Search API

0 min read

Sweden's Public Health Agency recently reported several severe influenza cases have occurred in Orebro County, located west of Stockholm. Complications can occur in connection with influenza infection, but this outbreak is unusual. 

The spread of influenza A and B is estimated to continue throughout the country as of March 17, 2023.

During week #10, there was roughly the same number of cases of influenza A (385 cases) as influenza B (364 cases). 

So far, eleven newly admitted patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza have been reported in intensive care during week 10, of which six with influenza A and five with influenza B. 

The current investigation aims to assess whether there are more influenza B cases with serious complications than expected and whether there is any common contributing cause. Therefore, the Public Health Authority has asked other infection control units to investigate whether there are similar cases in other regions.

Of the 21 countries that reported sentinel primary care specimen influenza virus positivity above the 10% epidemic threshold, France, Hungary, Romania, and Slovenia reported activity above 40%.

So far, sequencing of clinical specimens from severe cases in Sweden has identified B/Victoria viruses belonging to subgroup V1A.3a.2, which is the dominant influenza type B virus circulating across Europe and the northern hemisphere 2022-23 and 2023-24 influenza vaccine strain (B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus).

When traveling abroad, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests getting a second flu shot if visiting an area with influenza activity.

Various flu shots are available in the U.S. at health clinics and travel pharmacies.

Vaccine Treats: 
Influenza
Image: 
Image Caption: 
from Pixabay
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Location Tags: 
Stockholm
Vaccine: 
Flucelvax Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine
0 min read

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam's Health Ministry today announced it has requested for visitors arriving from African countries with Marburg virus disease outbreaks to be monitored for three weeks while in-country.

The ministry also requested samples be taken in suspected cases while at local airports.

"This is a highly dangerous disease," the ministry noted, according to local media on March 20, 2023.

The request was made as the highly contagious disease killed nine people in Equatorial Guinea and could spread further into other African regions and Spain.

As of March 20, 2023, no approved Marburg vaccines or antivirals exist.

Vaccine Treats: 
Marburg Virus
Image: 
Image Caption: 
Vietnam airports March 2023
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Hanoi
Vaccine: 
cAD3-Marburg Vaccine
Photo of Magic Johnson

NBA's Magic Raises RSV Awareness

GSK Sideline RSV national health education campaign launches
March 20, 2023
0 min read

Vaccitech plc today announced topline interim data from the HPV001 Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of VTP-200 heterologous prime-boost immunotherapy in women with low-grade cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) lesions.

It is estimated that approximately 291 million women worldwide are carriers of HPV DNA.

Data from the first 58 women enrolled who reached their 6-month timepoint in the HPV001 placebo-controlled study were reviewed internally, and the trial will continue as planned to the 12-month primary endpoint. Immunogenicity results showed high responses, defined as an average greater than 1,000 spot-forming units per million peripheral blood mononuclear cells in an ELISPOT assay, especially to the E1, E2, and E6 antigens.

VTP-200 was generally well-tolerated with no product-related grade 3 unsolicited events and no product-related SAEs.

"These interim data are a promising step in the right direction, and we look forward to seeing the final data in early 2024," said Bill Enright, CEO of Vaccitech, in a press release on March 20, 2023.

"Currently, people with persistent HPV infections have no treatment options until they develop high-grade lesions. Being told to return for a repeat cervical screening every 6 to 12 months without a treatment option can be frustrating and anxiety-provoking."

"VTP-200 is intended to treat HPV infections, potentially before the virus causes these high-grade lesions."

VTP-200 is being developed as a potential non-invasive treatment for persistent high-risk HPV infections and associated pre-cancerous lesions.

Persistent genital HPV infection is responsible for almost all cases of cervical pre-cancerous lesions, which can lead to cervical carcinoma.

Over 95% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection.

The American Cancer Society predicts that in 2022, approximately 14,100 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed in the U.S., with over 4,280 women dying from the disease.

In the U.S., various HPV vaccines are authorized for women and men and available at most clinics and clinical pharmacies in March 2023.

Vaccine Treats: 
Cervical Cancer
Image: 
Image Caption: 
by Engin Akyurt
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Location Tags: 
England
Vaccine: 
Gardasil 9 HPV Vaccine

JNJ-1802 Dengue Antiviral

JNJ-1802 Dengue Antiviral 2023

Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies JNJ-1802 first-in-class dengue antiviral uses a novel mechanism of action to prevent the interaction between two viral proteins (NS3 and NS4B), thereby stopping the ability of the virus to replicate. JNJ-1802 was shown to be safe and well tolerated in a Phase 1 first-in-human clinical study and is progressing into Phase 2 clinical studies for the prevention and treatment of dengue.

Recent data indicate JNJ-1802 is effective against all four dengue serotypes in mouse models and provides strong protection against two tested serotypes (DENV-1 and -2) in non-human primates. These findings build on research published in the journal Nature in 2021 that first identified the novel mechanism of action from the same chemical series as JNJ-1802.

Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies focuses on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology,  Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Pulmonary Hypertension.

New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson’s work against dengue is one part of a larger, more than 15-year legacy working to address the burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases, a group of about 20 communicable diseases that affect more than 1.7 billion people in 149 countries around the world. Additionally, the Company launched the Satellite Center for Global Health Discovery at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore in June 2022, which is focused on accelerating early-stage discovery research to address the growing challenge of flaviviruses, including dengue. 

JNJ-1802 Indication

JNJ-1802 is indicated to protect people against four dengue serotypes. Current research supports the further clinical development of JNJ-1802 for both the prevention and treatment of dengue. Dengue reinfection is possible due to the presence of four dengue serotypes.

JNJ-1802 News 2023

March 15, 2023 - Janssen Announces Novel Dengue Antiviral Demonstrates Efficacy in Preclinical Data Published in Nature.

October 6, 2021 – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced the publication of preclinical data in the journal Nature showing that an early-stage compound with a novel mechanism of action could potentially treat all serotypes of dengue fever and provide a period of protection against acquiring the dengue virus.

JNJ-1802 Clinical Trials

Phase 2 clinical trial - Last Update Posted: February 16, 2023.

Phase 2 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04906980 - Last Update Posted: March 15, 2023.

The Phase 1 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of the novel dengue antiviral compound, which is being developed to prevent dengue. Results from the study show that Janssen’s breakthrough compound administered orally in single or multiple doses, was safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported. The preclinical results also demonstrated promising safety data and excellent efficacy at preventing dengue virus infection in mouse and non-human primate models by blocking the interaction between two viral proteins (NS3 and NS4B) that are needed in the replication process of the dengue virus.

0 min read
Manufacturer: 
Janssen
Reviewer: 
Robert Carlson, MD
Vaccine: 
JNJ-1802 Dengue Antiviral
Availability: 
N/A
Generic: 
JNJ-1802
Drug Class: 
Antiviral
Clinical Trial Phase I: 
Phase 1 study
Clinical Trial Phase II: 
A Study of JNJ-64281802 Against Dengue Serotype 1 Infection in a Dengue Human Challenge Model in Healthy Adult Participants
Condition: 
Dengue
Last Reviewed: 
Monday, March 20, 2023 - 05:05
Status: 
Candidate
Manufacturer Country ID: 
US
FDA First In Class: 
Yes
0 min read

The Florida Health Department recently reported there had been 39 travel-associated dengue cases as of March 11, 2023. And in 2022, 903 travel-associated dengue cases were confirmed, primarily focusing on south Florida.

Since Miami, Florida is a significant destination for many southern hemisphere travelers, updated research is helping identify where these dengue-infected visitors originate.

In 2022, of the total of cases reported in the Pan American Health Region (PAHO) was 1,370,072.

The highest number of severe dengue cases reported by the PAHO was in Brazil, with 1,450 cases (31.5%), Colombia with 1,371 cases (29.8%), Honduras 436 cases (9.5%), Mexico with 410 cases (8.9%), and the Dominican Republic 279 with cases (6.1%).

With the increased access to dengue prevention vaccines such as Qdenga® in Brazil, an unanswered question is whether Miami should require proof of vaccination before visiting.

While the recent pandemic generated much debate about vaccination requirements, over 30 PAHO countries continue requiring yellow fever vaccination verification before visiting in March 2023.

With Miami International Airport's (MIA) record-breaking growth carrying into 2023, the airport is expecting its busiest spring break travel season.

Passenger totals at MIA in January and February 2023 were all-time highs for those months, with February bringing in a total of 4.1 million passengers. 

According to aviation analytics provider Cirium, MIA is the fastest-growing U.S. airport in airline seats compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Overall, the U.S. TSA recently reported a slight increase in air passenger screening at airports in the U.S. as compared with 2019 activity.

Vaccine Treats: 
Dengue
Image: 
Image Caption: 
Miami International Airport March 2023
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Location Tags: 
Miami
Vaccine: 
QDENGA (TAK-003) Dengue Vaccine
Cancer beaches 2023

Spring Break 2023 Warnings Include Mexico's Beaches

Acapulco and Mayan Riviera travel advisories updated for Spring Break 2023
March 18, 2023
0 min read

AfricaNews recently reported the United Republic of Tanzania requested medical experts investigate a mysterious "communicable" disease that has already killed five people in the country in March 2023.

Outbreaks are not new in the east African country of Tanzania.

In July 2022, a disease whose symptoms included nosebleeds, fever, headaches, and fatigue, was detected in the Lindi region. A total of 13 patients were detected then.

The World Health Organization later confirmed 20 cases of leptospirosis in two districts in the Lindi Region, including three deaths. The majority of these cases were men who were farmers as of August 8, 2022.

And in 2019, a disease with Ebola-like symptoms killed one woman who had visited Uganda, where an Ebola outbreak was detected.

Tanzania was formed as a sovereign state in 1964 through the combination of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, reports Britannica.  

No U.S. CDC health notices are in effect for Tanzania, including Zanzibar, as of March 18, 2023.

Vaccine Treats: 
Ebola
Image: 
Image Caption: 
U.S. CDC Tanzania March 2023
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Dodoma
0 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that after three decades, authorities in the Republic of Burundi declared an outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses - type 2 (CVDPV 2) after confirming eight polioviruses.

Circulating poliovirus type 2 infection can occur when the weakened strain of the virus in the oral polio vaccine spreads among under-immunized populations for long periods.

Additionally, five samples from environmental surveillance of wastewater confirmed the presence of the circulating poliovirus type 2.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, commented in a press release on March 17, 2023, "We are supporting the national efforts to ramp up polio vaccination to ensure that no child is missed and faces no risk of polio's debilitating impact."

Burundi's government declared the detection of the poliovirus a national public health emergency and planned to implement a vaccination campaign for eligible children.

Burundi is a landlocked African country, a historical kingdom, and one of the few countries whose borders were not determined by colonial rulers, reports Britannica. 

The WHO says polio is a vaccine-preventable disease.

Circulating poliovirus type 2 is the most prevalent form of polio in Africa.

More than 400 cases were reported in 14 countries in 2022.

International travelers were alerted to this and other polio outbreaks when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reissued its Global Polio travel alert in March 2023.

Vaccine Treats: 
Polio
Image: 
Image Caption: 
GPEI WPV1 and cVDPV polio cases March 14, 2023
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Gitega
Vaccine: 
nOPV2 Polio Vaccine March 2023
0 min read

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson recently announced an early-stage antiviral candidate (JNJ-1802) provides strong protection against dengue in non-human primates and mice.

The new data indicate JNJ-1802 is effective against all four dengue serotypes in mouse models and provides strong protection against two tested serotypes (DENV-1 and -2) in non-human primates.

The first-in-class antiviral, which was shown to be safe and well tolerated in a first-in-human clinical study, is progressing into Phase 2 clinical studies for the prevention and treatment of dengue.

"The unprecedented rise in dengue outbreaks throughout the past years offers a glimpse of what lies ahead ....." said Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, M.D., Ph.D., Global Head, Global Public Health R&D at Janssen Research & Development, LLC, in a press release on March 15, 2023.

"We know an antiviral will be critical to addressing the unmet needs today and tomorrow."

The peer-review journal Nature published this study: Blocking NS3–NS4B interaction inhibits dengue virus in non-human primates. These findings support the further clinical development of JNJ-1802, a first-in-class antiviral agent against dengue, which is now progressing in clinical studies to prevent and treat dengue.

Vaccine Treats: 
Dengue
Image: 
Image Caption: 
by Andrew from Pixabay
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Beerse
Vaccine: 
QDENGA (TAK-003) Dengue Vaccine