https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/all-news
Analysis suggests climate change, population growth could supercharge malaria risk
News brief
28 minutes ago.
Lisa Schnirring
Topics
Climate Change
Malaria
An analysis published by the Washington Post yesterday, based on modeling projections and the situation unfolding in Mozambique, suggests that climate change and demographic growth could put 5 billion more people at risk for malaria by 2040.
The analysis said longer transmission seasons and migration of mosquitoes to new latitudes threaten to undo years of progress. The new report also said Mozambique and other countries with highest malaria burden also have some of the world’s fastest-growing populations.
Of the 5 billion more people expected to be at higher risk in 2040, 1 billion are in Africa. The Post also estimates that 330 million people in South America could be at risk by 2070. The report notes that changing climate patterns not only encourage mosquito habitats, but also make it difficult to time control measures, such as indoor spraying.
The report provided detailed projections for different regions. In the United States, for example, warming temperatures and increased rainfall could lengthen malaria transmission seasons in some areas of the South, posing a threat where there is no population immunity—factors that could lead to higher morbidity and mortality.
Support for tools to battle resistant malaria
In another malaria development, Ocean Biomedical announced today that one of its scientists, Jonathan Kurtis, MD, has received a $1 million Falk Medical Research Trust Transformational Award to further the development of a new class of antimalaria drug candidates.
The program—focused on three key targets in the malaria parasite’s blood stage—includes a small-molecule drug candidate for treating severe malaria and an antibody for short-term prevention. The company said the tools are designed to address growing resistance to current artemisinin-based therapies.
AstraZeneca submits FDA application for self-administered FluMist
News brief
31 minutes ago.
Lisa Schnirring
Topics
Influenza Vaccines
AstraZeneca today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review its application for the option for its FluMist flu vaccine to be self- or caregiver-administered, which if approved will be the first vaccine available for self-administration or by caregivers, offering another option for flu vaccination.
In a statement, the company said its application is supported by a usability study that confirmed that people ages 18 and older can self-administer or give the vaccine to people ages 2 though 49 years old when given instructions, but not other guidance.
AstraZeneca said it expects a decision from the FDA during the first quarter of 2024, which would pave the way for its availability through that new route for the United States' 2024-25 flu season.
Ravi Jhaveri, MD, who heads the company’s infectious diseases division, said the self-administered option leverages FluMist's unique attributes and provides a convenient new choice. "Vaccination rates for children and adults under 50 years of age declined in the 2022-2023 flu season, highlighting a need for more accessible solutions," he said. "The ability for individuals and parents to choose where to administer an injection-free flu vaccine could help increase access and, subsequently, vaccination rates, and greatly benefit those most impacted by this serious and contagious respiratory illness."
Research shows small reduction in long COVID with antiviral use
News brief
Today at 2:00 p.m.
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics
COVID-19
Today in JAMA Internal Medicine researchers from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health describe a small reduction in post-COVID condition (PCC or long COVID) among US adults ages 65 and older who were treated with either the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) or molnupiravir (Lagevrio).
The studies were based on Medicare enrollees diagnosed as having COVID-19 from January to September 2022. Prescription of nirmatrelvir or molnupiravir was considered to be indicative of COVID-19 infection, as at-home testing was widely available during the study period.
PCC was defined as any new occurrence (not present prior to COVID-19 diagnosis) of 11 noted symptoms from 4 to 12 weeks after infection, including fatigue, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, and memory problems.
Antivirals less protective in women
In a cohort of 313,262 participants, 51,658 took nirmatrelvir during acute infection, and 8,089 took molnupiravir. PCC incidence was 11.8% among patients receiving nirmatrelvir, 13.7% for molnupiravir, and 14.5% for neither. The absolute risk reduction was 2.7% for nirmatrelvir and 0.8% for molnupiravir.
The effect was smaller among females, Asian, Black, and Hispanic race, and patients with lower incomes. The hazard ratio for females compared to males was 0.89 compared to 0.84 for nirmatrelvir, and 0.95 compared to 0.88 for molnupiravir.
"The current approved use of the 2 drugs is for the prevention of severe acute COVID-19," the authors wrote. "Our findings suggest that they may also have a role in preventing PCC."
"Our findings suggest that they may also have a role in preventing PCC.
Notably, the authors said vaccination status was not included in any final analysis. Though the study showed a smaller benefit to the approved antivirals than previous studies, it is one of the largest studies to look at the effect of the drugs on PCC.
New Zealand reports 5th straight year of drop in veterinary, agricultural antibiotics
News brief
Today at 12:47 p.m.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Total sales of veterinary and horticultural antibiotics in New Zealand fell for the fifth straight year, according to a report today from New Zealand Food Safety.
The 2022 Antibiotic Agricultural Compound Sales Analysis shows that total antibiotic sales quantities fell by 12,389 kilograms (kg) in 2022, a 23% reduction, and have fallen by 42% since 2017. Sales of critically important antibiotics, which are also used in human medicine and should be considered the last option for animal infections, fell by 563 kg (8%) from 2021 and have been cut by 30% since 2017.
Most veterinary antibiotic sales (57%) were for dairy cattle, followed by pigs (16%), and horses (9%). Beef cattle, meat poultry, sheep, and companion and non-production animals each accounted for 4% of total veterinary antibiotic sales.
Focus on appropriate use
New Zealand health officials say the reductions in veterinary and agricultural antibiotics are linked to the 2017 New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Action Plan, which was developed by New Zealand Food Safety, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders from the human health, animal health, and agriculture sectors.
"The ongoing decrease in the use of antibiotics can be put down to a concerted effort from industry and New Zealand Food Safety to ensure these important medicines are used appropriately," deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said in a news release. "The continued vigilance of veterinarians, farmers and other industry stakeholders, as well as our ongoing monitoring and support, are an effective way to minimise the incidence of AMR."
Arbuckle said New Zealand Food Safety is also reviewing regulatory oversight of antibiotics used in plants and animals for the next 5-year AMR action plan, which is scheduled to be released next year. That review could lead to further reductions in veterinary and agricultural antibiotic use, he said.
The ongoing decrease in the use of antibiotics can be put down to a concerted effort from industry and New Zealand Food Safety to ensure these important medicines are used appropriately.
ALL BRIEFS
Analysis suggests climate change, population growth could supercharge malaria risk
News brief
28 minutes ago.
Lisa Schnirring
Topics
Climate Change
Malaria
An analysis published by the Washington Post yesterday, based on modeling projections and the situation unfolding in Mozambique, suggests that climate change and demographic growth could put 5 billion more people at risk for malaria by 2040.
The analysis said longer transmission seasons and migration of mosquitoes to new latitudes threaten to undo years of progress. The new report also said Mozambique and other countries with highest malaria burden also have some of the world’s fastest-growing populations.
Of the 5 billion more people expected to be at higher risk in 2040, 1 billion are in Africa. The Post also estimates that 330 million people in South America could be at risk by 2070. The report notes that changing climate patterns not only encourage mosquito habitats, but also make it difficult to time control measures, such as indoor spraying.
The report provided detailed projections for different regions. In the United States, for example, warming temperatures and increased rainfall could lengthen malaria transmission seasons in some areas of the South, posing a threat where there is no population immunity—factors that could lead to higher morbidity and mortality.
Support for tools to battle resistant malaria
In another malaria development, Ocean Biomedical announced today that one of its scientists, Jonathan Kurtis, MD, has received a $1 million Falk Medical Research Trust Transformational Award to further the development of a new class of antimalaria drug candidates.
The program—focused on three key targets in the malaria parasite’s blood stage—includes a small-molecule drug candidate for treating severe malaria and an antibody for short-term prevention. The company said the tools are designed to address growing resistance to current artemisinin-based therapies.
AstraZeneca submits FDA application for self-administered FluMist
News brief
31 minutes ago.
Lisa Schnirring
Topics
Influenza Vaccines
AstraZeneca today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review its application for the option for its FluMist flu vaccine to be self- or caregiver-administered, which if approved will be the first vaccine available for self-administration or by caregivers, offering another option for flu vaccination.
In a statement, the company said its application is supported by a usability study that confirmed that people ages 18 and older can self-administer or give the vaccine to people ages 2 though 49 years old when given instructions, but not other guidance.
AstraZeneca said it expects a decision from the FDA during the first quarter of 2024, which would pave the way for its availability through that new route for the United States' 2024-25 flu season.
Ravi Jhaveri, MD, who heads the company’s infectious diseases division, said the self-administered option leverages FluMist's unique attributes and provides a convenient new choice. "Vaccination rates for children and adults under 50 years of age declined in the 2022-2023 flu season, highlighting a need for more accessible solutions," he said. "The ability for individuals and parents to choose where to administer an injection-free flu vaccine could help increase access and, subsequently, vaccination rates, and greatly benefit those most impacted by this serious and contagious respiratory illness."
Research shows small reduction in long COVID with antiviral use
News brief
Today at 2:00 p.m.
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics
COVID-19
Today in JAMA Internal Medicine researchers from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health describe a small reduction in post-COVID condition (PCC or long COVID) among US adults ages 65 and older who were treated with either the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) or molnupiravir (Lagevrio).
The studies were based on Medicare enrollees diagnosed as having COVID-19 from January to September 2022. Prescription of nirmatrelvir or molnupiravir was considered to be indicative of COVID-19 infection, as at-home testing was widely available during the study period.
PCC was defined as any new occurrence (not present prior to COVID-19 diagnosis) of 11 noted symptoms from 4 to 12 weeks after infection, including fatigue, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, and memory problems.
Antivirals less protective in women
In a cohort of 313,262 participants, 51,658 took nirmatrelvir during acute infection, and 8,089 took molnupiravir. PCC incidence was 11.8% among patients receiving nirmatrelvir, 13.7% for molnupiravir, and 14.5% for neither. The absolute risk reduction was 2.7% for nirmatrelvir and 0.8% for molnupiravir.
The effect was smaller among females, Asian, Black, and Hispanic race, and patients with lower incomes. The hazard ratio for females compared to males was 0.89 compared to 0.84 for nirmatrelvir, and 0.95 compared to 0.88 for molnupiravir.
"The current approved use of the 2 drugs is for the prevention of severe acute COVID-19," the authors wrote. "Our findings suggest that they may also have a role in preventing PCC."
"Our findings suggest that they may also have a role in preventing PCC.
Notably, the authors said vaccination status was not included in any final analysis. Though the study showed a smaller benefit to the approved antivirals than previous studies, it is one of the largest studies to look at the effect of the drugs on PCC.
New Zealand reports 5th straight year of drop in veterinary, agricultural antibiotics
News brief
Today at 12:47 p.m.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Total sales of veterinary and horticultural antibiotics in New Zealand fell for the fifth straight year, according to a report today from New Zealand Food Safety.
The 2022 Antibiotic Agricultural Compound Sales Analysis shows that total antibiotic sales quantities fell by 12,389 kilograms (kg) in 2022, a 23% reduction, and have fallen by 42% since 2017. Sales of critically important antibiotics, which are also used in human medicine and should be considered the last option for animal infections, fell by 563 kg (8%) from 2021 and have been cut by 30% since 2017.
Most veterinary antibiotic sales (57%) were for dairy cattle, followed by pigs (16%), and horses (9%). Beef cattle, meat poultry, sheep, and companion and non-production animals each accounted for 4% of total veterinary antibiotic sales.
Focus on appropriate use
New Zealand health officials say the reductions in veterinary and agricultural antibiotics are linked to the 2017 New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Action Plan, which was developed by New Zealand Food Safety, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders from the human health, animal health, and agriculture sectors.
"The ongoing decrease in the use of antibiotics can be put down to a concerted effort from industry and New Zealand Food Safety to ensure these important medicines are used appropriately," deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said in a news release. "The continued vigilance of veterinarians, farmers and other industry stakeholders, as well as our ongoing monitoring and support, are an effective way to minimise the incidence of AMR."
Arbuckle said New Zealand Food Safety is also reviewing regulatory oversight of antibiotics used in plants and animals for the next 5-year AMR action plan, which is scheduled to be released next year. That review could lead to further reductions in veterinary and agricultural antibiotic use, he said.
The ongoing decrease in the use of antibiotics can be put down to a concerted effort from industry and New Zealand Food Safety to ensure these important medicines are used appropriately.
ALL BRIEFS