Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Experts sound alarm about the dangers of industrial chemicals on children’s health

In a Review published in The Lancet Neurology, two of the world’s leading experts on the link between environment and children’s health are sounding the alarm on the dangers of industrial chemicals. They are calling on countries to transform their chemical risk-assessment procedures in order to protect children from everyday toxins that may be causing a global “silent epidemic” of brain development disorders.

18 Feb 2014

Study provides comprehensive analysis of the evolutionary relationships of influenza virus

A new study reconstructing the evolutionary tree of flu viruses challenges conventional wisdom and solves some of the mysteries surrounding flu outbreaks of historical significance.

17 Feb 2014

Unvaccinated flu patients need more intensive care

A snapshot of patients who required care at Duke University Hospital during this year's flu season shows that those who had not been vaccinated had severe cases and needed the most intensive treatment.

11 Feb 2014

New study tracks spread of H5N1 variant in Egypt recently identified as major epicenter for virus

Since its first identification in Asia, highly pathogenic avian influenza-H5N1-has caused significant alarm in the scientific community. While the virus' primary target is birds-tens of millions have already died from it-it is capable of infecting mammals, including humans, causing serious illness and a frightening rate of mortality.

10 Feb 2014

Addressing antibiotic resistance: an interview with Professor Otto Cars, Uppsala University, Sweden

Antibiotic resistance is a consequence of antibiotic use. Bacteria adapt to the threat of antibiotics using mechanisms to overcome the drug. These bacteria, which we call resistant bacteria, then survive.

3 Feb 2014

Intelsius introduces revisions to PharmaTherm line of solutions

Intelsius, a DGP company, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of temperature-controlled packaging solutions, introduced revisions to its PharmaTherm™ line of solutions to pharmaceutical industry professionals today at the 13th Annual Cool Chain Europe Summit in Luxembourg.

28 Jan 2014

Use of fever-reducing drugs may lead to tens of thousands more influenza cases

Contrary to popular belief, fever-reducing medication may inadvertently cause more harm than good. New research from McMaster University has discovered that the widespread use of medications that contain fever-reducing drugs may lead to tens of thousands more influenza cases, and more than a thousand deaths attributable to influenza, each year across North America.

22 Jan 2014

Vivaldi Biosciences inks agreement with NIAID to evaluate LAIV candidates against influenza A

Vivaldi Biosciences Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing live attenuated influenza vaccines against seasonal and pandemic influenza, today announced that it has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, to generate and evaluate in preclinical studies LAIV candidates against influenza A(H7N9).

21 Jan 2014

Kansas State University's research shows promise to fight novel avian H7N9 influenza virus

The novel avian H7N9 influenza virus has caused more than 130 human infections with 43 deaths in China. New research, conducted under the supervision of Kansas State University's Juergen Richt, is showing promise in helping to fight this deadly virus.

17 Jan 2014

New research shows promise in helping combat novel drug-resistant H7N9 influenza virus

16 Jan 2014

Study indicates some groups have specific genetic make-up that prevents from fighting off influenza

Research indicated that some Indigenous people such as in Alaska and Australia displayed limited immunity response to the effects of influenza.

13 Jan 2014

Meridian's TRU FLU assay gets FDA clearance for analytical sensitivity claim for avian Influenza H7N9 strain

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. today announced that the company's TRU FLU assay received FDA clearance for an analytical sensitivity claim for the novel avian Influenza H7N9 strain, A/Anhui/1/2013. TRU FLU is a rapid immunoassay that detects influenza A and influenza B viruses in 15 minutes in human respiratory specimens.

10 Jan 2014

PaxVax reports interim data from Phase 3 cholera challenge study of PXVX0200

PaxVax Inc, which develops and commercializes innovative vaccines against infectious diseases in a socially responsible manner, today announced interim data from a Phase 3 cholera challenge study of its single-dose oral cholera vaccine candidate, PXVX0200 (also known as CVD 103-HgR). Trial investigators compared the rate of diarrhea in participants vaccinated with PXVX0200 to the rate in participants who had received placebo.

10 Jan 2014

EcoHealth Alliance joins Bat Conservation International to conserve bats, safeguard human health

EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit organization that focuses on local conservation and global health issues, and Bat Conservation International, which works to conserve bats and their habitats around the world, are joining forces in formal partnership.

3 Jan 2014

CEL-SCI closes public offering of common stock, exercises over-allotment option to purchase additional shares

CEL-SCI Corporation, a late-stage oncology company, today announced that it has closed an underwritten public offering of units consisting of an aggregate of 5,238,095 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,238,095 shares of common stock. The

27 Dec 2013

SLU nursing faculty, students receive special training to operate Closed Point of Dispensing

In the case of a bioterror attack, Saint Louis University will operate a medication dispensing station for students, faculty, staff and their families, offering quick access to medicines and easing the burden on local health departments so they can serve residents who lack similar access to lifesaving drugs.

22 Dec 2013

Biocryst seeks FDA NDA approval for Peramivir to treat influenza

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of treatments for rare and infectious diseases, today announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) filing for intravenous (i.v.) peramivir to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). BioCryst is seeking an indication as the first i.v. neuraminidase inhibitor approved in the U.S. for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in adults. Peramivir is approved in Japan and Korea for the treatment of influenza.

20 Dec 2013

WSU researchers discover how Nipah virus employs burglary-ring-like teamwork to infiltrate human cell

A team of scientists from Washington State University has discovered how one of the planet's most deadly known viruses employs burglary-ring-like teamwork to infiltrate the human cell.

17 Dec 2013

Study: Blue light proves to have powerful bacteria-killing ability

Blue light has proven to have powerful bacteria-killing ability in the laboratory. The potent antibacterial effects of irradiation using light in the blue spectra have now also been demonstrated in human and animal tissues. A series of groundbreaking articles that provide compelling evidence of this effect are published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

16 Dec 2013

New approach for combating seasonal flu

Reducing glucose metabolism dials down influenza viral infection in laboratory cell cultures, providing an entirely new approach for combating seasonal flu, according to research that will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the American Society for Cell Biology annual meeting in New Orleans.

15 Dec 2013