of this intention on July 6, 2020. The United States entered into WHO membership in 1948 following a joint resolution of Congress. This resolution was signed by President Truman, who then used this to sign the Instrument of Acceptance of the Constitution of the World Health Organization. Because of this, there are questions about the legality of this 2020 order.
Some have cited the ruling in Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer as a legal precedent that would prevent Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from WHO. In this case, the US Supreme Court found that President Truman lacked statutory authority conferred by Congress (or the Constitution) in seizing control of steel production during the Korean War. Justice Hugo Black wrote in the majority opinion, “When the President takes measures incompatible with the expressed or implied will of Congress, his power is at its lowest ebb…”
This has formed the basis for legal arguments against Donald Trump’s previous efforts to withdraw the US from WHO membership as withdrawing without express approval from Congress would therefore violate US law. This is in addition to requirements for the US to pay its financial obligations to the WHO for the current fiscal year.
Perhaps most importantly, US withdrawal from the WHO would harm global health as a whole and represent yet further decline of US global leadership. Severing this relationship would only be detrimental to global health, which certainly cannot be good for the United States as it will undermine the country’s capacity to respond to health emergencies. Furthermore, this move would weaken US influence and diplomacy. This would also potentially present China with a greater opportunity to take leadership and reshape global norms to suit its interests, something that President Trump should be worried about.
The World Health Organization is not perfect, and it never will be. The way to address problems in the WHO, however, is by working collaboratively with the organization itself and other Member States. This has proven effective over the last several years, during which WHO has implemented the largest set of reforms in its history. The US will lose its leverage in pushing for reform by abandoning its membership, and it will also lose its place in an organization that has helped make the world a safer, healthier place for everyone.
Trump Administration Halts Federal Health Agencies’ Communications
The Trump administration has ordered federal health agencies to pause all external communications through February 1, including health advisories, weekly scientific reports, updates to websites, and social media posts. The instructions provided to staff at HHS agencies (including the FDA, CDC, and NIH) cited a review as the reason for this pause, though it is broader in scope than expected.
As The Washington Postexplains, “The pause on communications includes scientific reports issued by the CDC, known as the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR); advisories sent out to clinicians on CDC’s health alert network about public health incidents; data updates to the CDC website; and public health data releases from the National Center for Health Statistics, which tracks myriad health trends, including drug overdose deaths.”
One anonymous official told the Post that CDC was scheduled to publish several MMWR reports this week, three of which are about H5N1 avian influenza. It remains unclear if this guidance exempts urgent communications for things like foodborne disease outbreaks, drug approvals, or new bird flu cases, though the memo explains some exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Trump Freezes NIH Meetings, Travel, and Hiring
President Trump’s administration has also implemented far-reaching pauses at the NIH. In addition to the overarching pause on HHS communications, the administration has cancelled NIH meetings like grant review panels in addition to placing a freeze on hiring (which is in effect across the federal government) and an indefinite ban on travel. Science Insider describes the confusion and uncertainty this has caused, writing in part “…officials halted midstream a training workshop for junior scientists, called off a workshop on adolescent learning minutes before it was to begin, and canceled meetings of two advisory councils. Panels that were scheduled to review grant proposals also received eleventh-hour word that they wouldn’t be meeting.”
These pauses have reportedly left many at NIH and elsewhere with great uncertainty and unease. Many research meetings with teams of people at numerous institutions were cancelled suddenly, delaying important work. The travel pause can be especially damaging for younger scientists, including graduate students and postdocs, who need conference presentations to get feedback on their work and network in their fields. The travel pause also prevents NIH employees from traveling to other NIH locations, and has required some already traveling to return home prematurely.
Possible Executive Order Pausing Gain of Function ResearchFundingAhead
The Trump administration is reportedly drafting an executive order that would pause federal funding for gain of function research. In 2014, the NIH imposed a moratorium on federal funding for certain studies involving GoF research. This stemmed from concerns about two studies involving modified H5N1 viruses and concerns about safety issues at CDC and NIH. Furthermore, the NIH stated at the time that this moratorium would “…be effective until a robust and broad deliberative process is completed that results in the adoption of a new US Government gain-of-function research policy.” By 2017, the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) had developed a framework for assessing funding decisions for research that involved enhanced potential pandemic pathogens.
Nicholas Evans, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, has a new book out that examines the controversial and poorly understood domain of “gain of function” research. Published by MIT Press, Gain of Function describes what this kind of research is, what it isn’t, and why a small number of scientific experiments continue to make headlines. The book explains what gain-of-function research means in science and in the context of government policy, traces the history of the original research that sparked the initial controversy, and describes efforts to assess the risks and benefits of this research and to regulate it. The book concludes with Evans’ assessment of the future of gain of function, including how debates about this type of research will influence politics, science and public health for years to come. Use the promo code MITPCONF for a 30% discount.
New NSABB Working Group on in silico Research and Computational Models
The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) has established a new Working Group on in silico Research and Computational Models. The working group, co chaired by Rachel Levinson of Arizona State University (and chair of the NSABB) and Sarah Carter of Science Policy Consulting LLC, is “charged with developing strategies for identifying, and options for mitigating, potential risks associated with in silico research, computational models (including biological design tools), and datasets in life sciences settings. The NSABB is to especially focus on identifying approaches that could inadvertently or deliberately result in the development of dual-use information or models directly enabling the design of a pathogen with enhanced pandemic potential (PEPP) or a novel biological agent or toxin that could pose significant threat to public health, including datasets that could be used to develop such models and in silico experiments that could meet the definition of dual use research of concern (DURC) outlined in the Policy. In conducting this evaluation, the NSABB should consider how in silico research and computational models could enable the design, development, enhancement, or acquisition of transmissible biological agents with specific attributes, such as increased virulence, transmissibility, environmental survivability, immune evasion, difficulty of detection and attribution, or similar characteristics.”
“Envisioning an Independent Bioresponsibility Authority to Safeguard U.S. Leadership in the Life Sciences”
From the Scowcroft Institute: “This report by the Texas A&M Biosecurity and Pandemic Policy Center proposes an independent federal agency to oversee the safety and security of pathogen research conducted in the United States or funded by the U.S. government. Taking a more comprehensive and collaborative approach, the agency would pair expanded regulatory oversight with technical assistance, non-punitive incident reporting, funding for biosafety and biosecurity research, and education and training efforts. It would consolidate and streamline requirements and remain flexible as technology advances. This approach to the safe, secure, and ethical conduct of life science research merits a new term: bioresponsibility.”
“Global Risks Report 2025”
This edition of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report “…reveals an increasingly fractured global landscape, where escalating geopolitical, environmental, societal and technological challenges threaten stability and progress.” It includes a section on biotech and the challenges posed by the current lack of global ethical boundaries for biotech developments.
“Russia Used Chemical Weapons 434 Times in December, Ukraine’s General Staff Says”
This article from the Kyiv Independent analyzes recent reporting from the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. It explains in part, “Russia has been intensifying its use of chemical agents on the battlefield in Ukraine. A Kyiv Independent investigation from August 2024 showed that instances of gas attacks are rising, and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed on Nov. 18 that a riot control agent known as CS has been used in Ukraine.”
“Fact-Checking Russia’s Claims on Chemical Weapons”
In this piece from Vox Ukraine, John V. Parachini, Khrystyna Holynska, and Kateryna Ionova breakdown Russia’s CW disinformation and attempts to abuse its leadership position within OPCW: “For years, Russia positioned itself as a staunch advocate for the nonproliferation of chemical weapons. By asserting that it had eliminated the largest stockpile of chemical weapons and actively worked to deter other countries from developing and using them, Russia claimed to have a right to a leadership position in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). When accusations arose against Russia or its allies regarding the contrary, Russia vehemently denied all such claims and accused Western nations of orchestrating disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting it.”
NEW: Advanced Data Sharing to Strengthen One Health Effectiveness: Building Trust for Effective Collaboration
From NASEM: “Applying a One Health approach requires collaboration at multiple levels to address complex challenges. Actors, such as government agencies, non-government and private entities, citizens, and the research community must have reason to believe that they will receive benefits and credit for data shared without threat of retaliation, exploitation, or misapplication. Trust enables the free flow of information and resources between stakeholders and fosters an environment where diverse groups can unite towards a common goal. Without trust, efforts to tackle these challenges become fragmented and inefficient. In this webinar, invited speakers will share how their successful One Health programs establish and maintain trust, thereby supporting innovative solutions that no single discipline could achieve alone.”
This event will take place on January 28 at 4 pm EST. Learn more and register here.
NEW: The Future of Syria’s Chemical Weapons Stockpile
From the Arms Control Association: “The CWC Coalition will host a webinar on Wednesday, January 29 on the future of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile after the fall of the Assad regime.”
“The collapse of the Assad regime and the resulting political transition in Syria leaves questions about the fate of the country’s remaining chemical weapons stockpile. Since 2022, high level disarmament discussions at the UN have repeatedly remarked on the “gaps, inconsistencies, and discrepancies” remaining in Syria’s declaration of its chemical stockpile, while human rights groups have pressed for justice for victims of the chemical attacks.”
“We will discuss how can the OPCW, CWC member states, and civil society can approach the transitional government as an opportunity to bring Syria into compliance with its obligations under the CWC, have accountability for perpetrators, and justice for victims.”
Gregory Koblentz, Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program, will be one of the speakers. His commentary will be based on his recent article with Natasha Hall, the other speaker, in Foreign Affairs.
This webinar will take place 10-11 am EST. RSVP here.
NEW: Schar School Open House
The Schar School of Policy and Government will be hosting an in-person Arlington Graduate Open House along with the Costello College of Business, Antonin Scalia Law School, and the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Explore the different degree programs we offer at the master’s, doctoral, and professional levels, as well as our graduate-level certificates. Representatives will be in attendance to discuss our various graduate programs and how you can further your studies while continuing to work. Gregory Koblentz, Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program, will also be in attendance.
This event will take place on February 4 between 5:30 and 7 pm EST. Register here.
NEW: Biodefense MS Information Session
“Prospective students are invited to attend a information session to hear more about the Biodefense M.S. program offered at the Schar School. The online session will provide an overview of the program, as well as the application process, student experience and graduate outcomes. This session admissions will be led by the Graduate Admissions team.”
This sessions will take place at 12 pm EST on February 13. Learn more and register here.
Upcoming PACCARB Public Meeting
“The Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) provides advice, information, and recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary). The council supports and evaluates U.S. government activities focused on fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human health, animal health, and environmental health. Using this One Health approach, members of the PACCARB have a wide range of backgrounds, including academia, industry, public health, advocacy, veterinary, and agricultural production.”
“As a federal advisory committee, the PACCARB looks to engage with the public and all AMR stakeholders. The council holds several public meetings every year both in person and live streamed on the HHS.gov website. These meetings are open to anyone with an interest in combating AMR.”
The next PACCARB Public Meeting will take place January 28-29 at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City. Learn more and register to attend here.
Preparedness in Rural Communities: National and State/Local Perspectives and Plans
From Penn State: “The COVID-19 pandemic and recent hurricanes have thrust the preparedness of rural communities into the national spotlight. At the federal level, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released national goals and plans for preparedness of rural communities. The overall objective of this virtual, 2-day mini-symposium is to identify opportunities in public health and agricultural preparedness and response in rural communities. The mini-symposium will focus upon national perspectives on Thursday, January 30 and the state/local perspectives on Friday, January 31. Speakers include representatives of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Agriculture, the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness, and state/local leaders.”
This event will take place on January 30 and 31, from 11 am to 2 pm ET each day. Learn more and register here.
Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control
Johns Hopkins APL’s colloquium will feature Mindy Weisberger, author of the upcoming book Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control: “Zombies are all around us—insect zombies, that is. In Rise of the Zombie Bugs, Mindy Weisberger explores the eerie yet fascinating phenomenon of real-life zombification in the insect class and among other invertebrates. Zombifying parasites reproduce by rewriting their victims’ neurochemistry, transforming them into the “walking dead”: armies of cicadas, spiders, and other hosts that helplessly follow a zombifier’s commands, living only to serve the parasite’s needs until death’s sweet release (and often beyond).”
From Johns Hopkins APL and Bio-ISAC: “Advancements in biomanufacturing and biotechnology drive the science we need to thrive, everything from apples to vaccines. The Cyberbiosecurity Summit 2025 convenes leading experts in biotechnology, biosecurity, and cybersecurity to explore the intersection of these fields and discuss the strategies to create a safe, secure future for us all.” This event will take place February 25-26 in Laurel, MD. Register here and review the call for sessions here (closes 12/12).
Sustainable Manufacturing: Building and Preserving a Resilient Medical Industrial Base
“Join industry and government partners for our second annual industry summit! During this event, leaders from IBMSC will share our strategic vision and organizational priorities. Speakers will also share potential opportunities for building and preserving the medical industrial base. This event will be in-person only and space is limited!”
This event will take place March 11-12 in Washington, DC. Learn more and register here.
Exciting Update: The BWC NIM Database Is Complete!
UNIDIR is glad to announce that the BWC National Implementation Measures Database, developed in partnership with VERTIC, has reached a significant milestone: profiles for all 187 States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention are now live! This comprehensive online tool provides detailed insights into each country’s national implementation measures under the BWC, supporting transparency, trust, and international cooperation.
All profiles are available in English, and the team is committed to translating them into all official UN languages throughout 2025. Updates to the profiles will also be made regularly to ensure they remain accurate and relevant.
Enhancing UK Biosecurity: DASA Launches Microbial Forensics Competition
“On behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory(Dstl), the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called Future-proofing Biosecurity by Strengthening the UK’s Microbial Forensic Capability. The competition is being run in response to the 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy which aims to implement a UK-wide approach to biosecurity that will strengthen deterrence and resilience to a spectrum of biological threats.”
“Dstl is leading the creation of the United Kingdom Microbial Forensics Consortium (UKMFC) which is being developed in support of the Detect Pillar of the Biological Security Strategy. It will comprise a network of biosurveillance laboratories from all four nations of the UK, operating under a One Health doctrine. This competition seeks novel technology options or technical approaches that can directly support the UKMFC initiative.”
This week’s Pandora Reports includes news from the Biodefense Graduate Program in addition to discussion of China’s newly-implemented export control regulations, recently-announced US export controls on biotechnology, and the United States’ new National One Health Framework.
Two Biodefense Students Earn Distinguished Fellowship
This portion was written by Meredith Fletcher, a first-year student in the Biodefense MS program with a special interest in terrorism and the use of pathogens as weapons.
The Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity (ELBI) fellowship, offered by the Center for Health Security at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is the most distinguished and prestigious fellowship available to those in the biosecurity profession. Two students in the Schar School of Policy and Government’s Biodefense PhD program, Janet Marroquin and Katie Dammer, were chosen for this honor and will be joining 29 other young professionals in the fellowship’s 2025 cohort. During their fellowship, participants will participate in biosecurity workshops, networking events, and research symposiums, both in Washington DC and abroad. Dr. Gregory Koblentz, director of the Biodefense Graduate Program, congratulated both students on this impressive accomplishment, “Janet and Katie are rising stars in biosecurity so it’s very gratifying to see their potential recognized by the leading think tank in the field.”
Janet graduated in 2019 with her M.S. in Biodefense and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biodefense. Her dissertation examines Russia’s motivation and strategy for using vaccine-related narratives in its disinformation operations. She currently works as a full-time research analyst for a federally funded research and development center. Her work focuses on analyzing national security challenges related to emerging biotechnologies and CBRNE weapons. Janet says, “I’m most excited to engage with international perspectives on common problems, especially science communication and public trust in state institutions.” Her time at George Mason helped prepare her for both her career and the fellowship because of the nature of the program, the diverse student backgrounds and its comprehensive approach to biosecurity. According to Janet, “The biodefense courses exposed me to the vulnerabilities that we as a global society have to the spread of disease due, in no small part, to inadequate preparedness.” Her favorite classes were Dr. Koblentz’s course on biodefense strategy and Dr. Estela Blaisten’s challenging, but rewarding, course on numerical methods.
Katie is a first-year student in the Biodefense PhD program. The ELBI program and those who speak highly of it have surrounded her since her undergraduate studies, so she jumped at the chance to learn more about this ever-changing field. She says, “I am so grateful to the Center for Health Security for the acceptance and to colleagues and ELBI alumni for all of the kind words I have received since this year’s cohort was announced. Every year brings changes, but it is exciting to know that this will be a key piece of my professional development throughout 2025.” Her focus is on the intersection of national security and science policy, and her current role covers a variety of natural, accidental, and deliberate threats. Katie is most excited to build a biosecurity community and take time away from her career to “nerd out” over the many topics presented during the fellowship. Katie hopes that her time as a fellow will both complement and enhance her research and discussion skills, and she looks forward to engaging with pioneers across the public health and policy fields. Katie feels she owes a special thanks to her dad, who as a career academic has been an inspiration as she started her PhD journey and the fellowship ahead of her.
Janet and Katie join a number of other Biodefense students and alum who have served as ELBI fellows including Siddha Hover MS ’14 (ELBI Class of 2016), Francisco Cruz MS ’15 (ELBI Class of 2016), Saskia Popescu PhD ’19 (ELBI Class of 2017), Yong-Bee Lim MS ‘13 PhD ’21 (ELBI Class of 2018), Justin Hurt PhD ’23 (ELBI Class of 2019), and Matthew Ferreira MS ’22 (ELBI Class of 2023).
Janet Marroquin:
Katie Dammer:
China Implements New Export Control Regulations
The Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, which were adopted in September of last year, went into effect on December 1, 2024. These regulations are designed to support the existing Export Control Law, which went into effect in late 2020 and was the country’s first comprehensive framework aimed at controlling exports of military and dual-use items as well as technology for national security purposes. The new regulations provide more specific guidance on jurisdiction, restricted party lists, export licensing systems, and end-user/user-end requirements. Furthermore, they require third parties to report suspected violations of the regulations. They also offer a framework for extraterritorial regulation.
These regulations will repeal and replace existing rules on dual-use exports from the PRC. These previous rules include Regulation on Export Control of Nuclear Dual-Use Items and Related Technologies (2007), Regulations on Export Control of Missiles and Related Items and Technologies (2002), Regulation on Export Control of Biological Dual-Use Items and Related Equipment and Technologies (2002), and Measures for Export Control of Relevant Chemicals and Related Equipment and Technologies (2002). However, the 2011 Controlled Chemicals Regulations and 2002 Military Products Regulation will still apply in two cases: “For the export control of dual-use controlled chemicals, the Controlled Chemicals Regulation shall apply; matters not provided for in the Controlled Chemicals Regulation shall be analogically governed by the Export Control Law and the Regulation.” AND “For the export control of certain missiles and related items and technologies listed on the first part of the “Export Control List of Missiles and Related Items and Technologies”, the Military Products Regulation shall apply.”
These regulations also established a Watch List, similar to the United State’s Unverified List. Using this new system, Chinese authorities will be able to designate parties who are not cooperative with end-user/user-end verification requirements. Exporters who are working with entities on the Watch List are barred from applying for general licenses and obtaining export certificates. Rather, they must submit risk assessment reports and compliance commitments before applying for licenses.
Importantly, these regulations allow China’s Ministry of Commerce to extend its reach extraterritorially. They allow authorities to regulate and investigate the exportation of Chinese dual-use items, including those that originate from, contain, or are manufactured using Chinese dual-use items. This is true even if they are produced or traded outside of China, potentially leaving foreign entities and individuals subject to these regulations.
Shi Xiaoli of China University of Political Science and Law wrote of the new regulations, “Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (nuclear weapons, biological weapons, chemical weapons) and their delivery vehicles is important to international peace, security and stability. In order to encourage the international community to strengthen non-proliferation efforts to meet global challenges, the United Nations has adopted a series of resolutions and treaties. China has actively participated in and conscientiously fulfilled its obligations, transformed important international obligations into domestic laws, and established and improved an effective export control legal system to prevent related items from being used for purposes related to weapons of mass destruction after export.”
A machine translation of China’s new regulations is available here.
US Announces New Export Controls on Biotechnology, Citing China Concerns
Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers called on the Biden administration to consider restricting the export of US biotechnology to China’s military. In a letter sent last Thursday to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, lawmakers asked her “to study imposing a licensing restriction on U.S. pharmaceutical companies working with Chinese medical entities under military ownership.”
While it is too late for Raimondo to make much progress on this request, the Department of Commerce did announce this week it is imposing new export controls on biotechnology equipment and related technology due to national security concerns related to AI and data science. These new export controls restrict shipments to China and other countries without a US license. They are for high-parameter flow cytometers and certain mass spectrometry equipment, which the Department says can “generate high-quality, high-content biological data, including that which is suitable for use to facilitate the development of AI and biological design tools.”
This is the latest effort on the part of the Biden administration to restrict China’s access to US technology and part of a broader environment of concern and distrust surrounding US dealings with the PRC. Just this Monday, the Department of Commerce announced new regulations that will cap the number of AI chips that can be exported to most countries and allow unlimited access to US AI technology for the United States’ closest allies. The aim of this is to maintain a firm block on exports to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This also all coincides with steady concerns about China’s access to Americans’ personal health and genetic information. Furthermore, lawmakers renewed calls in August for the FDA to increase scrutiny of US clinical trials conducted in China, citing concerns about intellectual property theft and the possibility of forced Uyghur participation in such trials.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and US Department of the Interior (DOI) released the first ever National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic Diseases and Advance Public Health Preparedness in the United States. The CDC’s press release explains that, “At the direction of Congress in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, CDC, USDA, and DOI developed this framework to address zoonotic diseases and advance public health preparedness in the United States. CDC, USDA, and DOI are responsible for protecting public health, domestic animal health, and wildlife and environmental health, respectively, and as such are representatives of key One Health sectors for the US government. All three agencies historically address One Health issues and work to help control zoonotic diseases that affect both people and animals. The framework seeks to inform One Health collaboration across the U.S. government for the next five years, describing a common vision, mission, and goals for key federal partners involved in implementing the One Health approach to address zoonotic diseases within the United States.”
Biopower: Securing American Leadership in Biotechnology
Vivek Chilukuri and Hannah Kelley recently authored this report from the Center for New American Security. “The report identifies key strengths and challenges for U.S. biotechnology leadership, surveys biotechnology-leading nations abroad—with a particular focus on China—and outlines an ambitious strategy to help secure U.S. biotechnology leadership for a generation. For the first time, the report introduces the concept of “biopower”—a nation’s capacity to harness emerging biotechnologies to enhance national and economic security—and describes its vast potential applications for defense, health, energy, and food security.”
“Joint External Evaluation of the International Health Regulations (2005) Core Capacities of the United States of America: Mission Report”
The WHO recently released the United States’ most recent Joint External Evaluation (JEE). The report explains in its executive summary that, “During the JEE mission, which took place in Washington, DC and Atlanta, Georgia from 18 to 25 September 2024, the United States’ capacities in 19 technical areas were evaluated through a peer-topeer, consultative process. This process brought together a multisectoral group of national subject matter experts and the multinational, multidisciplinary expert JEE team for a week of discussion, interaction and selected site visits…After a week of collaborative talks this process led to consensus on scores, as well as JEE recommendations for priority actions across the 19 technical areas.”
“The evaluation also generated eight wider, overarching recommendations that, if implemented, will consolidate the United States’ progress and remove bottlenecks that might impede implementation of the agreed priority actions. These recommendations, outlined below, address cross-cutting challenges affecting the capacities of the United States across many of the different technical areas that were explored in greater depth in the JEE process.”
“The Second Trump White House Could Drastically Reshape Infectious Disease Research. Here’s What’s at Stake.”
ProPublica’s Anna Maria Barry-Jester parses out what may lie ahead for infectious disease research under the incoming Trump administration in this article, explaining in part, “Donald Trump’s pick to lead the federal health agency has vowed to replace hundreds of staffers and shift research away from infectious diseases and vaccines. Such an overhaul could imperil the development of life-saving treatments, experts warn.”
“REPORT: The Biden-Harris Administration Roadmap for Pandemic Preparedness and Response”
The White House released this report this week that, “outlines the numerous actions the Biden-Harris Administration took to combat COVID-19 both nationally and globally, and it serves as a roadmap for how the U.S. can effectively respond to pandemics and public health threats in the future. In addition to this public-facing report, this Administration is leaving behind a three-step playbook that future Administrations can use to continue to protect the nation and effectively respond to any future biological threat.”
“Bird Flu Is a National Embarrassment”
Jatherine J. Wu makes the argument that the US should have been taking steps to respond to avian influenza more than a year ago in this piece from The Atlantic.
“The Teeth and Bones That Hold the Key to This Century’s Worst Chemical Weapons Attack”
Henry Bodkin and Heathcliff O’Malley report on how the families of 1,500 victims of a 2013 sarin gas attack in Eastern Ghouta are hunting for justice. Read this article from The Telegraphhere.
“Victims of Chemical Weapons Attacks Gather in Damascus to Demand Accountability”
This post from the Middle East Monitor describes a gathering in Damascus on Tuesday during which victims of the Assad regime’s use of CW demanded that those responsible for those “chemical massacres” be held accountable. Read here.
“Sudan’s Military Has Used Chemical Weapons Twice, U.S. Official Say”
Declan Walsh and Julian E. Barnes discuss on recent revelations about CW use in Sudan in this article from The New York Times. They explain that, “Sudan’s military has used chemical weapons on at least two occasions against the paramilitary group it is battling for control of the country, four senior United States officials said on Thursday…The weapons were deployed recently in remote areas of Sudan, and targeted members of the Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries that the army has been fighting since April 2023. But U.S. officials worry the weapons could soon be used in densely populated parts of the capital, Khartoum.”
“The revelations about chemical weapons came as the United States announced sanctions on Thursday against the Sudanese military chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, for documented atrocities by his troops, including indiscriminate bombing of civilians and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.”
NEW: Upcoming PACCARB Public Meeting
“The Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) provides advice, information, and recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary). The council supports and evaluates U.S. government activities focused on fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human health, animal health, and environmental health. Using this One Health approach, members of the PACCARB have a wide range of backgrounds, including academia, industry, public health, advocacy, veterinary, and agricultural production.”
“As a federal advisory committee, the PACCARB looks to engage with the public and all AMR stakeholders. The council holds several public meetings every year both in person and live streamed on the HHS.gov website. These meetings are open to anyone with an interest in combating AMR.”
The next PACCARB Public Meeting will take place January 28-29 at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City. Learn more and register to attend here.
How to Avoid Human-Made Pandemics
From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “Studying viruses that could potentially cause outbreaks is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of pandemics. However, this type of research—especially when it involves collecting samples from the field and manipulating pathogens—can unintentionally lead to a pandemic if not managed carefully. Dr Lentzos will discuss her findings from the Pathogen Project, which brought together an international taskforce of scientists, biosecurity and public health experts, ethicists, and civil society leaders to seek consensus on this question: Can we agree on ways to manage research that carries pandemic risk as safely, securely and responsibly as possible?”
This event will take place on January 23 at 8 pm (GMT +8:00) via Zoom. RSVP here.
Preparedness in Rural Communities: National and State/Local Perspectives and Plans
From Penn State: “The COVID-19 pandemic and recent hurricanes have thrust the preparedness of rural communities into the national spotlight. At the federal level, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released national goals and plans for preparedness of rural communities. The overall objective of this virtual, 2-day mini-symposium is to identify opportunities in public health and agricultural preparedness and response in rural communities. The mini-symposium will focus upon national perspectives on Thursday, January 30 and the state/local perspectives on Friday, January 31. Speakers include representatives of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Agriculture, the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness, and state/local leaders.”
This event will take place on January 30 and 31, from 11 am to 2 pm ET each day. Learn more and register here.
Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control
Johns Hopkins APL’s colloquium will feature Mindy Weisberger, author of the upcoming book Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control: “Zombies are all around us—insect zombies, that is. In Rise of the Zombie Bugs, Mindy Weisberger explores the eerie yet fascinating phenomenon of real-life zombification in the insect class and among other invertebrates. Zombifying parasites reproduce by rewriting their victims’ neurochemistry, transforming them into the “walking dead”: armies of cicadas, spiders, and other hosts that helplessly follow a zombifier’s commands, living only to serve the parasite’s needs until death’s sweet release (and often beyond).”
From Johns Hopkins APL and Bio-ISAC: “Advancements in biomanufacturing and biotechnology drive the science we need to thrive, everything from apples to vaccines. The Cyberbiosecurity Summit 2025 convenes leading experts in biotechnology, biosecurity, and cybersecurity to explore the intersection of these fields and discuss the strategies to create a safe, secure future for us all.” This event will take place February 25-26 in Laurel, MD. Register here and review the call for sessions here (closes 12/12).
Sustainable Manufacturing: Building and Preserving a Resilient Medical Industrial Base
“Join industry and government partners for our second annual industry summit! During this event, leaders from IBMSC will share our strategic vision and organizational priorities. Speakers will also share potential opportunities for building and preserving the medical industrial base. This event will be in-person only and space is limited!”
This event will take place March 11-12 in Washington, DC. Learn more and register here.
Exciting Update: The BWC NIM Database Is Complete!
UNIDIR is glad to announce that the BWC National Implementation Measures Database, developed in partnership with VERTIC, has reached a significant milestone: profiles for all 187 States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention are now live! This comprehensive online tool provides detailed insights into each country’s national implementation measures under the BWC, supporting transparency, trust, and international cooperation.
All profiles are available in English, and the team is committed to translating them into all official UN languages throughout 2025. Updates to the profiles will also be made regularly to ensure they remain accurate and relevant.
Enhancing UK Biosecurity: DASA Launches Microbial Forensics Competition
“On behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory(Dstl), the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called Future-proofing Biosecurity by Strengthening the UK’s Microbial Forensic Capability. The competition is being run in response to the 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy which aims to implement a UK-wide approach to biosecurity that will strengthen deterrence and resilience to a spectrum of biological threats.”
“Dstl is leading the creation of the United Kingdom Microbial Forensics Consortium (UKMFC) which is being developed in support of the Detect Pillar of the Biological Security Strategy. It will comprise a network of biosurveillance laboratories from all four nations of the UK, operating under a One Health doctrine. This competition seeks novel technology options or technical approaches that can directly support the UKMFC initiative.”
Connecting and Building Collaborations between AI and Synthetic Biology Communities
From AI for SynBio: “Our primary goal for this symposia is to begin to connect and build mutually beneficial collaborations between the AI and the synthetic biology communities.”
“Synthetic biology is the systematic design and engineering of biological systems. Synthetic biology holds the potential for revolutionary advances in medicine, environmental remediation, and many more. For example, some synthetic biologists are trying to develop cellular programs that will identify and kill cancer cells, while others are trying to design plants that will extract harmful pollutants like arsenic from the ground.”
“A new fellowship at the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health launches with the announcement of the inaugural class of Biosecurity Game Changers, eight individuals who represent the next generation of leaders responsible for preventing and preparing for the worst case health security challenges.”
“The year-long fellowship kicks off in September with an in-person meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and a policymaking workshop for early-to-mid-career public health champions, including the fellows. During the year, fellows will collaborate on an operational project with either the Pandemic Center or one of the partner organizations focused on a specific aspect of improving biosecurity, biosafety and/or pandemic preparedness and response. Each fellow will also receive a Brown faculty appointment for the duration of their fellowship.”
Happy New Year! This week’s Pandora Report covers late former President Jimmy Carter’s decades of global health work, updates on H5N1 in the United States, the launch of the Biosafety and Biosecurity Innovation Initiative, and more.
Former President Carter’s Global Health Legacy
The passing of former US President Jimmy Carter marks the end of an incredible life dedicated to serving others. Carter leaves behind a beautiful legacy that stems from much more than his time in the White House. In the decades after his presidency, Carter oversaw many initiatives focused on improving global health through the Carter Center. One example is his work to eradicate Guinea worm disease of which, as the WHO explained in a statement, “Under his championship cases dropped from 3.5 million in the mid-1980s to just 11 so far in 2024.”
Carter also supported WHO’s African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control, trachoma elimination programs across sub-Saharan Africa, mass drug administration campaigns for schistosomiasis, and the International Task Force for Disease Eradication, helping set the global agenda for eliminating multiple NTDs. In addition to this, Carter spent his life post-presidency doing everything from negotiating with the likes of Kim Il-sung to building homes as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, continuously demonstrating his dedication to helping others.
A person has died in Louisiana after being admitted to the hospital with a severe case of avian influenza. This marks the first death in the US as a result of an H5 infection. The person fell ill after exposure to a backyard flock and wild birds. They were over the age of 65 and had multiple underlying medical conditions. There is no sign yet that the virus is spreading from person-to-person in the United States. As of January 6, 2025, there have been 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the United States since 2024 and 67 since 2022.
Biden Administration Ramps Up Preparedness Efforts
The Biden administration is making a final effort to improve the country’s pandemic preparedness ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration by announcing it will nearly double the amount of money committed to addressing bird flu in humans. The administration announced this week that it is committing $306 million to improving hospital preparedness, early stage research on therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines. Furthermore, $103 million of this will be aimed at helping state and local efforts to track cases and test people exposed to infected animals, in addition to worker outreach for those handling livestock and others at higher risk.
The BBII is designed to coordinate and prioritize support for biorisk research and incentivize biosafety and biosecurity innovation across all sectors that support the bioeconomy. The BBII Plan for the Bioeconomy serves as a framework for U.S. government coordination of BBII, led by NIH, and recommends investment in strengthening opportunities for biosafety and biosecurity research and innovation; incentivizing development and implementation of evidence-based best biological risk management practices, carried out by a competent workforce; and fostering a culture of biosafety and biosecurity to encourage trust and norms.
United Nations Human Rights Office Says Israeli Attacks on Gaza Push Healthcare in Enclave “to Brink of Collapse”
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) issued a report late last month documenting attacks carried out by Israel in Gaza between October 12, 2023, and June 30, 2024, and their impact on healthcare facilities and personnel. The report raises serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law, under which medical personnel and hospitals are specifically protected. In a statement, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said, “As if the relentless bombing and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza were not enough, the one sanctuary where Palestinians should have felt safe in fact became a death trap…The protection of hospitals during warfare is paramount and must be respected by all sides, at all times.”
“Development of Effective Medical Countermeasures Against the Main Biowarfare Agents: The Importance of Antibodies”
Arnaud Avril, Sophie Guillier, and Christine Rasetti-Escargueil recently published this article in Microorganisms: “The COVID-19 and mpox crisis has reminded the world of the potentially catastrophic consequences of biological agents. Aside from the natural risk, biological agents can also be weaponized or used for bioterrorism. Dissemination in a population or among livestock could be used to destabilize a nation by creating a climate of terror, by negatively impacting the economy and undermining institutions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classify biological agents into three categories (A or Tier 1, B and C) according to the risk they pose to the public and national security. Category A or Tier 1 consists of the six pathogens with the highest risk to the population (Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, botulinum neurotoxins, smallpox and viral hemorrhagic fevers). Several medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, antibodies and chemical drugs, have been developed to prevent or cure the diseases induced by these pathogens. This review presents an overview of the primary medical countermeasures, and in particular, of the antibodies available against the six pathogens on the CDC’s Tier 1 agents list, as well as against ricin.”
“Research and Development of Medical Countermeasures for Emerging Infectious Diseases, China, 1990–2022”
Jiyan Ma, Yang Yang, and Yangmu Huang published this article in Emerging Infectious Diseases: “Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, China has invested substantial efforts in promoting scientific and technological advances for medical countermeasures against high-threat pathogens. The examination of China’s landscape identifies progress and gaps in research and development (R&D) and also highlights management and regulatory issues that should be of concern to other countries. Our study examined the current state of R&D of medical countermeasures in China during 1990–2022. The findings showed a robust and diversified pipeline responding quickly to disease outbreaks and policy changes. However, proactive and highly innovative candidates are limited, and a large proportion of vaccines and drugs stagnate at the early development stage. A paradigm shift involving a preemptive R&D agenda and persistent investment, innovative technology development, and accelerated research translation is urgently needed to prepare for the next pandemic.”
“Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation”
From NASEM: “At the request of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation provides an overview of the current landscape of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)-enabled biotechnology, the opportunities it presents, and the challenges it poses. This report offers a strategic vision for connecting scientists and technologists to build on, leverage, and tailor advances at the intersection of AI/ML, automated experimentation, and biotechnology to drive innovation in defense-related biotechnologies. Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation makes recommendations to address long-standing challenges that have limited research, development, prototyping, testing and evaluation, and eventual use of biotechnologies. Addressing these challenges will help to advance U.S. national security and defense by improving the performance of existing capabilities, enabling the creation of domestic supply chains of valuable products, reducing reliance on processes and chemicals that are harmful to the environment, and/or adding new capabilities not currently possible with established technologies.”
“COVID 5 Years Later: Learning from a Pandemic Many Are Forgetting”
Jon Cohen discusses reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic in the scientific community in this piece from Science, writing in part “Yet 5 years after a coronavirus dubbed SARS-CoV-2 first surfaced in Wuhan, China, scientists are still intensively trying to make sense of COVID-19. “We would each have to read over 240 papers every single day to actually keep up with all of the [COVID-19] literature that’s come out” in 2024, Cherilyn Sirois, an editor at Cell, noted…Despite the flood of insights into the behavior of the virus and how to prevent it from causing harm, many at the meeting worried the world has turned a blind eye to the lessons learned from the pandemic. “I feel this massive gravitational pull to go back to what we were doing before,” Van Kerkhove said. “There’s no way we should be going back.”’
“The SARS-CoV-2 Test Scale-Up in the USA: An Analysis of the Number of Tests Produced and Used Over Time and Their Modelled Impact on the COVID-19 Pandemic”
Santos et al. recently published this article in The Lancet Public Health: “Background: Rapid, accessible, and accurate testing was paramount to an effective US COVID-19 response. Federal partners supported SARS-CoV-2 testing scale-up through an interagency-coordinated approach that focused on expanding supply chains, research and development, validation, and improving patient access. We aimed to provide an overview of the federal efforts to scale up the testing response and study the impact of scale-up.”
“Methods: In this descriptive analysis, we mapped federal partner activities and milestones using the US Government Testing and Diagnostics Working Group (TDWG) and participating agency and department data from Jan 1, 2020, to Dec 31, 2022. Tests produced (TDWG), reported test positivity (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]’s COVID-19 Electronic Laboratory Reporting system and the Federal Direct Report testing data), reported COVID-19 case counts (CDC), hospitalisations (Department of Health and Human Services Unified Hospital Data Surveillance System and the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network), and deaths (CDC) were analysed over time. We then developed an agent-based model to evaluate the impact testing had on COVID-19 outcomes using different scenarios. The scenarios were (1) if efforts led to substantially fewer tests produced, (2) if scale-up was delayed, affecting test access, and (3) if efforts led to substantially more tests produced.”
“Findings: Approximately 6·7 billion SARS-CoV-2 tests, including over 1·5 billion laboratory-based, 1·9 billion point-of-care (POC), and 3·2 billion over-the-counter (OTC) tests, were produced, and approximately 2·7 billion tests were performed between Jan 1, 2020, and Dec 31, 2022. Testing capacity exhibited various expansion phases, with laboratory-based capacity growing from approximately 6 million tests per month in March, 2020 to approximately 34 million tests per month in July, 2020; POC increased to approximately 126 million tests per month by December, 2020, and OTC increased to approximately 986 million tests per month by February, 2022. Comparison between the baseline (actual) and delay-in-testing scenario suggests the increased testing capacity potentially saved upwards of 1·4 million lives and averted 7 million hospitalisations.”
“Interpretation: Our study suggests that early development, manufacturing, and distribution of tests had a great impact on reducing severe COVID-19 outcomes. These results highlight the importance of robust and rapid test development, production, and distribution when addressing future public health threats.”
“Global Health’s Evolution and Search for Identity”
Kevin M. De Cock recently published this article in Emerging Infectious Diseases: “Despite earlier attempts to define global health, the discipline’s boundaries are unclear, its priorities defined more by funding from high-income countries from the Global North than by global health trends. Governance and resource allocation are challenged by movements such as decolonizing global health. Inherent contradictions within global health derive from its historical evolution from tropical medicine and international health, as well as recent trends in infectious diseases. Demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiologic transitions, including the rise in noncommunicable diseases, have eroded the concept of a binary world of developed and developing countries. Competitive tension has emerged between aspirations for global health security and health equity. Dominant principles should focus on vulnerable populations, transnational challenges such as migration and climate change, appropriate prevention and care, and epidemic preparedness and response capacity. As the 2030 target date for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals approaches, reconceptualization of global health is required, or the discipline risks losing identity and relevance.”
“The Elusive Payoff of Gain-of-Function Research”
Charles Schmidt discusses the potential risks of GOF research in this piece for Undark, writing in part “But that’s not necessarily true of studies that alter dangerous pathogens to assess how they might become more virulent or transmissible. Public controversies have erupted over this sort of research, but in fact few such studies have been performed so far. The research might reveal mutations that turn pathogens into bigger human health problems. Armed with that knowledge, scientists could look for those genetic changes during disease surveillance, with an aim to identify and prepare for looming outbreaks.”
“Interview: Overseeing the Research That Might Start a Pandemic”
“Biosecurity expert Gerald Epstein discusses how certain high-risk science should be regulated,” in this Undark piece by Sara Talpos: “The risks of this research “do not disappear merely because no government funds are involved,” wrote Epstein in an article published last year in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Epstein isn’t sure if this type of work is happening in the private sector, but if it is, it is largely unregulated. Epstein would like to see oversight broadened, possibly through new legislation, expansion of certain government regulations, or increased scrutiny from companies that provide liability insurance.”
“For Science That Comes With Risks, a Key Question: Who Decides?”
Michael Schulson and Peter Andrey Smith discuss research oversight in this piece for Undark, explaining in part “The extent of oversight also varies across disciplines, both domestically and across the globe, with pathogen research being much more regulated than the more emergent fields of AI and geoengineering. For AI and pathogen research, our focus is limited to the United States — reflecting both a need to limit the scope of our reporting, and the degree to which American science currently leads the world in both fields, even as it faces stiff competition on AI from China.”
“With those caveats in mind, we offer a sampling — illustrative but by no means comprehensive — of people who are part of the decision-making chain in each category as of late 2024. Taken as a whole, they appear to be a deeply unrepresentative group — one disproportionately White, male, and drawn from the professional class. In some cases, they occupy the top tiers of business or government. In others, they are members of lesser-known organizational structures — and in still others, the identities of key players remain entirely unknown.”
Pathogenesis: How Germs Made History
In this revelatory book, Dr Jonathan Kennedy argues that germs have shaped humanity at every stage, from the first success of Homo sapiens over the equally intelligent Neanderthals to the fall of Rome and the rise of Islam.
How did an Indonesian volcano help cause the Black Death, setting Europe on the road to capitalism? How could 168 men extract the largest ransom in history from an opposing army of eighty thousand? And why did the Industrial Revolution lead to the birth of the modern welfare state?
The latest science reveals that infectious diseases are not just something that happens to us, but a fundamental part of who we are. Indeed, the only reason humans don’t lay eggs is that a virus long ago inserted itself into our DNA, and there are as many bacteria in your body as there are human cells. We have been thinking about the survival of the fittest all wrong: evolution is not simply about human strength and intelligence, but about how we live and thrive in a world dominated by microbes.
By exploring the startling intimacy of our relationship with infectious diseases, Kennedy shows how they have been responsible for some of the seismic revolutions of the past 50,000 years. Provocative and brimming with insight, Pathogenesis transforms our understanding of the human story.
Matt Field highlights last year’s biosecurity coverage in this piece for The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, explaining in his intro “A through line in much of the Bulletin’s biosecurity coverage of 2024 was a focus on infectious diseases—the toll they can exact (did one fell the mighty Roman empire?), the role climate change is playing in their spread, and even the non-natural routes by which they may jump into humans.”
“Richard Hatchett Reflects on a “Banner Year for Viruses” and Looks Ahead to 2025″
CEPI’s CEO Dr Richard Hatchett shares his personal reflections on the year and looks ahead to 2025 in this post, writing in part “One can always choose to be discouraged. The context in which we are working to prevent epidemics and pandemics is shaped by the polarization of our societies and pathologies of our geopolitics. And these are genuinely discouraging. Some of the governments that have done most to support this work are in transition, with the uncertainty that all democratic change brings. Others are in disarray due to the splintering of governing coalitions or loss of public confidence. Others face elections in the coming year, at a moment when anti-incumbent sentiment is high. All are grappling with serious fiscal constraints and security challenges that demand attention and resources. Global health institutions are struggling to secure funding, and major initiatives are in jeopardy. Just one example are the intractable differences between the negotiating parties on certain key issues that have stymied progress and paralyzed negotiations on the Pandemic Accord for months. The prospects for a successful conclusion to this critical process seem increasingly dim.”
“All these facts acknowledged and notwithstanding, I have arrived at the end of this complicated year feeling upbeat. Progress, particularly in areas driven by the evolution of science and technology, seldom follows a neat and linear course (think, for example, of the creative destruction that has characterized the growth of the internet and our digital economy over the last several decades). Progress is organic. It grows. Its roots extend continuously and often out of sight, even in the cold and bleak times. Progress materializes – emerges – in ways that can be surprising and sudden, like the spring after winter’s dreariness. In my effort to describe the year that has been, I will point repeatedly at signs and signifiers of this global organic development. It is these, rather than the foam of political processes, that give cause for optimism.”
Written in DNA
“Asimov Press’ latest anthology features nine essays and three works of science fiction. Embracing the book’s technology theme, we did something very special: With the help of three companies — CATALOG, Imagene, and Plasmidsaurus — we’ve encoded a complete copy of the book into DNA, thus merging bits with atoms.”
“This is the first commercially-available book to be written in DNA and sold in both mediums; as physical books and nucleic acids. We are deeply grateful to those who helped make it possible.”
“Trump Should Get Tough Again on Chemical Weapons States”
FDD’s Andrea Stricker discusses her thoughts on US foreign policy towards CW states in this piece, writing in part of the incoming Trump administration, “The team should announce a new policy to enact targeted financial sanctions against states that develop and use chemical weapons. In practice, this means the U.S. would freeze assets held by financial institutions that transact with foreign chemical weapons-related entities and individuals and would restrict those institutions from accessing the U.S. financial system. Executive Order 13382, already on the books since 2005, authorizes the president to sanction weapons of mass destruction proliferators and supporters and block related property and transactions, but a new executive order specific to chemical weapons could help.”
“Future for Syria and the Chemical Weapons Convention: The Legislative Implications”
From VERTIC: “This article, by Eliza Walsh, Thomas Brown and Larry MacFaul, identifies priorities and actions addressing chemical weapons and Syria, from the perspective of implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention and reviewing national legislation both in Syria itself and other countries.”
“Syrian Medics Say Were Coerced Into False Chemical Attack Testimony”
Layal Abou Rahal reports in this piece from AFP, explaining in part “Two Syrian doctors and a nurse told AFP in a series of interviews over the weekend that Bashar al-Assad’s government coerced them into providing false testimony to international investigators after a deadly 2018 chlorine attack…The three, who treated the wounded at a field hospital in the rebel-held town of Douma near Damascus after the April 7, 2018 attack, said they were summoned to national security headquarters in the capital.”
“‘Nobody Was Spared’: Damascus Suburbs Still Haunted by Assad Regime’s Chemical Attacks”
Johan Bodin’s reporting for FRANCE 24: “The Ghouta area east of Damascus witnessed some of the most vicious and sustained fighting of the Syrian civil war, including deadly chemical weapons attacks launched by ousted strongman Bashar al-Assad’s regime. FRANCE 24 reporters visited Ghouta’s bombed-out ruins and spoke to residents haunted by the horror they endured.”
“If Syrian Chemical Weapons Were Found, the U.S. Army Could Safely Destroy Them”
John Ismay discuss the US’s ability to destroy chemical weapons and how it may apply to Syria’s remaining stock in this piece for The New York Times: “For decades chemical weapons were usually destroyed by incinerating them, but the United States largely abandoned the practice because of safety concerns near disposal sites raised by the public.”
“A process called hydrolysis became the preferred technique. That involves chemically breaking apart the lethal properties of liquid agents by combining them with hot water and a substance akin to commercially available drain cleaner.”
The third issue of Compass, UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute’s journal dedicated to the objectives of UNSCR 1540, is available now here. This issue includes articles like “Ensuring Compliance with UNSCR 1540 through Kenya’s Nuclear Regulatory Framework,” “Japan’s Practice to Secure Nuclear Facilities: Evolving Implementation of OP 3 (a) and (b),” and “Supporting Resolution 1540 with CISA Chemical Security’s ChemLock Programme.”
NEW: Sustainable Manufacturing: Building and Preserving a Resilient Medical Industrial Base
“Join industry and government partners for our second annual industry summit! During this event, leaders from IBMSC will share our strategic vision and organizational priorities. Speakers will also share potential opportunities for building and preserving the medical industrial base. This event will be in-person only and space is limited!”
This event will take place March 11-12 in Washington, DC. Learn more and register here.
Understanding the Introduction of Pathogens into Humans- Preventing Patient Zero: A Workshop
“The past few decades have seen the emergence of several diseases with drastic public health and economic consequences. Understanding routes of pathogen emergence and transmission is critical to preventing and mitigating disease spillover and amplification. The National Academies Forum on Microbial Threats will host a hybrid public workshop to address gaps in understanding of disease emergence, with a focus on human-animal interaction and laboratory biosafety. The workshop will explore how applications of existing policy structures, emerging technologies, and actionable research can improve biosecurity measures and prevention of future disease emergence.”
This event will take place on January 15 and 16. Learn more and register here.
How to Avoid Human-Made Pandemics
From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “Studying viruses that could potentially cause outbreaks is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of pandemics. However, this type of research—especially when it involves collecting samples from the field and manipulating pathogens—can unintentionally lead to a pandemic if not managed carefully. Dr Lentzos will discuss her findings from the Pathogen Project, which brought together an international taskforce of scientists, biosecurity and public health experts, ethicists, and civil society leaders to seek consensus on this question: Can we agree on ways to manage research that carries pandemic risk as safely, securely and responsibly as possible?”
This event will take place on January 23 at 8 pm (GMT +8:00) via Zoom. RSVP here.
Preparedness in Rural Communities: National and State/Local Perspectives and Plans
From Penn State: “The COVID-19 pandemic and recent hurricanes have thrust the preparedness of rural communities into the national spotlight. At the federal level, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released national goals and plans for preparedness of rural communities. The overall objective of this virtual, 2-day mini-symposium is to identify opportunities in public health and agricultural preparedness and response in rural communities. The mini-symposium will focus upon national perspectives on Thursday, January 30 and the state/local perspectives on Friday, January 31. Speakers include representatives of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Agriculture, the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness, and state/local leaders.”
This event will take place on January 30 and 31, from 11 am to 2 pm ET each day. Learn more and register here.
Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control
Johns Hopkins APL’s colloquium will feature Mindy Weisberger, author of the upcoming book Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control: “Zombies are all around us—insect zombies, that is. In Rise of the Zombie Bugs, Mindy Weisberger explores the eerie yet fascinating phenomenon of real-life zombification in the insect class and among other invertebrates. Zombifying parasites reproduce by rewriting their victims’ neurochemistry, transforming them into the “walking dead”: armies of cicadas, spiders, and other hosts that helplessly follow a zombifier’s commands, living only to serve the parasite’s needs until death’s sweet release (and often beyond).”
From Johns Hopkins APL and Bio-ISAC: “Advancements in biomanufacturing and biotechnology drive the science we need to thrive, everything from apples to vaccines. The Cyberbiosecurity Summit 2025 convenes leading experts in biotechnology, biosecurity, and cybersecurity to explore the intersection of these fields and discuss the strategies to create a safe, secure future for us all.” This event will take place February 25-26 in Laurel, MD. Register here and review the call for sessions here (closes 12/12).
Exciting Update: The BWC NIM Database Is Complete!
UNIDIR is glad to announce that the BWC National Implementation Measures Database, developed in partnership with VERTIC, has reached a significant milestone: profiles for all 187 States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention are now live! This comprehensive online tool provides detailed insights into each country’s national implementation measures under the BWC, supporting transparency, trust, and international cooperation.
All profiles are available in English, and the team is committed to translating them into all official UN languages throughout 2025. Updates to the profiles will also be made regularly to ensure they remain accurate and relevant.
Enhancing UK Biosecurity: DASA Launches Microbial Forensics Competition
“On behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory(Dstl), the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called Future-proofing Biosecurity by Strengthening the UK’s Microbial Forensic Capability. The competition is being run in response to the 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy which aims to implement a UK-wide approach to biosecurity that will strengthen deterrence and resilience to a spectrum of biological threats.”
“Dstl is leading the creation of the United Kingdom Microbial Forensics Consortium (UKMFC) which is being developed in support of the Detect Pillar of the Biological Security Strategy. It will comprise a network of biosurveillance laboratories from all four nations of the UK, operating under a One Health doctrine. This competition seeks novel technology options or technical approaches that can directly support the UKMFC initiative.”
Connecting and Building Collaborations between AI and Synthetic Biology Communities
From AI for SynBio: “Our primary goal for this symposia is to begin to connect and build mutually beneficial collaborations between the AI and the synthetic biology communities.”
“Synthetic biology is the systematic design and engineering of biological systems. Synthetic biology holds the potential for revolutionary advances in medicine, environmental remediation, and many more. For example, some synthetic biologists are trying to develop cellular programs that will identify and kill cancer cells, while others are trying to design plants that will extract harmful pollutants like arsenic from the ground.”
“A new fellowship at the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health launches with the announcement of the inaugural class of Biosecurity Game Changers, eight individuals who represent the next generation of leaders responsible for preventing and preparing for the worst case health security challenges.”
“The year-long fellowship kicks off in September with an in-person meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and a policymaking workshop for early-to-mid-career public health champions, including the fellows. During the year, fellows will collaborate on an operational project with either the Pandemic Center or one of the partner organizations focused on a specific aspect of improving biosecurity, biosafety and/or pandemic preparedness and response. Each fellow will also receive a Brown faculty appointment for the duration of their fellowship.”
This week’s Pandora Report covers the rush to find the former Assad regime’s hidden chemical weapons, a recent study on H5N1’s potential to become an efficient human pathogen, Nobel laureates’ call for the Senate to block RFK Jr. from becoming HHS Secretary, and more.
Assad Regime Falls
On Sunday, Syrian rebels continued their advance, taking the capital city of Damascus and forcing the country’s long-time leader, President Bashar al-Assad, to flee to Moscow. This ended the country’s 13-year-long civil war and toppled a brutal dictatorship known to have, among other things, used chemical weapons against its own civilians. Now, the country is strapped for cash and being led by opposition forces with limited experience in governance.
Adding to the chaos is the mad dash to locate the former Assad regime’s chemical weapons it hid from inspectors. Among the list of missing weapons are more than 360 tons of mustard gas that the Assad regime admitted to making, but never fully accounted for. There are also five missing tons of precursors for sarin that the Assad regime claimed were “Lost during transportation, due to traffic accidents.”
The OPCW said it is monitoring the situation, reaffirming its commitment to “clarifying gaps, discrepancies, and inconsistencies in Syrian chemical weapons declaration amidst political transition.” Rebels in the south of the country have reached out to the OPCW for support in safely disposing of a cache of CW they found. One US official told the press the US is working with other countries in the Middle East to prevent these weapons from falling into the wrong hands. Meanwhile, Israel reported that it has destroyed CW and other weapons caches while seizing areas along its shared border with the country it claims are part of a demilitarized buffer zone.
New Study Finds Single Mutation in Bovine Influenza H5N1 Hemagglutinin Switches Specificity to Human Receptors
A recent study in Science found that a single glutamine to leucine mutation in clade 2.3.4.4b-an H5N1 virus widespread in US dairy cattle that has caused a few mild human cases-at residue 226 of the virus hemagglutinin “was sufficient to enact the change from avian to human specificity.” This means that this virus that currently cannot infect humans very easily could be just one mutation away from being able to do so much more effectively. This finding alone does not mean that this mutation in nature would be guaranteed to make this virus an efficient human pathogen, but it might mean that this version of the virus has a higher zoonotic potential than other H5N1 viruses.
Investigation Launched into Queensland Lab Incident
An investigation has been launched by Australian authorities into the “major breach” of biosafety protocols that occurred at a state-run laboratory in Queensland in 2021. It was revealed that 323 virus samples-nearly 100 of which were live samples of Hendra virus-were missing. According to Health Minister Tim Nicholls, the incident was only discovered in August of 2023, and the lab is unable to confirm whether the materials were removed or destroyed, though there is no suggestion that they were taken or stolen from the lab.
Top Wuhan Virologist Says WIV Holds No Close Relatives to SARS-CoV-2
Shi Zhengli, the virologist leading coronavirus research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) when the COVID-19 pandemic began, presented data on dozens of new coronaviruses collected from bats in southern China at a conference in Japan last week. Shi has said repeatedly that SARS-CoV-2 was never seen nor studied in her lab, but some have continued to insist that one of the bat coronaviruses collected by her team was closely related to it. As a result, Shi promised to sequence the genomes of the viruses stored in her freezers and release the resulting data.
The analysis presented at the conference has not been peer reviewed and includes data from the whole genomes of 56 new betacoronaviruses in addition to some partial sequences. All of these viruses were collected between 2004 and 2021. Shi explained at the conference that none of the viruses she has sequenced are the most recent ancestors of SARS-CoV-2 and that “We didn’t find any new sequences which are more closely related to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.”
The known viruses that are closest to SARS-CoV-2 were found in bats in Laos and southern China. However, years (or decades) have passed since these viruses split from their common ancestor with SARS-CoV-2. Shi has long since collaborated with EcoHealth Alliance, which previously received US federal funding that was suspended because of inadequate oversight of research activities at the WIV. This collaboration has produced a larger analysis of more than 230 sequences that EcoHealth Alliance’s Peter Daszak says will be submitted for peer review and publication in the coming weeks.
75+ Nobel Laureates Urge Senate Not to Confirm RFK Jr.
77 winners of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, Chemistry, Physics, and Economics have signed a letter (below) urging the Senate not to confirm President-Elect Trump’s pick to lead HHS-Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. This is a rare example of Nobel laureates coming together against a US Cabinet choice, according to Sir Richard Roberts, winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Medicine and a drafter of the letter. The letter criticizes Kennedy’s lack of experience in public health in addition to his widely criticized opinions on topics like drinking water fluoridation and vaccines for measles and polio. The letter reads in part, “In view of his record, placing Mr. Kennedy in charge of DHHS would put the public’s health in jeopardy and undermine America’s global leadership in the health sciences, in both the public and commercial sectors…We strongly urge you to vote against the confirmation of his appointment as Secretary of the DHHS.”
Biodefense MS Student Lena Kropke discusses her experience at the 67th Annual Biosafety and Biosecurity Conference in this Pandora Report event summary, writing in part “Attending this conference not only reaffirmed that biosafety and biosecurity are vital components of international security, but also showcased the incredible dedication of professionals who work tirelessly toward this mission. Moreover, it offered an introduction to an amazing network of biosafety and security professionals.”
Read more about Lena’s time attending the conference in Phoenix here.
“Disincentivizing Bioweapons: Theory and Policy Approaches”
This NTI essay collection is “…designed to encourage the exploration and identification of potential solutions to disincentivize states from developing or using biological weapons,” and aims to “bridge theory and practical policy-relevant approaches to develop new approaches to invigorate international efforts to reduce biological threats.” Its fifth essay, “Two Competing Bioweapons Nonproliferation Policies: Deterrence by Denial and Discussion,” was authored by Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, Associate Professor at the Schar School.
Mitigating Arboviral Threat and Strengthening Public Health Preparedness: Proceedings of a Workshop
From NASEM: “Arboviruses, or viruses carried by arthropods like mosquitoes or ticks, are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year. As the climate changes globally, the geographic distribution of these diseases, including Zika, dengue, chikungunya, West Nile, and yellow fever, are steadily expanding. The National Academies Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop in December 2023 to explore avenues of threat reduction from known and emerging arboviral diseases in the context of public health preparedness and capacity building. The workshop featured talks from experts in entomology, public health, ecology, virology, immunology, disease modeling, and urban planning.”
Read this Proceedings of a Workshop for free here.
“The Current Pathogenicity and Potential Risk Assessment of Nipah Virus as Potential Cause of “Disease X”: A Narrative Review”
Mehnaz et al. recently published this article in Health Science Reports: “Background and Aims…The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the potential for a severe international epidemic and introduced the term “Disease X” to classify pathogens that not yet identified. The Nipah virus (NiV) is highly dangerous due to its zoonotic nature, high mortality rate, and ability to cause severe clinical symptoms in humans. In this review, we gather the latest information on the NiV and its potential to become a significant candidate for Disease X.”
“Methods…We performed a thorough review of articles published in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using appropriate MeSH terms and keywords. Studies reported NiV infection were considered for this review.”
“Results…The NiV exhibits different epidemiological patterns in different countries that calls for customized prevention and control strategies. Genetic analysis highlights NiV’s ability to mutate that alters possible treatment options. Transmission typically involves bats as the primary reservoir, with humans becoming infected either through intermediate hosts or food. This shows NiV’s complex nature, including its ability to reach the central nervous system through the olfactory nerve. Promising treatment options, such as monoclonal antibodies, antivirals, and ongoing vaccine research, provide hope. However, the virus’s adaptability, human-to-human transmission, and the lack of specific antiviral therapy raise concerns about its potential to cause a global pandemic. The interconnection between animals, humans, and the environment stresses the need for a One Health approach to tackle emerging infectious disease by NiV.”
“Conclusion…Global collaboration, surveillance, and research investments are imperative for the preparation of future pandemics. The ongoing COVID-19 challenges underscoring the critical need for sustained scientific endeavors, global leadership, and recognition of the prominence of NiV as a candidate for the potential Disease X.”
“Engineering Biology Public Trust Survey Findings”
From the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, these findings are the result of a survey on public perceptions of engineering biology in relation to five application areas: health, agriculture and food, low carbon fuels, chemicals and materials, and waste and environment. Key findings from this survey include “The majority of respondents felt comfortable with using new and emerging technologies on a day-to-day basis, but relatively few could explain what engineering biology is,” “There was a strong belief amongst respondents that applications of engineering biology could be useful. Similarly, the majority were comfortable with each of the specific applications and believe that they will be positive for society,” “There was broad agreement that the government is well placed to make decisions about the use of engineering biology but the public should also be involved in decision making,” and more.
“CSR Biodefense Scorecard: Winter 2024 Update”
From the Council on Strategic Risks: “In the fall of 2023, we kicked off our Biodefense Scorecard series to help inform the public on the progress and implementation status of past CSR recommendations on reducing biological risks. This update captures several areas of sustained positive action across pathogen early warning, diplomacy, and biomanufacturing.”
“Ignoring the Real Biowarfare Threat”
David Heslop and Joel Keep discuss the potential implications of recent renovations at Sergiev Posad-6 in this piece from the Lowy Institute, writing in part “While much attention has been paid to nuclear arms, Washington and Moscow must also address biological weapons, which both nations claimed to renounce many years ago. The fate of such programs is not only a matter for Russia and the United States, but for global health security at large.”
“Instrumentalising Biological Weapons-Related Allegations: Russia’s Compliance Politics and the Norms Against Biological Weapons”
Una Jakob recently published this working paper with CBWNet discussing Russia’s use of BWC compliance procedures and their effect on norms against BW. Jakob explains in part of the paper’s executive summary, “Seen in this light, the Russian activities may counterintuitively have contributed to strengthening the norms against biological weapons at the discursive level, as no actor has called them into question and as their validity has been reaffirmed repeatedly in the process, including by Russia itself. This stands in contrast, however, to Russia’s policy which may contest biological weapons norms at the action level. This discrepancy between the discursive and practical level and its implications for norm strength merit further theoretical attention. On a policy level, it will be important to increase transparency, counter disinformation, and strengthen the means to demonstrate, verify and enhance confidence in compliance with the BWC. This would also strengthen the possibilities to address biological weapons-related allegations, including those made in bad faith, and help sustain the norms against biological weapons comprehensively and in the long term.”
“Workshop on S&T Developments with Relevance for the CWC and BWC”
Anna Krin and Gunnar Jeremias edited this CBWNet working paper detailing a workshop hosted in June at Hamburg University focused on challenges and opportunities facing biological and chemical arms control. Jeremias explains in the introduction, “Throughout the workshop, four panels delved into key topics: the general concept and application of scientific and technological advice in arms control in general and particularly in chemical and biological arms control; current developments in science and technology that may necessitate attention; potential frameworks for organizing verification under the CWC and the prospects for institution building for S&T advice and verification within the BWC; and the technologies and governance methods that could be employed to enhance the efficacy of arms control measures…The insights gathered during these discussions aim to contribute to the ongoing discourse on arms control, ensuring that both the BWC and CWC remain vital in a landscape marked by rapid scientific change. This compendium encapsulates the collaborative efforts and perspectives of workshop participants, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing arms control in an increasingly complex world.”
“High-Impact, Low-Probability: NATO-EUROPOL Cooperation in Countering the CBRN Terrorist Threat to Europe”
This JCBRN Defence COE report by Mathias Katsuya “…draws on secondary-source research and insights provided by JCBRN Defence COE personnel as well as Europol’s CBRN-E Team Leader. An initial threat assessment is followed by a review of Europol’s CBRN capabilities, centring on the role of its European Counter-Terrorism Centre and inhouse CBRN-E Team as key nodes in law enforcement information-sharing, capacity-building, and operational coordination. Having identified key doctrinal and capability overlaps with NATO in addition to a stated commitment by Europol’s CBRN-E Team to enhance its civil-military relations, the report outlines a three-pillar approach to deepening connections between NATO and Europol: short-term measures to foster staff-level contacts in both organisations, a formalised relationship between Europol’s CBRN-E Team and NATO’s JCBRN Defence COE, and deeper institutional linkages to effectively confront current and emerging CBRN threats.”
“Hybrid Threats in the CBRN Environment: Challenges and Implications”
This JCBRN Defence COE paper by Paulina Frederike Gogacz discusses hybrid CBRN threats and their use by actors like Russia. Gogacz explains in the paper’s summary that “An analysis of the six strategic enablers outlined in NATO’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defence Policy (2022) indicates important steps to ameliorate current defences and prepare NATO and its member states for future hybrid CBRN threats, thereby increasing overall resilience. They include important aspects: robust intelligence-sharing mechanisms to ensure timely and accurate threat information; comprehensive exercises to simulate and prepare for various CBRN scenarios; strong partnerships both within the alliance and with external entities to foster cooperation and resource sharing; effective strategic communication to manage information and public perception; collaborative scientific research to advance technological capabilities and countermeasures; and the resilience of medical infrastructure to ensure a rapid and effective response to CBRN incidents. These steps collectively aim to bolster NATO’s preparedness and adaptability in the face of evolving hybrid CBRN threats.”
“Securing a Strategic Advantage in Biosecurity for NATO”
Max Breet and Lauren Ross recently authored this commentary for RUSI, writing in their summary “NATO should recognise the importance of biosecurity by understanding it as a new domain. This would allow the Alliance to more effectively leverage existing structures to defend itself against hybrid biological threats.”
“The Rise of Mpox in a Post-Smallpox World”
McQuiston et al. recently published this article in Emerging Infectious Diseases: “Reports of mpox are rising in Africa where the disease is endemic and in new countries where the disease has not been previously seen. The 2022 global outbreak of clade II mpox and an ongoing outbreak of the more lethal clade I mpox highlight the pandemic potential for monkeypox virus. Waning population immunity after the cessation of routine immunization for smallpox plays a key role in the changing epidemiologic patterns of mpox. Sustained human-to-human transmission of mpox is occurring widely in the context of insufficient population immunity, fueling genetic mutations that affect the accuracy of some diagnostic tests and that could lead to changing virulence. Additional research should address complex challenges for control of mpox, including improved diagnostics and medical countermeasures. The availability of vaccines should be expanded not only for outbreak response but also for broader routine use for persons in mpox-endemic countries.”
“Confronting Risks of Mirror Life”
Adamala et al. recently published this Science Policy Forum piece, writing in part, “All known life is homochiral. DNA and RNA are made from “right-handed” nucleotides, and proteins are made from “left-handed” amino acids. Driven by curiosity and plausible applications, some researchers had begun work toward creating lifeforms composed entirely of mirror-image biological molecules. Such mirror organisms would constitute a radical departure from known life, and their creation warrants careful consideration. The capability to create mirror life is likely at least a decade away and would require large investments and major technical advances; we thus have an opportunity to consider and preempt risks before they are realized. Here, we draw on an in-depth analysis of current technical barriers, how they might be eroded by technological progress, and what we deem to be unprecedented and largely overlooked risks (1). We call for broader discussion among the global research community, policy-makers, research funders, industry, civil society, and the public to chart an appropriate path forward.”
Bonus: Read Carl Zimmer’s discussion of this warning in The New York Times here.
NEW: OneLab Network Webinar
“Clinical laboratories must be alert for unusual and potentially infectious agents and immediately notify their Laboratory Response Network (LRN) reference laboratory if routine diagnostic testing results in the potential identification of rare and unusual infectious agents that may be used in a bioterrorist attack or other bio-agent incident. This webinar will describe the LRN and highlight the clinical laboratory’s role and responsibilities in initiating contact with their LRN. Join us as we share an example of a response, new tools, and valuable resources to aid in the clinical laboratory’s response.”
This event will take place on December 17 at 12 pm ET. Register for this event here.
NEW:Understanding the Introduction of Pathogens into Humans- Preventing Patient Zero: A Workshop
“The past few decades have seen the emergence of several diseases with drastic public health and economic consequences. Understanding routes of pathogen emergence and transmission is critical to preventing and mitigating disease spillover and amplification. The National Academies Forum on Microbial Threats will host a hybrid public workshop to address gaps in understanding of disease emergence, with a focus on human-animal interaction and laboratory biosafety. The workshop will explore how applications of existing policy structures, emerging technologies, and actionable research can improve biosecurity measures and prevention of future disease emergence.”
This event will take place on January 15 and 16. Learn more and register here.
NEW: Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control
Johns Hopkins APL’s colloquium will feature Mindy Weisberger, author of the upcoming book Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control: “Zombies are all around us—insect zombies, that is. In Rise of the Zombie Bugs, Mindy Weisberger explores the eerie yet fascinating phenomenon of real-life zombification in the insect class and among other invertebrates. Zombifying parasites reproduce by rewriting their victims’ neurochemistry, transforming them into the “walking dead”: armies of cicadas, spiders, and other hosts that helplessly follow a zombifier’s commands, living only to serve the parasite’s needs until death’s sweet release (and often beyond).”
From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “Studying viruses that could potentially cause outbreaks is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of pandemics. However, this type of research—especially when it involves collecting samples from the field and manipulating pathogens—can unintentionally lead to a pandemic if not managed carefully. Dr Lentzos will discuss her findings from the Pathogen Project, which brought together an international taskforce of scientists, biosecurity and public health experts, ethicists, and civil society leaders to seek consensus on this question: Can we agree on ways to manage research that carries pandemic risk as safely, securely and responsibly as possible?”
This event will take place on January 23 at 8 pm (GMT +8:00) via Zoom. RSVP here.
Preparedness in Rural Communities: National and State/Local Perspectives and Plans
From Penn State: “The COVID-19 pandemic and recent hurricanes have thrust the preparedness of rural communities into the national spotlight. At the federal level, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released national goals and plans for preparedness of rural communities. The overall objective of this virtual, 2-day mini-symposium is to identify opportunities in public health and agricultural preparedness and response in rural communities. The mini-symposium will focus upon national perspectives on Thursday, January 30 and the state/local perspectives on Friday, January 31. Speakers include representatives of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Agriculture, the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness, and state/local leaders.”
This event will take place on January 30 and 31, from 11 am to 2 pm ET each day. Learn more and register here.
Cyberbiosecurity Summit
From Johns Hopkins APL and Bio-ISAC: “Advancements in biomanufacturing and biotechnology drive the science we need to thrive, everything from apples to vaccines. The Cyberbiosecurity Summit 2025 convenes leading experts in biotechnology, biosecurity, and cybersecurity to explore the intersection of these fields and discuss the strategies to create a safe, secure future for us all.” This event will take place February 25-26 in Laurel, MD. Register here and review the call for sessions here (closes 12/12).
NEW: The Independent Panel Solicits Views and Insights on Pandemic Prevention, and Response Efforts
“The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, co-chaired by HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and RH Helen Clark, welcomes you to share your insights and expertise on the status of international and regional pandemic-related reform processes and initiatives, and how progress can be continued and accelerated in the months and years ahead.”
Learn more about this survey and submit by December 20here.
This week’s Pandora Report covers news from the Biodefense Graduate Program, the winners of the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award, reports of a mysterious illness in the DRC, and much more.
Biodefense Doctoral Student Selected for Next Generation Leader Program
First-year Biodefense PhD student Katie Dammer was recently selected for the Next Generation Leaders program as part of the Spirit of Asilomar conference that will be held in February 2025. “The Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology” summit will occur on the 50th anniversary of the 1975 international meeting on recombinant DNA, where scientists discussed the hazards and benefits of emerging biotechnology and voluntarily agreed to set new standards for the regulation of biohazards. The 2025 iteration of this summit will focus on artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, pathogen research, and other related topics. Dammer currently is a Biosecurity Fellow at the Horizon Institute for Public Service working as the Special Assistant for Global Health Security & Biodefense at the National Security Council.
2024 OPCW-The Hague Award Recipients Announced
Last month, OPCW Director-General Amb. Fernando Arias and The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen announced the winners of this year’s OPCW-The Hague award: Alegeria’s National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (NICC/NG) and the Indian Chemical Council (ICC). NICC/NG is “a forensic science institute focused on advancing crime-fighting capabilities by integrating scientific methods into judicial and criminal processes.” The ICC “is a chemical industry body recognized for its role in promoting chemical safety, compliance with the Convention, and enhancing industry-wide security practices in India.” Read more about the recipients and this year’s award selection here.
DRC Reports Outbreak of Unknown Flu-Like Illness
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Africa CDC, and WHO are investigating an outbreak of an unknown, influenza-like disease in Kwango province that has infected at least 376 people and killed at least 67 (though some outlets report 143 deaths) since late October. Africa CDC reports that symptoms include fever, headache, cough, difficulties breathing, and anemia. Children under five are the most affected group, accounting for more than half of all cases and the majority of deaths. The outbreak started in the Panzi Health Zone, a remote part of the province. Officials report that they did not learn of the outbreak until six weeks after it began. In better news, the WHO has confirmed that the DRC’s mpox outbreak appears to be “plateauing”.
Raw Milk Recalled in California Following Bird Flu Detection
In a predictable turn of events, a farm in California has made a voluntary recall of its products and halted production after samples of its products tested positive for avian influenza. The recall has expanded since the initial recall of two lots of product on November 21. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has quarantined the farm and suspended the distribution of raw milk, cream, kefir, butter, and cheese products produced on or after November 27. The farm in question, Raw Farm of Fresno, has gained popularity with fans of social media “health influencers” and HHS Secretary nominee RFK Jr.. It frequently sells its products in natural supermarket chains like Sprouts Farmers Market.
The brand fell under FDA and CDC scrutiny earlier this year amid E. coli concerns, though the company insists it was the victim of “severe bias” from the agencies. Mark McAfee, CEO of Raw Farm, is insisting now that the actions taken by the state are politically-driven, despite samples of his company’s products testing positive for the virus. McAfee appears to have been encouraged by RFK Jr. to apply for a position at the FDA as the “FDA advisor on raw milk policy and standards development.”
House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Releases Final Report
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic recently published its final report, “AFTER ACTION REVIEW OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward”. The more than 500-page document covers a variety of topics, including vaccines, use of pandemic relief funds, and public health guidance. The report begins with the claim that SARS-CoV-2 “likely emerged because of a laboratory or research related accident,” despite the Intelligence Community remaining split on the consensus and many in the scientific community disagreeing. The report is also critical of mitigation efforts like face masking and social distancing, though it praises travel restrictions. The report also focuses its attention heavily on the EcoHealth Alliance.
The Select Subcommittee’s minority released its own final report. A spokesperson for the minority said in a statement, “Select Subcommittee Republicans’ final report reflects two years wasted on political stunts instead of preventing and preparing for the next pandemic…Instead of coming together with Democrats to get ahead of future viruses or fortify America’s public health infrastructure and workforce, Select Subcommittee Republicans prioritized extreme probes that vilified our nation’s scientists and public health officials in an effort to whitewash former President Trump’s disastrous COVID-19 response.”
The minority report blasts the majority’s criticism and targeting of former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci as “baseless and frivolous” and explains that “Today, a zoonotic origin and lab accident are both plausible, as is a ‘hybrid’ scenario reflecting a mixture of the two…It was repeatedly explained to the Select Subcommittee that all prior epidemics and pandemics, as well as almost all prior outbreaks, have zoonotic origins. At the same time, a lab origin for SARS-CoV-2 also remains plausible.”
Trump Continues to Make Controversial Administration Selections
Trump Picks Jay Bhattacharya to Lead NIH
Late last month, President-Elect Trump announced Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford-trained physician and economist, as his pick to lead the NIH. Bhattacharya gained national attention for co-authoring the October 2020 letter known as the Great Barrington Declaration, which called for the rollback of pandemic-related shutdowns, drawing rebuke from then NIH director Francis S. Collins. Bhattacharya also was among several academics who met with Trump in August of 2020, claiming that the pandemic was not as severe as public health officials had warned. The letter gained broader criticism for its focus on herd immunity, especially as COVID-19 vaccines were not available at that point, so relying on herd immunity would lead to even more unnecessary illnesses and deaths.
Trump Picks Jim O’Neill for HHS Deputy Secretary
Trump also announced in late November that he will select Jim O’Neill, a Silicon Valley investor and former federal health official, as his selection to be Deputy Secretary at HHS. O’Neill joined HHS in 2002, holding several roles throughout his tenure, including serving as a top aide to the then-deputy secretary of the department. He then moved on to Silicon Valley, becoming a close ally of Peter Thiel, a close adviser to Trump during his first term who has also long championed VP-Elect JD Vance.
Trump Announces Dave Weldon as CDC Director Pick
In an unforeseen move, Trump picked former Congressman Dave Weldon as his nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weldon has been out of politics for the last fifteen years, running a private medical practice in Florida. During his tenure in Congress, he made controversial statements about the safety of MMR and and HPV vaccines. His views have often aligned with those of RFK Jr., whom he has been friends with for more than two decades. Weldon has said of his time in Congress that he worked with Kennedy “to get the mercury out of the childhood vaccines.”
White Helmets Urge International Community to Take Action to Protect Syrian Civilians from Chemical Warfare
The Director of the White Helmets, Raed Al-Saleh, warned recently that Syria’s authoritarian president, Bashar Al-Assad, could very soon use CW against civilians in an effort to stop rebels advancing in the northwest of the country. In a statement, Al-Saleh said “”For six days now, as the map of military control has changed, brutal attacks launched by the Syrian regime, Russia, and Iranian cross-border militias on Syrians have escalated especially in areas outside their control in northwest Syria…I am gravely concerned about the lives of every Syrian because of the real threat of chemical attacks.”
“Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation”
From NASEM: “At the request of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation provides an overview of the current landscape of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)-enabled biotechnology, the opportunities it presents, and the challenges it poses. This report offers a strategic vision for connecting scientists and technologists to build on, leverage, and tailor advances at the intersection of AI/ML, automated experimentation, and biotechnology to drive innovation in defense-related biotechnologies. Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation makes recommendations to address long-standing challenges that have limited research, development, prototyping, testing and evaluation, and eventual use of biotechnologies. Addressing these challenges will help to advance U.S. national security and defense by improving the performance of existing capabilities, enabling the creation of domestic supply chains of valuable products, reducing reliance on processes and chemicals that are harmful to the environment, and/or adding new capabilities not currently possible with established technologies.”
“Anticipating Biological Risk: A Toolkit for Strategic Biosecurity Policy”
Stephen Batalis for CSET: “Artificial intelligence (AI) tools pose exciting possibilities to advance scientific, biomedical, and public health research. At the same time, these tools have raised concerns about their potential to contribute to biological threats, like those from pathogens and toxins. This report describes pathways that result in biological harm, with or without AI, and a range of governance tools and mitigation measures to address them.”
“Strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention”
Jez Littlewood and Filippa Lentzos recently published this piece with the Arms Control Association discussing the BWC working group and its efforts to improve the BWC. They write in part, “Substantial progress has been made in some areas, but beneath the surface is a broader conflict about the shape of arms control agreements generally. This raises a question about whether strengthening the BWC needs to follow the traditional model of legally binding multilateral agreements with declarations, inspections, investigations, and an international organization where consensus rules or whether states-parties can agree to a new model that allows states to opt in to the mechanisms with which they agree and opt out of any processes or new commitments they are unable to support.”
“BWC at 50: Taking Bold Steps to Secure the Future”
Gabrielle Essix recently authored this rundown on the BWC’s successes, shortcomings, and future for NTI| bio. She writes in part, “As we look ahead to the future of the BWC, the role of civil society will become increasingly critical. Organizations like NTI provide a bridge between governments, scientists, and the public, ensuring that biosecurity remains a global priority. By advocating for stronger international norms and pushing for innovative solutions to new challenges, NTI can help make the BWC an effective tool in the fight against the development and use of biological weapons.”
“Possible Models of BWC Verification”
James Revill authored this brief for UNIDIR: “This briefing serves as a primer for consideration of possible models of verification. Past discussions of verification in the Biological Weapons Conference (BWC) have largely focused on the development of a more traditional disarmament verification regime, akin to the model established in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and envisaged in the BWC Protocol Negotiations. Such a model is often considered the standard model for verification and could provide greater confidence in compliance with the BWC.”
“However, the traditional model of verification is not the only model available to BWC States Parties. Depending on the function(s) and focus of any verification mechanism, other options could be developed for BWC verification that might more effectively address the concerns of BWC States Parties and potentially reduce costs of verification while still increasing confidence in compliance.”
BioWeapons Prevention Project: “The Closure of the Fourth Sessions Preparations for the Fifth”
From BWPP: “The Working Group (WG) on the strengthening of the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC/BTWC), will convene for its Fifth Session on 2 December having finished the Fourth Session on 23 August. The topics for discussion in the WG were decided at Ninth BWC Review Conference, held in 2022. The two-week Fifth Session will be followed by the annual Meeting of States Parties (MSP) which is scheduled for 16-18 December…This report focuses on some overarching issues. Individual topics up for discussion during the Fifth Session have been examined in earlier reports in this series, and in particular in the ‘setting the scene’ reports.”
“Biocrimes: Safeguarding Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Labs Against Insider Threats”
Casey Shroeder authored this piece for Lab Manager, writing in part “Within clinical and public health microbiology laboratories where scientists work to diagnose infections and/or protect public health, the potential for biocrimes and insider threats is a serious risk that is often overlooked. These laboratories, which handle not only routine human pathogens but also antimicrobial resistant strains, emerging pathogens, and potential biothreat pathogens, must remain vigilant against those who might exploit their access for malicious purposes.”
“Bacteriologic and Genomic Investigation of Bacillus anthracis Isolated from World War II Site, China”
Wu et al. recently published this article in Emerging Infectious Diseases: “Records suggest Bacillus anthracis was used in biowarfare during World War II, but evidence remains limited. We isolated B. anthracis from soil at the remains of a World War II–era laboratory in China. Phenotypic and genomic analyses confirmed the finding, highlighting the value of microbial forensics in biothreat investigation.”
“Modern Warfare is Breeding Deadly Superbugs. Why?”
Francesca Mari recently published this piece in The New York Times Magazine, explaining in part “By 2050, The Lancet predicts that antimicrobial resistance will kill 8.22 million people per year, more than the number currently killed by cancer. (For context, Covid claimed an estimated three million lives during all of 2020.) And a growing body of research suggests that the 21st-century way of warfare has become a major driver of that spread. Nations of the Middle East, like Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, now suffer from particularly high rates of multidrug-resistant pathogens, and some of the world’s most fearsome superbugs have incubated in the region — Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, MRSA and perhaps most notably A. baumannii, a strain of Acinetobacter that traveled home with U.S. soldiers, where it became nicknamed “Iraqibacter.”’
“Global Report on Infection Prevention and Control 2024”
From WHO: “Health care-associated infections (HAIs) affect patients and health systems every day, causing immense suffering, driving higher health-care costs and hampering efforts to achieve high-quality care for all. HAIs are often difficult to treat, are the major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and cause premature deaths and disability. The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg and mpox are the most dramatic demonstrations of how pathogens can spread rapidly and be amplified in health care settings. But HAIs are a daily threat in every hospital and clinic, not only during epidemics and pandemics. Lack of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health care settings not only affects the application of infection prevention and control (IPC) best practices but also equity and dignity among both those providing and receiving care. However, there is strong evidence that a large proportion of these infections could be prevented with IPC measures and basic WASH services, with a high return on investment. This second global report on IPC provides updated evidence on the harm caused to patients and health workers by HAIs and AMR, and presents an updated global analysis of the implementation of IPC programmes at the national and health care facility levels across all WHO regions. “
Bloomberg FOIA Files: Kremlin Targeting Putin’s Political Adversaries, Has Ability to Assassinate Targets with Chemical and Biological Weapons
In this edition of Bloomberg News’ FOIA Files, Jason Leopold discusses a recently-released memo from ODNI discussing targeting killings of Vladimir Putin’s political adversaries, and the means by which the Russian state is able to accomplish this. In the memo, intelligence officials assessed that “Russia has the capability to assassinate individuals using chemical and biological agents,” and that they have the means to track dissidents and defectors. The memo also explains that “The development of chemical or biological agents with lower risk of attribution might tempt the Kremlin to consider assassinating individuals,” in addition to discussing the death of Russian businessman Alexander Perepilichnyy, who was “reportedly assassinated with a biological toxin in the UK in 2012 shortly before he was scheduled to testify about a Kremlin tax fraud network.”
“Reviving Chemical Weapons Accountability in a Multipolar World”
The Center for Strategic and Strategic & International Studies published this commentary by Natasha Hall and Doreen Horschig ahead of the 29th Session of the Conference of States Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In it, they discuss the strain the CWC has faced in the last decade and how its strength might be restored. They write in part, “Next week’s conference presents an opportunity to revitalize efforts toward accountability and global cooperation. The United States, in particular, is in a position to reverse course on the dangerous erosion of the chemical weapons norm and maintain the integrity of the CWC. But to do so, it will need to engage friend and foe alike.”
“The Islamic Republic’s Work on Pharmaceutical Based Agents”
This report was authored by Mohammadreza Giveh and the Good ISIS Team for the Institute for Science and International Security. “This report discusses multiple Iranian security complexes that have been preparing production of fentanyl and medetomidine based incapacitating and lethal agents. These complexes have been working on pillars of producing those weapons: large-scale cost-efficient synthesis of the compounds with maximum potency, evaluating a stable chemical mixture based on those agents that can be aerosolized using a propellant, and developing the delivery of the agents through grenades, bullets, or drones.”
“Chemical Weapons Disinformation in Ukraine”
From GP WMD Counter Disinfo, this series includes three briefs: “Understanding Russia’s Chemical Weapons Allegations in Ukraine,” “Selected Examples of CW Allegations and Related Disinformation Campaigns from the Russian Federation,” and “Strategy and Impacts of CW Disinformation”.
“Chemical Weapons Use in Ukraine Testa Global Norms to Breaking Point”
Lennie Phillips OBE and Gareth Williams discuss Russia’s use of CW in Ukraine and how it affects the CWC and OPCW in this RUSI piece, writing in part “A riot control agent found in samples collected from the confrontation lines in Ukraine by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons implicates Russia in yet another breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention. But what steps can states parties to the convention take next?”
“Russia Fails to Make OPCW Executive Council for Second Year Running”
Patrick Norén discusses Russia’s failure to be elected to the OPCW’s Executive Council for the second year in a row in this piece for CBNW.
“How Might Large Language Models Aid Actors in Reaching the Competency Threshold Required to Carry Out a Chemical Attack?”
Stendall et al. recently published this article in The Nonproliferation Review: “Artificial intelligence is a rapidly growing field, increasingly driving innovation in the sciences. This is a double-edged sword, with the benefits of scientific discovery tempered by potential opportunities for weaponization and misuse. Specifically, the implications for chemical security and chemical weapons are becoming increasingly clear. This article analyzes how large language models (LLMs)—particularly chatbots and chemical LLM assistants—might enable actors to better reach the competency threshold for a chemical attack, via enhanced methods for the identification, production, and use of chemical weapons. This would be particularly relevant for those at the lower end of the capability spectrum, such as terrorist groups and rogue individuals. An important historical context is provided throughout the article, with chemical attacks of the past illuminating the dangerous consequences of an easier-to-achieve competency threshold. A counterargument is also provided, analyzing the factors that might still limit malicious actors, as well as a description of how LLMs might be used to combat chemical terrorism. The article then concludes with a short list of key policy and governance suggestions for mitigating the risks.”
Read or listen to CNS’ interview with Stendall on this article here.
“Chemical Terrorism: Assessment of U.S. Strategies in the Era of Great Power Competition”
From NASEM: “Domestic and foreign violent extremist organizations, or terrorist groups, have caused a greater amount of harm with chemical agents than with biological or radiological weapons. The United States capacity and capability to identify, prevent, counter, and respond adequately to chemical threats is established by the strategies, policies, and laws enacted across multiple levels of government. While the number of chemical terrorism incidents has risen and fallen over time, there is no empirical or analytical indication that the threat is disappearing. This report comes at a time when the nation’s highest-level strategies have shifted from focusing primarily on violent extremist organizations to focusing more on Great Power Competition. This shift in relative perceived threat and consequent prioritization will impact efforts against chemical terrorism, and in turn, affect funding priorities. Revised risk assessments are needed to reprioritize risks guided by new strategies, so that strategy-aligned budgets can be created. The report recommends weapons of mass destruction budgets be aligned with evolving priorities and incentivize activities that transition promising research to operations.”
“Nuclear Terrorism: Assessment of U.S. Strategies to Prevent, Counter, and Respond to Weapons of Mass Destruction”
From NASEM: “For nearly eight decades, the world has been navigating the dangers of the nuclear age. Despite Cold War tensions and the rise of global terrorism, nuclear weapons have not been used in conflict since Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Efforts such as strategic deterrence, arms control and non-proliferation agreements, and the U.S.-led global counterterrorism have helped to keep nuclear incidents at bay. However, the nation’s success to date in countering nuclear terrorism does not come with a guarantee, success often carries the risk that other challenges will siphon away attention and resources and can lead to the perception that the threat no longer exists.”
“This report found that U.S. efforts to counter nuclear or radiological terrorism are not keeping pace with the evolving threat landscape. The U.S. government should maintain a strategic focus and effort on combatting terrorism across the national security community in coordination with international partners, State, Local, Tribal and Territorial authorities, the National Laboratories, universities and colleges, and civil society. Developing and sustaining adequate nuclear incident response and recovery capabilities at the local and state levels will likely require significant new investments in resources and empowerment of local response from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, and National Institutes of Health.”
“Ecological Threat Report”
The Institute for Economics & Peace recently released the fifth edition of its Ecological Threat Report, ” which analyses ecological threats in 207 independent states and territories. The report covers 3,518 sub-national areas which account for 99.99 per cent of the world’s population. The ETR assesses threats relating to food insecurity, water risk, natural disasters, and demographic pressure…The research takes a multi-faceted approach by analysing ecological threats at the national, subnational, and city level, while also assessing the threats against societal resilience and levels of peace. Comparing ecological threats against societal resilience enables IEP to identify the global regions, countries, and subnational areas most at risk of an ecological disaster, both now and into the future.”
“Healthcare Cybersecurity: HHS Continues to Have Challenges as Lead Agency”
This snapshot from the Government Accountability Office discusses previous GAO findings about HHS’ performance in healthcare cybersecurity, explaining that HHS has yet to implement all of GAO’s recommendations to address its challenges in this area. It concludes that “Until HHS implements our prior recommendations related to improving cybersecurity, the department risks not being able to effectively carry out its lead agency responsibilities, resulting in potential adverse impact on healthcare providers and patient care.”
“Lebanon: A Conflict Particularly Destructive to Health Care”
The WHO recently released this news post explaining that more health workers and patients have been killed proportionally in Lebanon than in Ukraine and Gaza, with 47% of attacks on health care in the country proving fatal as of November 21-a higher percentage than in any active conflict today globally. Read more here.
What We’re Listening To 🎧
Grow Everything Biotech Podcast, 103. DNA of Defense: Alexander Titus on How NSCEB is Advancing Biotech for National Security Challenges
“Karl and Erum bring on Dr. Alexander Titus, a commissioner on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, to explore the exciting and challenging intersections of biotechnology and policy. Alexander shares his experiences from his unique journey across academia, government, and industry, diving into the role of biosecurity, the potential of synthetic biology, and the emerging convergence of tech and bio. They discuss ambitious projects like de-extincting the woolly mammoth, advances in biodefense, and the impacts of AI on biotech innovation. It’s a conversation that sheds light on how cutting-edge biotech could shape the future and the necessary balance between innovation and ethical responsibility.”
From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “Studying viruses that could potentially cause outbreaks is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of pandemics. However, this type of research—especially when it involves collecting samples from the field and manipulating pathogens—can unintentionally lead to a pandemic if not managed carefully. Dr Lentzos will discuss her findings from the Pathogen Project, which brought together an international taskforce of scientists, biosecurity and public health experts, ethicists, and civil society leaders to seek consensus on this question: Can we agree on ways to manage research that carries pandemic risk as safely, securely and responsibly as possible?”
This event will take place on January 23 at 8 pm (GMT +8:00) via Zoom. RSVP here.
NEW: Preparedness in Rural Communities: National and State/Local Perspectives and Plans
From Penn State: “The COVID-19 pandemic and recent hurricanes have thrust the preparedness of rural communities into the national spotlight. At the federal level, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released national goals and plans for preparedness of rural communities. The overall objective of this virtual, 2-day mini-symposium is to identify opportunities in public health and agricultural preparedness and response in rural communities. The mini-symposium will focus upon national perspectives on Thursday, January 30 and the state/local perspectives on Friday, January 31. Speakers include representatives of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Agriculture, the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness, and state/local leaders.”
This event will take place on January 30 and 31, from 11 am to 2 pm ET each day. Learn more and register here.
Enhancing the Resilience of Healthcare and Public Health Critical Infrastructure: A Workshop
From NASEM: “Healthcare and public health infrastructure, technology, and operations are rapidly changing and are increasingly interdependent and interconnected. Threats to the nation’s critical social and physical infrastructure systems are also rapidly evolving and highly complex—posing potentially new or growing risks of disruption and challenging the assumptions used to design and protect these systems.”
“The National Academies Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies will host a hybrid public workshop to explore strategies, policies, and innovative actions to improve the resilience of healthcare and public health (HPH) critical infrastructure to impacts from disasters and other emergencies.”
This event will take place in DC on December 9 and 10. Register here.
A New Paradigm for Threat Agnostic Biodetection: Biological Intelligence (BIOINT)
From PNNL: “Please join us in welcoming Swati Sureka, Strategy and Policy Analyst at Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) Federal, where she supports the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight. Her talk, titled “A New Paradigm for Threat Agnostic Biodetection: Biological Intelligence (BIOINT),” will take place on Tuesday, December 10th, at noon PT.”
From CSR: “The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) cordially invites you to our first annual CSR symposium, Resilience in the Face of Global Risks, scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2024. This is the first event bringing together all three of CSR’s institutions—the Center for Climate & Security, the Converging Risks Lab, and the Janne E. Nolan Center on Strategic Weapons—to engage with leaders across our mission sets.”
“The United States and its allies face a complex global security landscape where systemic risks like climate and ecological crisis, nuclear proliferation, and biological threats are blending with war, geopolitical competition, and human insecurity in new and profound ways. While there has been tremendous leadership—and meaningful progress—across these overlapping risk areas, they require persistent innovation in community building to meet the modern risk landscape.”
“The symposium will dive into the progress our communities have made—and how our passionate communities can better work together to help shape the future.”
“In addition to a keynote address, guests will hear from panels, take part in breakout sessions showcasing important issues and new ideas, plus engage with thought leaders between sessions. It will be a widely attended gathering, free to attendees.”
“As we enter a new year with an exceptionally dynamic security environment, we hope CSR’s December event will inspire and build a stronger community across professionals dedicated to anticipating and addressing the world’s greatest risks. We appreciate your consideration and hope you will be able to join us on the 10th of December.”
From Johns Hopkins APL and Bio-ISAC: “Advancements in biomanufacturing and biotechnology drive the science we need to thrive, everything from apples to vaccines. The Cyberbiosecurity Summit 2025 convenes leading experts in biotechnology, biosecurity, and cybersecurity to explore the intersection of these fields and discuss the strategies to create a safe, secure future for us all.” This event will take place February 25-26 in Laurel, MD. Register here and review the call for sessions here (closes 12/12).
NEW: Call for Experts, Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats
“The National Academies is seeking suggestions for experts to be considered for the membership rotation or other engagement with the Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats. The group will help inform the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) on critical science and policy issues related to emerging infectious diseases and other health threats.”
“Since March 2020, the standing committee has consistently generated real-time policy recommendations and produced an unprecedented amount of timely, evidence-based guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging public health threats. Looking ahead, the standing committee will continue to ensure that ASPR and decision-makers have access to the latest high-quality, evidence-based insights to inform medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies.”
“Approximately 12-15 volunteer experts are needed to serve on the standing committee of approximately 25 members.”
Learn more and submit nominations by December 13here.
The Pandora Report 