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Biosecurity News in Brief

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Agents and Diseases Archive

Anthrax | Plague | Smallpox | Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers | Other
 

Anthrax

Bio Briefing - Bio Agents: Anthrax

Biosecurity Briefing articles relating to anthrax biological agents.

  1. BARDA, NIAID Award Anthrax Monoclonal Antibody Contract; NIAID Awards Botulinum Antitoxin Contract (09-15-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On September 3, 2008, Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., announced that it had been awarded a $24.3 million contract to develop its anthrax monoclonal antibody AVP-21D9. The contract was awarded jointly by BARDA and NIAID.
    Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:32:36 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/countrmeasr_dev/2008/2008-09-15-anthraxantibodybotulinumantitox.html

  2. Anthrax Outbreak follows Bird Flu Outbreak in West Bengal (02-15-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Bans lifted on poultry sales in West Bengal, India, following serious H5N1 flu outbreak in South Asia. Also, anthrax infection was confirmed in cows in West Bengal and two neighboring states.
    Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:27:33 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-02-15-anthraxbirdflubengal.html

  3. House Committee Concerned About Timeline for Acquisition of Anthrax Countermeasures (09-14-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The House Committee on Homeland Security expressed disappointment regarding the pace with which the agency has moved toward the development and procurement of a recombinant protective antigen anthrax vaccine.
    Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:03:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/countrmeasr_dev/content/2007/2007-09-14-housecomtimeanthraxcounter.html

  4. Candidate Anthrax Treatment Receives Orphan Drug Designation (03-10-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On March 6, Medarex, Inc. and PharmAthene, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan-drug designation to Valortim� (MDX- 1303).
    Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:22:30 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-03-10-candidateanthraxtrtmtgetsor.html

  5. Confiscation of Anthrax Questionable after Arrest of Taliban Spokesman (01-19-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On January 17, 2007, the Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that Afghanistan authorities had arrested a �high-profile� Taliban spokesman. Packets of a powder suspected to be anthrax were confiscated from the spokesman.
    Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2007-01-19-confiscationanthraxquestionable.html

  6. Study Finds Capitol Hill Anthrax Exposure More Widespread than Previously Thought (01-12-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: New study in Journal of Infectious Diseases provides an epidemiological and immunological analysis of individuals exposed to Bacillus anthracis spores during the 2001 anthrax attack on Capitol Hill.
    Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2007-01-12-capitolhillanthraxexposuremorewidespread.html

  7. HHS Extends VaxGen's Deadline to Resolve Clinical Hold on Anthrax Vaccine (11-17-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: VaxGen announced that the US Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended by more than a month the deadline for VaxGen to resolve the clinical hold placed on its anthrax vaccine trials by the Food and Drug Administration.
    Fri, 17 Nov 2006 20:11:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-11-17-hhsvaxgendeadline.html

  8. Delays in Anthrax Vaccine Delivery Raise Concerns about BioShield Process (08-18-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The San Jose, CA Mercury News reports recent concerns about delivery of a new anthrax vaccine being developed by VaxGen and funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
    Fri, 18 Aug 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-08-18-anthraxvxdeliverydelays.html

  9. HHS Buys Additional Anthrax Therapeutic for the SNS (07-28-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On July 28, HHS announced that it had awarded a $143,833,719 contract to Cangene Corporation (Cangene) for the purchase of 10,000 therapeutic courses of Anthrax Immune Globulin (AIG) for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
    Fri, 28 Jul 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-07-28-hhsbuysaddlanthxtherapforsns.html

  10. HHS Purchases Anthrax Therapeutic for the SNS; Development of Additional Candidate Anthrax Therapeutics Continues (06-23-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On June 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it has exercised the option under its contract with Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (HGS) to purchase ABthraxTM for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
    Fri, 23 Jun 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-06-23-hhspurchasesanthraxtherapeuticforSNS.html

  11. New Anthrax Vaccine with Improved Stability Sought (06-19-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On June 12, Avecia Biotechnology announced that it had received a $3.9 million grant from the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop an anthrax vaccine with "improved stability."
    Mon, 19 Jun 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-06-19-newnanthraxvaccinewithimprovedstabilitysought.html

  12. FDA Issues Warning to VaxGen Regarding its Anthrax Vaccine (03-31-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On April 4, the USDA's Office of Compliance and Biologics Quality (OCBQ) made public a warning letter it sent to VaxGen, Inc. on March 24, 2006, regarding VaxGen's candidate anthrax vaccine (rPA102).
    Fri, 31 Mar 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-03-31-fdaissueswarningtovaxgenreg.html

  13. Pentagon Releases Report on Response to March 2005 Anthrax Incidents (03-31-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: According to a March 24 Department of Defense (DoD) press release, the RAND Corporation delivered an assessment to the Pentagon on the department's response to three suspected anthrax incidents that occurred in March 2005.
    Fri, 31 Mar 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-03-31-pentagonreleasesreportonmar.html

  14. VaxGen Responds to Concerns About its Anthrax Vaccine (03-24-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On March 17, VaxGen responded to a recent Washington Post report that VaxGen has encountered problems with its anthrax vaccine, rPA102, that may delay its delivery to the government for the Strategic National Stockpile.
    Fri, 24 Mar 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/anthrax/2006-03-24-vaxgenrespondstoconcernsabo.html

  
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Plague

Bio Briefing - Bio Agents: Plague

Biosecurity Briefing articles relating to plague biological agents.

  1. Plague Bacteria Able to Survive in Soil; More Study Needed to Determine Biodefense, Public Health Implications (06-27-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, published a study that may help "shed light" on the "long standing mysteries of how Yersinia pestis persists during [periods of time between disease outbreaks among animals]."
    Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:24:34 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/plague/2008-06-27-plaguesurvivesoil.html

  2. Researchers Concerned about Growing Threat of Plague (01-18-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Several news reports released this week highlighted a study published in the journal PLoS Medicine about the growing threat of plague. Plague is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, and it is carried by rodents.
    Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:39:59 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/plague/2008-01-18-researchconcernplague.html

  
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Smallpox

Bio Briefing - Bio Agents: Smallpox

Biosecurity Briefing articles relating to smallpox biological agents.

  1. CDC Reports Vaccinia Infections among Laboratory Workers, Stresses Importance of Vaccination and Biosafety (04-25-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: According to the CDC, state health departments reported a total of five cases of laboratory-acquired vaccinia infection to the CDC between 2005-2007. Vaccinia (VACV) is the live virus component of the smallpox vaccine.
    Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:02:55 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/smallpox/2008-04-25-cdcrptsinfectionlabwrkrs.html

  2. Acambis Wins USG Contract for Smallpox Vaccine (04-25-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Reuters reported that British vaccine developer Acambis won a $425 million, 10-year contract to supply the U.S. govt with 9 million doses of the ACAM2000 smallpox vac. each year for delivery to the Strategic National Stockpile.
    Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:51:43 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/smallpox/2008-04-25-acambisusgsmallpoxvac.html

  3. Study Shows Smallpox Vaccine Effective in Diluted Doses (02-16-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The March 15, 2007 edition of the Journal of Infectious Diseases published a study conducted to determine if diluted doses of smallpox vaccine offers effective protection from the disease.
    Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:57:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/smallpox/2007-02-16-studysmallpxvaceffectivesmdose.html

  4. Progress on Development of 3rd Generation Smallpox Vaccines (03-03-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Among the abstracts presented at the ASM Biodefense Research Meeting were several pertaining to the development of potentially safer smallpox vaccines
    Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:15:40 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/smallpox/2006-03-03-progressondevelof3rdgensmal.html

  5. Study Finds Greater Risks Associated with European Smallpox Vaccine (09-08-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On August 22, 2006, the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine published a study indicating that the European smallpox vaccine may have higher morbidity and mortality to than the U.S. vaccine due to differences in strain.
    Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/smallpox/2006-09-08-risksassociatedeuropeanvacc.html

  6. Recent Discoveries May Lead to New Smallpox Treatment and SARS Vaccine (08-11-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: In an August 4 news release, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine announced the discovery of a smallpox virus enzyme which may provide clues to the development of new drugs to target the virus.
    Fri, 11 Aug 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/smallpox/2006-08-11-recentdiscovsmpxSARS.html

  7. HHS Amends Request for Proposal for Third Generation Smallpox Vaccine (07-28-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On July 24, HHS issued an amendment to its request for proposal (RFP) for the acquisition of third generation smallpox vaccine based on modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
    Fri, 28 Jul 2006 20:18:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/smallpox/2006-07-28-hhsamendsrfpfor3rdgensmpxvx.html

  
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Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Bio Briefing - Bio Agents: Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Biosecurity Briefing articles relating to viral hemorrhagic fevers.

  1. Novel Strain of Arenavirus Circulating in South Africa (11-03-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On October 13, 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that 4 recent deaths in Zambia and South Africa resulted from infection with a novel strain of Arenavirus.
    Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:58:59 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/vhf/2008-11-03-novelarenavirussoafrica.html

  2. Brazil Continues to Struggle with Dengue (04-11-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On April 9, 2008, Agence France Presse reported that dengue has infected more than 75,000 in Brazil so far. In Rio de Janeiro, the state hit hardest by the outbreak, 18,000 new infections and 12 deaths were reported in the last week.
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:58:33 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/vhf/2008-04-11-brazilstrugglewithdengue.html

  3. Brazil Struggles to Control Dengue Epidemic (03-28-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported that an ongoing epidemic of dengue fever in Brazil has resulted in 32,000 infections and 49 deaths so far this year, with most cases occurring in Rio de Janeiro.
    Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:37:35 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/vhf/2008-03-28-brazilstrugglescntldengue.html

  4. Uganda Seeks Coordinated Response to Ebola Outbreak (12-07-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Reuters reported that at least 22 people have died and up to 93 have been infected with Ebola in Uganda as of 12-06-07. This outbreak is believed to be caused by "a previously unrecorded type of Ebola, making it a fifth strain."
    Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:50:04 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/content/2007-12-07-ugandaseekscoordresponseebola.html

  5. After Ebola Outbreak, Uganda Looks Back at Challenges (02-29-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: A series of articles published within the last week provide new insight on the challenges Uganda faced in trying to control a recent outbreak of Ebola.
    Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:11:40 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/vhf/2008-02-29-ebolaugandalookschallenges.html

  6. DRC Shuts Border with Uganda as Ebola Outbreak Persists (12-14-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: IRIN reported that Uganda's neighbor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has "closed the lake and land border with Uganda and shut down two markets as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of Ebola from its neighbor."
    Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:37:44 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/viral_hemorrhagic_fevers/2007-12-14-drcshutsborderugandaebola.html

  7. WHO Responds to Ebola Outbreak in the Congo (09-14-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: WHO issued a report about an outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of September 11, WHO was "aware" of 372 suspected cases and 166 deaths suspected to be associated with the outbreak.
    Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:20:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/content/2007-09-14-whoebolaoutbreakcongo.html

  8. Fruit Bats Are Likely Reservoir for Marburg Virus (08-24-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On August 22, 2007, scientists published a study in the Journal Public Library of Science (PLoS ONE) on the discovery of a "common species of fruit bat" (Rousettus aegyptiacus) as a natural reservoir for the Marburg virus.
    Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:54:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/viral_hemorrhagic_fevers/2007-08-24-fruitbatsreservoirmarburgvirus.html

  9. Experimental Marburg Virus Vaccine May Confer Protection against Disease when Administered Post-Exposure (05-01-2006)

    Biosecurity Briefing: A study published April 27 by the journal Lancet found that an experimental vaccine against Marburg haemorrhagic fever may protect against disease when administered after exposure to Marburg virus.
    Mon, 01 May 2006 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/content/viral_hemorrhagic_fevers/2006-05-01-experimentalmarburgvaxmayco.html

  
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Other

Bio Briefing - Bio Agents: Other

Biosecurity Briefing articles relating to biological agents.

  1. Study Examines Role of Human Migration Patterns in Re-Emergence of Tuberculosis in Beijing (09-08-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The September 2008 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) includes an article regarding tuberculosis cases in Beijing, drawing attention to the contribution of migration patterns to the total disease burden in the city.
    Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:09:32 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/other/2008-09-08-migrantpoptbbeijing.html

  2. Large Q Fever Epidemic Ongoing in the Netherlands (08-18-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On July 31, 2008, Eurosurveillance published a study about an ongoing Q fever outbreak in the Netherlands; as of July 24, 677 cases have been reported this year. In past years, relatively few cases of Q fever were reported.
    Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:06:19 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/2008-08-18-qfevernetherlands.html

  3. Emergent BioSolutions Wins NIAID Grants, Sanofi to Acquire Acambis (08-04-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., announced it has been awarded two grants from NIAID for the development of botulism and next-generation anthrax vaccine candidates. AP reported that sanofi-aventis will acquire vaccine-maker Acambis PLC.
    Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:15:47 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/other/2008-08-04-emergentniaidsanofiacambis.html

  4. New WHO Survey Finds Global Increase in Drug-Resistant TB Infections (02-29-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On Feb. 26, 2008, the WHO released the Fourth Global Report entitled Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance in the World, which, "presents findings from the largest survey to date on the scale of drug resistance in tuberculosis."
    Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:59:11 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/other/2008-02-29-whofindsincreasedrugresisttb.html

  5. Ricin Discovered in Las Vegas Hotel Room; FBI Says Not Linked to Terrorism (02-29-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On Feb. 28, 2008, CNN.com reported that police in Las Vegas, Nevada, are "investigating the discovery of . . . the deadly poison ricin in a hotel room." The FBI told Reuters that this is "not thought to be terrorism related."
    Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:36:16 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/agents_diseases/other/2008-02-29-ricininlasvegashotelnotterrorism.html

  
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