Recent News

By Region: Asia/Pacific

MPI defends biosecurity capability

(RadioNewZealand) An Auditor-General’s report released on Thursday identifies weaknesses in readiness to deal with a biosecurity outbreak such as foot and mouth disease. The report says the ministry’s planning is unrealistic and undeliverable. A biosecurity consultant for the World Bank, Roger Morris, believes the ministry has shifted its emphasis from protecting New Zealand against threats Read More »

March 1, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Biosafety, and Policy & Initiatives
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New Zealand: Biosecurity cuts could lead to another PSA scale disaster

(FreshPlaza) New Zealand First is warning that proposed cuts to biosecurity will lead to another disaster on the scale of PSA in kiwifruit. That disease has been identified as originating in China. Rt Hon Winston Peters says Government assurances that it has been objective and rigorous in investigating the biosecurity breach are hollow.

February 27, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific and Biosafety
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Universal Influenza Antiviral Breakthrough

(GlobalBiodefense) Scientists from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) have helped to design a new drug to safeguard against epidemic and pandemic flu strains. The new antiviral agent has been proven to be effective in preventing the spread of different strains of influenza in laboratory models – including resistant strains of the virus.

February 25, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Countermeasures, and Research
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Unchecked antibiotic use in animals may affect global human health

(Eurekalert) The increasing production and use of antibiotics, about half of which is used in animal production, is mirrored by the growing number of antibiotic resistance genes, or ARGs, effectively reducing antibiotics’ ability to fend off diseases – in animals and humans. A study in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy Read More »

February 12, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific and Public Health
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Takeo Girl Fifth to Die From H5N1

(CambodiaDaily )A 5-year-old girl died of avian influenza on Thursday, the fifth person to die from the highly contagious virus in Cambodia since January 21, the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health said in a joint statement on Friday. The girl, from Takeo province’s Prey Kabbas district, had been in regular contact with Read More »