WHO Avian Flu Risk Assessment -- May 2017 (
Avian Flu Diary) Roughly once a month the WHO releases an updated Influenza at the human-animal interface report, that details novel human flu infections reported since the last update and provides a risk assessment. Today's report - covering the 25 days between April 22nd-May 16th - adds 93 H7N9 cases, 1 H5N1 case in Egypt, 1 H9N2 case in China, and an H3N2v case in Texas.
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Domestic Preparedness & Response
Global Health Security
Preventing Outbreaks: US Investment in Global Health Security Training (
Global Biodefense) Biological agents including viruses, bacteria, and toxins, can devastate local economies with their potential effects on humans and livestock. In addition to potentially catastrophic immediate impact, these agents could also set in motion long-term disasters, causing regional instability and challenging international security.
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See Also:
Unbreakable: Building the Resilience of the Poor in the Face of Natural Disasters (
World Bank) The Climate Change and Development Series was created in 2015 to showcase economic and scientific research that explores the interactions between climate change, climate policies, and development. The series aims to promote debate and broaden understanding of current and emerging questions about the climate-development nexus through evidence-based analysis.
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Medicine & Public Health
Baltimore Braces for Spread of Mosquito-Borne Zika (
Baltimore Sun) Led by Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, city officials outlined plans to try and keep Baltimore free of trash, clear storm drains and look for improper grading at the city's public housing complexes that can lead to free-standing water where mosquitoes breed.
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Sustainability of High-Level Isolation Capabilities Among US Ebola Treatment Centers (
Emerging Infectious Diseases) During the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, 56 hospitals in the US were designated by the CDC as Ebola treatment centers (ETCs). ETCs added national capacity to care for patients with highly infectious diseases; that is, hazardous, easily transmissible, life-threatening illnesses with limited treatment options, such as EVD and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
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Science & Technology
Other 21st Century Threats
Europe's Rising Tide of Attacks Show Diminishing Political Effect (
Reuters) It shouldn't be a surprise that Islamic State was quick to claim responsibility for Monday's suicide attack in Manchester that killed 22 people. As its last territory in Iraq's second city of Mosul falls to US-backed Iraqi forces and its Syrian capital Raqqa is encircled, the group is increasingly desperate for legitimacy.
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