Biological Agents & Infectious Diseases
Increase in Acute Flaccid Myelitis - United States, 2018 (
CDC)
In August 2018, CDC noted an increased number of reports of patients having symptoms clinically compatible with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare condition characterized by rapid onset of flaccid weakness in one or more limbs and spinal cord gray matter lesions, compared with August 2017. Since 2014, CDC has conducted surveillance for AFM using a standardized case definition (1,2). An Epi-X* notice was issued on August 23, 2018, to increase clinician awareness and provide guidance for case reporting. Go to article
Enterovirus D68 - The New Polio?
(Frontiers in Microbiology) Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has emerged over the recent years, with large outbreaks worldwide. Increased occurrence has coincided with improved clinical awareness and surveillance of non-polio enteroviruses. Studies showing its neurotropic nature and the change in pathogenicity have established EV-D68 as a probable cause of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). Go to article
An Update of Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria
(NCDC) An update of Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria for Week 45.
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Ebola Virus Disease, Democratic Republic of the Congo, External Situation Report 15
(WHO)
In the reporting Week 44 (October 29-4 November, 2018) five new confirmed cases were reported from Edo (3), Ondo (1) and Ebonyi (1) state with two new deaths in Edo (1) and Ebonyi (1).
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Government Affairs & National Security
With Democrats in Control of US House, Science Panel Gets Fresh Start
(Science) The results of last week's divisive midterm elections, with Democrats reclaiming control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Republicans likely strengthening their hold on the Senate, have allowed both parties to claim victory. US scientists are also experiencing mixed emotions.
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Global Health Security
WHO Novel Flu Summary & Risk Assessment - November
(Avian Flu Diary) Despite a welcomed drop in H7N9 activity in China over the past year following a massive 2017 H5+H7 poultry vaccination campaign, we've continued to see a few sporadic human infections with HPAI H5N6 in the region, with one case reported in September and another in October.
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Medicine & Public Health
Merck Takes Key Step Toward Approval of Experimental Ebola Vaccine
(Stat) Merck said Tuesday that it has begun the process of submitting the evidence it will use to seek approval for its experimental Ebola vaccine, a crucial step in the drug maker's long effort to bring the vaccine to market.
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(CDC)
Since their first detection in China in 1992, avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses of the G1 and BJ94 lineages have become enzootic to poultry in Asia and parts of Africa. Go to article
Science & Technology
Beyond Risk Considerations: Where and How Can a Debate about Non-safety Related Issues of Genome Editing in Agriculture Take Place?
(Frontiers in Plant Science) Beyond risk considerations: Where and how can a debate about non-safety related issues of genome editing in agriculture take place?
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(AP)
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a global leader of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, today announced that the company has been awarded a contract for iQ-Check real-time PCR pathogen detection test kits and the iQ-Check Prep Automation System from the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Go to article
Other 21st Century Threats
The Chemists' War (New York Times) One hundred years after the end of World War I, the Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up the relics of experiments that helped develop chemical weapons to counter the Germans' gas attacks.
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