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Biosecurity News in Brief

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Public Health Preparedness Archive

Bio Briefing - Public Health Preparedness

Biosecurity Briefing articles relating to public health preparedness.

  1. TFAH Releases Annual Ready or Not? Report (12-15-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On December 9, 2008, Trust for America's Health (TFAH) released its 6th annual report Ready or Not? 2008: Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism.
    Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:16:24 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-12-15-tfahannualreport.html

  2. FDA Revises Food Import Standards (11-17-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On November 10, 2008, CIDRAP reported that the FDA is changing its requirement for the advance notice of food imports following the October release of its final rule and draft compliance, which will take effect May 6, 2009.
    Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:38:44 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-11-17-fdarevisesfoodimprtstand.html

  3. Climate Change and Global Health: A Role for Public Health (11-17-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The American Journal of Preventative Medicine released a special November issue that focuses entirely on the intersection of climate change and global health.
    Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:33:15 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-11-17-climatechngeglobalhealth.html

  4. CRS Examines Applicability of the Stafford Act in an Influenza Pandemic (11-03-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The Congressional Research Service provides a legal analysis of whether an influenza pandemic would fit under the definition of a major disaster as written in the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
    Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:17:48 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-11-03-crsstaffordactflupan.html

  5. TFAH Issues Public Health Recommendations for the Next Administration (10-27-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On October 21, 2008, the nonprofit health advocacy group, Trust for America's Health (TFAH), released a public health policy guide for the next Congress, president, and federal executive administration.
    Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:56:01 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-10-27-tfahphrecomendnextadmin.html

  6. CDC Awards $24 Million for Pandemic Preparedness (10-06-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The CDC announced award of $24 million for 29 state and local public health depts. to engage in pan. prep, with a specific focus on community-based practical approaches that could prevent or delay the spread of flu virus.
    Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:39:15 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-10-06-cdcawardspanprep.html

  7. NBSB Report Suggests Improvements for NDMS (09-29-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) held a meeting to discuss a report titled Strategic Improvements to the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), which was issued by the NBSB Disaster Medicine Working Group.
    Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:24:37 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/hosp_prep/2008-09-29-nbsbrptsuggestimprovndms.html

  8. Study Indicates Few Effects from Hong Kong's Flu-Related School Closure (09-22-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Hong Kong researchers have published the results of a study indicating that a 2-week school closure in Hong Kong during the March 2008 influenza epidemic had little positive effect on the outcome of the epidemic.
    Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:24:15 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-09-22-feweffectshongkongschoolclose.html

  9. Government Earns "C" for WMD Terrorism Prevention and "C-" for Bioterrorism Prevention (09-15-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The Partnership for a Secure America released a study of U.S. efforts to prevent WMD terrorism, assigning the government a grade of C for its WMD prevention efforts and a grade of C- specifically for biological terrorism prevention.
    Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:13:46 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-09-15-govterrorismprevention.html

  10. IOM Releases Summary of Workshop on Methods for Dispensing Medical Countermeasures (08-25-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events released a workshop summary entitled "Dispensing Medical Countermeasures for Public Health Emergencies."
    Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:59:31 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-08-25-iomsumwkshpdispnsmedcntr.html

  11. Federal Government Releases Final Guidance on Allocating Pandemic Influenza Vaccine (07-28-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: HHS and DHS released the final version of Guidance on Allocating and Targeting Pandemic Influenza Vaccine. This final document includes input from stakeholders and the public.
    Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:00:59 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/govt_response/2008-07-28-fedguideallocatefluvac.html

  12. Study Finds that Rapid Tools for Measuring Fever are Not Reliable for Screening for Infection (07-28-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: According to a new study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, infrared thermal devices, which measure the temperature of an individual's skin, are poor predictors of whether or not that individual has a fever.
    Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:53:39 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-07-28-rpdtlsfeverunrelscrinfec.html

  13. AHLA Issues Checklist on Pandemic Legal Preparedness for Healthcare Providers (07-18-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) recently released the document, Community Pan-Flu Preparedness: A Checklist of Key Legal Issues for Healthcare Providers.
    Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:20:10 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-07-18-ahlacklstpanlegelprep.html

  14. HHS to Provide Over $1 Billion in Grants for Public Health and Hospital Preparedness (06-06-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: HHS Secy. Mike Leavitt announced that the agency is allocating nearly $1.1 billion for the FY2008 Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) cooperative agreements.
    Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:10:59 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/govt_response/2008-06-06-hhs1billionphhospprep.html

  15. Task Force Provides Guidance for Managing Mass Critical Care during a Disaster (05-09-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Four articles from journal Chest offer guidance for hospitals, health professionals, and public health officials on providing mass critical care during a disaster. The documents were drafted by the Task Force for Mass Critical Care.
    Mon, 12 May 2008 16:41:36 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/hosp_prep/2008-05-09-guideancecritcaredisaste.html

  16. IOM Report Provides Recommendations for Antiviral Distribution and Dispensing Planning; Toronto Stockpiles Antivirals for Workers (05-02-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: IOM released report, Antivirals for Pandemic Influenza: Guidance on Developing a Distribution and Dispensing Program. Toronto approved a plan to purchase antiviral medication to treat city employees in the event of flu pandemic.
    Mon, 05 May 2008 16:45:31 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/2008-05-02-iomantiviraldistribution.html

  17. DHS Releases Summary of TOPOFF 4 After Action Report (04-25-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The Department of Homeland Security FEMA issued a press release announcing the availability of "preliminary observations from national exercise TOP OFFICIALS 4 (TOPOFF 4)."
    Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:03:50 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-04-25-dhstopoff4afteractionrpt.html

  18. ASTHO Releases Draft Guidance for Protecting At-Risk Populations during a Pandemic (04-18-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) released draft planning guidance to help state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments address the needs of at-risk populations during a flu pandemic.
    Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:18:20 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/community_engage/2008-04-18-asthodraftguideprotect.html

  19. Study Reinforces Critical Role of Effective Communication with Public in Health Emergencies, FCC Approves Text Messaging Alert System for Disasters (04-11-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: A study in the American Journal of Public Health highlights effective communication with the public about emerging health threats. Also, FCC adopts rules allowing wireless carriers to transmit timely and accurate alerts, warnings.
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:26:58 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-04-11-communicationphemergency.html

  20. Study Calls Attention to the Importance of Minimizing Disparities in Pandemic Planning (04-04-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: A new study published by Emerging Infectious Diseases describes the specific "ways in which different socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups might fare differently in an influenza pandemic..."
    Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:31:56 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-04-04-studyminimizedisparities.html

  21. TFAH Reports Disparities, Reductions in Public Health Funding (04-04-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Trust for America's Health released a new report that examines federal and state funding for public health as well as key health indicators and total per capita public health spending for each state.
    Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:53:23 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-04-04-tfahrprtsphfunding.html

  22. ASPR Makes First Playbook Available (03-28-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: DHHS/ASPR has published the first in a planned series of playbooks addressing response to disasters and other large scale emergencies.
    Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:18:53 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-03-28-aspr1stplaybook.html

  23. CDC/HHS Hold Pandemic Flu Exercises (03-21-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: In January 2007, the CDC began a series of exercises to determine the types of challenges that may arise in the early stages of an influenza pandemic. CIDRAP News reported the CDC recently held the fourth exercise in this series.
    Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:41:10 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-03-21-cdchhspanfluexercises.html

  24. National Governors Association Evaluates States' Pandemic Preparedness (03-14-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On February 28, 2008, the National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) released an interim report to evaluate the level of pandemic preparedness of states.
    Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:52:08 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-03-14-natlgovassocevalpanprep.html

  25. Study: MedKits Show Promise as a Countermeasure Distribution Strategy (03-14-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: A study of the CDC MedKit concept demonstrated that pre-positioning caches of antibiotics in individual households could be an effective strategy to ensure public has access to medical countermeasures after a release of anthrax.
    Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:14:59 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-03-14-medkitscntrdiststrategy.html

  26. IOM Hosts Workshop on Strategies to Improve Medical Countermeasure Dispensing (03-14-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The Institute of Medicine convened the "Workshop on Medical Countermeasures Dispensing." The meeting focused largely on business sector involvement in and solutions for countermeasures distribution.
    Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:01:05 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-03-14-iomwrkshpmedcntrdispense.html

  27. ASPH Report: Public Health Workforce Shortages to Reach Crisis Conditions (03-07-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) announced at a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill that "the current public health workforce is inadequate to meet the health needs of the U.S. and global population."
    Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:05:49 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-03-07-asphphwrkforceshortage.html

  28. California Establishes the Nation's First State Cabinet Position for Volunteer Management (03-07-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Governor Schwarzenegger of California announced the creation of the first state cabinet-level office for volunteer management in the nation in an effort to "move civic engagement to the highest levels of state government."
    Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:14:10 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/community_engage/2008-03-07-ca1stcabinetvolunteermgt.html

  29. 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

  30. CDC Issues First Report on States' Public Health Preparedness (02-22-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The CDC released a report that evaluated, on a state-by-state basis (and the District of Columbia), the cumulative impact of the agency's Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreements.
    Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:36:56 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-02-22-cdcreportstatesphp.html

  31. DHS Releases National Response Framework (01-25-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The Dept of Homeland Security released the National Response Framework, which is intended to be "a guide to how the Nation conducts all-hazards response" to disaster management.
    Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:26:36 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/govt_response/2008-01-25-dhsreleasenatlrespframe.html

  32. Study Finds Electronic Information Improves Disease Reporting by Clinicians (01-18-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: A study in the Journal of PH Mgmt and Practice finds that physicians may be "significantly" more likely to report notifiable diseases to PH agencies if they are given electronic disease reporting instructions and email reminders.
    Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:39:38 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/2008-01-18-studyelecinfoimprovrpt.html

  33. ACLU Advocates Changes to Government Pandemic Plans, Enters into Dialogue with HHS (01-18-2008)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The ACLU identifies concerns about a perceived shift in pandemic planning strategy in the post-Sept 11 era which, according to the ACLU, has moved away from a public health focus and toward a law enforcement/nat'l security focus.
    Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:30:03 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-01-18-acluadvocateschanges.html

  34. GAO Identifies Shortcomings in Coordination of Federal Pandemic Preparedness Efforts (09-14-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: The GAO released a review of federal pandemic influenza preparedness activities entitled Influenza Pandemic: Further Efforts are Needed to Ensure Clearer Federal Leadership Roles and an Effective National Strategy.
    Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:29:19 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-09-14-gaoshortcomingsfedpandemicprep.html

  35. 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

  36. HHS Announces an Extra $75 Million for State/Local Pandemic Preparedness (08-31-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: HHS Secretary Leavitt announced that his department is making available an additional $75 million for "states, territories and four metropolitan areas to help strengthen their capacity to respond to a pandemic influenza outbreak."
    Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:02:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-08-31-hhsannouncesextra75milpanprep.html

  37. WHO Finds Infectious Disease Spread a Major Public Health Security Threat (08-31-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On August 23, 2007 the World Health Organization (WHO) released its 2007 World Health Report on global public health threats in the 21st century. The report focuses on the increasing threat from infectious diseases.
    Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:28:43 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/content/2007-08-31-whofindsinfectiousdisphsecuritythreat.html

  38. New Study Examines Ways to Raise Influenza Vaccination Rates Among Hard-to-Reach Populations (08-24-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: In July 2007, the Journal of Urban Health published a study that finds that most pandemic preparedness plans fail to consider the specific challenges of distributing influenza drugs and vaccines to hard-to-reach populations.
    Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:46:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/community_engage/content/2007-08-24-studyexamsraisefluvachardreachpop.html

  39. HHS to Provide $430 Million in Grants to Improve Medical Preparedness and Response to Mass Casualty Disasters (07-06-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On June 28, 2007, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, announced the award of $430 million in grants to states, territories, and four major metropolitan areas to better prepare healthcare networks.
    Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:39:50 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/hosp_prep/content/2007-07-06-hhstoprovidegrantstoimprovemedicalprep.html

  40. WHO Releases Response Plan for Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (06-22-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On June 22, 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the launch of its new Global Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Extremely Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) Response Plan.
    Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:26:47 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/content/2007-06-22-who_responseplandrugresistanttb.html

  41. Analysis of Toronto SARS Experiences Questions Effectiveness of Quarantine, Cancellation of Elective Procedures (06-22-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Two articles in Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) analyze the medical and public health impacts of the SARS outbreak in Toronto and call into question the effectiveness of quarantine and restrictions on elective procedures.
    Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:46:55 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/pub_health_prep/content/2007-06-22-analysistorontosarsquarantine.html

  42. HHS Announces CBRN Advisory Board and Pandemic Vaccine Contracts (06-22-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced that the agency has established a public health advisory board to provide guidance on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. He also announced contracts for flu vaccine.
    Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:36:01 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/govt_response/content/2007-06-22-hhscbrnadvisorybrdvaxcontracts.html

  43. Study: First Responders Will Report for Duty If Protected (06-01-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: Study published in the journal Disaster Management and Response, most first responders surveyed would not fulfill their duties in an infectious disease outbreak such as smallpox or pandemic influenza, for fear of exposure to illness.
    Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:56:28 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/hosp_prep/content/2007-06-01-studyfirstresponderswillrpt.html

  44. 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

  45. Indonesia to Share Virus for Vaccine; New H5N1 Cases in Turkey, Egypt (02-16-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: On Feb 16, 2007 the AP reported that Indonesia will share H5N1 virus samples with WHO only if developing countries are guaranteed equal access to affordable vaccine once it is produced. Also, Turkey and Egypt report H5N1.
    Fri, 16 Feb 2007 18:13:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-02-16-indonesiasharesampforvac.html

  46. Americans Believe Nation Is Unprepared for Flu Pandemic, Bioterror Attack (02-09-2007)

    Biosecurity Briefing: A Trust for America�s Health (TFAH) survey conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research reveals that concern among Americans about biological and chemical terrorism has increased during the last year.
    Fri, 09 Feb 2007 15:51:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-02-09-americansbelievenationunprepared.html

  

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