FDA – The Pandora Report

Pandora Report 9.12.2025

September 15, 2025September 15, 2025 by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue features coverage of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, updates on COVID-19 and long COVID, fallout from recent CDC leadership changes, highlights from new science communication books, and GMU alumni making an impact in public health and national security. Carmen Shaw, a first-year Biodefense PhD student also joined the Pandora Report this week as a co-managing editor. She will oversee the weekly newsletter.

Ebola in the DRC

Last week, Congo’s health authorities declared a new Ebola outbreak in Kasaï province, reporting 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers. WHO has confirmed this as the country’s 16th outbreak of Ebola since 1976, with a case fatality rate of roughly ≈54%. The index case – a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted to the hospital last month – has died from multiple organ failure. In response, WHO has dispatched teams to strengthen surveillance, treatment and infection control. Yet local leaders warn that critical gaps remain. “The main challenges we face involve the lack of personnel and the shortage of personal protective equipment,” said Dr. Amitié Bukidi, head of the Mweka health zone. “Beyond that, our hospitals need to be supplied with medicines and special equipment capable of addressing this epidemic.”

Further Reading:

COVID-19 Trends, Vaccine Scrutiny, and Transparency Gaps in Response

COVID-19 activity in the U.S. continues to show signs of peaking, but the impact remains uneven. The CDC’s COVID-19 surveillance data reports that test positivity for SARS-CoV-2 has dipped to 10.8% from last week’s 11.6%, yet emergency visits rose slightly from 1.5% to 1.6% and remain elevated among children ages 0 – 4 and 5 – 17 years. Against this backdrop, the FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced an “intense investigation” into anecdotal reports of childhood deaths following COVID-19 vaccination. While no causal link has been established and current evidence does not indicate major safety risks, the probe reflects heightened scrutiny of vaccine safety at a time when public confidence remains fragile.

Attention is shifting toward the global prevalence of long COVID, which the WHO defines as a “post-COVID-19 condition” involving lingering symptoms weeks or months after infection with COVID-19. A new global meta-analysis published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases found that many teens and adolescents reported long COVID, though most symptoms resolve within three months. In their analysis, the three strongest risk factors were being unvaccinated, infections from pre-Omicron variants, and female sex. The most frequently identified lingering symptoms were memory problems and muscle weakness. “Less than 30% of adolescents reporting symptoms who tested positive reported their symptoms persisted for three or more months,” the authors concluded.

Beyond the clinical challenges of COVID-19, concerns are mounting over U.S. transparency in infectious disease reporting and tracking. HHS has indefinitely suspended a CDC project that would have launched a real-time, user-friendly platform with case counts for 127 notifiable diseases, expert interpretation, and expanded surveillance data. Envisioned as a one-stop hub – akin to a “National Weather Service for public health” – the site was designed to centralize state-level reporting and eventually integrate emergency departments, mortality, and wastewater data. Its suspension follows leadership turmoil, including the recent firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the resignation of senior staff like Jennifer Layden [DK1] who led the agency’s Office of Public Health Data, Science, and Technology. “We lost a lot of staff, and we couldn’t re-hire,” Layden said, noting that the ability to be effective had become increasingly difficult. Scientists involved voiced frustration that after major gains in data integration and strategy, political interference and staffing cuts are eroding progress, leaving the U.S. less transparent and less prepared for future health threats.

Further Reading:

“Mpox no longer international health emergency but remains concern in Africa,” Al Jazeera
“‘We have basically destroyed what capacity we had to respond to a pandemic,’ says leading epidemiologist Michael Osterholm,” Nicoletta Lanese, Live Science
“Global Prevalence of Long COVID, Its Subtypes, and Risk Factors: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis,” Hou et al., 2025
“A long COVID researcher continues to search for answer,” Karen Feldscher, Harvard T.H. Chan SPH

Avian Influenza Updates

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor

Global Leaders Convene in Brazil to Address Escalating Bird Flu Threat

Approximately 500 experts from across the poultry industry, public health, science, and policy sectors met this week in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, for a global multisectoral dialogue on high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, this landmark meeting aimed to coordinate international defense against the rapidly spreading highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus. Since 2020, HPAI has devastated poultry flocks globally and spread to 83 mammal species, including dairy cattle and wildlife. With far-reaching impacts on biodiversity, international trade, and global food security, the current avian influenza panzootic has prompted urgent calls for coordinated action.

The three-day summit focused on developing effective prevention and control strategies, building on the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of HPAI published by FAO in collaboration with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) earlier this year. Key priorities included promoting early warning systems, vaccination strategies and biosecurity measures, with an emphasis on supporting vulnerable low-income countries and informal backyard poultry systems where surveillance and biosecurity remain challenging. Additionally, the summit focused on strengthening multisectoral coordination through a comprehensive One Health approach and sharing innovative and field-ready solutions for diagnostics, surveillance, and outbreak response. FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol stressed that “no single country or sector can tackle this threat in isolation, and failure is not an option. Practical, science-based collaboration like this is essential to protect our agrifood systems, livelihoods, and public health.”

The event marked the first time that government and scientific leaders were joined by private sector representatives in this type of global dialogue, allowing stakeholders to better understand industry challenges and also acknowledge the ongoing efforts and solutions being implemented by producers to combat the threat posed by H5N1.

Udderly Concerning: CDC Warns Raw Milk Could Carry H5N1 Risk

A new CDC report has concluded that the risk of potentially contracting H5N1 via ingestion of contaminated foods like raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products remains “low but theoretically possible”.

The CDC’s conclusion stemmed from analysis of scientific and medical literature demonstrating that influenza A may infect mammals through non-respiratory routes, including studies demonstrating that seasonal and novel flu viruses can spread to the GI tract of infected ferrets, reports of severe H5N1 infections in dogs and cats that consumed contaminated raw food or milk, and laboratory studies showing influenza A viruses can multiply in human GI tissues.

While it is unknown if avian influenza viruses can be transmitted to people through consumption of raw dairy products from infected cows, the agency emphasized that the possibility remains theoretically viable. Given that HPAI H5N1 has been found in commercially sold raw milk, CDC recommends avoiding the consumption of raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products, noting that pasteurization effectively inactivates influenza viruses. Officials also urge proper cooking of poultry, eggs, and beef to appropriate internal temperatures.

Further Reading:

“Scientists Begin Testing Bird Flu Vaccine in Seals,” Emily Anthes, The New York Times
“Cat in San Francisco euthanized after latest bird flu infection tied to raw pet food,” Jonel Aleccia, Associated Press
“Earlier H5N1 detection adds to Texas dairy herd total; researchers can’t pinpoint source of California child’s illness,” Lisa Schnirring, CIDRAP
“Bird flu fears spark demand for stricter shoot rules,” Steffan Messenger, BBC

Policy & Public Health Leadership

The turmoil at the CDC continues to reverberate. Last Thursday, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the Senate Finance Committee in a hearing that quickly turned contentious. Lawmakers from both parties pressed him on his decision to fire CDC Director Susan Monarez, appoint vocal vaccine skeptics to the advisory panel that guides immunization policy, and narrow access to updated COVID-19 vaccines. At several points, Secretary Kennedy contradicted established evidence – from vaccine safety and effectiveness to estimates of how many lives COVID-19 vaccines have saved.

Despite Secretary Kennedy’s assurances to lawmakers that “anyone” could get a COVID-19 vaccine, many Americans have reported difficulty accessing updated shots due to patchy pharmacy supply, shifting eligibility rules, and state-level confusion. Doctors, pharmacists, and local health officials are scrambling to adapt while the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices prepares to meet on September 18 to set national guidance. In the meantime, this confusion has left vulnerable populations at risk, pending clearer guidance.

In the days following the hearing, the fallout was swift. Several members of Secretary Kennedy’s own family, including Joseph P. Kennedy III and Kerry Kennedy, publicly called for his resignation, warning that his leadership poses a direct threat to Americans’ health and wellbeing. Their criticism added to bipartisan concern in Congress and growing unease among state and local officials tasked with implementing vaccine policy. Looking ahead, the spotlight will turn back to the CDC on September 17, when former director Susan Monarez is set to testify before a Senate panel about her dismissal and the wave of high-profile resignations that followed.

Further Reading:

“I resigned from the CDC. Here are three questions for RFK Jr.,” Debra Houry, Washington Post
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC and Me,” Susan Monarez, Wall Street Journal
“How to get a coronavirus vaccine and who’s eligible amid limited access,” David Ovalle, Washington Post
“Doubts about RFK Jr. grow for some Republicans,” Dan Diamond, Theodoric Meyer, and Rachel Roubein, Washington Post
“Surgeons general warning: CDC saves lives. It’s up to us to save public health,” Joycelyn Elders, USA Today

George Mason University Alumni Spotlight

Scott Wollek, MPA ’12 and adjunct professor in the Biodefense Graduate Program at the Schar School of Policy and Government has been named the new Director of the Maryland Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) at the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA).

Scott, a recognized expert in public health and healthcare emergency preparedness and health security, brings policy experience from leading a health emergency preparedness portfolio at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, including collaborations with ASPR, NIH, DHS and SLTT health departments and private/non-profit healthcare systems, as well practical, operational experience in emergency response and capacity building from service with American Red Cross Disaster Services in the National Capital Region to his new role.

Now in its third decade, the HPP program provides regional collaboration statewide for health care system readiness. In Maryland the program is implemented through partnership between the Maryland Department of Health and MHA. HPP supports four regional healthcare coalitions across Maryland, bringing together hospitals, EMS, emergency management, and local health departments to strengthen and build capacity for response to disasters and large-scale emergencies.

Craig Wiener, PhD ‘16 in Biodefense (Concentration in International Security) at the Schar School of Policy and Government has been appointed as a Nonresident Fellow in Science and Technology Policy and Research Security at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

The Baker Institute is consistently ranked among the world’s top university-based think tanks, known for its nonpartisan, policy-relevant research on global and domestic challenges—from energy, trade, and diplomacy to science, technology, and security.

Wiener said, “In this capacity, I look forward to contributing to the Institute’s Science & Technology Policy Program, with a special focus on safeguarding research integrity and driving forward-thinking policy at the nexus of science, technology, and national security. This new role is complementary to my principal responsibilities as a Technical Fellow at MITRE, advising the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, and the Intelligence Community on cybersecurity, CBRN defense, and national-level threat analysis. I will continue as a Fellow at George Mason University’s National Security Institute, at the Antonin Scalia Law School, where I engage on security issues with a nexus to U.S. national security law, defense and intelligence.”

“At the Baker Institute, I aim to help shape policy-relevant research that reinforces U.S. leadership in secure science and technology innovation, addresses the strategic dimensions of emerging technologies, and supports evidence-based decision-making.”

“I am grateful for this opportunity—and excited to collaborate with the renowned team at the Science & Technology Policy Program, alongside the broader community at Rice University and beyond.”

How to Be an Ambassador for Science: The Scientist as Public Intellectual by James L. Olds

How to be a Science Ambassador by James L. Olds explores what it means for scientists to step beyond the lab and act as public intellectuals. Drawing on decades of experience in Washington, D.C., and abroad, Olds offers practical guidance on navigating the science-policy ecosystem, engaging in diplomacy and managing crises. He emphasizes the importance of building coalitions, forging trust across political divides, and learning how to advocate effectively for science with leaders and the public. Designed as a “how-to” guide, the book provides students and professionals alike with tools to strengthen their science communication skills and embrace leadership roles in the broader public arena.

The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics by Michael T. Osterholm and Mark Olshaker

In The Big One, Michael T. Osterholm and Mark Olshaker warn that while COVID-19 was devastating, it was not the catastrophic pandemic experts fear most. Drawing on history, they analyze how societies have confronted past pandemics, evaluate the global response to COVID-19, and project scenarios for future outbreaks. The book underscores that the world already has many of the tools needed to prepare – from rapid vaccine platforms to stronger public health systems – but political will and sustained investment remain lacking. Framed as both a cautionary tale and a practical guide, The Big One argues that readiness today is the only way to prevent disaster tomorrow.

CTD–SPECTRE Symposium, “Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases for Clinicians and Translational Scientists”

“The CTD-SPECTRE Symposium on Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases for Clinicians and Translational Scientists 2025 offers a unique opportunity to connect with global experts, gain cutting-edge insights, and collaborate with peers dedicated to infectious disease research and treatment.”

“Taking place September 16 -19, 2025, at the historic Grand Galvez in Galveston, TX, this immersive symposium will unite clinicians, translational investigators, and trainees to explore the latest breakthroughs in tropical and emerging infectious diseases.”

“Hosted by the Division of Infectious Diseases at UTMB, Center for Tropical Diseases (CTD) and Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, & Education (SPECTRE) Program.”

Learn more and register here.

Mirror Image Biology: Pushing the Envelope in Designing Biological Systems – A Workshop

From NASEM: “Most biological molecules are chiral entities where their mirror images have different structures and functional characteristics. Scientists have begun synthesizing left-handed DNA and RNA and creating proteins that can write left-handed nucleic acids. This, and other related research, is described as “mirror biology” and includes research toward creating mirror-image self-replicating living systems. The National Academies will host a foundational workshop on mirror biology, focusing on the state of the science, trends in research and development, risks and benefits of this research, and considerations relating for future governance of relevant enabling technologies.”

This event will take place virtually, September 29-30. Register here.

Doing More with Less: Practical Biosafety on a Budget

“Led by Azelia Labs biosafety experts, Katerina Semenyuk, PhD, RBP (ABSA) and Sarah Ziegler, PhD, RPB, CBSP (ABSA) this webinar will provide a comprehensive guide to maintaining a robust biosafety program in resource-constrained environments. We will address the unique challenges that arise when faced with limited funding or leadership hesitation to invest in safety protocols.”

“This session will focus on practical, actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles. Topics will include how to prioritize essential safety measures when budgets are tight, creative solutions for providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and innovative approaches to maintaining equipment and facilities without costly upgrades. We will also discuss methods for effectively communicating the value of biosafety to leadership to secure the necessary support for your program.”

This online event will take place on October 2, 12-1 pm EDT. Register here.

EMBRACE 2025 – Scientific Pathways to Biotoxin Preparedness Online Event

From CMINE: “Join us at the forefront of chemical and biological security for EMBRACE 2025 – a key event dedicated to cutting-edge research on biotoxins and human biomarkers of intoxication. This international symposium will spotlight ground-breaking scientific work and host the inauguration of EMBRACE’s Biotoxin Task Force.”

“What to Expect:

A unique opportunity to shape the scientific landscape of biotoxin threat preparedness and learn more about the EU EMBRACE project and the Biotoxin Task Force

A platform for showcasing innovation in biotoxin detection and response

Networking with global experts in biological forensics and toxicology”

This event will take place on October 15, 0900-1700 CEST. 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. ”

Learn more and 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 – 12 June, 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!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

Applied Biosafety Call for Papers

“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.”

Learn more and submit by November 1 here.

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.

Pandora Report 9.5.2025

September 5, 2025 by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

This week’s Pandora Report covers the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, updates on the administration, H5N1, and more.

DRC Declares Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak

Officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province. As of September 4, 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths have been reported. Africa CDC reports that the index case is a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to the hospital in August with high fever and repeated vomiting, among other symptoms. The cases and deaths have been identified across the Bulape and Mweka health zones. Four cases were in healthcare workers. Furthermore, laboratory testing has confirmed the outbreak is of the Zaire strain. Kasai province last reported an EVD outbreak in 2008, while the DRC last reported an outbreak in 2022 in Équateur province.

Read more here.

“Climate Change and Antimicrobial Resistance”

Geoffrey Kamadi recently published this article in The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, writing in part, “The cholera outbreak in Malawi illustrates how natural disasters and climate change can create or exacerbate public health crises. But researchers are only beginning to understand the relationship between climate change and AMR specifically. “For the last five years, a lot of new work has gone into how climate change and AMR are relating to one another,” says Arshnee Moodley, the team lead for AMR at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi.”

“Simplifying Research Regulations and Policies”

From NASEM: “The U.S. scientific enterprise has produced countless discoveries that have led to significant advances in technology, health, security, safety, and economic prosperity. However, concern exists that excessive, uncoordinated, and duplicative policies and regulations surrounding research are hampering progress and jeopardizing American scientific competitiveness. Estimates suggest the typical U.S. academic researcher spends more than 40 percent of their federally funded research time on administrative and regulatory matters, wasting intellectual capacity and taxpayer dollars. Although administrative and regulatory compliance work can be vital aspects of research, the time spent by researchers on such activities continues to increase because of a dramatic rise in regulations, policies, and requirements over time.”

“To better ensure that the research community is maximally productive while simultaneously ensuring the safety, accountability, security, and ethical conduct of publicly funded research, Simplifying Research Regulations and Policies: Optimizing American Science examines current federal research regulations. This report identifies ways to improve regulatory processes and administrative tasks, reduce or eliminate unnecessary work, and modify and remove policies and regulations that have outlived their purpose while maintaining necessary and appropriate integrity, accountability, and oversight. Simplifying Research Regulations provides a roadmap for establishing a more agile and resource-effective regulatory framework for federally funded research.”

Read STAT News’ coverage of this report here.

NEW: Doing More with Less: Practical Biosafety on a Budget

This online event will take place on October 2, 12-1 pm EDT. Register here.

NEW: EMBRACE 2025 – Scientific Pathways to Biotoxin Preparedness Online Event

“What to Expect:

A unique opportunity to shape the scientific landscape of biotoxin threat preparedness and learn more about the EU EMBRACE project and the Biotoxin Task Force

A platform for showcasing innovation in biotoxin detection and response

Networking with global experts in biological forensics and toxicology”

This event will take place on October 15, 0900-1700 CEST. Register here.

ICYMI: Strengthening Biosecurity in the Latin America / Caribbean Region
From IFBA: “The International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA), alongside its network of biosafety associations and partners, continue to jointly implement activities designed to strengthen biological security across the Latin America/Caribbean (LAC) region. Most recently, an IFBA/LAC delegation, including included two participants from IFBA’s LAC Mentorship Program, participated in the Sixth Session of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention between August 12-15, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition to attending the plenary meeting and its associated events, the delegation engaged with the Youth for Biosecurity Fellows in collaboration with UNODA representatives during their field visit to Geneva. The IFBA’s Senior Program Officer presented the IFBA’s existing program successes and future strategic planning to the Global Partnership’s Biological Security Working Group.”

Read more here.

Biological Threats in the Age of Emerging Biotechnology – A Workshop Series

From NASEM: “The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will convene an ad hoc planning committee to organize a workshop series with international scientists. The series will engage early-career and established experts to: a) examine dual-use risks in biotechnology research; b) explore potential misuse of knowledge, tools, and materials; c) review existing frameworks for assessing and mitigating dual-use concerns; and d) identify steps to reduce exploitation while promoting responsible innovation. The workshops will focus on balancing scientific progress with security considerations. Key insights and recommendations will be compiled in a publicly available workshop proceedings document.”

These workshops will take place 10 am-1 pm ET on September 10, 17, and 18. Register here.

CTD–SPECTRE Symposium, “Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases for Clinicians and Translational Scientists”

“Hosted by the Division of Infectious Diseases at UTMB, Center for Tropical Diseases (CTD) and Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, & Education (SPECTRE) Program.”

Learn more and register here.

Mirror Image Biology: Pushing the Envelope in Designing Biological Systems – A Workshop

This event will take place virtually, September 29-30. Register here.

Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction

Learn more and 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 – 12 June, 2026!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

Applied Biosafety Call for Papers

Learn more and submit by November 1 here.

64th ISODARCO Course

This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.

Pandora Report 11.8.2024

November 8, 2024 by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

This week’s Pandora Report discusses one Biodefense MS student’s research on malaria, the UK’s recently-announced sanctions against 56 people and entities linked to Russia, the CDC’s call for more avian influenza testing, and what a second Trump administration likely means for US public health and global health security.

Biodefense MS Student Presents at Malaria Research Symposium

Zachary Berliner, a Biodefense MS student, is presenting a poster at the 10^th Annual Future of Malaria Research Symposium in Baltimore, MD, on November 8. This conference, jointly run by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, provides “a platform for early-career scientists to share their research with peers, emerging leaders, and established investigators.” In 2023, nine cases of locally acquired malaria occurred in the United States, the first such cases in twenty years. Zak’s project, Public Opinions Toward Malaria Control Interventions in the National Capital Region, featured a survey of adults in the National Capital Region about their opinions toward various malaria control interventions. His study serves as an indicator of preliminary opinions among a small group of Americans to better inform politicians. His poster can be found here, and the full paper can be found here. The poster is based on the capstone paper that Zak wrote as a culmination of his experience in the Biodefense program. Zak is graduating with his MS in Biodefense in December and is looking for policy and analysis opportunities focused on biodefense and health security.

United Kingdom Announces Sanctions on 56 People and Entities Linked to Russia

The UK announced its largest sanctions package against Russia since May of last year this week, in a series of actions the government hopes “disrupts the supply of vital equipment for Putin’s war machine and bears down on Russian malign activity globally, exposing the corrupt activities of Russian proxy military groups in Africa.” Those sanctioned include Denis Sergeev (who was charged by the Met Police in the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal), entities in China, Turkey, and Central Asia, Africa Corps and other private mercenary groups linked to the Kremlin, and others. The UK is the first G7 country to directly sanction Africa Corps, which has directly threatened peace and security in Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic.

CDC Calls for Expanded Bird Flu Testing as California and Washington Report More Cases

Officials at the CDC called for more testing on farms with avian influenza cases after a recent study found some dairy workers have shown signs of infection even though they did not report feeling sick. The study that 7% of the 115 farmworkers whose blood was tested (eight) had antibodies consistent with previous H5N1 infection, pointing to more infections than the 46 identified so far. More cases in farmworkers have also been reported in recent days, including at least four in California and three in Washington. The California Department of Public Health also recently reported one other probable case in a dairy worker who met the case definition, though CDC’s confirmation test was negative.

What Lies Ahead in Trump’s Second Term

President-Elect Trump’s recent victory likely will have severe implications for both domestic health policy and global health security. The first Trump administration largely failed in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the US ranking very well in pre-pandemic preparedness assessments like the Global Health Security Index and the Trump administration being handed a pandemic playbook by the preceding Obama administration that specifically flagged novel coronaviruses as a potential pandemic threat. The upcoming second Trump administration looks ready to fair just as poorly in terms of not just pandemic preparedness, but in general public health and global health engagement as well.

The president-elect, who has repeatedly and falsely claimed that climate change is a hoax, has promised to rollback federal regulations on the oil and gas industry that are aimed at slowing climate change. Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord in 2017, and his campaign has indicated it intends to do the same again once he is back in office. Trump is also expected to target the EPA during his second term. Changes like this are especially concerning as the effects of climate change, such as increased extreme weather and easier spread of infectious diseases, pose a growing threat globally.

Trump does plan to involve at least one environmental lawyer in his administration-Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer who Trump has suggested may play a large role in public health in his administration. Unfortunately, Kennedy has no training in public health or medicine, and he has repeatedly peddled anti-vaccine conspiracy theories over the years. Kennedy also faced backlash for comments suggesting COVID-19 was “ethnically targeted,” saying “COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese…We don’t know whether it was deliberately targeted or not but there are papers out there that show the racial or ethnic differential and impact.” Kennedy has also voiced criticism of the childhood vaccine schedule and public water fluoridation, claiming the latter is “lowering IQ in our children,” in contrast to what numerous studies over multiple decades show about its safety and efficacy.

Trump has promised to allow Kennedy to “go wild on” health, medicines, and food policy, with Kennedy saying he believes entire departments at the FDA “have to go.” Kennedy has also said he wants an eight-year-long “break” in NIH funding for infectious disease research, and that he would move that money to chronic disease research. Congressional Republicans have targeted the NIH in recent years, including efforts to strip its authority over gain of function research and repeatedly attacking former NIAID Director, Anthony Fauci.

Trump’s second term also may pose threats to global health security more directly. For example, in 2020, the Trump administration formally notified the United Nations that it intended to withdraw the country from the World Health Organization. This move would have cut off one of the largest funding sources to the WHO in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, some experts argue the attempt was unlawful, in addition to the threat it posed to domestic and global health and security. While the Trump campaign mentioned few specifics about foreign policy for a second term, the United Nations is bracing itself for this incoming administration.

This week’s election results have many experts deeply concerned about what this administration will bring. Saskia Popescu, an alumna of the Schar School’s Biodefense PhD Program and current adjunct professor at the school made this statement to The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists about the election result’s implications for public health: Right now, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find many in public health, healthcare, and pandemic preparedness/response, who are not deeply concerned. The recent notion that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could be in charge of public health for the United States poses a real danger. From his claims that vaccines are harmful or unnecessary to his proposed efforts to remove fluoride from public water systems, Kennedy continuously pushes anti-science rhetoric and dis/misinformation.

History has shown us what might happen under another Trump administration during times of crises, from extreme weather events to a pandemic. We have seen how an administration that pits itself against science and dedicated public service officials reacts. As we face an ongoing H5N1 outbreak, persistent outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, an erosion of trust in public health, a rise in dis/misinformation, and widening social disparities, we need leadership that will unite rather than divide.

We are at a critical time in forming effective and pragmatic policies to address complex issues such as the ways in which developments in artificial intelligence (AI) will affect biosecurity, the safety and security around critical research of dangerous pathogens, the effects of climate change on infectious diseases, and the need to strengthen global health through equity and partnership.

Developing policies in these areas will require strategies based on collaboration and evidence-based measures–not inflammatory, inaccurate, and harmful rhetoric that furthers partisan divides and enflames social discourse. It’s our responsibility to find a path that ensures the protection of public health and global health security. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I fear a hard road ahead of us.

Others have voiced concerns about a return to US isolationism in global health, Trump not seeking out quality scientific advice, policies regarding vaccines, and more that can be read in this piece from The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

“HHS’ ASPR Playing ‘Quarterback’ for Cyber Response, Resilience”

Jason Miller discusses ASPR’s cyber efforts with Biodefense PhD Program alumnus, Schar School adjunct professor, and current Deputy Director of ASPR’s Office of Preparedness in this piece for Federal News Network: “Just a little over a year ago, that coordination was occurring, but not as smooth as it needed to be. We took some steps, and actually now have a Public Health Service, captain, or an 06 officer, permanently embedded within the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force, that the FBI leads. We have a HHS ASPR person embedded full time with the FBI agents and other law enforcement folks who work in that task force and really are dealing with very sensitive information and responding to cyber incidents in the healthcare sector every day,” said Mazanec on Ask the CIO. “That’s just another example where we’ve really tightened up and continue to mature our partnership with the FBI. We do work with the other health focused entities like the Veterans Affairs Department, the Defense Health Agency, certainly within HHS, with the Indian Health Service and with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.”

Read more here.

“GHSD Five-year Strategy 2024-2028 (October 2024)”

The State Department’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy recently released its strategic plan for 2024-2028: “The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of preventing, detecting, and responding to health crises to safeguard American lives and the global economy. Building on the successes of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved more than 25 million lives from HIV/AIDS, and to address the growing challenges posed by health threats, the State Department established the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy in August 2023.”

“Building on decades of leadership on global health within the State Department, the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy’s mission is to lead U.S. diplomatic engagement, help coordinate foreign assistance, and promote international cooperation against health threats, integrating global health security as a core component of national security and foreign policy. The bureau’s first ever five-year Strategy for 2024-2028 outlines the State Department’s role in ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat and advancing global health security and pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response efforts for the U.S. government.”

“The goals of the Strategy are to:

End HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030
Catalyze the political will, financing, and leadership necessary to achieve heath security and address public health threats, including HIV/AIDS
Improve global multisectoral preparedness and response through diplomacy to protect against health security threats
Empower the diplomatic workforce to prioritize and integrate global health security as a key pillar of U.S. foreign policy.”

Read the strategy here.

“Chemical Weapons Policymakers Must Act to Balance the Prospects and Perils of AI”

Patrick Norén recently published this CBNW article covering a conference organized by the OPCW and Kingdom of Morocco focused on the role of AI in advancing implementation of the CWC. Norén covers general trends in speakers’ comments, the dual use nature of AI, challenges in legislation, regulation, and cooperation, and issues with misinformation and disinformation.

“MATCH 2.0 Enters Demonstration and Live Testing Phase”

From Stimson: “Behind every chemical transfer is a story, and too often, that story includes discrepancies in reported data. The Stimson Center’s MATCH project team has completed development of an updated DLT prototype and is demonstrating to CWC National Authorities and other stakeholders how it traces these narratives and creates a clear, immutable record of each transaction, aligning records of national authorities and industry while maintaining data confidentiality, reducing risks of misreporting, and enhancing nonproliferation by enabling faster reconciliation of discrepancies in the annual reporting of chemicals covered by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).”

Read more here.

“THE NEXUS BETWEEN SCIENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN CANADA: THE CASE OF THE NATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY IN WINNIPEG”

The Canadian House of Commons’ Special Committee on the Canada-People’s Republic of China Relationship recently released this interim report. Among other things, the report reveals that CSIS “issued a direct and unheeded warning to senior health officials in August 2018, raising concerns about “insider threat activities” linked to Dr. Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng.” The report explains in its conclusion “The events at the Winnipeg NML facility revealed, as outlined in this report, the fundamentally open and collaborative nature of Canadian scientific research as a means of contributing to the common good, on the one hand, and, on the other, the need for a cultural shift within the scientific field in terms of its vigilance over national security risks and the need to reconsider how we collaborate with entities or states that may not share the same interests as Canada. For example, with regard to the PRC, Mr. Vigneault said that “[i]t is sometimes in our own national interest to collaborate with Chinese entities, but we need to do it with our eyes wide open and make sure that we protect our own base.”’

Read Sam Cooper’s coverage of this report in The Bureau here.

NEW: Developing Guardrails for AI Biodesign Tools

From NTI: “Join us for a virtual webinar releasing the findings of NTI | bio’s new report, Developing Guardrails for AI Biodesign Tools, followed by a moderated discussion and Q+A with distinguished guest Claire Quereshi.”

“Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to revolutionize not only aspects of daily life but cutting-edge scientific research and development. Within the life sciences, AI biodesign tools (BDTs) have improved significantly in their ability to design biological molecules and make predictions about living systems, displaying potential for beneficial applications and posing significant potential risks if misused.”

“Authors Sarah R. Carter, Ph.D., Nicole E. Wheeler, Ph.D., Christopher R. Isaac, M.Sc., and Jaime M. Yassif, Ph.D. conducted interviews with experts with deep experience creating bioinformatic tools, developing BDTs, and crafting biosecurity policies. The report outlines several proposed measures that could be deployed to design governance approaches to reduce biological risks without unduly hindering scientific advances.”

This event will take place virtually on November 14 at 11 am ET. Learn more and register here.

NEW: A Year-End Review, Recapping Global AI Governance Efforts

From CSET: “This time last year seemed to herald a landmark period in establishing AI governance regimes around the world. After ChatGPT and other AI tools burst onto the scene, U.S. policymakers issued new executive orders, hosted hearings and high-profile learning sessions, and developed new frameworks and standards to support the safe and secure development of AI. Elsewhere, the European Union worked to finalize its AI Act, and China announced its Global AI Governance Initiative. One year later, where do the promises and commitments to govern AI stand?”

“Join us on November 14, as we look back on the last year of global AI governance efforts and evaluate what progress has been made, what work remains to be done, and what the actions of global partners and competitors alike mean for U.S. strategy going forward. CSET Associate Director of Analysis Owen J. Daniels will moderate a conversation with CSET researchers Mia Hoffmann, Mina Narayanan, and Cole McFaul as we survey governance developments around the world over the past year. The moderated discussion will be followed by audience Q&A.”

This event will take place at 1 pm ET on November 14. Learn more and RSVP here.

NEW: Enhancing the Resilience of Healthcare and Public Health Critical Infrastructure

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.

NEW: Resilience in the Face of Global Risks

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.”

RSVP here.

Preparing for the Next Outbreak: Designing Closer Collaboration between Healthcare and Public Health to Deploy Pathogen-Agnostic Testing as an Early Warning System

From PNNL: “Please join us in welcoming Dr. Adi V. Gundlapalli, Senior Advisor for Data Readiness and Response in the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology at the CDC for his talk titled “Preparing for the Next Outbreak: Designing Closer Collaboration between Healthcare and Public Health to Deploy Pathogen-Agnostic Testing as an Early Warning System”. This webinar will take place Wednesday, November 13th, at noon PT.”

Learn more and register here.

Developing Guardrails for AI Biodesign Tools

This virtual event will take place on November 14 at 11 am EST. Learn more and register here.

13th Annual Jonathan Tucker Symposium

“The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies cordially invites you to the 13th annual Jonathan Tucker Symposium on chemical and biological weapons issues on November 13th and 14th, 2024.”

Among this year’s speakers are Dr. Yong-Bee Lim, an alumnus of the Biodefense PhD Program and Deputy Director of the Converging Risks Lab and Biosecurity Projects Manager at the Council on Strategic Risks, who will give a talk titled “Technology Democratization and its Implications for CBW Safety and Security: Lessons Learned from Engagement with Non-Traditional Communities.”

Learn more and register here.

One Health and the Politics of COVID-19 Book Launch

The Writer’s Center is hosting a book launch for Dr. Laura Kahn’s new book, One Health and the Politics of COVID-19 (blurb below) on November 23 at 2 pm EST in Bethesda, MD. Learn more and RSVP here.

“One Health and the Politics of COVID-19 unpacks the mysteries of COVID-19’s origins to impart important lessons for future outbreaks. The One Health concept recognizes the interconnected links among the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment. By comparing the history, science, and clinical presentations of three different coronaviruses—SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)—Kahn uncovers insights with important repercussions for how to prepare and avoid future pandemics. The One Health approach provides a useful framework for examining the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the origins of this zoonotic disease requires investigating the environmental and molecular biological factors that allowed the virus to spread to humans. The book explores the many ways in which the wild animal trade, wet markets, and the camel industry contributed to the spread of the earlier SARS-CoV-1 and MERS coronaviruses. For SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Kahn examines the biosafety, biosecurity, and bioethics implications of gain-of-function research on pandemic potential pathogens. This book is a must read to understand the geopolitics of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

2024 CBD S&T Conference

From DTRA: “The CBD S&T Conference brings together the most innovative and influential chemical and biological defense community members from around the globe to share insights and collaborate on the emerging chem-bio threats of tomorrow.”

“Join the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Chemical and Biological Technologies Department in its role as the Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) for Chemical and Biological Defense, an integral component of the Chemical and Biological Defense Program, as we Focus Forward to uncover novel concepts and examine groundbreaking discoveries within the chem-bio defense landscape.”

“The 2024 CBD S&T Conference will be held at the Broward County Convention Center, December 2–5, 2024.”

Learn more and register here.

Health Security Intelligence: Managing Threats Risks and Hazards Post-Covid 19
“As the acute impact of the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, many unaddressed questions remain for Australia about how to better prepare for the next likely health threat, risk or hazard.”

“In addition to how we enhance national public health capacity, what are the important lessons we can learn from the pandemic from national security and biosecurity perspectives?”

“Given the likelihood of another pandemic at some point, an increasingly uncertain geo-political order and the potential exploitation of biotechnology by bad actors how does Australia and its allies better prepare for a future of increasingly complex health security and biological security threats, risks and hazards?”

“This event is for all health security intelligence stakeholders (policy-makers, national security staff, scientists, researchers and clinicians) who work across the one health continuum and national security agencies.”

“It will introduce participants to Charles Sturt’s extensive research agenda across the one health biosecurity, health and biological security and discuss both their national security and scientific implications. You will hear briefings from key researchers across both STEM and social sciences disciplines working on assessing key health security threats, risks and hazards relevant to your work.”

This event will take place in-person and over livestream on December 4 from 2-4 pm AEDT. Learn more and register here.

US AI Safety Institute Issues RFI on Responsible Development of Chem-Bio Models

From AISI: “The U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (U.S. AISI), housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), released a Request for Information seeking insight from stakeholders regarding the responsible development and use of chemical and biological (chem-bio) AI models.”

“Input from a broad range of experts in this field will help the U.S. AISI to develop well-informed approaches to assess and mitigate the potential risks of chem-bio AI models, while enabling safe and responsible innovation.”

“Respondents are encouraged to provide concrete examples, best practices, case studies, and actionable recommendations where possible. The full RFI can be found here.”

“The comment period is now open and will close on December 3, 2024, at 11:59PM Eastern Time. Comments can be submitted online at www.regulations.gov, under docket no. 240920-0247.”

Pandora Report 11.6.2015

November 6, 2015July 15, 2016 by spopescu, posted in Uncategorized

Happy Friday! The world of biodefense and global health security has been busy this week – between a growing outbreak of E. coli associated with Chipotle restaurants, to a review of Select Agent lab practices, and a recap of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, there’s more than enough to keep you busy! Fun history fact Friday (it’s our version of “flashback Friday”), did you know that on November 6, 1971, the US Atomic Energy Commission tested the largest US underground hydrogen bomb (code name Cannikin) on Amchitka Island?

CDC/Select Agent List- 90 Day Internal Review
We’ve seen a lot of news lately regarding lab safety and biodefense reform/recommendations. With so much scrutiny regarding biosafety practices, it’s not surprising the CDC would do a deep dive into “how the agency inspects select agent labs” with a 90 day review. The review notes that while it didn’t duplicate the recommendations from Presidential Order 13546, it did find several areas for improvement, leading to nine observations and ten actionable recommendations. The categories for recommendations are inspections, incident reporting, and transparency. The findings point to several areas for improvement, ranging from the standardization of risk assessments to identify high risk activities, to the sharing of inspection data to better encourage public understanding of the work practices performed with these agents. The report highlights several areas for improvement that will hopefully lead to more stable biosecurity and public understanding of how we handle select agents. You can also check out the Federal Select Agent Program for a list of the agents and regulations involved.

2016 Presidential Candidates on Nonproliferation
GMU’s Greg Mercer is at it again with round three of his review on 2016 presidential candidates and their comments on nonproliferation. As of now, he’s reviewed the Republican candidates, but now he’s delving into the Democratic candidates. Greg reviews Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O’Malley, noting that ” in contrast to Republicans, most Democrats support the Iran deal, and generally tend to favor international arms control regimes.” With the race only heating up, stay tuned for more of Greg’s candidate-by-candidate reviews on nonproliferation in the 2016 election.

GMU Master’s Open House and Application Deadlines!
Considering a master’s degree? Come check out the GMU School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs (SGPIA) Open House on Wednesday, November 18th, 6:30pm at our Arlington Campus in Founders Hall (Room 126). There’s even a pre-session for veterans and active duty military at 5:45pm! The Open House is a great way to learn about our different Master’s programs (Biodefense, International Security, Political Science, etc.) and ask real-time questions with faculty. Our Biodefense Program Director, Dr. Koblentz, will be there to discuss global health security and tell you about the pretty amazing things we get to do at GMU! If you’ve already attended or are planning to apply, just a friendly reminder that PhD program applications are due December 1st, and Biodefense Master’s Spring applications are due December 1st as well.

Zika Virus Outbreak in Colombia
Nine new cases have been identified in Sincelejo, Colombia, with an additional three being investigated in Barranquilla. Zika virus is a vectorborne disease that is transmitted through Aedes mosquitos. The CDC notes that vertical transmission (from mother to child) can occur if the mother is infected near her delivery and Zika can be spread through blood transfusion (although no cases have occurred this way) and sexual contact (one case of sexually transmitted Zika virus has occurred to date). Common signs and symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes that last several days to a week. In the past, transmission has occurred in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, however, there have been cases in 2015 in Brazil and Colombia. We’ll keep you updated if transmission continues in South America!

There have also been cases of Chikungunya springing up throughout the Caribbean and Americas. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) initially reported just over 2,400 cases a few weeks ago, however a new report is showing 13,476 new cases. Initially starting in December 2013, this epidemic began with a single locally acquired case on St. Martin island, and is now totaling 1, 760,798 cases.

Chipotle E.coli Outbreak
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Chipotle (we reported that Minnesota Chipotle customers experienced a Salmonella outbreak in August), an E. coli outbreak is making headlines in Washington and Oregon. Public health officials updated the case total to 41 people as of 11/4, with 6 patients requiring hospitalization. The source of the outbreak hasn’t been identified yet but as a precautionary measure, they’ve closed 14 restaurants. So far, the identified cases have been tied to five restaurants across six counties.

Stories you May Have Missed

CRISPR-Cas9 Utility Broadens – researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have improved on the utility of CRISPR-Cas9 through application via bacterial sources. The team “reports evolving a variant of SaCas9 – the Cas9 enzyme from Streptococcus aureus bacteria – that recognizes a broader range of nucleotide sequences, allowing targeting of the genomic sites previously inaccessible to CRISPR-Cas9 technology.” The new application allows a more precise targeting within the genomic sequence, which may translate to therapeutic applications. CRISPR-Cas9 has been a hot topic within the science and biodefense community in relation to its potential labeling as dual use research of concern (DURC) and certain ethical debates.
Unvaccinated Babies Refused By Some Physicians– Vaccination status is something I’ve grappled with working in pediatrics and is one of the rare things that can turn a calm physician (or infection preventionist for that matter) red-faced and needing a breather. The Boston Globe reported on a recent survey from the American Academy of Pediatrics that touched on pediatricians dismissing families that refused vaccines. The study found that all pediatricians surveyed had encountered at least one parent refusing vaccination for their child and 20% of pediatricians “often” or “always” dismissed families who refuse one or more vaccine. Interestingly, researchers found that “doctors in private practice, those located in the South, and those in states without philosophical exemption laws were the most likely to dismiss families refusing to vaccinate their infant”.
Guinea Ebola Tranmission – Guinea continues to experience new cases. As we mentioned last week, the cluster of four patients from the Kondeyah village is being monitored by public health officials. An infected newborn, whose mother died from Ebola recently, is also under observation and care. The infant’s mother was a confirmed case prior to her delivery and died after giving birth. The WHO is currently monitoring 382 contacts in Guinea during this time.

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Pandora Report 3.28.15

March 28, 2015March 28, 2015 by juliadhomstad, posted in Pandora Report

This week we’re covering a new treatment for inhalation anthrax, Russian nuclear threats, chlorine accelerating antibiotic resistance and other stories you may have missed.

Have a great week and see you back here next weekend!

FDA Approves Emergent BioSolutions’ Inhaled Anthrax Treatment

Considered one of the most likely agents to be used in biological warfare, Anthrax now has a new enemy—Anthrasil. This treatment, developed by Emergent BioSolutions Inc., neutralizes toxins of Bacillus anthracis and requires only two doses to confer immunity, versus the three of BioThrax (the current treatment for inhaled anthrax).

Reuters—“The company developed the treatment, Anthrasil, as part of a $160 million contract it signed in 2005 with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a part of the HHS. Anthrasil, which is approved in combination with other antibacterials, is already being stored in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile, the company said on Wednesday. The drug is made using plasma from healthy, screened donors who have been immunized with Emergent Bio’s Anthrax vaccine, BioThrax, the only FDA-licensed vaccine for the disease. Anthrasil has an orphan drug designation and qualifies for seven years of market exclusivity.”

Russia Threatens to Aim Nuclear Missiles at Denmark Ships if it Joins NATO Shield

Denmark has said that in August it will contribute radar capacity on some of its warships to NATO’s missile defense system. Russia has now threatened to aim nuclear missiles at Danish warships if Copenhagen goes through with its actions. Moscow opposes the system arguing that it reduces the effectiveness of the Russian nuclear arsenal and could lead to a new Cold War-style arms race.

The World Post—“‘We have made clear that NATO’s ballistic missile defense is not directed at Russia or any country, but is meant to defend against missile threats. This decision was taken a long time ago, so we are surprised at the timing, tone and content of the statements made by Russia’s ambassador to Denmark,” [NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu] said. “Such statements do not inspire confidence or contribute to predictability, peace or stability.’”

Chlorine Treatment Can Accelerate Antibiotic Resistance, Study Says

Research presented at the American Chemical Society meeting last week shows that chlorine treatment of wastewater may actually encourage the formation of new antibiotics—rather than eliminating the drug residues. While scientists are looking for new antibiotics, this isn’t good news. ACS says that upon re-entering the environment, the new drugs—in theory—can promote the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In a test, doxycycline was exposed to chlorine; the results are described below.

Gizmodo—“The study evaluated the changes in the antibacterial activity of the products that form in the reaction between doxycycline and chlorine using antibiotic resistance assays. The results showed that some of the transformation products have antibiotic properties. The products of chlorination were also examined…and several chlorinated products were detected. These transformation products may still select for antibiotic resistant micro-organisms in the environment even in the absence of the parent doxycycline molecule. This suggests that re-evaluation of wastewater disinfection practices may be needed.”

Stories You May Have Missed

As follow up to a story last week, the WHO has denied that politics affected their decision to declare Ebola an international emergency.
The trial of (approximately) 78 people accused of killing eight Ebola health workers and journalists began on Monday in a remote area of Guinea. The workers were attacked by a mob armed with knives and stones. The defense maintains that the people on trial aren’t the real perpetrators, but just citizens picked up in military sweeps.
Former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, as a member of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel of Biodefense, has concluded the U.S. is unprepared for a chemical or biological weapons attack. Ridge went on to say “our government is delusional to think we can get by without a strong biodefense policy.”
According to the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the rate of new MERS infections and deaths have slowed. Since September 2012, 959 have been infected in Saudi Arabia resulting in 418 deaths.
Happy Birthday BWC! March 26^th was the 40^th anniversary of when the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention entered into force.

Image Credit: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Pandora Report 9.6.14

September 6, 2014 by juliadhomstad, posted in Pandora Report

This week we cover dengue in Japan, dog flu in NYC, more forgotten lethal specimens in government labs, and of course, an Ebola update.

Canine Influenza Cases Spreading in Manhattan

Flu season is rapidly approaching, and evidently, it doesn’t only affect humans. Veterinarians in Manhattan have reported cases throughout the borough. The cases are likely due to dogs playing with other infected dogs at parks and dog runs. Vets warn owners to watch for coughing dogs and if they are present to take their dog to another area. The good news is, just like their human counterparts, dogs, too, can receive a flu vaccine.

The Gothamist—“According to the ASPCA, symptoms include coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite; most dogs will recover within a month, but secondary infections like pneumonia can be problematic.”

New Cases of Dengue Fever Should be a Wake-Up Call for Japan

As many as 70 people in Japan have been infected with Dengue fever—traditionally, a disease found in tropical climates—the country’s first outbreak since 1945. The diagnoses prompted authorities to fumigate an area of Yoyogi Park in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, which was the apparent source of the infections. Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitos and produces an extremely high fever and pain in the joints. The disease is not transmitted person to person.

The Asahi Shimbun—“The most effective way to deal with a global dengue epidemic is to step up the efforts to exterminate mosquitoes in countries with a large number of patients, especially in urban areas.”

Forgotten Vials of Ricin, Plague, and Botulism found in U.S. Government Lab

A strong feeling of deja vu hit this week when we learned about yet another case of forgotten vials of dangerous pathogens at U.S. labs. In this case, the containers were discovered during an investigation of NIH facilities after scientists found vials of smallpox earlier this summer. This search discovered a century (!!) old bottle of ricin, as well as samples of tularemia and meliodosis. The FDA also reported they found an improperly stored sample of staphylococcus enterotoxin.

The Independent—“The NIH does have laboratories that are cleared to use select agents, and those pathogens are regularly inventoried, the director of research services Dr. Alfred Johnson said. However, these samples were allowed to be stored without regulation.”

This Week in Ebola

We learned that new cases of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo are genetically unrelated to the West African strain and that researchers from the Broad Institute and Harvard are working to sequence and analyze virus genomes from the West African outbreak. Senegal is working hard to manage contacts with the Guinean student who tested positive for the virus in the capital, Dakar. Human trials of an Ebola vaccine continued in the U.S. and are planned to take place in Mali, the U.K., and Gambia. A third American infected with Ebola will return to the U.S. and will be treated at a Nebraska medical containment unit which was built for the SARS outbreak. I read an article that hypothesized that Ebola may be able to be transmitted sexually which could account for a high number of cases, while the Washington Post pointed to the fact that the West Africa outbreak is drawing attention from diseases which are more widespread and kill more people—it’s the Kardashian of diseases. Lastly, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said that this outbreak of Ebola is “threatening the stability” of affected and neighboring countries, and Dr. Daniel Lucey, of the Georgetown University Medical Center, predicts that the current outbreak “will go on for more than a year, and will continue to spread unless a vaccine or other drugs that prevent or treat the disease are developed.”

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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