Willingness to Accept a Future Influenza A(H7N9) Vaccine in Beijing, China ( Vaccine) The present study aimed to estimate residents' willingness to accept a future H7N9 vaccine and its determinants in the general adult population in Beijing, China. Go to article

Children with Congenital Zika Virus Infection ( CDC) Most children born with microcephaly--small head size for age--and evidence of congenital Zika virus infection face severe health and developmental challenges at ages 19-24 months, according to results from a new investigation led by the CDC in collaboration with the State Health Secretariat of Paraíba and the Ministry of Health of Brazil. Go to article

See Also: Health and Development at Age 19-24 Months of 19 Children Who Were Born with Microcephaly and Laboratory Evidence of Congenital Zika Virus Infection During the 2015 Zika Virus Outbreak--Brazil, 2017 ( MMWR) In November 2015, the Brazilian Ministry of Health declared the Zika virus outbreak a public health emergency after an increase in microcephaly cases was reported in the northeast region of the country. Go to article

Virulence, Pathology, and Pathogenesis of Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) in BALB/c Mice: Development of an Animal Infection Model for PRV ( PLOS: Neglected Tropical Diseases) Cases of acute respiratory tract infection caused by Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) of the genus Orthoreovirus have been reported in Southeast Asia, where it was isolated from humans and bats. It is possible that PRV-associated respiratory infections might be prevalent in Southeast Asia. The clinical course of PRV is not fully elucidated. Go to article

Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance Amongst Intestinal Escherichia coli Isolated from Children in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa ( bioRxiv) Antimicrobial resistance dynamics are poorly understood in developing countries, where data on the prevalence of AMR in enteric bacteria are sparse, particularly among children and in the community setting. Here we use a combination of phenotyping, genomics and antimicrobial usage data to investigate patterns of AMR amongst atypical enteropathogenic E. coli strains isolated from children less than 5 years old in 7 over a 3 year period. Go to article

Domestic Preparedness & Response

Natural Disasters and the Implications of Missing So Much School ( npr) It's no secret that we've had a rough fall and winter with natural disasters. Even as we write this, fires burn in Southern California, adding to the previous wildfires in the northern part of the state that burned over 245,000 acres in October. Go to article

A Three-Tiered Solution for Puerto Rico ( Washington Post) The people of Puerto Rico--who are, of course, US citizens--have been and remain in very serious trouble. Their economy was already stalled before their debt crisis revealed their unsustainable financial situation. Then, Hurricane Maria led to a humanitarian crisis that persists to this day, and much of the island remains without electricity almost three months after the storm. It is unimaginable that such devastation would go unaddressed in any state in our union. Go to article

Global Health Security

Healthcare Costs Are Pushing Millions into Extreme Poverty. This Outrage Must End ( World Economic Forum) A friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. He had 2 options. He could be treated, but it would cost him most or all of the money he had put aside for his family's future. Or he could forego treatment, allow the disease to run its course and die knowing his family would have a more comfortable life, even if he was not there to enjoy it with them.  Go to article

See Also: Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2017 Global Monitoring Report ( WHO) A number of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 have targets that relate to health. However, one goal--SDG 3--focuses specifically on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Target 3.8 of SDG 3--achieving universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all--is the key to attaining the entire goal as well as the health-related targets of other SDGs. Go to article