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By Category: Agents & Toxins

Undetected H5N1 cases seem few, but questions persist

(CIDRAP News) The fatality rate for officially confirmed human cases of H5N1 avian influenza infection is a stunningly high 59% (345 deaths in 584 cases). But the current controversy over publishing data about transmissible H5N1 viruses has revived a debate about whether the virus is as lethal as those numbers say. Some proponents of publishing Read More »

February 10, 2012
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Europe, North America, South Asia, Agents & Toxins, Public Health, and Research
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Bureau Reviews: BioSecurity in the UK

(Bureau of Investigative Journalism) The radio documentary explored the state of biosecurity in the UK, throwing a disturbing light on the potential for mass outbreaks. Over the course of 40 minutes reporter Gerry Northam navigates the listener through a world of dangerous substances, possible leaks and failures in planning. The story begins with an anthrax Read More »

February 10, 2012
| Filed under Europe, Agents & Toxins, Biological Weapons, Bioterrorism, Countermeasures, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Public Health
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Soligenix Demonstrates Positive Proof of Concept with its Proprietary Vaccine …

(Press Release) “We are very excited about these results as the achievement of extended stability under elevated temperature represents a significant step forward in vaccine technology,” stated Robert N. Brey, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Soligenix. “These studies successfully establish the proof of concept that our vaccine thermostabilization technology works and now allows for the Read More »

February 8, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Biotechnology, Countermeasures, and Research
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Pakistani Officials Order Anthrax Checks of All Mail Sent to Provincial Leaders

(Global Security Newswire) Pakistani security officials have ordered that all mail intended for the chief minister and governor of a regional northwest province be examined for anthrax, Central Asia Online reported on Friday. Personnel at the officials’ residences in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been told to be on the alert for parcels containing the bacteria, Read More »

February 8, 2012
| Filed under South Asia, Agents & Toxins, and Bioterrorism
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Preliminary Consultation on H5N1 Research Issues

(World Health Organization) Recently, two unpublished research studies on the transmissibility of influenza A H5N1 viruses have raised urgent questions related to the two studies, as well as broader concerns related to the balance between scientific research and public concerns …