Smallpox News and Research

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Smallpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the Orthopox virus family. It is one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity, with a mortality rate as high as 30%. In 1967, the World Health Organization embarked upon an intensified vaccination campaign to eliminate smallpox, which culminated in the successful eradication of the disease globally by 1980.

By the mid-1980s, there were only two known repositories of variola virus: the Institute of Virus Preparations in Russia, and the US CDC. The events in the US in September and October 2001 highlighted the risk that the variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism. Governments around the world are taking precautionary measures to be ready to deal with a potential smallpox outbreak.

Radiation combined with cancer-targeting virus therapy more effective in fighting brain tumors

Combining a cancer-targeting virus with radiation to treat brain cancer in mice was more effective than either therapy on its own according to University of Alberta research, providing hope for new treatments that combine immunotherapy with traditional surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

20 Jun 2023

Wastewater data unveils underreported Mpox cases in Texas

A recent study characterizes the analytical sensitivity of three assays used to detect MPXV in wastewater samples.

31 May 2023

CDC reports on its Mpox response

Research paper provides an overview of the U.S. monkeypox outbreak, highlighting the rapid response, vaccination efforts, and racial disparities in cases. Ongoing surveillance, vaccination, and communication are emphasized as crucial for future prevention.

24 May 2023

JYNNEOS vaccine shows strong effectiveness against Mpox in New York outbreak

In the recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers reported on JYNNEOS vaccine effectiveness (VE) against Mpox infections among New York (NY) residents in 2022.

23 May 2023

Real-world assessment of JYNNEOS vaccine effectiveness during the 2022 mpox outbreak in the US

A recent study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report estimated the efficacy of the JYNNEOS vaccine against mpox.

22 May 2023

Alcohol-based disinfectants can effectively protect against monkeypox viruses

The virus remains infectious on steel surfaces for up to 30 days, but can be effectively inactivated by alcohol-based disinfectants.

15 May 2023

New study finds elevated inflammatory cytokines and lymphocytes linked to rare cases of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination

Researchers investigated a cohort of patients who developed myocarditis after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

10 May 2023

HIV status does not affect Tecovirimat treatment outcomes for Mpox virus infection

A retrospective cohort study comparing the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of people with HIV and those without HIV who were treated with tecovirimat for confirmed mpox virus infection. The study found that HIV status did not seem to affect treatment outcomes.

4 May 2023

Structure of protein methyltransferase from the monkeypox virus deciphered

Scientists from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague have deciphered the structure of the protein methyltransferase from the monkeypox virus

30 Apr 2023

Research identifies Th1 memory CD4+ T cells as key to protect against emerging poxvirus skin infections

Researchers demonstrate that T helper 1 effector memory cluster of differentiation 4 T cells provide immunity against poxviruses

27 Apr 2023

World Health Day: Giving Universal Health Coverage a Platform

News Medical commemorates World Health Day by reflecting on the past, present, and potential of public health, with a particular focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and its importance to public health.

6 Apr 2023

Study reviews the diagnosis and treatment of acute myocarditis

Scientists have recently reviewed and summarized the evidence regarding diagnosing and treating acute myocarditis.

6 Apr 2023

Scientists receive federal funding to model the emergence and spread of biological threats

Modeling the emergence and spread of biological threats isn't as routine as forecasting the weather, but scientists in two of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories were awarded funding to try to make it so.

5 Apr 2023

Efficacy of a single dose of MVA-BN smallpox vaccine against Mpox

A recent The Lancet Infectious Disease study focussed on estimating the effectiveness of a single dose of MVA-BN against Mpox in England. This observational study was conducted following the large-scale vaccination program that immunized the GBMSM group with the MVA-BN vaccine.

15 Mar 2023

CDC recommendations and clinical considerations for the treatment of severe Mpox

In a recent article published in the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a team of researchers discussed the medical countermeasures and clinical considerations for treating severe manifestations of Mpox.

6 Mar 2023

The effectiveness of respiratory interventions and case isolation measures in reducing or preventing the transmission of mpox in humans

Researchers conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of case isolation and respiratory interventions in limiting the transmission of mpox in humans.

20 Feb 2023

Smallpox News and Research

Further Reading

Radiation combined with cancer-targeting virus therapy more effective in fighting brain tumors

Wastewater data unveils underreported Mpox cases in Texas

CDC reports on its Mpox response

JYNNEOS vaccine shows strong effectiveness against Mpox in New York outbreak

Real-world assessment of JYNNEOS vaccine effectiveness during the 2022 mpox outbreak in the US

Alcohol-based disinfectants can effectively protect against monkeypox viruses

New study finds elevated inflammatory cytokines and lymphocytes linked to rare cases of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination

HIV status does not affect Tecovirimat treatment outcomes for Mpox virus infection

Structure of protein methyltransferase from the monkeypox virus deciphered

Research identifies Th1 memory CD4+ T cells as key to protect against emerging poxvirus skin infections

World Health Day: Giving Universal Health Coverage a Platform

Study reviews the diagnosis and treatment of acute myocarditis

Scientists receive federal funding to model the emergence and spread of biological threats

Efficacy of a single dose of MVA-BN smallpox vaccine against Mpox

CDC recommendations and clinical considerations for the treatment of severe Mpox

The effectiveness of respiratory interventions and case isolation measures in reducing or preventing the transmission of mpox in humans

Promising HIV vaccine candidate by Texas Biomed stops the virus upon entry

Study finds a new mammalian antiviral response pathway restricting poxviruses replication

New mouse model demonstrates clear differences in virulence among mpox virus clades

State-of-the-art Biocontainment Unit opened at MedStar Washington Hospital Center

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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