NEWS SCAN: US global pandemic flu funds, new animal health center

Influenza, General
Pandemic Influenza

Apr 20, 2010

US global funds for avian, pandemic flu reach $1.5 billion
Yesterday the US delegation to the International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza (IMCAPI) meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, noted the country has spent more than $1.5 billion to combat global avian and pandemic influenza. This figure represents $627 million invested since the previous 2008 IMCAPI conference held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, according to a Department of State press release. The additional US funding will be allocated to multilateral organizations, such as the World Health Organization, as well as to bilateral and regional programs. This investment includes the donation of 10% of the US H1N1 vaccine supply to developing countries, as well as in-kind assistance such as personal protective equipment, laboratory and decontamination kits, technical and humanitarian assistance, and vaccine research. The 3-day conference, which ends tomorrow, is being hosted by Vietnam with support from the US Agency for International Development, the United Nations, and the European Commission.
Apr 19 Department of State press release

USDA animal health research center dedicated in Iowa
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other officials from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) dedicated the final component of the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) yesterday. The Ames, Iowa, center houses laboratories, offices, animal space, and administrative space for top animal health scientists and researchers and will employ 700 people, according to a USDA news release. The dedication marks the completion of a long-term project to consolidate three USDA units previously operated separately at Ames. "The new NCAH will help create jobs and economic opportunity in America's rural communities by supporting livestock producers across the country," said Vilsack. The NCAH includes the National Animal Disease Center, operated by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, and the Center for Veterinary Biologics, operated by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). It will conduct research, diagnostics, and training, as well as test vaccines and other veterinary biological products. Last year, APHIS and ARS scientists tested the first samples of novel H1N1 influenza, discovering that infected pigs did not have any of the virus in their tissues and confirming the safety of the food supply.
Apr 19 USDA news release

This week's top reads

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    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

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  3. Meta-analysis: Zika-infected pregnant moms 4 times more likely to have babies with microcephaly

    Five of 22 studies noted that over 50% of newborns had microcephaly, and the same number of studies observed that over 5% had congenital Zika syndrome. 

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  4. HHS expected to discontinue COVID vaccine recommendations for some groups

    When CDC advisers widened their recommendation in 2023, most members were swayed by data, including those for long COVID, showing that no group is at low risk for the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring

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  6. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

    Texas remains the country's hot spot, with 718 cases. 

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  7. Moderna pulls licensing submission for combo flu-COVID vaccine

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  8. Mpox activity escalates in Sierra Leone

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  9. Flu vaccine efficacy 41% overall and 26% in older adults, per 2023-24 estimates

    Estimated effectiveness was 68% against influenza B and 32% against type A.

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  10. Testing ties Listeria outbreak to ready-to-eat sandwiches

    An earlier investigation hinted at hospital food as a source, but evidence didn't reveal a specific item.

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