News & Perspective

(CIDRAP News) – Given the potential for a bitter diplomatic battle at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May, an expert on smallpox-related policy is recommending that the United States agree to the destruction of the remaining stocks of smallpox virus—or at least be prepared to destroy all but a remnant of them.

(CIDRAP News) – At first glance, the Web page looks like an overhead shot of a fantastic game board: a map—identifiably Los Angeles—sprinkled with faceted roundels in a half-dozen colors.

(CIDRAP News) Ð The smallpox vaccine being produced by Acambis plc for the US government as part of the nation's bioterrorism preparedness program worked well in a Phase I trial, Acambis officials announced this week.

The vaccine, called ACAM1000, generated a characteristic skin lesion or "take" in all those vaccinated, and there were no serious or unusual side effects, the company reported in a Sep 3 news release.

(CIDRAP New) – Officials from the Mayo Clinic and Roche Molecular Biochemicals today announced the development of a DNA test that they say can accurately detect anthrax bacteria in human and environmental samples in less than an hour, far faster than currently available tests. They said they will begin making the test available free to public health laboratories this week to help combat the current spate of anthrax attacks.