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The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced it had certified the countries of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan for eliminating malaria in their territories. The certification follows the two countries' sustained, century-long effort to stamp out this vaccine-preventable disease.
As of March 29, 2023, a total of 41 countries and one territory have been certified malaria-free by WHO, including 21 countries in the European Region.
"The people and governments of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have worked long and hard to eliminate malaria," Tweeted WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
"Their accomplishment further proves that eliminating malaria is possible with the right resources and political commitment. I hope that other countries can learn from their experience."
The final decision on awarding a malaria-free certification rests with the WHO Director-General, based on a recommendation by the independent Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification. For more on WHO's malaria-free certification process, visit this WHO link.
Malaria vaccines are available in certain countries in 2023. However, the United States has not approved a vaccine yet.
While the annual flu season in the United States has subsided, India's government reports an unusual influenza surge.
PTI reported today Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed the Rajya Sabha that 1,317 cases of H3N2 have been confirmed from January to March 21, 2023.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, of 510 H3N2 cases reported in the last two months, 19 patients required ICU admission, Pawar wrote to PTI on March 28, 2023.
The H3N2 virus spreads from an infected person through droplets in the air or direct contact with virus-laden surfaces, says the U.S. CDC.
The severity of human illness caused by H3N2 is similar to seasonal flu, which can become severe if complications like pneumonia develop.
Another influenza version is called 'swine flu.'
H3N2v is a non-human influenza virus that normally circulates in pigs. Viruses that normally circulate in pigs are "swine influenza viruses." When these viruses infect humans, they are termed "variant" viruses, says the CDC. Furthermore, the seasonal flu shot does not protect against H3N2v.
The CDC's FluView Interactive Novel Flu A digital tool displays the most current case counts for variant virus infections reported in the U.S.
Previously, India's government confirmed that young children and old persons with co-morbidities are the most vulnerable groups in seasonal influenza.
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate in all parts of the world, and the cases are seen to increase during certain months globally.
The cases arising from seasonal influenza in India are expected to decline by the end of March 2023.
The World Health Organization published Influenza Update N° 401 on March 20, 2023, stating most indicators of influenza activity in the Northern Hemisphere decreased to levels similar to or below levels typically observed this time of year.
In the U.S., annual flu shots remain available at many clinics and community pharmacies.
According to various Tweets and local media news articles published today, the Republic of Burundi reported multiple fatalities related to an unknown disease.
Since Burundi is located near the Republic of Tanzania, which confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus last week, health authorities throughout central Africa are on high alert.
Recently, the U.S. CDC published updated travel alerts for Marburg outbreaks in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea. Additional Marburg outbreak news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.
Osivax today announced that it had received a pneumonia and pandemic preparedness grant of over USD 1 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support additional research and development of its lead, broad-spectrum influenza vaccine candidate, OVX836.
Osivax confirmed it would use the grant to evaluate the breadth and the duration of protection provided by OVX836 against a wider range of seasonal and highly pathogenic influenza strains.
And this research will assess the potential of OVX836 to provide long-term protection against emerging and circulating strains of influenza, thus informing its potential as a standalone influenza vaccine administered less frequently than annually.
Alexandre Le Vert, CEO and Co-Founder of Osivax commented in a press release on March 28, 2023, "The support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will allow us to widen the scope of OVX863 development and bring us one step closer to providing much needed, universal protection against both seasonal and pandemic influenza strains, which continue posing a significant global health threat."
OVX836 has shown promising safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy data across preclinical and clinical trials (Phase 1 and 2a) and continues to be evaluated in additional studies.
As of March 4, 2023, about 173.37 influenza vaccines were distributed in the U.S. during the 2022-2023 flu season.
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recently confirmed the presence of poliovirus in Rockland County wastewater for the first time since October 2022.
This single positive result was collected in February 2023.
However, sequencing analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed as of March 22, 2023, the presence of poliovirus in 101 positive wastewater samples, most linked to the individual case of paralytic polio among a Rockland County resident in 2022.
Transmission of this disease only continues if the overall polio vaccination rates remain low, says the CDC.
"It is our obligation to protect all our residents from debilitating and potentially fatal diseases," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day in a press release.
"I urge our residents to act now and protect yourselves, your family, and your community."
"Polio is preventable through the complete vaccination series."
As of mid-March, 19,282 doses of the polio vaccine have been administered to Rockland County residents.
In 2022, there were over 330,000 residents in Rockland County.
"While certainly, the number of doses is strong, the polio vaccine is a series of 4-doses, so it takes time to reach full protection," added Day.
"As I've said before, this is why it is crucial for schools and the New York State Education Department to maintain and enforce these required vaccinations."
"But families with unvaccinated children who are not yet of school age completely lack protection from this dreaded disease and must get on the schedule now."
Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) is actively working on strategies to increase vaccination rates, including working with the CDC and NYSDOH to perform daycare and school assessments and audits.
To enhance local detections, New York recently received $21.6 million in funding to expand its wastewater surveillance and infectious disease monitoring capabilities.
In 2023, this funding will increase the number of participating sewer sheds from 125 to over 215, reaching about 81% of the population of New York public sewer systems.
Moreover, with holiday travelers peaking this spring break, enhancing protection from polio is a priority, says the CDC.
For example, Israel's Ministry of Health also recently confirmed four children tested positive for poliovirus in Northern Israel.
With increased travel expected between New Yorkers and Israel over Passover 2023, the RCDOH reminds families there is a real risk of paralysis if they are unvaccinated.
Furthermore, adults who completed the polio vaccine series as children may receive a one-time polio booster dose before traveling abroad to any of the thirty countries reporting poliovirus detections.
And any New York resident who needs vaccination can obtain one by calling the RCDOH at 845-364-2520 or 845-364-2524.
Throughout the U.S., polio vaccines are offered by health clinics and community pharmacies as of March 28, 2023.
Global biotechnology leader CSL today announced the official opening of the company's new state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) center in Waltham, Massachusetts.
CSL's global R&D organization has over 2,000 employees in ten countries, contributing to a robust and promising pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates.
The custom-built facility west of Boston will serve as CSL's central hub for current and future vaccine designs, such as cell-based flu shots.
"CSL's growing R&D presence in Waltham is the latest example of our investment in our future – which includes advancing our growing capabilities in disruptive technologies like next-generation mRNA," said Jon Edelman, Senior Vice President of the CSL Vaccines Innovation Unit, in a press release on March 27, 2023.
In addition to Waltham, Massachusetts, the company has an R&D presence helping create an integrated global organization that can conveniently collaborate with institutions everywhere, offer access to professional development opportunities, and enhance external innovation.
"The Waltham site's location and our investment in this world-class facility will provide our talented people with the ideal environment to deliver the breakthroughs that CSL aims to achieve," added Ethan Settembre, Ph.D., Vice President, Research, CSL Vaccines Innovation Unit and site head for this facility.
"We are also excited that this location provides an opportunity for our scientists to collaborate closely with industry and academic partners, allowing greater access to ongoing innovation and talent."
CSL already produces world-class vaccines, such as Flucelvax® Quadrivalent, a cell culture-based flu vaccine, and bird flu vaccines, such as Audenz™ monovalent, adjuvanted, cell-based inactivated influenza (H5N1) subunit vaccine.
Note: This news article is not paid content.
Local media in Madagascar recently confirmed a third potential case of the Pneumonic Plague in Ambositra.
L'Express reported on March 23, 2023, a 24-year-old man died in the regional referral hospital. The deceased's 11-year-old sister is also suspected of being infected.
This farmer would be the third recent victim of the plague.
Large outbreaks of plague occurred in Madagascar in 2014 and 2017.
The U.S. CDC says the plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is found in rodents and their fleas.
Pneumonic plague occurs when Y. pestis infects the lungs and can spread from person to person through the air.
Various types of plague vaccines have been used since the late 19th century.
A study published in 2022 indicates that immunization with a powder formulation of rF1-V10 vaccines may be a promising vaccination strategy for providing protective immunity against pneumonic plague.
Previously, the CDC updated its travel vaccine webpage for Madagascar, suggesting several pre-trip vaccinations, including for polio.
In 2020, about 17% of all people arriving in Madagascar were from France. Italy, Reunion, Germany, and Mauritius reports Statista.
As Spring Break 2023 became unruly in southern Florida, one city took action to reduce risks for everyone.
On March 22, 2023, Alina T. Hudak, the City Manager for the City of Miami Beach, determined that there is reason to believe that there exists a continuing clear and present danger of the general public disorder, widespread disobedience of the law, and substantial injury to persons or property, all of which constitute an imminent threat to public peace or order, and to the general welfare of the City of Miami Beach.
Accordingly, 'I hereby declare a State of Emergency in the City until March 27, 2023.'
Mayor Dan Gelber told the Guardian on March 25, 2023, that "enhanced safety measures" would be in effect, including sobriety checkpoints and mobile license plate readers in the Miami Beach area.
