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By Category: Policy & Initiatives

Smallpox Vaccine Approved for Wider Use in U.S.

Danish biotechnology firm Bavarian Nordic on Wednesday said its smallpox vaccine has been authorized for use across a broader section of the U.S. populace in the event of a crisis. While the United States has enough standard smallpox vaccine on hand to safeguard all residents against a biological strike involving the virus, the product could Read More »

July 15, 2012
| Filed under Europe, North America, Countermeasures, and Policy & Initiatives
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U.S. should scale down $1 billion Kansas biodefense lab: study

(The Chicago Tribune) – The United States should consider scaling down ambitious plans for a $1 billion laboratory in Kansas to study potentially deadly animal diseases, the National Research Council said on Friday in a key report to help the government decide how to proceed.

July 14, 2012
| Filed under North America, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
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Scaled-back NBAF and NBAF as designed are options that could meet critical

(Phys.Org) It is “imperative” that the U.S. build a large-animal biocontainment laboratory to protect animal and public health, says a new report by the National Research Council. Two options that could meet long-term needs include the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) facility as currently designed, or a scaled-back version tied to a distributed laboratory Read More »

July 13, 2012
| Filed under North America and Policy & Initiatives
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Letter carriers respond to fictional bioterror attacks

(Washington Post) A total of 2 million households in five cities will have a surprise visit from their letter carrier this summer, and the carriers won’t be delivering mail. Escorted by a police officer, they will deposit up to two bottles of emergency doxycyclene in each mailbox, first responders to a fictional anthrax or other Read More »

July 13, 2012
| Filed under North America and Policy & Initiatives
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Possible cargo fee supports biosecurity

(KUAM.com) Guam – The Department of Agriculture and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency are moving forward with a memorandum of agreement to improve biosecurity and the local inspection process. According to entomologist Dr. Russell Campbell, a prior law authorizes the Department of Agriculture to put forward a new fee modeled after Hawaii’s in order Read More »