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By Category: Public Health

Massive International Effort To Stop Polio Epidemic Across West Africa

Health experts today confirmed that a devastating polio epidemic in west African countries is on the verge of being stopped – but warned that complacency could breathe new life into the outbreak. Since mid-2009, polio has re-infected eleven countries across west Africa, claiming many lives and leaving hundreds of children paralyzed for life…

March 28, 2011
| Filed under Africa, International, and Public Health
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World TB Day — March 24, 2011

World TB Day is observed each year on March 24 to commemorate the date in 1882 when Robert Koch announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). Worldwide, TB remains one of the leading causes of death from infectious disease. World TB Day provides an opportunity for TB programs, nongovernmental organizations, Read More »

March 24, 2011
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, South Asia, International, and Public Health
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The Emerging Threat of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Southern Africa: Global and Local Challenges and Solutions

The IOM Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation and the Academy of Science of South Africa held a workshop March 3-4, 2010, in Pretoria, South Africa—the first in a series of international meetings designed to gather information from experts on the threat of drug-resistant TB and ways it can be combated.

March 24, 2011
| Filed under Africa and Public Health
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North Korea: FAO says urgent vaccine and equipment needed to contain Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Around a million dollars of equipment and vaccines are urgently required to help stem outbreaks of deadly Foot-and-Mouth disease in North Korea, followed by a more prolonged and concerted effort to modernize veterinary services in the country, according to a joint FAO and OIE mission sent to North Korea.

March 24, 2011
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Agriculture, and Public Health
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The unsolved anthrax murder mystery

The US public health system has serious vulnerabilities, and one major problem is identifying and responding to public health crimes. The investigation into the 2001 anthrax attacks is a case in point. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently published its report on the scientific methodologies used in the FBI investigation into the anthrax-laced letters Read More »