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By Category: Agents & Toxins

Cambodia reports 4th and 5th H5N1 avian influenza cases in two female pre-teens

(The Global Dispatch) The Kingdom of Cambodia appears to be showing a continuation of the increased numbers of human H5N1 avian influenza from 2013, where they reported 26 cases. The Cambodian Ministry of Health reported Thursday two additional cases of the dangerous virus in two girls, ages 10 and 11.

March 2, 2014
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Agents & Toxins, International, and Public Health
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Faster anthrax detection could speed bioterror response

(R&D) Shortly following the 9/11 terror attack in 2001, letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to news outlets and government buildings killing five people and infecting 17 others. According to a 2012 report, the bioterrorism event cost $3.2 million in cleanup and decontamination. At the time, no testing system was in place that officials could Read More »

February 27, 2014
| Filed under Agents & Toxins, Bioterrorism, Countermeasures, and Research
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Potential biomarkers of death identified in Ebola hemorrhagic fever

(Infectious Disease News) Recent data published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases identified certain chemokines and cytokines that were associated with death, hemorrhage and viremia related to Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Researchers from the Viral Special Pathogens Branch of the CDC evaluated serum samples from patients affected by Sudan virus-associated Ebola hemorrhagic fever during an outbreak Read More »

February 27, 2014
| Filed under Agents & Toxins, Public Health, and Research
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UNC Researchers Discover New Target For Dengue Virus Vaccine

(redOrbit) By re-engineering a tiny chain of amino acids in one type of dengue virus, Ralph Baric and Aravinda de Silva discover a new path toward solving the dengue vaccine dilemma. The research has the potential to transform vaccine development for other diseases, including SARS and HIV. Creating a vaccine that protects people from all Read More »

February 27, 2014
| Filed under Agents & Toxins and Research
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Faster Anthrax Detection Could Speed Bioterror Response and Save Millions in Decontamination Costs, MU Study Finds

(Health News) According to a 2012 report, the bioterrorism event cost $3.2 million in cleanup and decontamination. At the time, no testing system was in place that officials could use to screen the letters. Currently, first responders have tests that can provide a screen for dangerous materials in about 24-48 hours. Now, researchers at the Read More »