Tick-borne encephalitis

Ticks are becoming a growing health risk in the UK – here's why

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Infection, Public involvement (UK health initiative), Deer, Human, Tick-borne encephalitis, Animal, Lyme disease, Babesiosis, Red meat, Anemia, Fever Dream, UK Health Security Agency, Chills, Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever, Myalgia, Pet, Fever, Tick, Ricinus, Fatigue, Vomiting, Incidence, Hyalomma, Dizziness, Notifiable disease, Security agency, Risk, Dog, City, Climate change, Health, Ixodes, Bird, Environment, Encephalitis, Perspiration, Farm, Disease, Vaccine, Sulfur, Agriculture, Hunting, Animal husbandry, Borrelia miyamotoi

A British man is also said to have contracted alpha-gal syndrome after being bitten by a tick.

Key Points: 
  • A British man is also said to have contracted alpha-gal syndrome after being bitten by a tick.
  • But in light of these reports, many may be wondering whether ticks and tick-borne diseases are a growing risk in the UK.

Are tick numbers increasing?

    • Tick populations will also vary depending on the local populations of the animals they use as hosts (such as rodents and birds).
    • So given the sporadic data we have on tick density, it’s difficult to estimate how much tick populations have really increased, and whether this is part of a long-term trend.

Why are things changing?

    • This has been particularly noticeable in colder regions, such as in parts of Canada where ticks had not previously been recorded.
    • In the UK, recent milder winters mean ticks are being sighted earlier in the year than normal.
    • A push to build parks and green spaces, particularly in towns and cities, is another factor which can influence tick abundance.

What health risks do ticks carry?

    • The red sheep tick (Haemaphysalis punctata) and the newly established ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) are also becoming more common.
    • The incidence of Lyme disease is fairly low in the UK (just under 3% of ticks carry it).
    • But in other parts of Europe, between 9-22% of ticks carry Lyme disease – and this number is rising.
    • Public health officials are particularly concerned about the spread of the lethal viral infection Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.
    • Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is transmitted by Hyalomma ticks, which are most common in the Mediterranean basin.

Protecting yourself

    • Avoid tall grasses and areas where ticks thrive (such as moorlands and woodlands), especially during the warmer months.
    • If you become unwell after being bitten by a tick, it’s important to visit a GP as soon as possible.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus in the UK – what it is and how to protect yourself

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 17, 2023
Vaccine, Infection, UK Health Security Agency, Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, Vaccination, Tick-borne encephalitis, Central nervous system, Lyme disease, Nerve, Czech Republic, Fever, DEET, Tick, Encephalitis, Health, Skin, Clothing, Weakness, Brain, Epistasis, Inflammation, New Forest, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Incidence, Hospital, Climate change, Walking, Notifiable disease, Patient, TBE, Security agency, Risk, Blood, Control, Confusion, Infant, NHS, Headache, Death, Virus, Meningitis, Fatigue, Disease, Pharmaceutical industry, Pig

TBE is a disease that can lead to inflammation in the brain and is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of a tick.

Key Points: 
  • TBE is a disease that can lead to inflammation in the brain and is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of a tick.
  • The incidence in Europe was 0.9 cases per 100,000 people in 2020, but this shows significant variation by country.
  • This virus wasn’t present in the UK until recent years.
  • Taken together, this evidence suggests that the TBE virus is now successfully circulating in the UK, albeit at low levels.

How did it get here?

    • The virus can be transferred from infected to non-infected ticks when both feed on the same host.
    • Ticks infected with TBE virus have also been detected in the New Forest and the North Yorkshire Moors.
    • Slight differences have been found in the genetic background between these viruses, suggesting there have been introductions from multiple locations.

Symptoms

    • The effects of this virus can range from having no symptoms at all, to fever, fatigue and body pains, through to infection of the central nervous system where it results in inflammation (meningitis to severe encephalitis) that can lead to long-term neurological damage or death.
    • More serious symptoms to look out for that may indicate encephalitis include severe headache, a stiff neck, confusion, and weakness in the arms and legs.

Preventing TBE

    • There is a vaccine that has been used to prevent TBE in endemic regions for many years.
    • While the levels of TBE virus are low in the UK, vaccination is probably not justifiable, but this needs to be actively monitored.
    • The vaccine is also worth considering for people visiting a country where TBE is common and planning to do outdoor activities while there.
    • Also, enhanced surveillance of ticks will be important to help us understand TBE risk in different areas of the UK.

AstriVax, an innovative vaccine platform company, establishes scientific advisory board with world renowned leaders in vaccine development

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 24, 2023
Vaccine, GSK, ITM, Tick-borne encephalitis, Civil service commission, HIV, Veterinary medicine, CEPI, COVID-19, Infection, University, Ebola, Yellow fever, Global health, Research, Shingles, Doctor of Philosophy, National Immunization Technical Advisory Group, Book, RSV, European Commission, MD, Influenza vaccine, Tropical medicine, UN, Travel medicine, Vertically transmitted infection, Rabies, WHO, Hygiene, Polyclinic, UNAIDS, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Malaria, Management, Zoster vaccine, Global Health

Leuven, Belgium, 24 March 2023 – AstriVax has announced that Dr Emmanuel Hanon will chair the company’s scientific advisory board.

Key Points: 
  • Leuven, Belgium, 24 March 2023 – AstriVax has announced that Dr Emmanuel Hanon will chair the company’s scientific advisory board.
  • Renowned infectious disease experts Dr Peter Piot and Dr Patrick Soentjens have been appointed as the first scientific advisors to the AstriVax scientific advisory board that is being composed.
  • With the support of its scientific advisory board, AstriVax will continue to build its innovative plug-and-play vaccine platform to address important unmet needs in global health.
  • Their combined experience covers the full spectrum of infectious diseases, prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine development and global health management.

GeoVax Receives Notice of Allowance for Zika Vaccine Patent

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Antibody, Disease, Infection, Biotechnology, Rest, Zika virus, COVID-19, Cancer, Guillain–Barré syndrome, Neurodegeneration, Vaccine, Risk, Pregnancy, Dengue fever, Vaccination, Microcephaly, Tick-borne encephalitis, Patient, Patent, GeoVax, NS1, Flavivirus, Paracetamol, MVA, Woman, Yellow fever, ADE, Flaviviridae, ZIKV

ATLANTA, GA, Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a Notice of Allowance for Patent Application No. 17/000,768 titled, “Method for Generating a ZIKV Immune Response Utilizing a Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Ankara Vector Encoding the NS1 Protein.”

Key Points: 
  • ATLANTA, GA, Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a Notice of Allowance for Patent Application No.
  • 17/000,768 titled, “Method for Generating a ZIKV Immune Response Utilizing a Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Ankara Vector Encoding the NS1 Protein.”
    “Our novel Zika vaccine candidate, GEO-ZM02, is constructed using our modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector platform.
  • Preclinical studies demonstrated a single dose of GEO-ZM02 provided 100% protection against a lethal dose of Zika virus,” stated GeoVax CEO David Dodd.
  • The claims to be granted in the patent cover GeoVax’s MVA vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a ZIKV nonstructural (NS1) protein, of which GEO-ZM02 is designed.

Bavarian Nordic’s COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Candidate Demonstrates Durable Antibody Response Six Months After Vaccination in Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 17, 2022
RNA transfection, Tick-borne encephalitis, Vaccine, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Johnson & Johnson, VLP, Licensure, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Bavarian Nordic, Monkeypox, OMX, Technology, Goal, Immune system, Rabies, COVID-19, CEO, Adult, Safety, Letter, Vaccination, Forward-looking statement, Government, FDA, Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Omicron, ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, October 17, 2022 Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today the results of a six-month follow-up analysis from a Phase 2 clinical trial of ABNCoV2, a VLP-based, non-adjuvanted COVID-19 booster vaccine candidate.

Key Points: 
  • COPENHAGEN, Denmark, October 17, 2022 Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today the results of a six-month follow-up analysis from a Phase 2 clinical trial of ABNCoV2, a VLP-based, non-adjuvanted COVID-19 booster vaccine candidate.
  • We look forward to generating further data in the ongoing Phase 3 trial that will shortly open sites in Denmark.
  • ABNCoV2 is a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate, initially developed by AdaptVac, Denmark, using their proprietary capsid virus like particle (cVLP) technology.
  • Bavarian Nordic has licensed the global commercialization rights to the vaccine and has assumed the responsibility for further clinical development towards licensure.

Bavarian Nordic Awarded Ten-Year Contract Amendment valued up to USD 434 million for the Supply of Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine to Canada

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Smallpox vaccine, Public Health Agency of Canada, PHAC, COVID-19, Tick-borne encephalitis, FDA, Food, DND, Vaccination, European Commission, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Population, Forward-looking statement, Government, USD, Regulation of tobacco by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Johnson & Johnson, Rabies, Public Health Agency, Health Canada, Vaccine, Immunodeficiency, Goal, National security, OMX, Smallpox, Royal commission, Monkeypox, Immune system, Modified vaccinia Ankara, Cryptocurrency, Bavarian Nordic

This extends the USD 56 million contract awarded in June 2022 to a total value of up to USD 470 million.

Key Points: 
  • This extends the USD 56 million contract awarded in June 2022 to a total value of up to USD 470 million.
  • Furthermore, a new multi-year contract has been signed with Canadas Department of National Defence (DND) at a value of USD 2 million, in addition to USD 18 million in contract options.
  • Paul Chaplin, President & Chief Executive Officer of Bavarian Nordic, said: With foresight and prioritization, Canada has shown the way to building a robust preparedness for its population.
  • The vaccine is also approved for protection against smallpox and monkeypox in Canada, and as a smallpox vaccine in Europe.

Bavarian Nordic Enters Supply Agreement with PAHO to Support Access to Monkeypox Vaccines in Latin America and the Caribbean

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
COVID-19, CEO, PAHO, Tick-borne encephalitis, Vaccination, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Regulation of tobacco by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Government, WHO, Vaccine, Modified vaccinia Ankara, Global health, OMX, Food, Organic, Smallpox vaccine, Royal commission, Health Canada, Rabies, Goal, Organization, Bavarian Nordic, Access, FDA, Immune system, Population, Smallpox, World, Immunodeficiency, Johnson & Johnson, Pan American Health Organization, European Commission, Health, Monkeypox, Forward-looking statement, Region, World Health Organization

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, August 24, 2022 Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today an agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to facilitate equitable access to the Companys monkeypox vaccine for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Key Points: 
  • COPENHAGEN, Denmark, August 24, 2022 Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today an agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to facilitate equitable access to the Companys monkeypox vaccine for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • With the agreement, we have now helped to secure access to our vaccine in more than 70 countries globally, representing the vast majority of affected regions outside endemic areas.
  • Bavarian Nordic maintains its guidance for 2022 as this order has already been included in the upgraded financial expectations, as communicated on July 18, 2022.
  • Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated vaccines company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of life-saving vaccines.

Bavarian Nordic Expands Capacity with U.S. Contract Manufacturer for Filling of Smallpox/Monkeypox Vaccines

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 18, 2022
FDA, Monkeypox, Risk, Johnson & Johnson, Smallpox vaccine, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, CEO, ASPR, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Immune system, BARDA, CGMP, White House, Bavarian Nordic, GRAM, Government, Human services, COVID-19, Company, Contract, Administration, U.S. Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, Acquisition, Disaster, Therapy, Vaccine, Partnership, Vaccinia, U.S. FDA, Rabies, OMX, Development, Tick-borne encephalitis, Smallpox, Pharmaceutical industry

By adding the capacity of GRAM to fulfil a significant part of the orders from BARDA, Bavarian Nordic will be able to expedite delivery of vials to the U.S. while also freeing up capacity for other countries.

Key Points: 
  • By adding the capacity of GRAM to fulfil a significant part of the orders from BARDA, Bavarian Nordic will be able to expedite delivery of vials to the U.S. while also freeing up capacity for other countries.
  • With this agreement we will significantly expand our manufacturing capabilities into the United States allowing Bavarian Nordic to meet the growing worldwide demand.
  • Under this contract Bavarian Nordic has produced bulk vaccine, corresponding to approximately 13 million doses.
  • Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated vaccines company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of life-saving vaccines.

Bavarian Nordic Receives U.S. and EU Approvals of its Fill and Finish Vaccine Manufacturing Facility

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
PAI, Regulation of food and dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rabies, Committee, Food, Johnson & Johnson, Danish Medicines Agency, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Tick-borne encephalitis, CEO, Danish, Bavarian Nordic, EMA, European Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products, Government, Monkeypox, Immune system, COVID-19, Public health, OMX, Achievement, Review, European Medicines Agency, CHMP, FDA, Company, Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, Smallpox, WHO, Vaccine, Pharmaceutical industry, EU

An expedited pre-approval inspection (PAI) was conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the facility at the beginning of July 2022.

Key Points: 
  • An expedited pre-approval inspection (PAI) was conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the facility at the beginning of July 2022.
  • The inspection included the final drug production of JYNNEOS, which was previously performed at a contract manufacturer.
  • The inspection was successfully completed with no observations made, which has led to the approval of Bavarian Nordic as the new drug product manufacturer of JYNNEOS.
  • Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated vaccines company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of life-saving vaccines.

U.S. Government Orders Another 2.5 Million Doses of Monkeypox Vaccines from Bavarian Nordic

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 15, 2022
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Johnson & Johnson, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Tick-borne encephalitis, Rabies, Government, CEO, Smallpox vaccine, Monkeypox, Department, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, OMX, Forward-looking statement, Immune system, Assistant, DKK, Goal, Smallpox, Development, Bavarian Nordic, COVID-19, Company, United States Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, FDA, Vaccine, Contract manufacturing organization, Contract, Vaccinia, EBITDA, BARDA, Pharmaceutical industry

The new order follows two previous orders from BARDA in June and July 2022 for 500,000 and 2.5 million doses respectively which, together with an order from BARDA in 2020 for 1.4 million doses, will bring the total deliveries in 2022 and 2023 to nearly 7 million doses.

Key Points: 
  • The new order follows two previous orders from BARDA in June and July 2022 for 500,000 and 2.5 million doses respectively which, together with an order from BARDA in 2020 for 1.4 million doses, will bring the total deliveries in 2022 and 2023 to nearly 7 million doses.
  • Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic said: Expanding our manufacturing capabilities into the United States allows Bavarian Nordic to deliver more monkeypox vaccines to meet the immediate worldwide demand for JYNNEOS.
  • Under this contract Bavarian Nordic has produced bulk vaccine, corresponding to approximately 13 million doses for future delivery.
  • Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated vaccines company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of life-saving vaccines.