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By Category: International

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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Study of deadly flu sparks debate amidst fears of new pandemic

(Ars Technica) The 2009 flu pandemic, although not especially deadly, revealed just how quickly a new influenza virus could elude surveillance and spread internationally. It also left health experts eying the disease that many fear could cause the next pandemic: H5N1, the avian flu. According to World Health Organization standards, that virus is phenomenally deadly, Read More »

February 7, 2012
| Filed under Europe, North America, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
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Flu Work Akin to Nuclear-Bomb Experiments, Board Says

(Global Security Newswire) Experts who made an unprecedented recommendation that bird-flu researchers hold back some details of their work justified the controversial decision on Tuesday, saying that the experiments were akin to the 1940s work on nuclear weapons or the first attempts at genetic engineering in the 1970s.

February 1, 2012
| Filed under Europe, North America, International, Policy & Initiatives, Public Health, and Research
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Botswana hamstrung with Mmamabaka Border Post

(Mmegi Online) MOLALATAU: Residents of Molalatau village in Bobirwa have pleaded with the Botswana government to consider lending the Zimbabwean government money to construct Mmamabaka border post on the Zimbabwe side for effective control of Foot and Mouth Disease.

January 31, 2012
| Filed under Africa, Agriculture, International, and Policy & Initiatives
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Experts Weigh in on Bird Flu Research

(PBS NewsHour) Earlier this month, the scientists who altered the H5N1 virus to create a more contagious strain that’s transmissible between ferrets, agreed to a temporary moratorium, due to safety concerns. That decision has, if anything, intensified the debate. What began as a question on whether scientific journals should publish the complete research has grown Read More »