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Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-persp...an-jul-16-2019
News Scan for Jul 16, 2019
Rising European measles vaccination; Biodefense panel discussions
Filed Under:
Biosecurity Issues; Bioterrorism; Measles
European measles vaccine coverage rising in wake of increased outbreaks
The World Health Organization (WHO) European regional office said yesterday that the region achieved 91% coverage for the second dose of measles vaccine, signifying the second consecutive year that the area has reached a record high.
Increasing vaccination levels might be fueled by a resurgence of measles in the region, where between Jan 1, 2018, and May 30, 2019, 49 of 53 countries reported more than 160,000 cases and more than 100 deaths.
"The dramatic increase compared to previous years has been a wake-up call that the disease is serious, highly infectious and a persistent health risk for any susceptible child or adult, no matter where they live," the WHO said in its statement.
Rising measles circulation, the result of a build-up in the number of susceptible people in communities with suboptimal measles vaccine coverage, prompted the WHO on May 6 to activate a grade 2 emergency response.
In its situation report, the WHO said 80,345 cases have been reported in 2019 through May, which isn't far behind the surge of 84,411 cases reported for all of 2018. It notes that because measles is so contagious, 95% coverage with 2 measles-containing vaccine doses is needed to prevent outbreaks, and so far progress in the region isn't sufficient.
Jul 15 WHO European regional office statement
Jul 15 WHO situation report
Biodefense panel airs tactics for defending against biological threats
The bipartisan Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense on Jul 11 held a meeting in New York City to discuss a "Manhattan project" for biodefense, a national public-private effort to defend the United States against biological threats including biological warfare, bioterrorism, and infectious diseases.
The event was streamed live, and the group has posted the video of the 6-hour event on YouTube. Topics included pursuit of a universal flu vaccine, local perspectives on biologic threats, the latest research from federal and military groups, and efforts from the private sector.
The event also spotlighted the group's partnership with author Max Brooks on a graphic novel, first released in April and available for free on the group's website, called "Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History". Brooks is the author of World War Z and is a fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point.
In 2015, the panel released a blueprint for fixing biodefense gaps, which contained 33 urgent recommendations and 100 action items.
Jul 11 Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense event backgrounder
Jul 12 Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense meeting video
Graphic novel download link
Oct 29, 2015, CIDRAP News story "Panel report recommends blueprint for fixing biodefense gaps"
News Scan for Jul 16, 2019
Rising European measles vaccination; Biodefense panel discussions
Filed Under:
Biosecurity Issues; Bioterrorism; Measles
European measles vaccine coverage rising in wake of increased outbreaks
The World Health Organization (WHO) European regional office said yesterday that the region achieved 91% coverage for the second dose of measles vaccine, signifying the second consecutive year that the area has reached a record high.
Increasing vaccination levels might be fueled by a resurgence of measles in the region, where between Jan 1, 2018, and May 30, 2019, 49 of 53 countries reported more than 160,000 cases and more than 100 deaths.
"The dramatic increase compared to previous years has been a wake-up call that the disease is serious, highly infectious and a persistent health risk for any susceptible child or adult, no matter where they live," the WHO said in its statement.
Rising measles circulation, the result of a build-up in the number of susceptible people in communities with suboptimal measles vaccine coverage, prompted the WHO on May 6 to activate a grade 2 emergency response.
In its situation report, the WHO said 80,345 cases have been reported in 2019 through May, which isn't far behind the surge of 84,411 cases reported for all of 2018. It notes that because measles is so contagious, 95% coverage with 2 measles-containing vaccine doses is needed to prevent outbreaks, and so far progress in the region isn't sufficient.
Jul 15 WHO European regional office statement
Jul 15 WHO situation report
Biodefense panel airs tactics for defending against biological threats
The bipartisan Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense on Jul 11 held a meeting in New York City to discuss a "Manhattan project" for biodefense, a national public-private effort to defend the United States against biological threats including biological warfare, bioterrorism, and infectious diseases.
The event was streamed live, and the group has posted the video of the 6-hour event on YouTube. Topics included pursuit of a universal flu vaccine, local perspectives on biologic threats, the latest research from federal and military groups, and efforts from the private sector.
The event also spotlighted the group's partnership with author Max Brooks on a graphic novel, first released in April and available for free on the group's website, called "Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History". Brooks is the author of World War Z and is a fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point.
In 2015, the panel released a blueprint for fixing biodefense gaps, which contained 33 urgent recommendations and 100 action items.
Jul 11 Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense event backgrounder
Jul 12 Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense meeting video
Graphic novel download link
Oct 29, 2015, CIDRAP News story "Panel report recommends blueprint for fixing biodefense gaps"