Tag: global health security

Pandora Report 10.24.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

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:

🔗 See all upcoming events here.

☕ 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.

CDC in Crisis: Mass Layoffs, Leadership Turmoil, and Vaccine Controversy

By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor

Wired said it best: “A Quarter of the CDC Is Gone.”

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.

Current CDC employees also missed IDWeek, the nation’s largest infectious disease conference – amid a recent uptick in measles and whooping cough cases across the U.S. During the conference, the New England Journal of Medicine  (NEJM) and the Centers of Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) announced a new collaboration to fill gaps in federal public health communication. Together, they plan to publish “public health alerts” in the coming month, serving as an alternative to CDC’s paused Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) – often referred to as “the voice of the CDC.”

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.

Further Reading:

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.

Further Reading:

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:

  1. Most key starting materials (KSMs) used to synthesize active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are extremely concentration, with 58% sole-sourced from a single country.
  2. There are sourcing clusters in China and India, with China supplying 41% of KSMs used in US-approved APIs and India 16%.
  3. 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.”

Further Reading:

Avian Influenza Updates

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.

Further Reading:

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. ”

Learn more and register here.

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 from 9:00 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 – 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.

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.”

Learn more and get involved 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 31 here.

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”

Learn more and submit your papers 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.

AIxBio Research Fellowship

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 30 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 10.17.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

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:

🔗 See all upcoming events here.

☕ 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.

Further Reading:

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.

Further Reading:

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.

Further Reading:

Avian Influenza Updates

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.

Further Reading:

“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. ”

Learn more and register here.

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 from 9:00 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 – 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.

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.”

Learn more and get involved here.

Scoville Peace Fellowship

“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 31 here.

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”

Learn more and submit your papers 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.

AIxBio Research Fellowship

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 30 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 10.11.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue features the latest developments in AI-driven biotechnology and its implications for biosecurity; updates on the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and international response efforts; an analysis of political interference affecting U.S. public health agencies, research, and vaccine distribution; and profiles of GMU’s experts and students tackling biological and chemical weapons risks worldwide.

Thinking About Graduate Study in Biodefense?

The Schar School of Policy and Government has several upcoming recruitment events, including one for prospective PhD students:

🔗 See all upcoming events here.

☕ 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.

Preventing Future Pandemics

On October 2-3, Professor Gregory Koblentz, director of the Biodefense Graduate Program, participated in a workshop sponsored by the Institute for Futures Studies (IFFS) on ethical global governance to prevent human-made pandemics in Stockholm, Sweden. The workshop, organized by Anders Herlitz from IFFS and Nir Eyal from Rutgers University, brought together an international and multidisciplinary group of experts for two days of discussion on the risks posed by the accidental, reckless, or deliberate release of an engineered or synthetic pathogen capable of causing a pandemic and approaches to reducing these risks. Dr. Koblentz’s presentation, “Global Governance of Dual-Use Research as a Wicked Problem,” was based on his 2014 article, “Dual-Use Research as a Wicked Problem,” which explored why it has been so challenging for policy-makers to resolve the dilemmas generated by the dual-use nature of life sciences research and biotechnology.  By the end of the workshop, participants agreed that the benefits of kanelbullar and chokladbollar outweighed the risks and endorsed continued research and production of these delicious Swedish treats.

GMU Biodefense Student Heads to SIPRI to Tackle Biological and Chemical Weapons Risks

Dr. Miranda Smith, a current student in George Mason University’s Biodefense Graduate Program, has joined the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) as a researcher in its Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme. At SIPRI, she focuses on the governance of biological and chemical weapons in the context of emerging technologies — including synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, automated labs, and dual-use research. Before shifting to policy research, Miranda served as a U.S. Air Force pharmacist with a specialization in CBRN medical countermeasures and held roles across multiple U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of State, Health and Humans, and most recently, USAID, shaping global health security and biodefense strategy.

Erosion of Trust, Science, and Public Health: Impacts of Political Interference on U.S. Agencies and Research

The erosion of scientific expertise, independence, and integrity across U.S. public health agencies continues with the recent firing of Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, former director of NIAID. Dr. Marrazzo is the latest in a series of institute directors and top scientists dismissed for speaking out against unscientific policies and political interference under the Trump administration and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reflecting a broader and troubling purge of talent across the NIH and other federal agencies, specifically targeting those who are politically misaligned with the current administration’s priorities on vaccines and public health.

This comes on the heels as six former U.S. surgeons general – appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents – issued an unprecedented joint warning about Mr. Kennedy, stating that his leadership is endangering the nation’s heatlh. From the Washington Post: “…We are compelled to speak with one voice to say that the actions of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are endangering the health of the nation. Never before have we issued a joint public warning like this. But the profound, immediate and unprecedented threat that Kennedy’s policies and positions pose to the nation’s health cannot be ignored.”

They argue that Mr. Kennedy has systematically undermined the integrity of federal health agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH by prioritizing ideology and misinformation over science, causing low morale, resignations, and a loss of critical expertise. According to the surgeons general, he has promoted discredited vaccine claims, spread misinformation about the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines, and de-emphasized vaccination during the recent U.S. measles outbreak, contributing to preventable deaths. Also, by replacing the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with unqualified members, some of whom endorse vaccine conspiracy theories, Mr. Kennedy threatens decades of public health progress, such as the eradication of smallpox, elimination of polio in the U.S., and prevention of millions of childhood infections through widespread immunization.

The consequence of this political interference also extends directly into the research enterprise. Sarah Stanley, an Associate Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkely, recounts how routine experiments in her lab on tuberculosis (TB) were abruptly flagged and later terminated by the NIH, after being mischaracterized as “dangerous gain-of-function research” under a recent executive order. ’Gain of Function’ is a broad category of research that involves genetically altering an organism to give it new abilities. These techniques have been essential in developing new therapies for cancer, vaccines, and treatments to improve both agriculture and animal health. Staney notes that her lab’s long-standing methods—such as disabling TB genes to weaken the bacterium—are standard, low-risk techniques vital for developing new treatments. She warns that conflating safe, routine research with dangerous, high-risk experimentation threatens to stall lifesaving research and underscores the dangers of overly broad, politically driven oversight on research. “My work isn’t dangerous, but stopping research that could lead to cures could be,” she says, calling for transparent, scientifically informed, effective oversight that distinguishes real risks from safe, proven methods.

These disruptions to research and agency function have cascading effects on public health policy and vaccine delivery. The CDC, for example, has yet to issue final guidelines for administering COVID-19 vaccines, leaving both children and adults unable to access updated shots. The rollout has been chaotic and delayed – highly unusual for the CDC – which typically acts within hours or days due to the urgency of making shots available before the winter surge. Last month, the CDC’s ACIP added additional hurdles to getting vaccines but made more people eligible; however, the CDC has yet to accept those recommendations; instead freezing everything in limbo. “It’s a mess. And it’s an easily avoidable mess,” says Dorit Reiss, who studies vaccine policies at the University of California, San Francisco.

At the same time, ACIP reversed or weakened several long-standing protections – including ending the use of the combined MMRV vaccine for infants, shifting COVID-19 vaccine guidance for older adults to vague “shared clinical decision-making,” and reconsidering the historically-successful hepatitis B birth dose. This is following the acting CDC director, Jim O’Neill recently calling to break up the MMR vaccine into separate shots for measles, mumps, and rubella – despite no U.S.-approved monovalent vaccines nor any scientific evidence showing a benefit. Many are calling for the CDC to restore genuine transparency, ensure balanced expertise and independence, and support evidence while ensuring diverse expertise. From MedPage Today: “ACIP was once the gold standard – rigorous, independent, and trusted across the political spectrum. That excellence has been abandoned. The rule of law demands better. So do the American people. Unless independence, transparency, and legal integrity are restored, America’s vaccine defenses will continue to unravel – and lives will be the price.”

Lastly, the long-term consequences of this mismanagement extend to the biomedical innovation ecosystem as well. Under the Trump administration, billions in NIH research funding were abruptly frozen, directly affecting universities whose foundation discoveries led to transformative drugs such as Keytruda, Lyria, and others. By disrupting the steady flow of federal support for scientific research, political interference jeopardizes not only current public health measures but also the next generation of medical breakthrough. The combination of political interference, research disruption, public health policy chaos and confusion, and funding freezes on lifesaving research illustrates a cascade of harm – showing how ill-informed political decisions at the top can ripple across the entire U.S. health security apparatus, threating scientific progress, public health and safety, and ultimately, lives.

Further Reading:

Ebola in the DRC: Lessons from Past Outbreaks and Current International Response

As of October 7, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has climbed to 64 cases (confirmed or probable) and 43 deaths in Kasai province, representing a case fatality rate of approximately 66%. The CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA) released an updated scenario assessment for the outbreak, analyzing with moderate confidence, that the outbreak will most likely remain under 100 cases (Scenario A in its model). However, the agency noted several uncertainties that could shift conditions toward Scenario B later, reflecting a larger and more complex outbreak.

Health authorities in the DRC are implementing case isolation, contact tracing, and active surveillance, with vaccination campaigns reaching more than 20,000 people, including healthcare and frontline workers. For now, the outbreak remains geographically contained within the Bulape Health Zone of the Kasai province. Still, key uncertainties remain – including the potential for undetected transmission chains, limited accessibility to affected but remote areas (due to impassable roads, natural barriers, and the onset of rainy season); and the potential for spread from survivors through sexual contact. While containment efforts are improving, CDC experts warn that missed cases or delayed surveillance could still alter the trajectory of the outbreak.

In parallel, the European Union has mobilized a robust humanitarian and medical response to bolster local and international efforts. Through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), the EU has deployed a helicopter under its Humanitarian Air Flight operation to reach remote communities and delivered temporary field accommodation in Bulape province to host healthcare experts for 3 months. The EU has also allocated €1.8 million in emergency funding to strengthen on-the-ground response capacity and dispatched two Norwegian medical evacuation specialists to join the WHO’s coordination team. Drawing on lessons from past outbreaks, these coordinated efforts highlight the importance of rapid, data-driven, and well-resourced responses to emerging infectious diseases.

Further Reading:

AI and Biotechnology at the Edge: Designing Life, Weaponizing Code, and Rethinking Biosecurity

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have pushed biotechnology into uncharted territory. In a recent preprint from Stanford University, scientists have shown that AI can now design functional viruses from scratch. Using “genomic language models” trained on bacteriophage DNA, researchers created novel viral genomes that successfully infected E. coli strains, with some even outperforming their natural counterparts. The findings demonstrate that computers can now invent viable biological agents, marking a major turning point in biotechnology. The finding raises profound security questions – what happens if these same techniques are used to generate viruses that are lethal to humans? To address this, the U.S. must evolve from a prevention mindset to one of resilience: building computational countermeasures as quickly as threats emerge; expanding government-led, rapid-response manufacturing facilities to mass-produce emergency therapeutics and medicines; and adapting FDA regulations to enable real-time, AI-assisted defense responses. Without these steps, they warn, the line between innovation and catastrophe will continue to blur — and the next AI-generated virus might not be benign.

If AI can design new viruses, it can also be weaponized to design toxins. In a new Science study, Microsoft bioengineer Bruce Wittmann and colleagues conducted a “red-team” experience to test this exact risk. Using AI tools like a would-be bioterrorist, they created blueprints for proteins that could mimic deadly poisons and toxins like botulinum and ricin. When submitting their AI-designed proteins to DNA vendors, the companies’ screening software failed to detect many of the harmful sequences – one tool missed over 75% of potential toxins. “It’s just the beginning,” cautioned Dr. Jaime Yassif, Vice President for Global Biological Policy and Programs at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI). “AI capabilities are going to evolve and be able to design more and more complex living systems, and our DNA synthesis screening capabilities are going to have to continue to evolve to keep up with that,” exposing a widening gap between the pace of AI innovation and the outmoded safeguards meant to prevent its misuse.

At the international level, policymakers are beginning to grapple with these same concerns. In a speech to the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to pioneer an AI verification system for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), a 50-year-old treaty that bans the development and use of biological weapons but currently lacks a formal verification mechanism. The proposal underscores a growing interest in using AI to strengthen global biosecurity – from assessing confidence-building measures reports, to analyzing safeguards related to data and open-source materials (including publications, patents, and financial information), to finally, detecting anomalies or outliers in large datasets. However, several technical and political challenges remain. Data availability and quality vary widely across countries, and AI models are only as reliable as the data they are trained on—a major concern in an era of misinformation and disinformation.

In terms of the political challenges, it would be difficult for many countries to entrust sensitive verification of bioweapons programs to an obscure algorithm. More critically, there is still no clear definition of what modern biological weapons programs look like, making it difficult for AI to accurately identify violations. Even if AI were used just to flag anomalies, countries would still need to reach consensus on inspection procedures, triggers, and governance mechanisms. Ultimately, AI is not a silver bullet for the verification gap of the BWC. However, it could play a supportive role to enhance data analysis and transparency, but real progress will still require political will, trust-building, and significant investment in the treaty’s verification infrastructure.

Further Reading:

NEW: 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.

NEW: 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 from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM EDT on Thursday, October 30. Register here.

NEW: 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.

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.

The Formula for Better Health: A Book Event

From AEI: “The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of having a trusted and effective approach to public health. In The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own, leading expert and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden lays out an approach to stop the world’s deadliest diseases. Drawing lessons from history as well as his own decades of experience, Dr. Frieden’s book connects science and strategy—offering practical tools to strengthen health care systems, protect communities, and save lives. Please join us for a book discussion with AEI President Robert Doar and Dr. Frieden to learn about the path to building a healthier future.”

This event will take place from 10:00-11:00am ET on October 16. 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.

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. ”

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.

NEW: 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 30 here.

Scoville Peace Fellowship

“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 31 here.

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”

Learn more and submit your papers 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 10.3.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue features proposed FY 2026 budget cuts to NSF, CDC, and HHS and their impact on U.S. science and public health enterprises, the U.S. “America First Global Health Strategy” and its implications abroad for European and African health leadership, and innovative strategies to combat avian influenza in turkey farms.

Thinking About Graduate Study in Biodefense?

The Schar School of Policy and Government has several upcoming recruitment events:

For Prospective MS Students:

For Prospective PhD Students:

🔗 See all upcoming events here.

☕ 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.

Redefining Global Health Leadership: U.S. Policy, European Repositioning, and African Health Sovereignty

The U.S. State Department recently released its America First Global Health Strategy, framing a vision of U.S. global health engagement while aligning with President Donald Trump’s “America First” priorities. Observers note the title itself signals a decisive shift in the U.S. toward a more isolationist approach, tying global health tightly to national security and economic interests. The strategy maintains commitments to HIV/AIDS, malaria, polio, and TB, but omits areas such as routine childhood immunization, maternal and child health, family planning (aside from abortion), and pandemic preparedness beyond surveillance and outbreak response. It also emphasizes replacing multilateralism with multi-year bilateral agreements with recipient governments, accompanied by performance benchmarks, co-investment requirements, and data sharing.

This strategy follows several months in which the Trump administration has worked to dismantle the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID), cut annual spending on global health by nearly 70%, and renewed U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). Following the U.S. retreat from global health multilateralism, many other countries have followed suit. From Think Global Health: “Argentina announced a similar withdrawal from the organization in February; Hungary, Israel, and Russia also declared their intentions to explore an exit. After the U.S. cuts in its official development assistance, France, Germany, and the Netherlands have since announced cuts in their foreign assistance budgets, citing competing demands for increased defense spending amid ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. In May, China sent the largest assembly to the WHA to date, but the country nevertheless pushed back on increased membership dues and changes in health programs.”

This shift is surprising given that only a few years ago, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, multilateral cooperation was essential to addressing the transboundary health threat. The U.S. withdrawal has prompted European countries to redefine their positions in global health, transitioning from supportive actors under U.S. dominance to leaders shaping political and normative frameworks. Germany, for example, has strengthened its WHO expert hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence and pledged to donate an additional 10 million euros ($11.4 million) to WHO in May 2025 to backfill gaps left by the U.S. exit – even as the country is now cutting its official development assistance (ODA) budget below the 0.7% of GDP target and overall pledges to multilateral health initiatives decline. Several European countries have also reduced their ODA budgets, reflecting tighter fiscal constraints. France is planning to lower its ODA to 0.38% of GNI by 2026 – the lowest level in nearly 10 years. Meanwhile Switzerland and Sweden, despite their budget reductions, have pledged additional funding to the WHO beyond their required contributions, whereas France has largely maintained existing commitments without expansion.

The America First strategy also has serious implications for African countries. While it begins by highlighting successes like the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in saving 26 million lives since 2003, the report then pivots to criticizing aid as inefficient, costly, and blaming nongovernmental organizations for fostering dependence. Critics have remarked that this framing unfairly blames African countries, when much of the inefficiency comes from the way aid has historically been delivered. For instance, the U.S. often chose to route funding through U.S.-based NGOs and contractors rather than national systems, favoring vertical disease programs for AIDS and TB instead of integrating them into national health services, and maintained control over procurement, logistics, and data – limiting African governments’ ability to shape these programs.

Further Reading:

Funding Cuts, Policy Shifts, and the Erosion of U.S. Scientific and Public Health Capacity

The U.S. continues to face mounting threats to its health, scientific enterprise, and national security. A recent report by the Science and Community Impacts Mapping Project (SCIMaP) warns that proposed FY 2026 budget cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) could reduce its funding by more than half – from $9 billion in FY 2025 to under $4 billion. If passed by Congress, these cuts would result in an estimated ~$11 billion in economic losses, given findings that $1 invested in federal R&D funding returns ~$2.25 in economic activity. These proposed cuts could also eliminate up to 75,000 research jobs and limit opportunities for more than 150,000 students and educators in STEM programs nationwide. Such reductions would not only stall decades of progress in innovation, economic growth, and workforce development, but also reflect a broader trend of fiscal and administrative changes that are reshaping federal support for both scientific research and public health nationwide.

Just as federal R&D funding is at risk, public health funding and operational capacity are also under unprecedented strain. A report by Trust for America’s Health examines how the White House’s FY 2026 budget proposal could impact the CDC and HHS, noting a 25% reduction in HHS discretionary funding, and a 53% budget cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). These cuts would eliminate 61 CDC programs and lay off an additional 16% of its staff, actions that public health leaders warn could severely undermine disease prevention and exacerbate chronic illness. The Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) would be eliminated entirely, and HHS divisions would be consolidated into new entities such as the Administration for a Healthy America. Interviews with state and local public health leaders underscore the operational strain caused by the rapid pace of these changes. As Katherine Wells, Dr PH, Director of Public Health for the City of Lubbock, Texas, explain: “What was really difficult was the quickness of all of this. If I had been given some runway to plan, if I had been told that a grant was ending in six months, I would have had time to figure out some strategies to keep work going. … I’m going to be having a very tough conversation with our Board of Health about what our public health priorities are in this new environment—what do we keep, what do we let go?”

Similar pressures are emerging in the Trump administration’s approach to federal research funding in higher education, where policy priorities are now shaping grant eligibility and distribution. According to The Washington Post: “The White House is developing a plan that could change how universities are awarded research grants, giving a competitive advantage to schools that pledge to adhere to the values and policies of the Trump administration on admissions, hiring and other matters.” Universities may be asked to certify that admissions and hiring decisions are based solely on “merit,” rather than racial or ethnic backgrounds; that foreign student applications are reviewed under new criteria; and that tuition costs reflect educational value. Critics argue such measures represent an overreach of federal authority and a politicization of the grant process. Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education, described the proposal as an “assault… on institutional autonomy, on ideological diversity, on freedom of expression and academic freedom,” warning that grants would no longer be awarded on scientific merit but on “ideological fealty.”  

These policy shifts also coincide with real-world operational challenges at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Mass layoffs, funding freezes, and administrative constraints threatened the agency’s ability to support research, yet NIH staff worked around the clock to distribute nearly $48 billion in grant funding to labs nationwide. In an effort to maintain continuity, the agency implemented a new budgeting strategy, awarding full multiyear budgets upfront. While this approach allowed critical research to continue, it left hundreds of highly rated grants unfunded, including important studies on cancer, aging, and diabetes, highlighting the difficult trade-offs imposed by fiscal constraints and administrative pressures.

Further Reading:

Avian Influenza Updates

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor

Laser-Focused: How Turkey Farmers Are Fighting Back Against the Spread of Bird Flu

Avian influenza continues to surge in commercial poultry operations across the upper Midwest, marking a concerning return of bird flu after a brief summer reprieve. Since late August, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has struck 17 commercial farms, primarily turkey operations. Over the past month alone, these outbreaks have resulted in the loss of 3.75 million birds, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The damage has been widespread: a Minnesota turkey farm in Le Sueur County lost 33,000 birds, while a Wisconsin layer operation saw more than 3 million birds affected.

Utah also confirmed cases at a commercial turkey facility in Sanpete County, extending the outbreak’s geographic reach. Utah state veterinarian Dr. Amanda Price emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that “commercial turkey facilities in the northern U.S. and here in Utah have been the most impacted by HPAI this fall. With migratory bird season just beginning, we may see a greater impact as the season progresses.”

For farmers like Jake Vlaminck, owner of Fahlun Farms in Minnesota, the threat is personal. Just a few years ago, avian influenza forced him to eliminate tens of thousands of turkeys. Determined to prevent another catastrophe, Vlaminck has turned to innovative laser technology. He installed two laser systems designed to deter migratory ducks and geese, the primary spreaders of bird flu, from his barns during fall migration. These units, which cost in the realm of $20,000 each, emit a laser into the sky in a constantly shifting pattern to keep birds from growing accustomed to the beams. While there has been limited official data yet on their effectiveness, the anecdotal feedback has been positive. The results are impressive enough that nearly 200 laser systems have been installed on Minnesota poultry farms since 2023, with support from a state program aimed at preventing bird flu transmission.

Despite their potential, lasers alone may not provide sufficient protection against this viral foe. As president of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Vlaminck recently led 15 farmers to Washington to advocate for vaccine development, a significant shift in industry sentiment. However, an effective vaccine could still be a few years away. Vlaminck says until then, farmers will continue to rely on laser technology and strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and Minnesota’s position as the nation’s top turkey producer.

Further Reading:

“Global Guidance on Monitoring Public Health and Social Measures Policies During Health Emergencies, Rev. Ed., 2025.”

From WHO: “This global guidance aims to facilitate systematic and harmonized data collection about, and monitoring of, public health and social measures (PHSM) policies implemented by governments during health emergencies.  The guidance is intended for policy-makers, health authorities, responders and researchers in multiple sectors and at various levels responsible for responding to public health emergencies and developing PHSM policies, and provides key actions for PHSM policy monitoring in both preparedness and response.”

“The guidance details standardized approaches and actionable steps for establishing and maintaining a robust PHSM monitoring system, a taxonomy of PHSM categories for coherent and comparable policy monitoring, and a process for consistent and transparent data collection. The guidance facilitates the availability of context-specific and real-time PHSM data alongside other key data sets drawn on during public health events for PHSM decision making. This guidance will be accompanied by flexible and customizable online tools.”

“When Biology Meets the Battlefield: An Interview with Diane DiEuliis”

From War on the Rocks: “This exclusive Cogs of War interview is with Diane DiEuliis, a distinguished research fellow at National Defense University focused on emerging biological technologies, biodefense, and preparedness for biothreats. As biotech is increasingly important to defense, we asked her to share her thoughts on the industry and its future.”

Read here.

“Verification Without a Treaty”

Tamara Patton and Pavel Podvig authored this UNIDIR publication: “In the established practice of nuclear arms control and disarmament agreements, verification provisions are negotiated as part of a treaty to provide States with a mechanism to assess compliance and to deter violations of its terms. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to negotiate new legally binding agreements, whether bilateral or multilateral. In some areas, in the absence of a functioning treaty, States assume certain obligations that constrain their behaviour, such as moratoriums on fissile material production or explosive nuclear tests, or a commitment to constrain deployment of some weapon systems. However, without agreed verification mechanisms, it is often difficult to confirm compliance with such obligations.”

“This report suggests an approach to verifying obligations assumed by States through a mechanism of demonstrative verification, in which a State that wants to demonstrate compliance with its obligations unilaterally implements measures to positively prove its compliance to an international audience. To be effective, these measures must include a detailed verification protocol, rely on open data rather than intelligence estimates, and potentially involve independent observers. This report discusses potential applications of this approach to nuclear arms control and space security.”

“Racing Towards Risk: The Hidden Costs of Nuclear Arms Build-Up”

This report was authored by Tim Caughley: “This report examines the risks associated with a nuclear arms race. Drawing lessons from the Cold War, it warns that while past arms races have not lead to nuclear war, they carried with them a range of other risks. These include the dangers of a nuclear escalation and inadvertent use, financial and humanitarian costs, disruption of deterrence and pressures on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons.”

“The report also surveys the current security environment, highlighting deteriorating arms control frameworks, strained dialogue among nuclear powers, and expanding arsenals as critical concerns. It emphasizes that arms races sustain or intensify hostility among protagonists, compounding the inherent risks of nuclear weapons through deliberate competitive build-ups that are likely to exacerbate existing tensions. The conclusion explores what approaches can be used to manage these risks.”

NEW: GMU’s OctoberVendorFest – Bio and Beer Style event

From GMU: “Join researchers, students, industry professionals, and vendors for an afternoon of networking and discovery. Drop in anytime to explore booths, connect with your account managers from leading scientific supply and equipment companies, and meet peers from academia, industry, government, and healthcare.”

This event will take place from 3:00-7:00pm ET on GMU’s SciTech campus, Beacon Hall (Manassas, VA) on Wednesday, October 8. Register here.

NEW: The Formula for Better Health: A Book Event

From AEI: “The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of having a trusted and effective approach to public health. In The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own, leading expert and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden lays out an approach to stop the world’s deadliest diseases. Drawing lessons from history as well as his own decades of experience, Dr. Frieden’s book connects science and strategy—offering practical tools to strengthen health care systems, protect communities, and save lives. Please join us for a book discussion with AEI President Robert Doar and Dr. Frieden to learn about the path to building a healthier future.”

This event will take place from 10:00-11:00am ET on October 16. Register here.

NEW: 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.

NEW: 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.

Feeding Resilience: Risk and Readiness in Food Security

From CSR: “This event will convene a multidisciplinary group interested in food security, agriculture, climate, security, and development in-person at KSU and virtually for other US and international audiences. Throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to network and engage with expert speakers on food and water security challenges, agricultural trade and innovation, workforce development, and the way forward in today’s global policymaking environment. The event is part of CCS’s Feeding Resilience program, which has analyzed and developed policy recommendations on food, climate, and security risks for the United States and is now deepening analysis and policy engagements for European and global audiences.”

This event will take place 8:30am-2:35pm CDT in Manhattan, KS, on October 7. 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.

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. ”

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.

NEW: GMU Chapter of Next Generation for Global Health Security Network Relaunched!

From GMU Biodefense Program: “George Mason University’s Chapter of Next Generation for Global Health Security Network has been restarted by Biodefense students Emily McHarg, Aishwarya Sriraman, Annette Prieto, and Kimberly Ma, with Professor Sasika Popescu serving as the organization’s advisor. The group’s mission is to develop the next generation of global health security professionals by engaging GMU students with issues in the field through different professional and social events. In September, the GMU chapter hosted their first happy hour which boasted great turnout with master’s and PhD students from the Biodefense program and other public policy programs at the Schar School. Upcoming events include a congressional career panel in October featuring panelists from the U.S. Senate, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, the Government Accountability Office, and the Congressional Research Service. In November, students will be joined virtually by Professor Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.”

If you are a student and are interested in learning more or becoming a speaker at a future event, please reach out to Emily McHarg at emcharg@gmu.edu. 

Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity (ELBI) Fellowship

“The Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity (ELBI) Fellowship inspires and connects the next generation of biosecurity leaders and innovators. Launched in 2012, ELBI is a highly competitive, part-time program that provides an opportunity for talented graduate students and professionals to deepen their expertise, expand their network, and build their leadership skills through a series of events coordinated by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. The fellowship boasts over 300 alumni with backgrounds in government, national security, private industry, science, law, public health, medicine, global health, journalism, the social sciences, and academia.”

Learn more and submit your application by October 12 here.

AI & National Security Convergence Fellowship

“In this context, the Converging Risks Lab (CRL), an institute of the Council on Strategic Risks (CSR), is partnering with the Future of Life Institute (FLI) on the “AGI and National Security Convergence Project,” a new initiative endeavoring to arm decision-makers with the understanding and capabilities required to future-proof national security against the potential perils of AGI while maximizing its promise. This partnership combines CRL’s experience in training and engaging national security leaders on convergence topics through experiential learning methods with FLI’s commitment to educating policymakers on the national security implications of developing AGI.”

Learn more and submit your application by October 13 here.

Council on Foreign Relations Internships

In an ever-changing world, CFR’s work as a leading nonpartisan resource for information and ideas about foreign policy is more important than ever. At CFR, interns participate in one of the foremost paid internship programs in the foreign policy arena. They do work that matters alongside smart and dedicated staff in a diverse and inclusive environment. Interns are paid a competitive hourly wage while gaining valuable experience through exposure to leading foreign policy experts. They are also offered professional development training as a foundation for future work in the field of foreign policy and international affairs. Internship opportunities are offered through the Blavatnik Internship Program and Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program.

Learn more and submit your application by October 13 here.

Scoville Peace Fellowship

“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 31 here.

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”

Learn more and submit your papers 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 3.22.2024

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Happy Friday! This week’s Pandora Report covers progress on the ninth round of negotiations on a Pandemic Accord and proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations, Murthy v. Missouri and the evolving threat of health and medical misinformation, a recently launched Senate biodefense and life science research investigation, EPA’s warnings about cyberattacks against the United States’ water infrastructure and more.

Global Leaders Call for Urgent Agreement on a Pandemic Accord

More than 100 global leaders have made a call “to press for an urgent agreement from international negotiators on a Pandemic Accord, under the Constitution of the World Health Organization, to bolster the world’s collective preparedness and response to future pandemics,” according to a recent WHO press release. It comes as member states of the WHO look to finalize an agreement that would amend the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR), which will be considered by the World Health Assembly in May. David P. Fidler explains what is at stake during this ninth round of deliberations in a recent piece for CFR’s Think Global Health, writing in part “WHO documents on the negotiations, along with commentary parsing the talks, indicate that WHO member states have much to do in a short period to deliver final drafts of a pandemic agreement and amended IHR to the World Health Assembly. Unresolved issues include problems that have long confounded global health governance, including equitable access to pharmaceutical products, financing for public health capacity-building, and government accountability. Even if the negotiations achieve breakthroughs on those problems, the task of turning reforms on paper into reality in practice confronts a world in which solidarity is increasingly in short supply.”

The letter challenges those who argue such amendments will harm national sovereignty, reading in part, “A new pandemic threat will emerge; there is no excuse not to be ready for it. It is thus imperative to build an effective, multisectoral, and multilateral approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Given the unpredictable nature of public-health risks, a global strategy must embody a spirit of openness and inclusiveness. There is no time to waste, which is why we are calling on all national leaders to redouble their efforts to complete the accord by the May deadline.”

“Beyond protecting countless lives and livelihoods, the timely delivery of a global pandemic accord would send a powerful message: even in our fractured and fragmented world, international cooperation can still deliver global solutions to global problems.”

SCOTUS Hears Case Concerning Social Media Platforms, Pandemic Misinformation

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week in Murthy v. Missouri, a case concerning the First Amendment and whether the Biden administration violated the right to freedom of expression in its communications with social media companies regarding COVID-19-related misinformation. The lawsuit, one of 26 filed against the administration by former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, alleges that the Biden administration was “…working with social media giants such as Meta, Twitter, and YouTube to censor and suppress free speech, including truthful information, related to COVID-19, election integrity, and other topics, under the guise of combating ‘misinformation.”

NYT‘s Dani Blum explains how this has refocused attention on misinformation and its evolving nature, writing in part “Health hacks not backed by science have spread widely on social media platforms. The same kinds of conspiracy theories that helped to fuel vaccine hesitancy during the Covid-19 pandemic are now undermining trust in vaccines against other diseases, including measles, as more people have lost confidence in public health experts and institutions. And rapid developments in artificial intelligence have made it even harder for people to tell what’s true and what’s false online.”

Blum continues, writing “Misinformation commonly includes “fake experts,” according to Sander van der Linden, a professor of social psychology in society at Cambridge who researches misinformation. These are either people making health claims who do not have any medical credentials, or doctors making statements about topics that they are not experts in. “You wouldn’t want to go to an ear and nose doctor to do a heart operation,” he said. “Is this a vaccine expert, or is this a doctor who actually does no research and has no expertise on vaccinations?”’

The effects of this are being keenly felt by healthcare providers. Amanda Johnson, a primary care physician in New York City, told USA Today about her approach to working with patients who have fallen victim to such information, saying “(Frustration) doesn’t get us anywhere. I think those conversations are more likely to go poorly if you take it as a personal affront.”

The same article explains further that “She has talked about misinformation with patients, some of whom have even asked her to review social media posts they’ve seen. The most animated responses come from patients who believe they’re losing control or having something forced on them, said Johnson, who also leads NYC Health + Hospitals’ AfterCare program for New Yorkers recovering from COVID-19 or living with long COVID.”

“Many people are disparaging or dismissive when talking about people who believe misinformation, but it can happen to anyone, said Sedona Chinn, an assistant professor in the life sciences communication department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.”

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Announces Bipartisan Biodefense and Life Science Research Investigation

In a statement this week, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee announced, “U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced a joint investigation of national security threats posed by high-risk biological research and technology in the U.S. and abroad. Peters and Paul plan to hold hearings and conduct government-wide oversight on areas including high-risk life science research, biodefense, synthetic biology, biosafety and biosecurity lapses, early warning capabilities for emerging outbreaks or possible attacks, and potential origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. This bipartisan oversight effort will assess and identify measures to mitigate longstanding and emerging risks and threats that may result in serious biological incidents – whether deliberate, accidental, or natural. The investigation will also seek to increase transparency and strengthen oversight of taxpayer-funded life sciences research, laboratories in the U.S. and abroad, and detection of biological threats.”

This is likely to add fire to efforts to impose new restrictions on contracted Chinese research firms like WuXi AppTec, as highlighted by Axios. At the same time, this will likely further reveal partisan divides on the topic, particularly given Paul’s emphasis on the Biden administration’s alleged efforts to conceal critical information about the COVID-19 pandemic.

EPA Confirms China- and Iran-Backed Hackers Are Targeting US Drinking Water Systems

“The country’s water systems are being hit with an increasing number of nation-state cyberattacks, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” explains a recent news article. In a recent letter to governors from EPA Administrator Michael Regan and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, the pair wrote ‘“We need your support to ensure that all water systems in your state comprehensively assess their current cybersecurity practices.”’ They also emphasized that, in many cases, “even basic cybersecurity precautions, are not present at water treatment facilities, urging that this “can mean the difference between business as usual and a disruptive cyberattack.”

CNN reports that “The EPA will also set up a “task force” to “identify the most significant vulnerabilities of water systems to cyberattacks,” among other pressing issues, Regan and Sullivan said in their letter. The Biden officials invited state homeland security and environmental officials to a meeting to discuss cybersecurity improvements needed in the water sector.”

This comes after industrial equipment at multiple water facilities in the US was hacked late last year, displaying an anti-Israel message, according to US officials. The administration blamed the Iranian government for these attacks. Hackers backed by the Chinese state have also recently infiltrated US water facilities, in “…a hacking campaign that the Biden administration worries Beijing could use to disrupt critical infrastructure in the event of a conflict with the US. China denies the allegations.”

US Hosts Launch for New Foreign Ministry Channel for Global Health Security

Recently, the US Department of State announced that Ambassador John Nkengasong – U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, overseeing the Department’s Bureau for Global Health Security and Diplomacy – hosted a day-long discussion program to help plan priorities and review lines of efforts for the recently created Foreign Ministry Channel for Global Health Security.

The Department’s press statement explains that “The Channel builds on the 2022-2023 COVID-19 Pandemic Prioritized Global Action Plan for Enhanced Engagement (GAP).  The meeting is the first in a series of regular engagements between senior officials within Ministries of Foreign Affairs to focus diplomatic attention and action on critical global health security priorities.  The foreign ministries, and participants from other ministries, will build on progress in this first meeting to elevate global health security issues as a national security imperative, enhance pandemic preparedness, and advance concrete global health security deliverables.  Participants will collaborate on global efforts to:

  • Strengthen pandemic prevention and early-warning capacities
  • Address misinformation and disinformation on health issues, and leverage emerging technologies to strengthen global health security
  • Mitigate the human health impacts of climate change utilizing the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health
  • Enable sustainable medical countermeasures for health emergencies
  • Enhance diplomatic workforce capacity on health security.”

“‘Lab Leak’ Proponents at Rutgers Accused of Defaming and Intimidating COVID-19 Origin Researchers”

Jocelyn Kaiser covers a recent formal complaint filed with Rutgers University regarding the conduct of molecular biologist Richard Ebright and microbiologist Bryce Nickels, both employed by the university. Kaiser explains in the news piece for Science, “But now, their targets have had enough. A dozen scientists filed a formal complaint with Rutgers yesterday alleging that the two faculty members have violated the university’s policies on free expression by posting “provably false” comments that are often defamatory, and that some of their actions could even threaten scientists’ safety.”

Read more here.

“How to Better Research the Possible Threats Posed by AI-Driven Misuse of Biology”

Matthew E. Walsh recently authored this piece for The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, writing in part “Nonetheless, researchers have conducted experiments that aim to evaluate sub-components of biological threats—such as the ability to develop a plan for or obtain information that could enable misuse. Two recent efforts—by RAND Corporation and OpenAI—to understand how artificial intelligence could lower barriers to the development of biological weapons concluded that access to a large language model chatbot did not give users an edge in developing plans to misuse biology. But those findings are just one part of the story and should not be considered conclusive.”

“An Action Plan to Increase the Safety and Security of Advanced AI”

This action plan from Gladstone AI was completed following the release of an October 2022 State Department assessment of proliferation and security risks posed by weaponized and misaligned AI. The plan-“Defense in Depth: An Action Plan to Increase the Safety and Security of Advanced AI“-explains in part of its introduction that “This action plan is a blueprint for that intervention. Its aim is to increase the safety and security of advanced AI by countering catastrophic national security risks from AI weaponization and loss of control. It was developed over thirteen months, and informed by conversations with over two hundred stakeholders from across the U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments; major cloud providers; AI safety organizations; security and computing experts; and formal and informal contacts at the frontier AI labs themselves. The actions we propose follow a sequence that:
● Begins by establishing interim safeguards to stabilize advanced AI development,
including export controls on the advanced AI supply chain;
● Leverages the time gained to develop basic regulatory oversight and strengthen
U.S. government capacity for later stages;
● Transitions into a domestic legal regime of responsible AI development and
adoption, safeguarded by a new U.S. regulatory agency; and
● Extends that regime to the multilateral and international domains.”

“Government Commissioned Report: AI is Creating New Categories of Weapons of Mass Destruction”

This recent article in the Claims Journal covers the aforementioned report from the State Department focused on WMD threats and AI: “A U.S. State Department-commissioned report asserts that advanced artificial intelligence is creating entirely new categories of weapons of mass destruction-like (WMD-like) and WMD-enabling catastrophic…The risks associated with these developments are global, have deeply technical origins and are quickly evolving, leaving policymakers with diminishing opportunities to introduce safeguards to balance these considerations and ensure advanced AI is developed and adopted responsibly.”

Read more here.

“Why Are Large AI Models Being Red Teamed?”

Natasha Bajema covers AI red teaming in this piece for IEEE Spectrum, writing in part “In February, OpenAI announced the arrival of Sora, a stunning “text-to-video” tool. Simply enter a prompt, and Sora generates a realistic video within seconds. But it wasn’t immediately available to the public. Some of the delay is because OpenAI reportedly has a set of experts called a red team who, the company has said, will probe the model to understand its capacity for deepfake videos, misinformation, bias, and hateful content.”

“Red teaming, while having proved useful for cybersecurity applications, is a military tool that was never intended for widespread adoption by the private sector.”

‘“Done well, red teaming can identify and help address vulnerabilities in AI,” says Brian Chen, director of policy from the New York–based think tank Data & Society. “What it does not do is address the structural gap in regulating the technology in the public interest.”’

“Biodefense in the FY25 President’s Budget Request”

Lillian Parr and Dan Regan recently published this blog post with CSR’s Nolan Center in which they compare the FY25 budget request to the FY24 Continuing Resolution. They explain “On Monday, March 11, the Biden Administration released the President’s Budget Request (PBR) for Fiscal Year 2025. While the final budget appropriations bills enacted by Congress will likely differ substantially from this request, the PBR provides useful insight into the Administration’s priorities. This blog post will highlight a few notable funding lines and trends for biodefense-focused programs…The initial tranche of the PBR documents, namely the Budget of the United States Government and the budget-in-briefs from each agency, state the priority budget items and highlight significant changes in funding. This analysis is largely based on these highlights and the topline budget numbers available. Over the next several weeks the agencies will complete the release of their budget justification books, which contain the highest level of detail on budgetary resourcing. Once all of the final justification books are released, we’ll announce our updated CSR Biodefense Budget Breakdown.”

“Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise Multiyear Budget: Fiscal Years 2023-2027”

ASPR recently released the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasure Enterprise (PHEMCE) Multiyear Budget (MYB) for fiscal years 2023-2027. “The report assesses funding needs to support medical countermeasure priorities, which would allow the U.S. Government to prepare for the next public health threat. The MYB projects an estimated overall funding need of $79.5 billion over the five-year period, an increase of $15.5 billion over the 2022-2026 report. The MYB is not a budget request and does not replace funding levels requested in the President’s Budget or accompanying documents.”

“The MYB forecasts to Congress and external stakeholders the funding required to fully prepare the country for a range of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, without regard to the competing priorities considered in the President’s Budget. The MYB also illustrates the support needed for other key priorities — such as supporting innovative approaches to medical countermeasure (MCM) development and fostering clear, scientifically supported regulatory pathways for MCMs.”

“Ready or Not 2024: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism”

From Trust for America’s Health: “As the nation experiences an increasing number of infectious disease outbreaks and extreme weather events, TFAH’s Ready or Not 2024: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism report identifies key gaps in national and state preparedness to protect residents’ health during emergencies and makes recommendations to strengthen the nation’s public health system and improve emergency readiness.”

“Op-Ed: Proposed LDTs Rule Threatens Outbreak Containment”

Linoj Samuel and Erin Graf, Chair and Vice Chair of the American Society for Microbiology’s Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Committee respectively, recently authored this opinion piece discussing how federal regulations currently under consideration might harm the effectiveness of of laboratory-developed tests for fast-moving outbreaks. They write in part, “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently proposed a rule that would require the same premarket approval for LDTs as it does for medical devices, such as prosthetic joints or pacemakers. The potential rule could bring significant harm to patients by limiting the clinical microbiology and public health laboratories that serve them. The medical device pathway under consideration is designed for commercially developed medical devices. It’s ill-suited to regulate LDTs, and it’s especially at odds with the realities of infectious disease testing. If adopted, the FDA’s rule will disincentivize clinical and public health labs from developing and deploying essential LDTs. It will create gaps in diagnosis and care, and it could potentially impact underserved communities the most.”

“Clinical, Biomarker, and Research Tests Among US Government Personnel and Their Family Members Involved in Anomalous Health Incidents”

Chan, Hallett, and Zalewski recently published this article in JAMA: “Questions  Do US government officials and their family members involved in anomalous health incidents (AHIs) differ from control participants with respect to clinical, biomarker, and research assessments?”

“Findings  In this exploratory study that included 86 participants reporting AHIs and 30 vocationally matched control participants, there were no significant differences in most tests of auditory, vestibular, cognitive, visual function, or blood biomarkers between the groups. Participants with AHIs performed significantly worse on self-reported and objective measures of balance, and had significantly increased symptoms of fatigue, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression compared with the control participants; 24 participants (28%) with AHIs presented with functional neurological disorders.”

“Meaning  In this exploratory study, there were no significant differences between individuals reporting AHIs and matched control participants with respect to most clinical, research, and biomarker measures, except for self-reported and objective measures of imbalance; symptoms of fatigue, posttraumatic stress, and depression; and the development of functional neurological disorders in some.”

“Russia Appears to Be Using Chemical Weapons in Ukraine. And Admitting It.”

Matt Field covers the debate over the validity of Ukraine’s claims that Russia is using CW in the ongoing war in Ukraine for The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, writing in part “For Lennie Phillips, a former inspector for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which implements the Chemical Weapons Convention, some of Ukraine’s claims appear credible, including a segment on Russian state-controlled TV that included an interview with a man the US embassy in The Hague reports is a Russian soldier discussing the effectiveness of chemicals as weapons. “The piece on Russia’s Channel [One] alone makes the use of tear gas by the [Russian Federation] very credible,” Phillips, now a research fellow at the UK defense think tank RUSI, said.”

“The Centre for Chemistry and Technology and the Future of the OPCW”

Ian Anthony recently published this paper with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: “With the destruction of the final remaining stockpiles of declared chemical weapons in 2023, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) must adjust to a new role. The inauguration of the OPCW’s Centre for Chemistry and Technology (CCT) in 2023 provides a new resource to assist the organization and the international community in reducing and eliminating the threat from chemical weapons.”

“Now that the CCT is operational, it is important to build momentum behind a substantive programme of work. Projects for the programme could be grouped into four thematic categories: understanding technological developments; chemical forensics; broadening geographical representation; and tailored training programmes.”

“The CCT should be led by a director, who should work with a newly established Office of Science and Technology to develop the centre’s strategic direction. To provide the CCT with stable and secure financing, a trust fund for the CCT should be established.”

Report Release Webinar: Future State of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures

From National Academies of Science and Medicine: “Join the Committee on Current State of Research, Development, and Stockpiling of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures as it discusses its newly released report Future State of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.”

Learn more and join the discussion here.

Artificial Intelligence and Automated Laboratories for Biotechnology: Leveraging Opportunities and Mitigating Risks

From the National Academies’ Board on Life Sciences: “Please join us April 3-4, 2024 for a hybrid workshop on the opportunities and mitigation of risks of the use of artificial intelligence and automated laboratories (i.e., self-driving labs) for biotechnology.”

“The workshop will consider opportunities to leverage AI and laboratory automation capabilities for discovery and development, explore methods and approaches to identify, track, and forecast the domestic and international development of such technologies, and convene experts across sectors to highlight recent advances and explore implications for the development and use of these technologies.”

Learn more and register here.

Launch of the 2024 National Blueprint on Biodefense

From the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense: “On the 10th anniversary of its inception, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense will release its 2024 National Blueprint on Biodefense: Immediate Action Needed to Defend Against Biological Threats.”

“Please join us for this momentous event at the Congressional Auditorium, Capitol Visitor Center, on April 17th at 4:30pm.”

“The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense (formerly the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense) was established in 2014 to provide a comprehensive assessment of the state of United States biodefense efforts and to issue recommendations that foster change.  Subsequently, the Commission has briefed White House Administrations (including then Vice President Biden); testified before Congress; convened numerous meetings with experts; released 12 reports; produced the graphic novel Germ Warfare; and mobilized biodefense conversations and actions in the private and public sectors.”

Learn more and register here.

Addressing the Challenges Posed by Chemical and Biological Weapons: Intensive Online Introductory Course for Students of Technical Disciplines

“SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) invite graduate and postgraduate students of the technical or natural science disciplines to apply for an intensive online introductory course on chemical and biological weapons—their proliferation, the efforts to eliminate them, the various mechanisms used to control their spread—and endeavours underway to reduce the risk of chemical or biological agents in terrorist attacks. The course will take place online, during four half-days on 28–31 May 2024, 14:00 to 18:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST).”

“The course will cover the fundamentals of chemical and biological weapons as well as of missiles and other means of delivery; the history of chemical and biological warfare; the evolution of international norms against these weapons; the threats associated with potential terrorist uses of chemical and biological material; bioweapons and other related scientific advances; the current challenges posed by chemical weapons; arms control treaties; and mechanisms to curb the spread of dangerous substances, including export controls.”

“The course will also discuss the role of the EU institutions and industry to address the challenges mentioned above. The course will be instructed by renowned experts on non-proliferation, arms control, disarmament, export controls, verification and related subjects from SIPRI, other European research centres, think tanks and international organizations.”

Learn more and apply here.

Registration for GHS 2024 Now Open

Registration is now open for the Global Health Security 2024 conference in Sydney, Australia. This iteration will take place 18-21 June, 2024. The call for abstracts is also still open. “The mission of the Global Health Security conference is to provide a forum where leaders, researchers, policy-makers, and representatives from government, international organisations, civil society, and private industry from around the world can engage with each other, review the latest research and policy innovations, and agree solutions for making the world safer and healthier. To that end, our mission is to help foster a genuinely multidisciplinary community of practice that is committed to working collaboratively to enhance global health security and eliminate disease, irrespective of its origin or source.”

SBA.3 International Synthetic Biology, and Biosecurity Conference in Africa

“Join us for the SBA.3 International Synthetic Biology and Biosecurity Conference in Africa, a groundbreaking event that brings together experts, researchers, and enthusiasts in the field of synthetic biology. This in-person conference will take place at the Laico Regency Hotel from Wed, Jul 17, 2024 to Friday, Jul 19, 2024.”

“Get ready to dive into the exciting world of synthetic biology and explore its potential applications in Africa. From cutting-edge research to innovative solutions, this conference offers a unique opportunity to learn, network, and collaborate with like-minded individuals.”

“Discover the latest advancements, trends, and challenges in synthetic biology through engaging keynote speeches, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking panel discussions. Immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere where ideas flow freely and new connections are made.”

“Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in synthetic biology, this conference provides a platform to expand your knowledge, exchange ideas, and contribute to the growth of the field in Africa.”

“Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event that promises to shape the future of synthetic biology and biosecurity in Africa. Mark your calendars and join us at the SBA.3 International Synthetic Biology and Biosecurity Conference in Africa!”

Learn more and register here.

Eighth Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Open for Applications

“The Eighth Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition is now open. NTI | bio hosts this competition to provide a platform for the next generation of global leaders in biosecurity to develop original concepts and share them with the wider biosecurity community. This year’s co-sponsors include 80,000 Hours, the Global Health Security Network, the iGEM Foundation, the International Federation of Biosafety Associations, the Next Generation Global Health Security Network, Pandemic Action Network, SynBio Africa, and Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation.“

“This year, the competition invites innovative and creative papers focused on how investments in biosecurity can both contribute to a more equitable society and reduce biological risks. The full prompt is provided below.”

“Winners of the Biosecurity Competition will be awarded the following:

  • Online publication of their paper on the NTI website
  • The opportunity to attend a high-profile international biosecurity event, such as the Biological Weapons Convention, and present their paper at a prestigious side event.”

Learn more here.

Nonproliferation Review and CNS Announce McElvany Award Winners

“The Nonproliferation Review and the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) are pleased to announce that an article examining the George W. Bush administration’s policies toward the nuclear programs of Iran and South Korea, “A tale of two fuel cycles: defining enrichment and reprocessing in the nonproliferation regime” by Sidra Hamidi and Chantell Murphy, has won the Doreen and Jim McElvany Nonproliferation Award’s grand prize.”

“In examining the Bush administration’s policies toward two states with advanced nuclear fuel cycles, Hamidi and Murphy’s article also explores the various US and international definitions of uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing. Its analysis draws on the concept of “technopolitics,” the study of the mutually reinforcing processes by which political priorities shape technological systems while technology also limits and creates new kinds of politics.”

Read more here.

Pandora Report: 11.11.2022

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

This week we start by sharing some fun updates from the Biodefense Graduate Program and discussing the current situation with influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 in the United States. We also discuss new publications, including ones that discuss hypothetical BW use in Ukraine, highly pathogenic avian influenza in the US, and a new episode of the Poisons and Pestilence podcast focused on the M device. This issue concludes with details on a number of upcoming and recorded events (including a virtual open house for the Biodefense PhD Program!) and announcements, including open applications for the Biotechnology Innovation & International Security Fellowship at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation. Happy Friday and, as always, please wash your hands.

George Mason Biodefense MS Students Tour BSL-3 Facility on Science and Technology Campus

Last month, students in the Biodefense Graduate Program made the trek from Arlington to Manassas, VA to tour George Mason’s Biomedical Research Laboratory (BRL) on our Science and Technology Campus. Check out the Schar School’s article about their tour of the 52,000-square-foot, $50 million, NIAID-funded facility here. If you would like to have this and similar opportunities in the future, check out our upcoming PhD virtual open house coming up this Wednesday at 7 pm EST.

Schar School Biodefense MS Students and Adjunct Professor Scott Wollek joined by Biodefense Graduate Program Director Dr. Gregory Koblentz (center) and Drs. Rachel Pepin and Farhang Alem of the BRL (far right)

If the Time Change Wasn’t Bad Enough…We Might Have a Triple Threat On Our Hands

As the days get shorter and colder, the United States is also experiencing upticks in influenza, RSV, and (of course) COVID-19. Children’s hospitals are already struggling with the burden this is causing and there are further concerns that hospitals across the country will become overwhelmed as we head into winter. In response, some health departments have ramped up drive-thru testing for COVID-19 while also offering drive-thru RSV and flu testing at those same sites. Some suspect this convergence and uncharacteristic spikes in respiratory illnesses may be the result of an immunity gap created by lack of exposure to other illnesses during harsher COVID-19-related restrictions.

CDC reported this week the “cumulative hospitalization rate in the FluSurv-NET system is higher than the rate observed in week 44 during every previous season since 2010-2011.” The agency also estimates that in this flu season so far, there have been at least 2.8 million cases, 23,000 hospitalizations, and 1,300 deaths associated with influenza. This year was also marked by an early increase in seasonal flu activity in the US, following earlier concerns that a rough flu season in the southern hemisphere provided warning of the same coming for the north. The US notably had historically low interseasonal influenza cases in 2020 when people were much more cautious and consistently took actions such as social distancing, masking, increased hand washing, etc.

This year has also brought an increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, with CDC reporting its surveillance “has shown an increase in RSV detections and RSV-associated emergency department visits and hospitalizations in multiple U.S. regions, with some regions nearing seasonal peak levels. Clinicians and public health professionals should be aware of increases in respiratory viruses, including RSV.” The US saw a much higher than normal rate of RSV infections over the summer that then surged throughout September and October. RSV causes mild, cold-like symptoms that most people typically recover from in one or two weeks. However, RSV can be serious in some cases, with infants and older adults at particular risk. In the US, RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under the age of one. Annually, the US averages 60,000 pediatric RSV hospitalizations, but this is likely to be exceeded this year.

RSV hospitalization rates by season for children (ages 0-17) in the United States. Source: CDC RSV-NET Interactive Dashboard

While the updated, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines have proven more effective against BA.4/5 subvariants than original offerings, new concerns loom as the so-called “Scrabble variants” spread. While the BA.5 subvariant still accounts for about 40% of US cases, others like BQ.1, BQ.11, BA.4.6, and BF.7 are rising along with XBB and B.1.1.529. If this collection of subvariants is confusing to you, you’re not alone, as Dr. Peter Hotez acknowledged in initially describing them as “Scrabble variants”.

There is debate about how much the general public needs to understand about all these different subvariants. Some argue that the granular details differentiating between these is unhelpful and communication should instead focus on risk. However, others like Dr. Hotez argue it is important that people understand the differences. He points to the updated vaccines having been formulated for the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, the latter of which BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are descendants. This likely means the updated vaccines do offer protection against BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, making it important to communicate these facts to the general public. Others also argue that easier names should be offered to the public so that subvariants do not blend together and cause people to underestimate new emerging strains.

While these new subvariants are new enough that there is no available vaccine efficacy data on them yet, consensus is largely that a “booster is a booster” and that it is still worth getting one if you have not already. Both the bivalent vaccines and antivirals like Paxlovid are expected to remain effective against severe outcomes with these subvariants. However, US vaccine rates with the updated versions have remained underwhelming, with rates by age groups ranging from nearly 27% in adults over the age of 65 to under 12% for adults ages 18-65.

Total population vaccine rates with bivalent booster by state, Source: CDC COVID Data Tracker

The weather is cooling and we are all increasingly spending more time inside at a time with relaxed public health measures in place. These are each viral respiratory infections, so it is important to be vigilant on measures like covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands appropriately, staying home when sick, and so on.

Important to note is that there is currently no vaccine available for RSV, though certain children may qualify to receive preventative injections of the monoclonal antibody product palivizumab during RSV seasons. Furthermore, there is no antiviral for RSV, so treatment is supportive care. There are antivirals for COVID-19 and influenza available and, of course, it is important to be vaccinated for both of these if at all possible. You can schedule appointments to get your seasonal flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster at the same at plenty of locations, many of which can be found through Vaccines.gov’s search tool.

“Les « Frankenvirus » au cœur des débats, après l’émergence du Covid-19”

In this Le Monde article on gain of function research, Biodefense Graduate Program Director Dr. Gregory Koblentz discusses the announcements of 27 new BSL-4 laboratories since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and what these announcements, in light of loose international standards on biosafety, might mean in terms of increased risks of accidents.

“The World is Prepared for the Unthinkable”

This recent piece in CFR’s Think Global Health discusses the likely consequences of biological weapons use in Ukraine. McCloskey, Nuzzo, and Heymann write “A biological attack in Ukraine or anywhere would have profound and far-reaching political, military, and health consequences. The immediate impact would be to exacerbate the already profound human suffering that is occurring in the country and it would place further strain on already struggling health systems. Depending on the pathogen used, a biological attack could present risks beyond Ukraine. Unlike other weapons, biological agents have the potential to spread widely. Neighboring countries could be at immediate risk, but, as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has shown, diseases can travel widely around the globe before they are noticed.”

“Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism”

This week the FBI and Department of Homeland Security released their second Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism report. Overall, it details a continued increase in domestic terrorism investigations in the US, with the government opening 1,400 investigations in 2020 versus the average of 1,000 seen in previous years. It does note that this was in part because of investigations opened as a result of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, but also that this anomaly does not fully account for the significant increase in that number. Most of these investigations were related to “…racially or ethnically driven violent extremism, anti-government or anti-authority violent extremism, and civil unrest.”

Other interesting points in the report include the that, as Lawfare explains, “…despite the increased threat, the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) does not employ a single analyst focused exclusively on domestic terrorism. One could argue that the NCTC is hamstrung in some respects because its mandate, or at least a narrow reading of its statute, limits its ability to focus on terrorism not related to the international variety of groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. At the same time, the assessment states Homeland Security employs only ten analysts for domestic extremism threats. However, that number represents a meteoric increase from five years earlier, when there was not a dedicated domestic terrorism analyst squad.”

“Flu: When Spillovers Spill Over”

As the authors of this Think Global Health piece explain, the US is currently in the middle of one of the largest outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in animals in US history. At least 49 million birds from backyard and commercial flocks have been culled so far in 43 states as this year’s outbreaks continue.

The authors write “Case counts and distributions in wild birds have been equally astounding. Department of Agriculture surveillance efforts in 2022 have detected HPAI in wild birds in almost every state in the continental United States, plus Alaska. Active surveillance has found more than 3,300 infected wild birds. This extensive transmission through wild avian species is more pronounced than in previous U.S. epizootics, or animal epidemics; in the 2014-2015 outbreak, fewer than 100 wild birds tested positive for H5, primarily along the Pacific Flyway, one of four major North American migration routes for birds, especially waterfowl. Affected species in this outbreak range from the relatively abundant Canada goose and wild turkey to the more vulnerable bald eagle and snowy owl. How many of these birds are actually symptomatic is difficult to determine, as detections often occur opportunistically through the sampling of dead birds and hunter harvests. Mortality in wild species is varied with some species like gulls, terns, geese, and raptors experiencing higher than usual rates, while songbirds are relatively unaffected, even asymptomatic. The variation in morbidity and mortality makes this virus even harder to track.”

“Atoms are Local”

In this essay Elliot Hershberg, a PhD student in genetics at Stanford and the mind behind The Century of Biology, discusses the industrialization of biotech and proposes the biologization of industry as a preferable alternative. He explains this concept, writing “Biologization of Industry — Many people default to a mindset of industrialization. But, why naively inherit a metaphor that dominated 19th century Britain? Biology is the ultimate distributed manufacturing platform. We are keen to explore and make true future biotechnologies that enable people to more directly and freely make whatever they need where-ever they are.”

“Compendium of Best Practices on the Engagement and Advancement of Women in Chemical Safety and Security”

From the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute: “The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in close cooperation with international partners, stakeholders and practitioners, recognized the asymmetric portrayal of women and men in chemical safety and security; both in global literature and policy debates. To address this gap, amplify women’s voices and promote opportunities to increase their engagement in this field, OPCW and UNICRI, with the generous funding of the European Commission, developed the Compendium on “Engagement and Advancement of Women in Chemical Safety and Security”.”

“The Compendium aims to provide policymakers and practitioners in the field of chemistry with guidance to promote gender inclusivity in the chemical safety and security sector through the identification of best practices in recruiting, training and promoting gender-inclusive careers.”

What We’re Listening To 🎧

Poisons and Pestilence-13 Bonus Episode: The M Device with Simon Jones

Dr. Brett Edwards has released a new episode of his podcast, Poisons and Pestilence, covering the M device (a canister device used to release CW agents) with historian Simon Jones. In addition to the podcast, you can find Jones’ work on the M device here where he explains, “During the closing stages of the military intervention in North Russia in 1919, British chemical munitions were improvised as effective aerial bombs for the first time in history.”

Schar School PhD Virtual Open House Session

Come learn about the Schar School’s doctoral programs (including the Biodefense PhD!) and interact with faculty at this online open house. This event will take place Wednesday, November 16, at 7 pm EST. Register here.

Applying Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Research and Development to Future Epidemics

“The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Forum on Microbial Threats; Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation; and the Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies will organize and conduct a public, hybrid workshop on December 7-8, 2022 to explore how innovative approaches in research sparked by COVID-19 can enhance health systems preparedness and responses to emerging infectious diseases. This workshop will consider basic scientific infrastructure and essential capabilities to support medical and behavioral countermeasures that were deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic response. Workshop participants will reflect on critical scientific infrastructure for stakeholder coordination and innovations that can facilitate rapid and effective responses to emerging infectious disease threats.” Register here.

Strategies to Reach Zero Dose Children in Fragile States and Cross-border Contexts in Africa

“CORE Group and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance invite you to register to attend a webinar where experts will discuss the importance of reaching Zero Dose Children and how addressing the challenges in reaching communities with immunization interventions could diminish disease outbreaks and health system disruptions. The webinar will also provide a platform for discussions on innovative ways to reach zero dose children beyond traditional government partners in fragile contexts. It will be an opportunity le learn more about the Zero-Dose Immunization Programme (ZIP) and will feature speakers from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, International Rescue Committee(IRC), CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP) and World Vision.” This event will be hosted virtually on November 15, at 10 am EST. Register here.

ICMYI: 8th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity

The 8th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity concluded recently in Lagos, Nigeria. The conference aimed to “…present a unique forum to raise National, Regional and Continental awareness and engage in deep introspection and robust interactions on existing health security measures and how to strengthen them, as the first urgent step toward mitigation of emerging biological threats in Africa.” Recordings from the conference are available on the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium (GET) Africa YouTube Channel. You can read the conference’s “Communiqué of 8th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity themed Strengthening Health Security and Mitigating Biological Threats in Africa”.

ICYMI: Briefings in Preparation for the Ninth BWC Review Conference

Check out the recording for this event on UNIDIR’s YouTube channel. “This virtual event brought together the authors of the latest UNIDIR publications on BWC topics to provide short outlines of the key insights and ideas in their respective reports for State Parties to consider ahead of the Review Conference. These include verification, advances in science and technology, international cooperation, and potential outcomes of the Review Conference. The presentations was followed by a moderated interactive discussion with the participants.”

Biotechnology Innovation and International Security Fellowships at Stanford University

“Stanford is seeking Biotechnology Innovation & International Security Fellows, to be appointed for one year renewable for a second.  Fellows will join a community of scholars hosted by the Center for International Security & Cooperation (CISAC), Bio.Polis, & the Department of Bioengineering, with mentoring by one or more faculty identified by each fellow.  Applications are being accepted thru 2 December 2022.”  Learn more and apply here.

START Announces Upcoming CBRN Data Suite and Portal

The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START)’s Unconventional Weapons and Technology division recently announced the creation of their CBRN Data Suite and Portal. The data suite is set to open in December and “…includes an event-level and an actor-level dataset. The event-level dataset is based on UWT’s Profiles of Incidents Involving CBRN and Non-state Actors (POICN) database, and is scheduled to be updated through May 2022 by the time the Data Suite and Portal goes live at the end of the year.”

“The actor-level dataset is a newly created dataset modeled after the Chemical and Biological Non-State Adversaries Database (CABNSAD) and the Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries (RANNSAD) dataset, with the new CBRN Actor dataset subsuming both CABNSAD and RANNSAD. As with the event-level dataset, the actor-level dataset is scheduled to be updated through May 2022 by the time the Data Suite and Portal launch.”

NIST Soliciting Feedback on Project Proposal to Improve Cybersecurity at Water Utility Facilities

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) recently released a white paper discussing ways to improve utility management, operations, and service delivery at water utility sites. The paper explains that “The NCCoE has undertaken a program to determine common scenarios for cybersecurity risks among WWS utilities. This project will profile several areas, including asset management, data integrity, remote access, and network segmentation. The NCCoE will also explore the utilization of existing commercially available products to mitigate and manage these risks. The findings can be used as a starting point by WWS utilities in mitigating cybersecurity risks for their specific production environment. This project will result in a freely available NIST Cybersecurity Practice Guide.” Read the announcement and submit feedback here.

Pandora Report 2.16.2018

by spopescu, posted in Pandora Report

 

 White House Budget Hits Public Health
The White House has released their new plan, “Efficient, Effective, Accountable: An American Budget”, which sees an increase in military spending, funds for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, and a 10%  increase in spending from 2017. “The plan also calls for major cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps and other social programs — reductions that conservatives have long sought. But even with these reductions, which add up to more than $3 trillion in cuts over 10 years, the proposal would not bring the budget into balance because of the lost tax revenue and higher spending on other programs.” The 2019 budget proposal also includes $9.2 billion added after Congress lifted mandatory spending caps. “But the 2019 budget might not be as steady as it seems, because the White House is calling for the creation of three new institutes within the NIH. They include a National Institute for Research on Safety and Quality, which would replace the $324-million Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Trump plan would also transfer the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research from the HHS’s Administration for Community Living, and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to the NIH from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).” The plan also includes a cap for how much salary a scientist can draw from an NIH grant (90%), gives NIH an additional $750 million for research towards the opioid crisis ($400 million of which must “be spent on public-private partnerships to develop new treatments”). Unfortunately, this proposed budget significantly weakens public health preparedness and response plans with a 43% reduction in the CDC’s Public Health Preparedness and Response Program. Furthermore, it includes hitting the CDC hard with a 12% reduction and plans to move the strategic national stockpile (SNS) to ASPR. Such plans severely impact global health security as funding for the GHSA is expected to drop. You can read a further overview on the health security outlook by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security here. There has also been increasing concern regarding the lack of a nominee for the head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, especially since the de facto advisor is a 31-year-old political science major from Princeton. 

GMU Schar School MS Open House
Don’t miss out on our information session next week. This is a great chance to chat with faculty about the GMU Biodefense MS program (both online and in person). “The session will provide an overview of our master’s degree programs, an introduction to our world-class faculty and research, and highlights of the many ways we position our students for success in the classroom and beyond. Our admissions and student services staff will be on hand to answer your questions.” FYI – GMU biodefense students are making headlines for their dedication and passion for health security, come join the nerdom!

Next Generation Global Health Security Mentorship Program
Interested in becoming a mentor  or protege in health security? The NextGen Global Health Security Mentorship Program is a great way to build partnerships and collaborations for those passionate about health security. “The NextGen Global Health Security (NGGHS) Mentorship Program is an annual program aimed at connecting early to mid-career professional and students interested in global health security with experts in the field to enhance professional development. Mentors and Protégés are free to establish a program that suits them best. Meetings can be based on current events, suggested topics and/or other common areas of interest. The pair will maintain correspondence either in person, over the phone or by email, as often as they have decided feasible.” If you’re a GMU biodefense alum, also make sure to update your information in Stay Connected so you’ll get the latest in biodefense program news and opportunities!

The Anniversary of Kim Jong Nam’s VX Assassination
February 13th marked the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Kim Jong Un’s half brother at the Kuala Lumpur airport. Kim Jong Nam was attacked by two women who smeared VX nerve agent on his face. “The women claim they were tricked into believing they were part of a reality show, but the U.S. and South Korea say the murder was orchestrated by Pyongyang. The brazen killing came as North Korea was starting to accelerate its missile tests and countries around the world came under mounting pressure to enforce ever-tightening U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang.” In the wake of the attack, Malaysia is working to distance itself from its previously close relationship with Pyongyang. The murder trial, which started in October of 2017, is set to end in March of this year, with the two women maintaining their innocence. 

Biosafety Failures in UK Lab
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released findings from their investigations into more than 40 “mishaps” at specialist labs from 2015-2017. The labs were run by hospitals, private companies, and Public Health England (PHE), which reveals an unfortunate trend across many sectors. “One scientist at a PHE laboratory became sick after contracting Shigella, a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes most cases of dysentery in Britain. The incident led the HSE to send the agency an enforcement letter to improve its health and safety practices.” Incidents range from failure to communicate safety requirements for mailing samples to airflow failures and lab workers acquiring illnesses from lab safety mishaps.

Antimicrobial Resistance: Forging A New Strategy Against An Old Threat
GMU Biodefense students love all things health security and that includes antimicrobial resistance. PhD student Saskia Popescu is tackling the woefully insufficient response we’ve had over the years to this growing threat. Pointing to current challenges, initiatives, and research strategies, Popescu discusses current trends and hopeful plans to combat AMR. “What is to be done? There are several initiatives, like the Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), that seek to infuse life into the research and development of new drugs. There is also a push on health care providers and agriculture to reduce the use of antimicrobials. But these are all long-term solutions that may take years or decades to implement. Although long-term plans are critical, if you were hospitalized today with a highly resistant infection, what would be the short-term plan of action your heath care providers would take?”

ABSA Risk Group Database App
Check out the latest Risk Group Database resource (and app!) from the Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity (ABSA) International. “In many countries, including the United States, infectious agents are categorized in risk groups based on their relative risk. Depending on the country and/or organization, this classification system might take the following factors into consideration: pathogenicity of the organism, mode of transmission and host range, availability of effective preventive measures (e.g., vaccines), availability of effective treatment (e.g., antibiotics), and other factors.”

Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense Receives Grant to Advance Leadership and Reduce Catastrophic Risk
“The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense announced today a $2.5 million grant from the Open Philanthropy Project. The grant allows the Panel to continue its leadership role in assessing our nation’s biodefense, issuing recommendations and advocating for their implementation, and identifying viable avenues for needed change to policy. The grant comes amidst heightened global tensions as North Korea and other regimes seek to develop biological weapons. It also arrives on the 100th anniversary of a catastrophic influenza pandemic that took the lives of millions around the world, a stark reminder of the dangers of biological events.”

Stories You May Have Missed:

  • DHS Announces Finalists in $300k Biothreat Prize Competition –  “The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), in collaboration with the Office of Health Affairs National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC), today announced five finalists for Stage 1 of the Hidden Signals Challenge. The challenge calls for the design of an early warning system that uses existing data to uncover emerging biothreats. The announcement was made at the American Society for Microbiology’s 2018 ASM Biothreats meeting.”
  • Seoul Virus Transmission – Have a pet rat at home? Make sure to practice safe rodent handling and hand hygiene as physicians are seeing cases of rodent-to-human transmission of Seoul virus. “After confirming Seoul virus infection in the Wisconsin patients, the CDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services investigated the source of the disease. ‘The outbreak spread from sales or trade of infected pet rats between people’s homes or between ratteries’ – places where rats are bred – ‘in 11 states,’ said Kerins, who coauthored the report.”

Thank you for reading the Pandora Report. If you would like to share any biodefense news, events, or stories, please contact our Editor Saskia Popescu (biodefense@gmu.edu) or via Twitter: @PandoraReport

Pandora Report 10.6.2017

by spopescu, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to your favorite weekly dose of biodefense news!

George Mason University Global Health Security Ambassador Fellowship
We’re excited to announce the selection of two GMU Biodefense students, Anthony Falzarano and Stephen Taylor, as recipients of the George Mason Global Health Security Ambassador Fellowship. As GMU Global Health Security Ambassadors, they will be attending the 4th Annual GHSA Ministerial Meeting in Kampala, Uganda as part of the Next Generation Global Health Security Network delegation. The Next Generation Network engages and facilitates contributions by emerging scholars, scientists, and professionals from government and non-governmental institutions to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and other global health security projects. The NextGen Network is led by Jamechia Hoyle, who is not only an infectious disease guru, but also an adjunct professor at GMU, teaching Global Health Security Policy. The GHSA meeting, which will take place from October 25-27, is the world’s premier meeting on global health security and will be attended by senior representatives of the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Finance, and Security from more than 50 GHSA member states as well as implementing partners from civil society and the private sector. The theme of this year’s meeting is Health Security for All: Engaging Communities, Non-Government Actors, and the Private Sector.                                                                                                                                                       Thanks to the generous support of the Schar School, our Biodefense graduate students will be able to provide you with detailed accounts of the meeting from the front row. Following the GHSA meeting, we will be publishing their experiences and thoughts on the summit, so you’ll want to stay tuned. Anthony is a microbiologist and environmental engineer, who focuses his research on antimicrobial resistance, food and agriculture microbiology, and microbial enhanced oil recovery. Anthony also worked with Ohio State University’s Medical Center to study biofilms as a public health burden. Stephen is a biologist and Peace Corp-alum where he served in Mozambique  teaching biology, information technology, and English. Since 2015, he has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland.

Blue Ribbon Study Panel: U.S. Not Prepared to Identify Perpetrators of Biological Crimes, Terrorism, Proliferation, and Warfare
The Blue Ribbon Study Panel just released information on their recent special meeting, Biological Attribution: Challenges and Solutions, which sought to better understand the ability of the U.S. government to accurately identify pathogens and their sources, “attribute the use of biological weapons with scientific and other forms of evidence; and explore the processes used for investigative, legal, policy, and political decisions involving biological attribution.” “Effective prosecution depends on the ability to quickly and accurately attribute crimes to their perpetrators,” said Ken Wainstein, meeting chair, and former Homeland Security Advisor and United States Attorney. “In the aftermath of a biological attack, we need to find out who did it, how they did it, what disease agent they used, and where they obtained it. The biological threat is real and growing, and the Nation needs this attribution capability now.” Adds former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, whose office received some of the anthrax letters in 2001, “We face some major challenges in microbial forensics and biological attribution, but we can overcome many of them. We need to do what we can to eliminate them now, before we find ourselves under attack again. We can’t afford to have another investigation drag on for years.” The Panel also addressed the impact of the President’s FY2018 budget request on biodefense efforts and how it could eliminate critical health security functions.

Fostering an International Culture of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Responsible Conduct in the Life Sciences
GMU biodefense MS alum Kathleen Danskin and PhD student Elise Rowe are tackling the importance of biosecurity, biosafety, and responsible conduct in life sciences. Citing the lack of an internationally agreed upon definition and approach to disseminating lessons, they highlight “how these concepts are covered by relevant international treaties, international organizations, and professional organizations. While there are some efforts under way, opportunities exist to evaluate and strengthen the culture of biosafety, biosecurity, and responsible conduct in the life sciences in order to prevent the loss, theft, misuse, and diversion of biological agents, related materials, technology, or equipment, and the unintentional or intentional exposure to (or release of) biological agents.” Responding to this gap, Danskin and Rowe propose three changes: partnership between international regimes, organizations, and professional organizations to share and enhance best efforts, use of the nuclear safety and security culture as a model for creating organizational culture within life sciences, and that the international community should amplify efforts to recognize “champions of change” at the state level. “Challenges remain on how best to address the issue of operationalizing the concept of a culture of biosafety, biosecurity, and responsible conduct in order to address goals such as: (1) reducing the occurrence of laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs), incidents, and near misses, (2) ensuring that biosafety, biosecurity, and responsible conduct receive adequate attention, (3) ensuring that organizational members share the same beliefs and attitudes about risks, LAIs, and near misses, (4) increasing commitments to biosafety and biosecurity, and (5) assessing the breadth and strength of a biosafety and biosecurity program.”

Reasonable Doubts: Foreseeing Failures in WMD Security
GMU biodefense MS alum Greg Mercer is evaluating the historical failures in WMD security and what we can take away from such terrifying events. Pulling on examples from the live anthrax spores being mailed due to poor DoD lab practices to antinuclear protesters managing to get into the Oak Ridge nuclear facility, Mercer addresses serious system failures and a “culture of complacency”. Unfortunately, since the creation of nuclear weapons, there has been a colorful history of accidents and close calls. Mercer cites such examples to point out that while not spectacularly dramatic (I’m thinking of something like the film, The Rock), they nonetheless highlight significant vulnerabilities. “As a class, these organizational problems are not unique to the management of WMD. Insights into their nature, and into the sorts of practices that could help to anticipate and remedy them, may also be found further afield. Especially within the broader study of national security, a new literature has begun to emerge proposing either a new framing of the issues, or identifying tools and ideas that might be employed to guard against recurring ‘complacency’.” Mercer points to analyses, like those from Janne E. Nola, which suggest grass-roots changes that aim at fixing things at the organization level. What is to be done though? Some suggest the use of red teaming, while others point to forecasting and prediction, as a means to identifying risks and vulnerabilities. “History shows that warning signs are often ignored until disaster strikes, and that disaster is the engine of change. In the United States, the public demands change. If better institutional checks are to be placed on American nuclear and biological security, it will take a public outcry like the one that follows a disaster. The public will have to demand that the country’s nuclear- and biological-defense enterprises stop stepping out to the brink, and instead avert the disasters foreshadowed by the many uncomfortable compromises and accidents we have seen.”

Madagascar Battles Plague
The death toll has risen to twenty as government officials are banning public gatherings in the country’s capital. While plague is endemic to the country and causes roughly 400 cases a year, this spike in cases and the swift spread is concerning the WHO after already 114 cases have been reported since August. “More than half of recorded cases – 73 out of 133 – are pneumonic plague, the most virulent form, which is passed through person-to-person transmission. If it is not treated, pneumonic plague can be fatal within 24 hours. The epidemic also involves bubonic plague, which is spread by rats and kills about 50% of people it infects.” The WHO has released $300,000 in emergency funds and is asking for $1.5 to support outbreak response as the disease has quickly spread to several cities and outbreak season (September-April) is just beginning. You can read the latest WHO report on the outbreak here.

HBO VICE’s Contagion Episode
Check out the latest VICE episode regarding two interesting topics – Russian hacking and contagions. “The outbreak of an infectious disease sparks worldwide panic nearly every year. And as humans cluster themselves in denser cities and encroach closer to the wildlife harboring disease, the chances of a devastating global pandemic only intensifies. But scientists are finding that diligent surveillance of these threats could help keep the next nightmare disease at bay. VICE founder Suroosh Alvi went to Uganda to see how vulnerable humans are to a new pandemic and the options there are for staving it off.”

Bavarian Nordic Wins Up-to-$539M BARDA Contract for Smallpox Vaccine BARDA has contracted with Bavarian Nordic to ensure the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile has smallpox vaccine in the form of freeze-drived Imvamune. “The contract consists of an initial $100 million base award toward manufacturing and storage of Imvamune vaccine bulk—the third bulk contract inked between the company and BARDA. The two earlier bulk contracts total a combined $233 million. In addition, the contract includes two initial options: Up to $299 million toward the filling and freeze-drying of Imvamune produced under the three bulk awards and up to $140 million toward clinical development, regulatory commitments, and portions of the establishment and validation of fill/finish activities.” This new contract will cover roughly 13 million doses at $48 per dose.

The Risk of Adoption of Chemical and Biological Weapons by Non-State Actors in the EU                                                                                                                                             James Revill addresses growing concern over the potential for non-state groups to utilize chemical or biological terrorism within the European Union. Pulling on historical events involving CBW use by non-state actors, he addresses the current and future risks. “To achieve this, the article analyses six interlinked clusters of factors that can be seen as important in assessing the risk of whether or not to adopt such weapons. These are: the perceived relative advantage of CBW and their utilities; the complexity of such weapons; their ideological compatibility; the role of organisational structures; the visibility and ‘fashionability’ of such weapons; and the wider environmental context.” Overall, Revill finds that while there is potential for sophisticated CBWs to do great harm, they are unlikely, and the use of a “scruffy low-level chemical weapon” is much more realistic.

ABSA International 60th Annual Biological Safety Conference
October is national Biosafety Month, so don’t miss out on this conference held by the Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity on October 13-18th in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The conference will include special meetings like public health interest groups, next generation/new biosafety professionals shared interest group meetings, and great networking opportunities for biosafety and biosecurity professionals!

How the 1918 Flu Pandemic Revolutionized Public Health
As the centennial of the 1918/1919 pandemic approaches, it encourages us to really look at what has changed and what we’ve learned from such a global catastrophe. Public health itself has evolved – no longer restricted by the antiquated policies that were marked with eugenics and social stigma. At the time, influenza was not a reportable disease either, which meant that public health surveillance was shotty at best and quarantine efforts were usually too little, too late. “The lesson that health authorities took away from the catastrophe was that it was no longer reasonable to blame an individual for catching an infectious disease, nor to treat him or her in isolation. The 1920s saw many governments embracing the concept of socialized medicine—healthcare for all, delivered free at the point of delivery.” Now, disease surveillance and epidemiology are a cornerstone of public health, not to mention the development of the WHO in 1946. The 1918 flu pandemic forced us to change our approach to public health, but also taught a vital lesson – infectious disease was a global problem and not isolated to a single country, region, or group of people.

Biosafety Governance
The Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel (FESAP) just released their report on ensuring institutional compliance with biosafety, biocontainment, and laboratory biosecurity regulations and guidelines. FESAP recommendations are crucial, as they are supposed to be followed within research facilities that perform work with human, plant, and/or animal infectious agents and toxins. “The United States has a comprehensive biosafety, biocontainment, and biosecurity oversight system designed to protect laboratory workers, public health, agriculture, the environment, and national security. Biosafety and biocontainment oversight rests on a foundation of federal regulations, guidelines, and policies and is provided at multiple levels. Oversight of day to day research activities is largely a responsibility of the institutions and the investigators conducting the research with direct biosafety oversight being implemented at the local level.” In efforts to ensure compliance and build a culture of responsibility, FESAP has released guidance that aims to ensure biosafety, biosecurity, and biocontainment, while encouraging research. Some of the regulations and guidelines include: “conduct regular assessments of committees, offices, and departments with responsibilities for biosafety and biosecurity oversight to assess their function and strengthen their performance when necessary” and “promote transparency regarding institutional biosafety and biosecurity oversight.” The report also includes federal regulations and guidelines regarding research conduct, environmental regulations, dual-use research of concern oversight at the institutional level, etc.

Stories You May Have Missed:

  • BioShield Adds Ebola Vaccine To SNS & BARDA Industry Day – Project Bioshield, responsible for acquiring MCM against CBRN agents, is now adding two Ebola treatments and two vaccines to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The new additions include “a single-dose vaccine licensed by Merck, a prime-boost vaccine regimen from Johnson & Johnson, and monoclonal antibody treatments from Mapp Biopharmaceutical and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.” If you’re looking to get more information on MCM, you can also attend the 2017 BARDA Industry Day on November 7-8, at the Ronal Reagan Building. Presented by ASPR (Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response), the conference will give individuals the opportunity to learn about the past, present, and future of BARDA, MCM development opportunities, experiences partnering with BARDA, and more. Robert Kadlec, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, will be the keynote speaker for the event.
  • Bioweapons and Virtual Terrorism – Considering the threat of biological weapons and virtual terrorism? It was recently estimated that the cost of a bioweapon is 0.05% the cost of a convention weapon that would produce the same casualties per square kilometer. What are your thoughts on the author’s notion that biological weapons are “comparatively easy, using common technology available for the production of some antibiotics, vaccines, foods, and beverages, and delivery systems such as spray devices from an airplane, boat, or car are commonly available”?
  • History and Future of the Global HIV/AIDS Response: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Merson and Dr. Stephen Inrig– The Center for Strategic and International studies will be hosting this event on Monday, October 16th from 10-11:30am. Drs. Merson and Inrig will discuss the origins and evolution of the global HIV/AIDS response, as well as critical current and future issues affecting the fight against the disease worldwide, which were recently highlighted in papers issued by the CSIS HIV Working Group.  “This ambitious book provides a comprehensive history of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Programme on AIDS (GPA), using it as a unique lens to trace the global response to the AIDS pandemic. The authors describe how WHO came initially to assume leadership of the global response, relate the strategies and approaches WHO employed over the years, and expound on the factors that led to the Programme’s demise and subsequent formation of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The authors examine the global impact of this momentous transition, portray the current status of the global response to AIDS, and explore the precarious situation that WHO finds itself in today as a lead United Nations agency in global health. The global response – the strategies adopted, the roads taken and not taken, and the lessons learned – can provide helpful guidance to the global health community as it continues tackling the AIDS pandemic and confronts future global pandemics.” The event will be webcast live from the event page. Please register by clicking the “Register” button above and contact Sara Allinder, sallinder@csis.org, with questions.
  • MoBE 2017 Symposium to highlight research on the Microbiology of the Built Environment – October 10-12th, in Washington, D.C.  The event will highlight recent research on the Microbiome of the Built Environment and explore ways to bridge the gaps between research and applications. More specifically, The MoBE 2017 Symposium will bring together leading researchers and stakeholders to discuss MoBE findings pertinent to human health, safe drinking water, healthy built environments and urban design. Ed Yong of The Atlantic, Susan Lynch of the University of California at San Francisco and Marc Edwards of Virginia Tech will provide keynote addresses.

Thank you for reading the Pandora Report. If you would like to share any biodefense news, events, or stories, please contact our Editor Saskia Popescu (biodefense@gmu.edu) or via Twitter: @PandoraReport

Pandora Report 3.17.2017

by spopescu, posted in Pandora Report

Happy Friday! In honor of  John Snow‘s birthday (the father of epidemiology), our featured image is the Broad Street pump map he used to combat cholera in the 19th century. Don’t miss out on the early registration discount for our biodefense summer workshop!

NAS Calls for Increased Federal Regulatory Agency Preparation for Growing Biotechnology Products 
The National Academies of Science (NAS) recent press release is emphasizing the need for federal regulatory agencies to prepare for greater quantities and ranges of biotechnology products. As the biotech world constantly evolves, regulatory agencies have struggled to keep up and this latest report states that in the next five to ten years, the pace will outmatch the U.S. regulatory system. According to the report, biotechnology, like CRISPR, has a rapidly growing scale and scope, which already stresses existing staff, expertise, and resources available at agencies like the EPA, FDA, and USDA. “To respond to the expected increase and diversity of products, the agencies should develop risk-analysis approaches tailored to the familiarity of products and the complexity of their uses, the report says. For biotechnology products that are similar to products already in use, established risk-analysis methods can be applied or modified, and a more expedited process could be used. For products that have less-familiar characteristics or more complex risk pathways, new risk-analysis methods may need to be developed.  Regulatory agencies should build their capacity to rapidly determine the type of risk-analysis approaches most appropriate for new products entering the regulatory system.” Within the report, NAS notes that the federal government needs to develop a strategy to combat the current issues and strengthen their ability to scan for future biotechnology products to better prioritize.

GMU Schar School Master’s Open House 
Have you ever wanted to study topics like CRISPR, bioterrorism, global health security, and pathogens of biological weapons? Good news – we’ve got just the program for you! Come check out GMU’s biodefense MS program at our Open House on Wednesday, March 22nd at our Arlington Campus, Founders Hall (Room 126) at 6:30pm. You can talk to some of our biodefense faculty and learn about our program. Whether you’re looking to take classes in person or earn a degree online, the biodefense MS is the best for the intersection of science and policy.

DARPA Works Towards “Soldier Cell” To Fight Bioweapons 
A bio-control system to fight off invading pathogens? Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie! Well, researchers at Johns Hopkins University just received funding from DARPA to develop the capacity to “deploy single-cell fighters” that would target and eliminate the lethality of certain pathogens. “‘Once you set up this bio-control system inside a cell, it has to do its job autonomously, sort of like a self-driving car,’ said Pablo A. Iglesias, principal investigator on the project. Iglesias, a professor of electrical and computer engineering in the Whiting School, shifted his research focus from man-made to biological control systems about 15 years ago. ‘Think about how the cruise control in your car senses your speed and accelerates or slows down to stay at the pace you’ve requested,’ Iglesias said. ‘In a similar way, the bio-control systems we’re developing must be able to sense where the pathogens are, move their cells toward the bacterial targets, and then engulf them to prevent infections among people who might otherwise be exposed to the harmful microbes’.” This angle, which is being focused on bacteria outside of the body, is just one potential tool in the biodefense arsenal.

Yellow Fever Outbreak in Brazil 
Since December of 2016, Brazilian health officials have reported an ongoing outbreak of yellow fever. The CDC has moved the alert to a  Level 2 – Practice Enhanced Precautions. A report recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine looks at the outbreak and the potential for cases in U.S. territories. In Brazil, there were 234 cases and 80 deaths reported between December and February. “Although it is highly unlikely that we will see yellow fever outbreaks in the continental United States, where mosquito density is low and risk of exposure is limited, it is possible that travel-related cases of yellow fever could occur, with brief periods of local transmission in warmer regions such as the Gulf Coast states, where A. aegypti mosquitoes are prevalent.”

GMU Biodefense Represented At Biothreats Conference
If you missed out on our coverage of ASM’s 2017 Biothreats conference, here’s a spotlight on GMU biodefense students attending this captivating three-day event. GMU’s biodefense program sent four graduate students to experience and report on the conference, which addressed biothreat research, policy, and response. “The program was exciting, according to the George Mason students in attendance. Mercer and Goble recall that the conference engaged topics of specific interest to them, their degree, and their futures. ‘I attended a panel that was very closely related to disease forecasting, my graduate thesis topic,’ Mercer said. ‘I was able to hear some of the cutting-edge research in that field, which was really helpful’. ‘I didn’t really have a part I didn’t like,’ Goble said. ‘I enjoyed the niche topics that were presented in both panel discussions and poster  sessions, from emergency operations to the FDA. All of these specific topics were extremely interesting to hear about and to know they are being researched’.”

Just How Well Did the 2009 Pandemic Flu Vaccine Strategy Work?
Researchers from the University of Nottingham recently looked at the success of vaccines in terms of preventing pandemic flu and reducing hospitalizations. Their work looked at the 2009 WHO-declared pandemic of the novel A(H1N1) virus, which infected around 61 million people around the world. Vaccines against the virus were rolled out globally between September and December of 2009, with the majority being inactivated A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus. Their work involved reviewing 38 studies between June 2011 and April 2016 regarding the effectiveness of the inactivated vaccine, which covered around 7.6 million people. “We found that the vaccines produced against the swine flu pandemic in 2009 were very effective in both preventing influenza infection and reducing the chances of hospital admission due to flu. This is all very encouraging in case we encounter a future pandemic, perhaps one that is more severe,” noted Professor Van Tam said. “Of course, we recognize that it took five to six months for pandemic vaccines to be ready in large quantities; this was a separate problem. However, if we can speed up vaccine production times, we would have a very effective strategy to reduce the impact of a future flu pandemic.” The 2009 pandemic A(H1N1) vaccine was 73% effective against laboratory confirmed cases and 61% against preventing hospitalizations. Interestingly, when looking at the vaccines’ effectiveness in different age groups, “they were shown to be less effective in adults over 18 years than in children, and effectiveness was lowest in adults over 50 years of age. Adjuvanted vaccines were found to be particularly more effective in children than in adults against laboratory confirmed illness (88 per cent in children versus 40 per cent in adults) and hospitalization (86 per cent in children versus 48 per cent in adults).”

Deadly Fungal Infection Arrives in U.S. 
While many are asking if surveillance methods for tracking the deadly CRE bacteria are adequate, a new issue is emerging in U.S. hospitals. Despite WHO’s recent plea for increased R&D surrounding certain resistant pathogens, it seems that more and more organisms of concern are springing up in U.S. hospitals. Since last summer, roughly three dozen people have been diagnosed with a highly resistant Candida auris infection. The fungal infection has caused worry ever since it was identified in 2009 due to its capacity as an emerging and resistant organism. Candida yeast infections are pretty common and known to cause urinary tract infections however, this strain is especially concerning because it easily causes bloodstream infections, has a stronger capacity for transmission between people, and is much more hardy in terms of living on skin and environmental surfaces. “Of the first seven cases that were reported to the CDC last fall, four patients had bloodstream infections and died during the weeks to months after the pathogen was identified. Officials said they couldn’t be sure whether the deaths were caused by the infection because all the individuals had other serious medical conditions. Five patients had the fungus initially isolated from blood, one from urine, and one from the ear.”

CDC Director Warns Loss of DHHS Funds Could Weaken Infectious Disease Prevention
Acting CDC director, Anne Schuchat, recently testified before Congress to make the case for for increased funding for several programs (one being the DHHS’s Prevention and Public Health Fund). Among other things, the Prevention and Public Health Fund is responsible for 12% of the CDC’s budget. Dr. Schucat’s testimony emphasized the previous usage of these funds in terms of vaccine delivery, disease surveillance, monitoring of water supplies, and tracking hospital-acquired infections. The growth of antibiotic resistance made her testimony and plea to Congress that much more relevant and urgent. “The CDC and other government agencies have in recent years cited the numerous public health threats posed by infectious diseases in general, and have lobbied officials for increased funding for research and development of novel vaccines and treatments as well as programs to effectively distribute interventions as needed. In 2016, for example, the CDC, DHHS, and National Institutes of Health requested federal funding to combat Zika, a request that was not approved until late in the year.”

Stories You May Have Missed:

  • Science on Screen – Don’t miss this great event hosted by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory! On March 18th, you can watch the second installment of the Science on Screen series, featuring “Lawrence Livermore scientists Monica Borucki and Jonathan Allen, who will present ‘Reconstructing a Rabies Epidemic: Byte by Byte.’ This informative and entertaining lecture will explain how biologists and computer scientists used cutting-edge, ultra-deep sequencing technology to study the dynamics of a 2009 rabies outbreak. This case study, based on a dramatic increase (more than 350 percent) in the gray fox population infected with a rabies variant for which striped skunks serve as the reservoir hosts, will be used to help illustrate the changes in the viral genome during cross-species viral transmission. This lecture is appropriately paired with the feature-length film, “Contagion” (PG-13).”
  • Clorox Gets Spot on EPA A-Team – Clorox just earned its varsity spot on the team against hospitality-acquired infections. The EPA approved two of the company’s products in killing clostridium difficile spores. C-diff is a constant battle in healthcare facilities, so having the new tool in the infection prevention and environmental disinfection toolkit, is a huge advantage for many. “In addition, the cleaners and wipes recently become EPA-registered to disinfect against other bacterial infections, such as those caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Candida glabrata, and Enterococcus hirae. Moreover, the products are also effective against several viral pathogens, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), measles, and Influenza A and B, among others.”

 

Pandora Report 3.3.2017

by spopescu, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to March! On Tuesday, Russia cast its seventh veto and China cast its sixth veto to aid in protecting the Syrian government from UNSC actions and sanctions regarding chemical weapons attacks.

DIY Gene Editing Gets Faster, Cheaper, and More Worrisome
CRISPR/Cas-9 lab projects may not have been a possibility when I was in high school, but today’s students are getting a taste for genome editing. The technology has allowed relative amateurs to easily and cheaply learn gene editing tactics. “The question is, can we rely on individuals to conduct their experiments in an ethical and appropriately safe way?” says Maxwell Mehlman, a professor of law and bioethics at Case Western Reserve University, who is working with do-it-yourself scientists to develop DIY Crispr ethical guidelines. “The jury is out,” he says. “Crispr is too new. We have to wait and see.” GMU’s Dr. Koblentz has noted dual-use research is a wicked problem, and it seems that CRISPR/Cas-9 is one as well. Do-it-yourself (DIY) CRISPR kits can be purchased online for $150 and you can even get a handful of tutoring sessions for $400. While these products and experiments utilize harmless organisms, it’s not hard to see why so many are worried about the potential for misuse. Harvard University’s Dana Bateman visits high school classrooms for a lesson on CRISPR and during her time, she poses several ethical questions to the students. Dr. Bateman “asked a group of seventh-grade students whether Crispr should be deployed to bring extinct animals back to life. After a spirited discussion, one student asked, ‘How can we decide if we aren’t sure what will happen?’ Ms. Bateman replied that such questions will increasingly be part of public debate, and that everyone, including 12-year-olds, can benefit from learning about Crispr.” Learning the ins and outs of CRISPR isn’t so easy that it’s comparable to switching batteries in a remote, but probably closer to a complex set of IKEA instructions (ok, that’s a bit of an over simplification, but you catch my drift). Simply put, CRISPR does make DIY gene editing easier and cheaper, but foundational knowledge or instruction is still necessary. In this moment, we’re racing to catch up with the pace of innovation and understanding the risks versus rewards is proving more difficult. What are your thoughts on this hot topic?

China’s New BSL-4 Lab Plans 10729_lores
The Chinese mainland is hoping to see the construction of at least five BSL-4 labs by 2025. A laboratory in Wuhan is currently in the accreditation and clearance phase to work with the most deadly pathogens we face. While many celebrate the building  of this new lab, others are concerned about the biosafety and biosecurity risks. The increase in biodefense labs and programs has created several trade-offs for work with such high-risk pathogens.  Each new lab presents a new risk – for both biosafety failures and biosecurity failures. Biosafety failures are already plaguing U.S. labs – will this be the case with China’s labs? “The Wuhan lab cost 300 million yuan (US$44 million), and to allay safety concerns it was built far above the flood plain and with the capacity to withstand a magnitude-7 earthquake, although the area has no history of strong earthquakes. It will focus on the control of emerging diseases, store purified viruses and act as a World Health Organization ‘reference laboratory’ linked to similar labs around the world.” Skeptics have pointed to several escapes of SARS from a high-level containment facility in Beijing. Several biosafety and biosecurity experts are highlighting the need for transparency and an open and responsible culture. Addressing issues with staff at all levels and opening the floor for an honest and frank discussion regarding concerns from those working in the environment is vital to addressing the issues that may not be seen at a higher level.

WHO’s List of Superbug Super Offenders  screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-10-19-28-am
If there was an A-list for multi-drug resistant organisms, this would be it. This first-of-its-kind list, highlights the “priority pathogens” that comprise of twelve families of bacteria “that pose the greatest threat to human health”. “The list was developed in collaboration with the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Tübingen, Germany, using a multi-criteria decision analysis technique vetted by a group of international experts. The criteria for selecting pathogens on the list were: how deadly the infections they cause are; whether their treatment requires long hospital stays; how frequently they are resistant to existing antibiotics when people in communities catch them; how easily they spread between animals, from animals to humans, and from person to person; whether they can be prevented (e.g. through good hygiene and vaccination); how many treatment options remain; and whether new antibiotics to treat them are already in the R&D pipeline.” Not only is the publishing of this list an indicator as to the seriousness of the issue, but it signals a desperate plea for the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antibiotics. The three most critical bacteria on the list are carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae that are both carbapenem-resistant and ESBL-producing.

Kim Jong Un and the Case of the of VX Nerve Agent 
Last week saw the shocking revelation by Malaysian police that Kim Jon-nam, half-brother to North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, had been assassinated with the nerve agent, VX. The use of VX has left many wondering gif Kim Jong-un decided to use this overt form of assignation to signal his possession and willingness to use it or was this a botched assassination that was supposed to look like a natural death? Since this event has taken us into uncharted territory, many chemical and biological weapons experts are weighing in on what this means. GMU biodefense professor and graduate program director, Gregory Koblentz, pointed out that “it’s very hard to make an accurate intelligence assessment”. The dual-use nature of bio-chem weapon production facilities and materials makes intelligence gathering that much more difficult. “While Kim Jong-un is unpredictable, seasoned Korea watchers see method in what may sometimes seem like madness. And that leads them to doubt that he actually intends to use nuclear weapons — which make more sense as a bargaining chip in dealing with the US and other powers. Pyongyang’s chemical arsenal is a different prospect, however. ‘If there’s a conflict on the Korean peninsula, North Korea would probably use chemical weapons early on,’ Koblentz said.”

PHEMCE Review: Accomplishments and Future Areas of Opportunity 
GMU Biodefense PhD student and VP of Marketing at Emergent BioSolutions, Rebecca Fish, is looking at the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) and their recent strategic implementation plan. Highlighting their four goals and sample accomplishments, Rebecca looks at their work on emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) like Ebola response and Zika. While PHEMCE has made great progress, there is still room for engagement and opportunity. Rebecca points to their plans to incentivize innovation, “while biotechnology is increasing at an exponential rate, and the opportunity for misuse (bioterrorism) is increasing, the number of companies interested in making significant investment in medical countermeasures development is decreasing. There are important MCM innovation gaps that need to be addressed.” She notes that PHEMCE activity encompasses a great deal of federal agencies, which can make work that much more challenging. “However, the PHEMCE effort still requires strong, centralized leadership and a comprehensive strategic plan with measurable outcomes against which progress can be reported. It’s impressive that so many groups are working on these challenges, but who is determining the overall strategic plan? How does it come together? Which single individual has responsibility for the entire biodefense strategic effort? Who is managing the enterprise U.S. biodefense budget? No one. No one has clear accountability for the U.S. biodefense strategy, and this puts our country at risk.”

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Announces 2017 Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity
The Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University has announced the new class of emerging leaders in biosecurity. GMU is happy to announced that one of our Biodefense PhD students, Saskia Popescu, was named among the 2017 emerging leaders. “The program’s goal is to build a multidisciplinary network of biosecurity practitioners and scholars. ELBI is supported by a grant from the Open Philanthropy Project. As part of its commitment to grow and support the field of biosecurity, the Center has selected 28 Fellows from the US, the UK, and Canada. As in previous years, this year’s Fellows have backgrounds in government, the biological sciences, medicine, national security, law enforcement, public health preparedness, and the private sector.” Congrats to the new class of emerging leaders!

Multivariate Analysis of Radiation Responsive Proteins to Predict Radiation Exposure in Total-Body Irradiation and Partial-Body Irradiation Models
GMU Biodefense PhD student, Mary Sproull, is working to strengthen medical countermeasures in the event of a radiological or nuclear attack. Advanced screening and medical management of those exposed are vital during such an event. “In such a scenario, minimally invasive biomarkers that can accurately quantify radiation exposure would be useful for triage management by first responders. In this murine study, we evaluated the efficacy of a novel combination of radiation responsive proteins, Flt3 ligand (FL), serum amyloid A (SAA), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), fibrinogen beta (FGB) and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) to predict the received dose after whole- or partial-body irradiation.” Researchers found that the novel combination of radiation responsive biomarker proteins are an efficient and accurate tactic for predicting radiation exposure. You can read the paper here.

Stories You May Have Missed:

  • OPCW Call for Nominations For A Workshop on Policy & Diplomacy for Scientists – The OPCW Technical Secretariat is organizing a workshop, “Introduction to Responsible Research Practices in Chemical and Biochemical Sciences”, from September 12-15, 2017. “The objective of the workshop is to raise awareness among young scientists on the policy and diplomacy aspects that are related to the use of chemicals in various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, and other related fields.” Check out their link for more info on applying for admission and/or a scholarship.
  • Epidemic Tracking Tool Wins Open Science Grand Prize – A new prototype, Nextstrain, has won the new Open Science Prize. This tool analyzes and tracks genetic mutations during the Ebola and Zika outbreaks and they’re hoping to use it for other viruses. “Everyone is doing sequencing, but most people aren’t able to analyze their sequences as well or as quickly as they might want to,” Bedford said. “We’re trying to fill in this gap so that the World Health Organization or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — or whoever — can have better analysis tools to do what they do. We’re hoping that will get our software in the hands of a lot of people.”