Recent News

By Region: North America

Vaccination campaign doubles HBV mutations

(EurekAlert) October 7, 2013 – A universal infant vaccination campaign in China has led the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) to more than double its rate of “breakout” mutations. These mutations may enable the virus to elude the vaccine, necessitating new vaccination strategies. Researchers at the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and University of Read More »

October 8, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, North America, and Public Health
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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update

(WHO) WHO has been informed of an additional six laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia. The six new patients are from Riyadh region with ages from 14 to 79 years old, of which three are women and three men. The dates of onset of the patients range from Read More »

October 7, 2013
| Filed under Europe, Middle East, North America, and Public Health
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Flu Researcher Ron Fouchier Loses Legal Fight Over H5N1 Studies

(ScienceInsider) Virologist Ron Fouchier has suffered a loss in a legal battle with the Dutch government over the publication of his controversial H5N1 influenza research. On Friday, a Dutch district court ruled that the government was right to ask Fouchier to obtain an export license before sending two hotly debated papers out for publication. The Read More »

October 7, 2013
| Filed under Europe, North America, and Research
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Facebook and Twitter may yield clues to preventing the spread of disease

(ScienceDaily) Facebook and Twitter could provide vital clues to control infectious diseases by using mathematical models to understand how we respond socially to biological contagions. Cold and flu season prompts society to find ways to prevent the spread of disease though measures like vaccination all the way through to covering our mouths when we cough Read More »

October 7, 2013
| Filed under Europe, North America, and Research
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Vaccine delivery to lungs using nanoparticles

(MedicalNewsToday) Many viruses and bacteria infect humans through mucosal surfaces, such as those in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract and reproductive tract. To help fight these pathogens, scientists are working on vaccines that can establish a front line of defense at mucosal surfaces. Vaccines can be delivered to the lungs via an aerosol spray, but the Read More »