Zika Breaking News

HDT Bio Corp. announced the peer-reviewed publication of preclinical data demonstrating that its self-amplifying replicon mRNA (repRNA) vaccines, delivered via HDT Bio's proprietary LION nanoparticle formulation, provide robust maternal and neonatal immunogenicity against two pathogens with high mother-to-child transmission risk: HIV-1 and Zika virus.

The study, funded by NIAID and led by researchers at HDT Bio in collaboration with Duke University and the Seattle Children's Research Institute, investigated the potential for HDT Bio's repRNA/LION platform technology to elicit an immune response against infectious diseases transmitted from mother to child. 

"The transmission of certain viruses from mother to developing fetus poses a significant risk to newborns," said Steven Reed, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of HDT Bio, in a press release on March 24, 2023. 

"These data demonstrate that the vaccines derived from our repRNA/LION platform technology have the potential to offer protection not only to the vaccinated individual but also to their offspring."

"Moreover, our platform has several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, safety, and stability at refrigeration temperatures."

"This reduces barriers for distribution of our vaccines to developing nations where these diseases are endemic, making them accessible to those who need them most."

The data were published in the journal Molecular Therapy in the article "Evaluation of repRNA vaccine for induction and in utero transfer of maternal antibodies in a pregnant rabbit model."

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently announced anyone eligible for Mpox vaccination is urged to come forward for the vaccine in the coming months to protect themselves before the summer of 2023.

People eligible but have not yet received two doses of Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN) vaccine are encouraged to book their first dose by June 16, 2023, and be booked in for their second dose by the end of July 2023.

In England, about 6,619 people have received their second dose since the program began in June 2022.

Mpox cases have fallen across the UK from a high of 350 per week in July 2022 to just six new cases in 2023. Three people acquired mpox while in the UK, and three were returning travelers.

Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director, Public Health Programmes at UKHSA, commented in a media release on March 22, 2023, "While mpox infection is mild for many, it can cause severe symptoms for some, so it's important people remain alert to the risks."

"Vaccination is key to reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing further transmission."

"Uptake of first doses has been strong, but only around a third of those who have received their first dose have had their second dose so far."

"I would urge everyone eligible to come forward for both doses so they have maximum long-lasting protection."

The "UKHSA will monitor cases of mpox very closely and will re-establish the vaccination program if we need to."

MpoxToday.com publishes updated news as of March 26, 2023.

As the third week of Spring Break 2023 begins, the Florida Health Department continues to confirm additional dengue fever cases.

During week #11, nine dengue cases were reported in persons with recent international travel.

In total, there have been 48 travel-associated dengue cases this year, mainly in the greater Miami, Florida, area.

Since Miami's beaches are highly ranked, many Spring Break visitors come from Central and South America, Mexico, and Caribbean countries, with 2.8 million dengue cases reported in 2022.

During 2022, the highest cumulative incidence of dengue cases was reported in Nicaragua, with 1,455 cases per 100,000 population, followed by Brazil and Belize.

To notify travelers of potential health risks, the U.S. CDC continues updating dengue outbreak alerts as of March 26, 2023.

While two dengue prevention vaccines are authorized in specific countries, their availability remains limited. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that since the first Disease Outbreak News published on February 25, 2023, eight additional laboratory-confirmed Marburg virus disease (MVD) cases have been reported in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Two of the eight new confirmed cases were reported from the province of Kié-Ntem, four from the Litoral,  and two from Centre- Sur provinces. The areas reporting cases are about 150 kilometers apart, suggesting wider virus transmission.

This brings the total to nine laboratory-confirmed cases and 20 probable cases during the MVD outbreak in Equatorial Guinea.

Seven laboratory-confirmed patients and all probable cases have died from MVD.

Marburg is spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of a person infected with the virus, says the WHO.

As of March 22, 2023, the WHO assesses the risk posed by this MVD outbreak as very high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.

Other African countries, such as Tanzania, are reporting MVD cases or people under surveillance.

The U.S. CDC updated its Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions notice to alert international travelers on March 23, 2023.

As of March 24, 2023, there is no MVD-targeted vaccine authorized.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published Influenza Update N° 441, confirming influenza activity continued to decrease following the peak in late 2022.

In the countries of North America, most indicators of influenza activity were at levels typically observed towards the end of the flu season.

Influenza A viruses predominated overall, with influenza A(H3N2) accounting for most subtyped influenza A viruses in the United States, whereas influenza A and B viruses circulated similarly in Canada.

And in Europe, out of 39 countries, 17 reported high or moderate intensity, and over half continued to report widespread activity.

Overall, influenza B viruses were predominated in both sentinel and non-sentinel surveillance as all subregions experienced a wave of influenza B activity after an initial influenza A surge.

While the Northern Hemishpere flu season is ending, the WHO's data on March 20, 2023, indicates the Southern Hemishpere is just starting.

For international travelers, the means another flu shot may be needed when visiting countries such as Brazil, Peru, or Argentina later this year.

Community pharmacies in the U.S. generally offer influenza vaccines throughout the year.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced the United Republic of Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), with confirmed cases reported in the Kagera Region.

Other MVD outbreaks in Africa have been confirmed in 2023.

MVD is a viral hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms including fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Infection with the Marburg virus is often fatal, as there is no specific treatment, says the CDC.

As of March 21, 2023, the CDC's Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions notices advises visitors should separate themselves from others and seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, chills, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel (up to 21 days).

As of March 23, 2023, no MVD preventive vaccines are authorized.

The world is facing an upsurge in Cholera, even touching countries that have not had the disease in decades, announced the World Health Organization (WHO) on World Water Day.

Years of progress against this age-old disease have disappeared, stated the WHO on March 22, 2023. In the past months, the world has seen a resurgence of Cholera.

Last year, as many as 30 countries experienced outbreaks, and we continue to see a worrying geographic spread into 2023. 

While the situation is unprecedented, the lesson to draw is not new: safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are the only long-term and sustainable solutions to ending this cholera emergency and preventing future ones.

The global cholera situation is concerning, but the historic United Nations Water Conference began in New York. The Global Task Force for Cholera Control appeals to countries and the international community to channel that concern toward concrete action.

Nearly all cholera cases reported in the U.S. are acquired during international travel, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For example, the CDC confirmed eight travelers infected with Cholera arrived in the U.S. from Pakistan, Iraq, and Bangladesh in 2022.

In 2023, various countries have confirmed cholera outbreaks.

As of March 22, 2023, cholera vaccines, such as Valneva SE's DUKORAL® oral, inactivated Cholera, and ETEC Diarrhea vaccine, have been approved and are available in certain countries.