HHS Contracts With Mapp Bio To Develop Experimental Ebola Drug

 

# 9031

 

 

Although it is far from certain that the experimental monoclonal antibody cocktail called ZMapp is both safe, and effective against Ebola infection, early animal studies (see Nature: 100% Of Ebola Infected Macaques Recovered With ZMapp) have been highly encouraging, and we’ve seen anecdotal reports of improvement in some of the humans who have received the drug. 

 

Today the HHS has announced that BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) would provide funds, expertise, and technical support to help the manufacturer (Mapp Biopharmaceutical) to ramp up the production, and testing of the drug. 

On August 12 the manufacturer announced `The available supply of ZMapp™ has been exhausted’. At the time, reports indicated it could take several months to produce more. Hopefully this contract will help speed up that process.

This from the HHS Press Office.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2014

Contact: HHS Press Office
202-690-6343

HHS contracts with Mapp Biopharmaceutical to develop Ebola drug

Work will accelerate drug development and testing

The development of a medication to treat illness from Ebola will be accelerated under a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). This contract supports the government-wide response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will provide funding as well as access to subject matter expertise and technical support for manufacturing, regulatory, and nonclinical activities through a $24.9 million, 18-month contract with Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc., of San Diego, California. ASPR can extend the contract up to a total of $42.3 million.

Work under the contract supports the development and manufacturing of the medication ZMapp toward the goal of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

“While ZMapp has received a lot of attention, it is one of several treatments under development for Ebola, and we still have very limited data on its safety and efficacy,” explained Dr. Nicole Lurie, assistant secretary for preparedness and response. “Developing drugs and vaccines to protect against Ebola as a biological threat has been a long-term goal of the U.S. government, and today’s agreement represents an important step forward.”

(Continue . . .)

Pandemic Planning For Business

Credit TFAH It's Not Flu As Usual Brochure

 

 

# 7455

 

Six years ago, before the H1N1 pandemic emerged in 2009, we were carefully monitoring the H5N1 threat while governments, agencies, and businesses actively prepared for a severe pandemic.

 

As States and Federal agencies drilled and prepared, the HHS released guidance to local governments, individuals and businesses on how to prepare for `the next pandemic’.

 

A small sampling includes:

 

Guidance for Employers

• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic (Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA))
• Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist (PDF – 151 KB)
  Lista de Preparacion en Empresas para una
• Pandemia de Gripe (PDF – 276 KB)
• Pandemic Preparedness Planning for US Businesses with Overseas Operations (PDF – 3.03 MB)
• Interim Pre-Pandemic Planning Guidance: Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation in the United States (PDF – 718 KB) (CDC)
• Considerations for Antiviral Drug Stockpiling by Employers in Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic (PDF – 497 KB)
• Interim Guidance on Environmental Management of Pandemic Influenza Virus
  Learn more about how to clean and protect surfaces from the influenza virus.

 

When the pandemic finally arrived, it turned out to due to a less severe strain of Swine flu; H1N1.   We got `lucky’ in that we ended up with a `Cat 1’ pandemic, not the feared Category 5 event that most plans had envisioned.

 

 

Since the end of 2009 - between the prolonged economic downturn and the belief that we’d seen `our pandemic’, and another would not likely occur for decades – pandemic preparedness for many businesses has been put on the back burner. 

Many of the carefully prepared pandemic plans drafted in 2006 or 2007 are now gathering dust in some desk drawer, and have not been reviewed or updated for years.

 

No one can predict when, how severe, or what virus will spark the next pandemic.  But the risks of seeing a severe pandemic have not diminished. With three legitimate pandemic `worries’ out there (H5N1, H7N9, MERS-CoV) – if anything, they’ve escalated

 

Making this an opportune time to drag out, dust off, and take a hard look at your old pandemic plans (or create a new one if need be).

 

One of the nation’s leaders in pandemic and disaster planning is Public Health - Seattle & King County.  In 2008 they produced a 20 minute film called Business Not As Usual, designed to help introduce businesses to the core concepts of pandemic planning.

 

Frankly, this video should be required viewing for every businesses owner, manager, and employee.

 

You’ll also find a long list of preparedness resources available on this page as well:

General resources:

• Business Not As Usual: Video User Guide
• Go-Kits checklist (available in multiple languages). Go-Kits are emergency kits to pack in advance, you just pick up a kit and GO!
• Planning Checklist
• Stopping the Spread of Germs at Work

Business and government preparedness:

• Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
• Continuity of government issues that should be addressed by local agencies
• It's Not Flu As Usual Brochure
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
• Preventing the Spread of Influenza
• Guidance for employers on returning to work after influenza illness

Community Based Organization (CBO) preparedness:

• 9 Small Steps that Reap HUGE Rewards
• Business Continuity Template
• CARD Agency Emergency Plan
• It's Not Flu As Usual Brochure
• Pandemic Influenza Emergency Response Manual
• Preventing the Spread of Influenza
• Guidance for employers on returning to work after influenza illness

Personal preparedness:

• Family Health Information Sheet
• How to care for someone with influenza
• Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families
• Your Personal Go-Kit

 

While another pandemic may not come for years, if you and your business are well prepared to deal with a Cat 4 or 5 pandemic, you are pretty much ready to deal with any disaster.

 

And as bitter experience has shown, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, industrial accidents, and even terrorist attacks can, and do happen with some frequency.

 

Often, the difference between a business surviving a disaster – or going bankrupt - boils down to how well their emergency and recovery plans were designed and implemented.

 

For more on  disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit Ready.gov, FEMA,  or revisit these blogs:

 

In An Emergency, Who Has Your Back?

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

The Gift of Preparedness 2012

HHS: Call For Public Comment On H5N1 Research

BSL-4 Lab Worker - Photo Credit –USAMRIID  

 

# 6639

 

 

During the first half of 2012, the big infectious disease story was the ongoing debate over H5N1 genetic research by Yoshihiro Kawaoka and Ron Fouchier which each led to the creation of a mammalian-adapted, easily transmissible form of the bird flu virus.

 

After prolonged, and often heated debate, the decision to publish both papers was finally made, but what was intended to be a 60 day self-imposed moratorium on similar research – implemented in February of 2012 – remains in place.

 

Many unresolved issues surround how projects determined to be DURC – Dual Use Research of Concern – should be handled. For those unfamiliar with the lexicon of biomedical research, DURC is defined as:

 

. . . life sciences research that, based on current understanding, can be reasonably anticipated to provide knowledge, information, products, or technologies that could be directly misapplied to pose a significant threat with broad potential consequences to public health and safety, agricultural crops and other plants, animals, the environment, materiel, or national security.

 

Last March the Office of Science Policy at the NIH released a 4 page set of guidelines for DURC projects, and ordered a review of all current life sciences projects (U.S. Issues New DURC Oversight Rules), but there remain many areas ripe for debate.

 

In a attempt to gauge public sentiment, the HHS has published in the Federal Register a Request For Information And Comment that will remain open for the next 60 days.

 

Influenza Viruses Containing the Hemagglutinin from the Goose/Guangdong/1/96 Lineage

A Proposed Rule by the Health and Human Services Department on 10/17/2012

Summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the opening of a docket to obtain information and comments from the public to questions concerning highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that contain a hemagglutinin (HA) from the Goose/Guangdong/1/96 lineage, and their potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety. This information will be considered in a determination of whether such viruses should be listed as HHS select agents, by revising the HHS Select Agent Regulations (42 CFR Part 73).

 

 

The HHS oversees the CDC’s Select Agent Program, which today `oversees the activities of possession of biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public, animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products’.

 

Recently,we saw the SARS Virus Placed On Select Agents List, which essentially dictates who, and under what laboratory security conditions, can conduct experiments with that virus.

 

Returning to the Federal Register.

 

DATES: Back to Top

Electronic or written comments should be received on or before December 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Back to Top

You may submit comments identified by Docket Number CDC-2012-0010, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov . Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Division of Select Agents and Toxins, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE., Mailstop A-46, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Attn: Docket Number: CDC-2012-0010.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number (CDC-2012-0010) for this notice. All relevant comments received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to www.regulations.gov.

(Continue for Extensive Supplemental Information . . . )

 

DURC encompasses far more than just H5N1 research. For more on the issues, the NIH produced this 7 minute video in 2010 highlighting the concerns of DURC, called Dual Use Research: A dialogue.  Click the link, or the image below to watch.

 

CDC Statement On OIG Report On Vaccine Program For Children

 

 

# 6373

 

Earlier this week the HHS’s OIG (Office of Inspector General) released a critical report on the CDC’s VFC program which provides free childhood immunizations to children that are uninsured or part of a low income family. 

 

The IG investigation uncovered several problems, including improper storage temperatures, and the possible use of expired vaccines.

 

Lisa Schnirring of CIDRAP NEWS has an excellent overview of this report (see Inspectors flag gaps in Vaccines for Children program), so I’ll not bother going into the details.

 

 

Yesterday, in response to this report, the CDC issued the following statement which includes reassurances and advice to parents of children who may have received expired or improperly stored vaccines.

 

 

Media Statement

For Immediate Release: June 7, 2012
Contact :CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

Statement regarding Office of the Inspector General Vaccines for Children report

On June 5, 2012 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report on "Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program: Vulnerabilities in Vaccine Management.". CDC's VFC program provides free vaccines to eligible children through a national network that includes all states and U.S. territories and is composed of more than 44,000 participating provider sites. This program plays a significant role in improving access to vaccination for millions of children.

 

The OIG assessment, conducted in April and May of 2011, included 45 providers from five states and cities. The study was aimed at assessing if VFC providers are meeting their vaccine management requirements, including storing vaccines at proper temperature ranges and appropriate handling of expired vaccines. The OIG logged temperatures in vaccine storage units for two weeks and found that in a majority (76%) of provider offices, there were times when vaccine was exposed to inappropriate temperatures (i.e., for at least 5 cumulative hours during the two-week (or 336 hour) study period. Contrary to some news reports, the OIG did not find that 76% of all vaccine was stored improperly. Thirteen of the 45 providers had expired vaccine that was stored alongside unexpired vaccine. The majority of expired vaccine doses identified in the April-May assessment were seasonal influenza vaccine. It is unlikely that such doses were administered.

 

CDC is not recommending that parents revaccinate their children. The main concern with improper storage temperatures is that they can make vaccines less effective rather than less safe. The OIG report did not assess vaccine potency or effectiveness. While it is possible that some children have received less potent vaccines due to exposure to improper temperatures, our data do not suggest that this is a common or widespread problem. Our national monitoring indicates vaccines are doing their job at providing protection against disease. Most of the diseases we vaccinate against are at record low levels in the United States. Investigations of recent outbreaks of measles and pertussis have been associated with factors such as vaccine refusal and waning of immunity over time. In fact, patterns in these outbreaks suggest that children are receiving potent and effective vaccines. Our vaccine safety monitoring also indicates that we continue to have the safest vaccine supply in our history.

 

While the safety and health of our nation’s children has not been compromised by the issues identified by the OIG, the findings are important and underscore that we must do better at ensuring that all vaccines are stored properly at all times, including removing expired vaccine from units where viable vaccines are stored. The vaccines that protect children against serious and even deadly diseases should always be stored properly. CDC and our partners are working with a sense of urgency to address the problems identified in the OIG study.

 

CDC continues to encourage parents to vaccinate according to the U.S. recommended immunization schedule to provide the best protection for children from 16 serious and deadly diseases. If parents have questions about their child’s vaccinations, they should talk with their child’s doctor.

IOM Report On Vaccine Safety Concerns

 

 

# 5884

 

It is no secret that vaccines, like all drugs and medications, can cause adverse effects in some subset of their recipients. In very rare instances, those side effects can be serious, although most of the time they are minor and transient.

 

Today, the IOM (Institute of Medicine) released a massive (660+ page) analysis and review of more than 1,000 previous studies that looked at suspected health effects related to eight types of vaccination.

 

• chickenpox
• influenza
• hepatitis B
• human papillomavirus
• diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP)
• measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• hepatitis A
• meningococcal disease

 

While a small number of rare adverse effects were causally linked some to specific vaccines – particularly among immunocompromised recipients of live-virus vaccines – the news is overwhelmingly positive.

 

First some excerpts (slighted reformatted for readability) from the press release by the National Academy of Sciences, then the link where you can download a prepublication PDF version for free.

 

National Academy of Sciences

Public release date: 25-Aug-2011

Few health problems are caused by vaccines, IOM report finds

WASHINGTON — An analysis of more than 1,000 research articles concluded that few health problems are caused by or clearly associated with vaccines. A committee of experts convened by the Institute of Medicine to review the scientific literature on possible adverse effects of vaccines found convincing evidence of 14 health outcomes -- including seizures, inflammation of the brain, and fainting -- that can be caused by certain vaccines, although these outcomes occur rarely. It also found indicative though less clear data on associations between specific vaccines and four other effects, such as allergic reactions and temporary joint pain. In addition, the evidence shows there are no links between immunization and some serious conditions that have raised concerns, including Type 1 diabetes and autism. The data were inadequate to reach conclusions about other suggested adverse effects.

 

<SNIP>

 

Convincing evidence shows that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine can lead to fever-triggered seizures in some individuals, although these effects are almost always without long-term consequences, the report says. The MMR vaccine also can produce a rare form of brain inflammation in some people with severe immune system deficiencies.

 

In a minority of patients, the varicella vaccine against chickenpox can induce brain swelling, pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, shingles, and chickenpox in immunocompromised patients as well as some who apparently have competent immune function, the committee found.

 

The majority of these problems have occurred in individuals with immunodeficiencies, which increase individuals' susceptibility to the live viruses used in MMR and varicella.

 

Six vaccines -- MMR, varicella, influenza, hepatitis B, meningococcal, and the tetanus-containing vaccines -- can trigger anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction that appears shortly after injection. And, in general, the injection of vaccines can trigger fainting and inflammation of the shoulder, the committee noted.

 

The evidence suggests that certain vaccines can lead to four other adverse effects, although the data on these links are not as convincing, the report says. The MMR vaccine appears to trigger short-term joint pain in some women and children. Some people can experience anaphylaxis after receiving the HPV vaccine. And certain influenza vaccines used abroad have resulted in a mild, temporary oculo-respiratory syndrome characterized by conjunctivitis, facial swelling, and mild respiratory symptoms.

 

The committee's review also concluded that certain vaccines are not linked to four specific conditions. The MMR vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) do not cause Type 1 diabetes, and the MMR vaccine does not cause autism, according to the results of several studies. The evidence shows that the flu shot does not cause Bell's palsy or exacerbate asthma. Suggestions that vaccines can lead to these serious health problems have contributed to parental concerns about immunization for their children.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

There are, of course, many instances where there is simply insufficient evidence to decide – one way or the other – whether a vaccine might have contributed to some rarely reported side effect.

 

All drugs can have side effects. 

 

And there is always a risk-reward calculation that we must all make when deciding to take medications, whether it be a vaccine, an antibiotic, or an over-the-counter headache remedy.

 

The evidence of the rewards that vaccines provide can be easily seen by the dramatic drop in vaccine-preventable illnesses in countries where they are widely used.

 

The chart below (source: CDC) shows the remarkable effectiveness of the measles vaccine campaign.

 

 

Vaccine critics are unlikely to be assuaged by today’s IOM report, but for those willing to look at the available evidence, this report should be reassuring.

 

You can access this report online, or download it as an 18MB PDF file from the The National Academies Press.

 

Adverse Effects of Vaccines:

Evidence and Causality

  Status: Prepublication Available

  Size: 800 pages, 6 x 9

  Publication Year:2011

Description

Immunizations are a cornerstone of the nation's efforts to protect people from a host of infectious diseases. Though generally very rare or very minor, there are side effects, or "adverse effects," associated with some vaccines. The IOM reviewed a list of adverse events associated with eight vaccines to evaluate the scientific evidence about the event-vaccine relationship. Using epidemiologic and mechanistic evidence, the committee developed 158 causality conclusions, assigning each relationship between a vaccine and an adverse health problem to one of four causation categories. Overall, the IOM committee concludes that few health problems are caused by or clearly associated with vaccines.

 

 

For more coverage on today’s IOM report, you may wish to check out the following media stories.

 

Vaccines given a clean bill of health - Nature.com

Report Finds Few Health Problems Tied to Vaccines - Wall Street Journal (blog

U.S.mandated report finds vaccines safe for kids -USA Today

HHS Facebook Programming Challenge

 

 

 

# 5774

 

 

Nearly thirty years ago I made a fairly good living as a computer programmer. Of course, things weren’t quite as sophisticated as they are today.

 

The Internet didn’t exist, an IBM-PC with two floppy drives for storage and 256K of RAM was the hot computer of the day, and we wrote laborious code using stone knives and a BASCOM 1.0 compiler.

 

While the technology has long since passed me by (the languages that I once knew are now only found in museums), I still have a deep appreciation for the programmer’s art.

 

So I’m delighted that Lisa at CIDRAP sent me a link to the following contest, offered by the HHS, for the development of preparedness apps for FACEBOOK,

 

Here are some excerpts from the press release.

 

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2011

Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

HHS sponsors contest for Facebook personal preparedness applications

Federal officials are challenging software application developers to design new Facebook applications to help people prepare for emergencies and get support from friends and family after an emergency strikes – from personal medical emergencies to natural or man-made disasters.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) issued the ASPR Lifeline Facebook Application Developer Challenge in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a health-focused online community of developers, designers, patients, providers, health care organizations that promotes health technology innovation.

 

The online challenge runs throughout National Preparedness Month in September and the remainder of the 2011 hurricane season, closing Nov. 4.

 

“After disasters, a tremendous number of people use Facebook to post and share information,” said Assistant Secretary Nicole Lurie, M.D., a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. “We’re challenging our country’s most innovative developers to create apps that help people use Facebook not only to reach out to friends and family for any kind of help they may need after emergency but also to become better prepared in the first place.”

 

The person or team developing the best application will receive $10,000 from HHS and free admission from Health 2.0 to the 2012 Health 2.0 conference, and will be invited to an HHS event with Dr. Lurie. Second place will be awarded $5,000, and third place will receive $1,000.

 

(Continue . . . )

 

 

As noted above, September is National Preparedness Month, and you are encouraged to join the NPM coalition.

 

HHS Proposal To Improve Human Medical Research

 

 

 

# 5711

 

The HHS’s Office For Human Research Protection (OHRP), while not widely known by the public, is charged with the important job of protecting the “. . . rights, welfare, and wellbeing of subjects involved in research conducted or supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)”.

 

The OHRP provides provides regulatory oversight, guidance, and advice on ethical and regulatory issues involved in biomedical and social behavioral research.

 

 

The last major revision to human research regulations were adopted in 1991; the “Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Research Subjects,” informally known as the “Common Rule”.

 

Regardless of the source of their funding, nearly all academic research institutions in the United States abide by these guidelines.

 

On Friday, the HHS announced an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) for changes under consideration to the `Common Rule’.

 

First a link and some excerpts from the press release, and then links to the proposed changes. Public comment is being actively solicited over the next 60 days.

 

 

 

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2011

Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

HHS announces proposal to improve rules protecting human research subjects

Changes under consideration would ensure the highest standards of protections for human subjects involved in research, while enhancing effectiveness of oversight

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today that the federal government is contemplating various ways of enhancing the regulations overseeing research on human subjects. Before making changes to the regulations – which have been in place since 1991and are often referred to as the Common Rule – the government is seeking the public’s input on an array of issues related to the ethics, safety, and oversight of human research.

The changes under consideration can be found in an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), Human Subjects Research Protections: Enhancing Protections for Research Subjects and Reducing Burden, Delay, and Ambiguity for Investigators, published in the July 25 Federal Register. The proposed changes are designed to strengthen protections for human research subjects.

(Continue . . .)

 

 

ANPRM for Revision to Common Rule

Information Related to Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for Revisions to the Common Rule

Help Spread The Word

• Read the ANPRM online. (pdf)
• Access the July 22, 2011 Press Release describing the ANPRM.
• Frequently Asked Questions regarding the ANPRM.
• How to submit comments regarding the ANPRM.
• How to browse comments that have been submitted regarding the ANPRM.
• Read a table comparing existing regulation with changes in the ANPRM.

CDC Grand Rounds Webcast: Electronic Health Records

 

 

# 5706

 

 

As I’ve mentioned before, once a month the CDC  presents a Public Health Grand Rounds webcast, on a wide spectrum of health issues.

 

Last April, I gave considerable blog space to CDC Grand Rounds: Sodium Reduction. 

 

Later today (Thursday July 21st, 2011) - at 1pm EST - the CDC will present their latest Grand Rounds broadcast, this time on Electronic Health Records.

 

While admittedly not without its controversies (including start up costs, Physician training, privacy issues, etc.), their use over time is expected to save billions in health care costs every year, and so their adoption – particularly among Medicare & Medicaid providers - is being heavily encouraged by the HHS.

 

To learn more about this technology, and how it will affect medical care in the future, tune in today at 1pm.

 

 

Next Grand Rounds Presentation

 

Electronic Health Records: What′s in it for Everyone? - Electronic health records (EHRs) allow for the systematic collection and management of patient health information in a form that can be shared across multiple health care settings. By providing easier access to patients’ medical records, EHRs can help improve healthcare quality, efficiency and safety. Full Text

 

• 7/21/2011, Thursday, 1pm-2pm, EDT
• Watch live webcast
• Watch the live broadcast at:
  http://cdc.wl.miisolutions.net/live/cdc/6
• For slower or dial-up connections:
  http://cdc.wl.miisolutions.net/live/cdc/7

  NOTE: presentation will be archived 48 hours following the live event

 

 

These presentations run about an hour. 

 

If you miss the live broadcast, you’ll be able to view this latest Grand Rounds presentation on the CDC’s Streaming Health Youtube Channel in about 48 hours.

 

Other Grand Rounds presentations archived, and available for viewing, include:

 

• Child Maltreatment: Creating a Healthier Future Through Prevention
• Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Threats and Opportunities
• Chlamydia Prevention: Challenges and Strategies for Reducing Disease Burden
• Folic Acid: Folic Acid in the Prevention of Birth Defects
• Foodborne Diseases: Better Prevention with Better Public Health Information
• Global Child Survival: Strategies for Improving Global Child Survival
• H1N1: Why H1N1 Still Matters
• HIV Prevention: Targeted Paths to HIV Prevention
• Malaria Eradication: Back to the Future
• Nanotechnology: Preventing Adverse Health Effects from Nanotechnology
• Nuclear Disaster Preparedness: Radiological and Nuclear Disaster Preparedness
• Polio Eradication: in India
• Prescription Drug Overdoses: An American Epidemic
• Rabies Elimination: Rabies Elimination in the 21st Century?
• Sodium Reduction: Time for Choice
• TB & HIV: A Deadly Duo
• Tobacco Regulation: The Public Health Impact of Tobacco Product and Advertising Regulation
• Vitamin D: The Importance of Monitoring Vitamin D Status in the U.S.

Video: H5N1 – The Next Pandemic?

 

 

# 5682

 

 

Although the H5N1 bird flu virus has slipped out of the daily headlines, federal agencies such as Homeland Security, the FBI, CDC, HHS, USDA, FEMA, and many others continue to take this threat seriously.

 

In 2008, the organizers of the 3rd annual International Symposium on Agroterrorism commissioned Nusura, Inc. - an emergency management consulting firm – to produce a video on the looming bird flu threat. 

The producers traveled to Vietnam, and interviewed officials with the CDC, HHS, and the USDA, in order to produce this informative 22 minute film. 

 

This video is now available on Youtube in two parts on the NusuralUSA channel. 

 

While the number of cases cited are clearly several years out of date, and the `next pandemic’ turned out to be a milder  H1N1 – not the virulent H5N1 strain that was feared -  the pandemic flu threat remains.

 

Whether it stems from the H5N1 virus, or perhaps one of the H7s, H9s, or some other lineage - another novel influenza virus will emerge.  

 

Despite being a bit dated, the following film offers an excellent introduction to the the bird flu threat by such familiar names as Dr. Nancy Cox of the CDC, Dr. David Swain of the USDA, and Rear Admiral Craig Vanderwagon (USPHS - retired).

 

 

 

 

 

These videos can also be accessed from the Nusura website and from the FBI-ISA.ORG (FBI’s Joint Task Force on Terrorism) website.

Promising Practices & Pandemic Toolkits

 

 

 

# 5316

 

While the pandemic of 2009 has receded, many government agencies, public and private organizations, and individuals continue to work to prepare for the next global disease outbreak. 

 

There are hundreds of toolkits available for free, online, to help communities and organizations prepare.  Every few months I endeavor to highlight them.

 

One of the best resources available is undoubtedly CIDRAP’s Promising Practices Website. 

 

If you are interested in starting a community preparedness or response program - or one for a college or university - rather than re-inventing the wheel, a visit to this website could save you and your organization  a lot of time, money, and aggravation.

 

 

The website welcome describes the site this way:

 

Promising Practices offers you more than 330 tools, practices, and strategies that have been used by public health and others to prepare or respond to an influenza pandemic. Materials represent work from 45 US states, including more than 65 cities and counties and now, colleges and universities.

 

The Promising Practices collection has just expanded to include higher education, in cooperation with the universities that compose the Big 10+2, and with support from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). The "Higher Ed" category already has more than 30 practices for colleges and universities to use, and collection is ongoing from all colleges and universities (see press release).

 

Created before the novel H1N1 influenza pandemic to enhance preparedness, Promising Practices now also features useful response activities. State and local health departments, as well as colleges and universities, are sharing their successes. By highlighting this quality work, Promising Practices aims to help conserve resources and strengthen preparedness and response activities.

 

A small sampling of some recently posted resources includes:

 

New Approach to Translation Helps Minnesota Respond to H1N1 (MN)

The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic prompted the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to design an innovative process to help planners determine which languages to translate and how many...   >> More

Evaluation of H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Highlights Leadership Role of School Nurses (ME)

As part of Maine's efforts to evaluate H1N1 response, the University of Southern Maine (USM) Muskie School of Public Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)...   >> More

Antiviral Distribution for the Control of H1N1 (TX)

Building new partnerships, including with large retail chains, helped Texas dramatically expand its options for distributing antiviral medications during the 2009 H1N1 influenza...   >> More

H1N1 Strategic Outreach Campaign (CA)

The Kern County Public Health Services (KCPHS) launched a prevention campaign in June 2009 to "minimize confusion, misinformation and potential hysteria" about H1N1 pandemic flu. The...   >> More

Elementary and Middle Schools Collaborate with Public Health to Evaluate Vaccination and Absenteeism (ME)

Two state organizations in Maine worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to evaluate the effects of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) monovalent (2009 H1N1)...   >> More

New Guidelines and On-Campus Resources Lead to Provision of Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer on Campus (MI)

During the H1N1 pandemic, the University of Michigan developed policies and practices around provision of alcohol-free hand sanitizer. In April 2009, the University of Michigan was...   >> More

Stockpiling Protective Equipment Allows Campus to Supply University Hospital with Masks during H1N1 (MI)

The University of Michigan began planning for an influenza pandemic 3 to 4 years ago. At the time, planners noticed that there was a lack of clear guidelines about the storage and use...   >> More

Healthcare Systems and Public Health Collaborate on Free Vaccine Clinics (SD)

Competing healthcare systems in South Dakota worked together for several months to offer free H1N1 vaccine to the public. Avera Health and Sanford Health are two large healthcare...   >> More

 

 

In 2008, after nearly a year of consultation with community leaders, the HHS released a series of pandemic preparedness toolkits which I highlighted in Pandemic Toolkits: You Don't Have To Start From Scratch.

 

You’ll find You can download all of the HHS toolkits from the Take The Lead webpage.

 

 

You’ll find factsheets, checklists, sample emails, and other resources already designed, and ready for use.

 

As you will see, the HHS wants, and is encouraging, community involvement and community action.

 

 

The King County-Seattle Health Department has produced a remarkable teaching aid, a 12-page comic book available in 8  languages, on pandemic influenza.

 

You may download and print out this resource, or you can order copies (outside of Washington State, order from National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)).

Preparedness comic book in multiple languages

Public Health - Seattle & King County has developed a 12-page comic book on pandemic flu in multiple languages. Targeting readers of all ages, this story tells the tale of a family's experience with the 1918 influenza pandemic. It also explains what to expect in a severe pandemic and offers tips to help households prepare.

 

NOTE: At the time this comic book was written, no vaccine was available for a pandemic. However, vaccine development for H1N1 is currently in development and is expected to be available in the fall of 2009. This publication was created in anticipation of a severe pandemic similar to the one in 1918. The H1N1 pandemic is not expected to be this severe.

 

Due to limited quantities, we can only grant requests for this publication to street addresses in King County, WA State.

 

 

One of the private groups I've highlighted in the past, the READYMOMS, have prepared a terrific  selection of free, downloadable, toolkits that can help you create a display like the one below they have used at medical conventions and conferences. 

 

 

 

 

While they have a couple of dozen resources, their ReadyMoms Alliance brochure (pdf trifold, legal size ie 8.5in x 14in) is a particularly effective handout (screenshots below), and can be reproduced (b/w, double sided,tri-folded) for less than 10 cents apiece in quantity by many commercial printers.

 

 

Although things are relatively quiet in the novel flu world right now, it isn’t too soon to begin figuring out how we will deal with the next pandemic that rolls down the pike.

HHS Webcast Today: Pregnant Women And Flu

 

 

# 4979

 

 

The HHS & CDC  will hold a special webcast later today – hosted on Flu.gov – with information directed towards pregnant women and the flu.

 

Today at 1:00 PM EDT on Flu.gov/Live

Pregnant Women and the Upcoming Flu Season

A Know What to Do About the Flu webcast focusing on the importance of vaccination for pregnant women, including a discussion on vaccine safety and benefits to newborn children. 

Guests:

• Howard Koh, M.D., M.P.H, Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS
• Denise Jamieson, M.D., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Laura Riley, M.D., Member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Siobhan Dolan, M.D., March of Dimes

Influenza Social Media Toolkits

 

 

 

# 4973

 

 

With the 2010-2011 Northern Hemisphere influenza season upon us, the CDC and the HHS are providing a number of new tools this year for website owners, and those with a social media (Facebook, Myspace, Blogspot, etc.) presence to help spread the word on how to prevent or deal with the flu.

 

They are in hopes that with the help of thousands of netizens, they can better get the word out about the importance of seasonal flu vaccinations and good respiratory illness etiquette and hygiene.

 

 

You may notice that once again this year, I’ve placed a new FLU.GOV  logo at the top of my sidebar.

 

You’ll find that you can embed everything from Flu shot locator applet to an H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation program, that will ask questions and help you determine if you have the flu or not.

 

Each comes with a small snippet of HTML code you can insert into your site.  The one below adds a small Vaccine locator applet, that allows visitors to input their zip code to get a list of vaccine clinics in their area.

 

 

 

From the Flu.gov website.

 

Social Media

Social media provides a unique opportunity to engage the public on critical public health issues such as H1N1 (Swine) flu. To encourage information sharing, collaboration, and interactivity, Flu.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed the tools listed below.

Available widgets

A widget is an application that displays the featured content directly on personalized home pages, blogs, and other sites. After embedding the widget using the code provided, no maintenance is required. Flu.gov and CDC will update the content automatically.

• Flu Vaccine Locator Widget (small)
• Flu Vaccine Locator Widget (large)
• H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation
• Know What to Do About the Flu  (en Español)
• H1N1 Map widget
• Flu.gov News Widget
• FDA Fraudulent H1N1 Products Widget
• CDC Widgets (CDC.gov/widgets)

There are also a wide array of buttons and badges available centering around this year’s slogan “The Flu Ends With U” which you can find (in English and en Español) at:

 

Flu Season Buttons and Badges Free Web Tools

 

 

 

Other free resources available include:

 

Video/ Audio Tools

This page lists all Podcasts, Videos and PSAs related to seasonal influenza.

Web Tools

Click on the web tools to add banners, buttons and badges to your website; these will link back to CDC's flu website.

You can download and send ecards to patients, family, and friends to encourage flu vaccination, in addition to viewing and responding to blogs.

 

 

The CDC uses social media themselves to spread the word on influenza – and other public health concerns – including the use of video and audio podcasts.  

 

• The HHS YouTube Channel
• CDCStreamingHealth YouTube Channel
• Flu.gov Audio Podcasts

 

You can also keep up Flu.gov on TWITTER by joining more than 10,000 others that follow @FluGov.

Their latest tweet tells us that there will be a live webcast this Wednesday.

 

Last week the CDC released a toolkit for employers to help reduce the burden of influenza in the workplace.

 

Seasonal Flu Information for Businesses & Employees

The purpose of "Make It Your Business To Fight The Flu: A Toolkit for Businesses and Employers" is to provide information and recommended strategies to help businesses and employers promote the 2010 - 2011 seasonal flu vaccine.

 

Make It Your Business To Fight The Flu: A Toolkit for Businesses and Employers [Entire Toolkit, 2.72 MB, 7 ½" x 10"]

 

You can also download individual components of the toolkit from this link.

 

And lastly, the CDC provides dozens of free posters, pamphlets, and flyers you can download and printout for your home or office, targeted to a variety of demographic groups.

 

 

Given the amount of scandalously bad information about the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccines circulating on the Internet, putting up a badge or a button on your site may help someone to make an informed decision this year.

2010 Flu Season: A Look Ahead

 

 

 

# 4942

 

 

Tomorrow (Tuesday Sept 28th,2010) the CDC will broadcast a live video event on their Flu.gov website.

 

 

Tuesday, Sept 28 at 12:00 PM EDT

2010 Flu Season: A Look Ahead

Participants:

• Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, US Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Howard Koh, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS
• Anne Schuchat, M.D., Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, HHS

 

Dr. Anne Schuchat should be familiar to most of my readers, as she personified the calm voice of reason during many of the CDC’s press conferences last year during the pandemic.

You can read her accompanying blog at the link below:

2010 Flu Season: A Look Ahead

September 24, 2010

By Anne Schuchat, M.D., Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For many people, fall is a time to tune into sports, tackle new projects, and even plan for the holidays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—CDC—wants to remind you it also means flu season is on its way. Last year’s 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic hit many hard, and should act as a reminder of just how unpredictable flu can be. It can attack even healthy people, and it can send children and adults to the hospital.  The first and most important step in protecting against the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season, and CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated.

(Continue . . . )