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Worries about safety of U.S. biodefense labs
Since 2003, U.S. labs handling the world’s deadliest germs and toxins have experienced more than 100 accidents; as research into bioterrorism intesifies, number of accidents grows
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Preparations under way for 2011 review of biological weapons treaty
Representatives of 90 states meet in Vienna as part of an effort to bridge differences among countries about the best way to bolster the Biological Weapons Convention
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Ebola continues to spread in Congo
Lab tests confirm that number of cases now stands at twenty-four; WHO, MSF say outbreak is not yet under control
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The state of biodefense: I
In wargames of a terrorist biological attack on a U.S. city, it was predicted that an infectious agent such as smallpox could spread to 3 million people throughout the continental U.S. within 12 weeks of an attack; DoD, DHS work on early detection gear
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U.S. bans Canadian poultry after outbreak of avian flu in Saskatchewan
An especially virulent strain of avain flu — H7N3 — is confirmed in a Saskatchewan farm; U.S. bans poultry importation from province; two years ago a B.C. avian flu outbreak led to destruction of 17 million chickens
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Surge in imported food not met by increased inspection
The desire of U.S. consumers to save a few dollars is a major contributor to the surge in imported food products; legislation to tighten inspection of imported food
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Fourth bluetongue case confirmed in U.K.
U.K. farmers are still anxious about foot-and-mouth disease, and now they have to worry about the fourth case of bluetoungue infection
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Avian Flu Lab-On-A-Chip Device
Researchers at three Singapore-based institutes develop a lab-on-a-chip device for early detection of avain flu; device may be used for detection of other infectious diseases such as SARS, HIV, and hepatitis B
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DHS helps with Plum Island upgrade
While DHS is looking for new site for the $450 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility — there are five finalists competing for the contract — it is upgrading the aging Plum Island facility
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Bill overhauls way FDA approves drugs
Problems with Vioxx and questions about the side-effects of other drugs lead Congress to tighten, and make more transparent, the FDA’s drug-approval process
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Lethal disease devestates China's pig herds
China is the world’s largest pig meat exporters, but the blue ear pig disease is devestating China’s pig farm economy; virus spreading to neighboring countries; nimble vaccine makers stand to benefit
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U.S. food suppliers suggest FDA oversee food imports
Growing worries about the safety of food imports prompt legislatures to propose tightening regulations of, and requiring fees for, imported food shipments; large U.S. food suppliers offer alternative schemes
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North Carolina community split over biodefense lab
As has been the case in other U.S. locations, communities are split down the middle over building a $450 million biolab in their back yard — jobs, prestige notwithstanding
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Human plague case in Arizona
For first time in years; a human plague case is found in Arizona; reports of plague cases in New Mexico; fleas, rodents may be source of infection
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MRI launches biological safety center
There is a growing demand for expertise in laboratory services for the biodefense, agriculture, food safety, and vaccine development industries, and MRI steps forward to offer its services
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The long view
U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
Droughts in the United States are becoming more intense and unpredictable, and the nation needs to develop a new drought assessment framework to better understand and address them. A new framework should be developed which distinguishes between short-term operational needs, such as drought monitoring and emergency response, and long-term planning for water management, infrastructure, and climate adaptation.