Biological weapons

GeoVax Announces Presentation of Sudan Ebolavirus Vaccine Data at the American Society for Virology Annual Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Medical specialties, Animal diseases, Infectious diseases, Zoonoses, Biological weapons, Tropical diseases, Sudan ebolavirus, Ebolavirus, Ebola, GeoVax, Zaire ebolavirus, Filoviridae

ATLANTA, GA, July 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a biotechnology company specializing in developing human vaccines, today announced the presentation of data from a study of its preventive vaccine against Sudan Ebolavirus (SUDV). The presentation titled “A single immunization of guinea pigs with a modified vaccinia Ankara virus producing Sudan virus-like particles protects from Sudan virus lethal challenge,” was delivered by Dr. Delphine Malherbe of the Bukreyev Lab, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, during the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Virology, being held virtually July 19-23.

Key Points: 
  • Challenge of vaccinated animals with guinea pig-adapted SUDV demonstrated a complete protection against death and disease by the prime and the prime-boost regimens.
  • This is the first report that a replication-deficient MVA vector may confer full protection against SUDV after a single dose.
  • David Dodd, GeoVax President and CEO, further commented, The presentation of data from this study further validates our platform and approach to addressing Sudan virus, and we look forward to advancing our vaccine to non-human primate testing.
  • Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) is one of six known viruses within the genus Ebolavirus (Filoviridae family) and causes Ebola virus disease in humans, with a fatality rate up to 73%.

Protect Yourself: Summer is Peak Season for Mosquito Activity

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Family, Health, Other Consumer, Consumer, Infectious diseases, Children, General Health, Viral encephalitis, Veterinary medicine, Arthropods, Animal virology, Medical specialties, Biological weapons, Culicidae, Insect control, Mosquito-borne disease, Mosquito, Eastern equine encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon encephalitis

Summer is peak season for the worlds deadliest animal the mosquito and news reports across the country indicate that we are experiencing one of the heaviest mosquito seasons in a while.

Key Points: 
  • Summer is peak season for the worlds deadliest animal the mosquito and news reports across the country indicate that we are experiencing one of the heaviest mosquito seasons in a while.
  • The most prevalent mosquito-borne disease in the U.S., it has been detected in all 48 continental states, D.C. and Puerto Rico, peaking in late summer and early fall.
  • Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare disease caused by a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
  • For help controlling mosquito populations in your yard or around your property, contact a licensed pest control professional .

Evrys Bio Awarded $34 Million from DOD to Develop a Single Drug Simultaneously Effective Against Multiple Lethal Viruses

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Medical specialties, Zoonoses, Medicine, Clinical medicine, Biological weapons, Tropical diseases, Antiviral drug, Biocides, Filoviridae, Alphavirus, Arenavirus, Virus

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., July 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evrys Bio, a biotech company developing Next Gen Antivirals, was awarded a $34.3 million contract from the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop a drug, simultaneously effective against multiple high-risk viral agents.

Key Points: 
  • DOYLESTOWN, Pa., July 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evrys Bio, a biotech company developing Next Gen Antivirals, was awarded a $34.3 million contract from the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop a drug, simultaneously effective against multiple high-risk viral agents.
  • The proposed drug intends to improve disease survival after exposure to one or more viruses from three families: alphaviruses, arenaviruses and filoviruses.
  • The DODs Defense Threat Reduction Agencys Chem Bio Technologies, Vaccines and Therapeutics Division executed an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement with Evrys for this effort.
  • EVRYS stands for the Companys vision to ultimately address every virus, said Lillian Chiang, PhD, CEO, Evrys Bio.

CDC Foundation Supports Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Take on Latest Ebola Outbreaks in Both Nations

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 22, 2021
Medical specialties, Infectious diseases, Continents, West African Ebola virus epidemic, Biological weapons, Tropical diseases, Zoonoses, Bat virome, Ebola, Democratic Republic of the Congo

At the same time, another Ebola outbreak is continuing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Key Points: 
  • At the same time, another Ebola outbreak is continuing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
  • "Right now, it is critical to take steps to strengthen the responses in Guinea and DRC," said Judy Monroe, MD, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation.
  • In Guinea, the CDC Foundation is assisting with an urgent and timely request to support Agence Nationale de Scurit Sanitaire (ANSS) which is part of the Ministry of Health.
  • The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of CDC-led programs in the United States and in more than 140 countries last year.

Global Disease Expert Available to Comment on New Ebola Outbreak in Guinea

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Medical specialties, West African Ebola virus epidemic, Infectious diseases, Ebola, Zoonoses, Biological weapons, Tropical diseases, Cultural effects of the Western African Ebola virus epidemic, Responses to the West African Ebola virus epidemic

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Richard Reithinger , Ph.D., Vice President of Global Health at RTI International (RTI), a nonprofit research institute, is available to comment on the new Ebola outbreak in Guinea, which has been proclaimed an epidemic.

Key Points: 
  • RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Richard Reithinger , Ph.D., Vice President of Global Health at RTI International (RTI), a nonprofit research institute, is available to comment on the new Ebola outbreak in Guinea, which has been proclaimed an epidemic.
  • Dr. Reithinger is an infectious disease expert with extensive experience managing health programs around the globe.
  • Infectious disease SME Dr. Richard Reithinger can comment on new Ebola outbreak in Guinea, now considered an epidemic.
  • During the Ebola outbreak in Guinea from 2014-2016, RTI aided the Guinean government and supported USAID's StopPalu project to mitigate the impact of Ebola on malaria treatment programs.

Antler Gold Appoints Christopher Drysdale as Vice President and Provides Exploration Update on Its Erongo Gold Project, Central Namibia

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Medical specialties, Continents, Infectious diseases, West African Ebola virus epidemic, Biological weapons, Tropical diseases, Zoonoses, Ebola, Antler, EVD, GUINEA

Christopher was previously Antler's Manager of Corporate Development and was directly responsible for Antler having the opportunity to secure the Erongo Project.

Key Points: 
  • Christopher was previously Antler's Manager of Corporate Development and was directly responsible for Antler having the opportunity to secure the Erongo Project.
  • Antler also provides an update on exploration currently underway on the project.
  • Antler Gold Inc. (TSXV: ANTL) is a Canadian company, focused on the acquisition and exploration of gold projects in Namibia.
  • For further information, please contact Daniel Whittaker, President and CEO of Antler Gold Inc., at (902) 488-4700.

Ebola virus disease in Nzérékoré – Guinea

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Medical specialties, Medicine, Health sciences, Zoonoses, West African Ebola virus epidemic, Biological weapons, Tropical diseases, Ebola, Zaire ebolavirus, Virus, EVD, Western African Ebola virus epidemic

On 14 February 2021, an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was declared in the rural area of Gouk in NZerekore region, Guinea, by national health authorities.

Key Points: 
  • On 14 February 2021, an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was declared in the rural area of Gouk in NZerekore region, Guinea, by national health authorities.
  • Samples from the confirmed cases have been sent to the Institut Pasteur in Senegal for full genome sequencing in order to identify the strain of the Ebola virus.
  • Significant developments have been made in the prevention of Ebola virus disease, with two vaccines now licensed for use in several countries.
  • For other EU/EEA citizens living in or travelling through Guinea, the likelihood of exposure is very low, as is the likelihood of introduction and further spread of the Ebola virus within the EU/EEA.

Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in North Kivu – Democratic Republic of the Congo – 2021

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Medical specialties, Medicine, Infectious diseases, Biological weapons, Tropical diseases, Zoonoses, West African Ebola virus epidemic, Ebola, Zaire ebolavirus, Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola virus outbreak, Western African Ebola virus epidemic

On 7 February 2021, the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease after a laboratory-confirmed case was detected.

Key Points: 
  • On 7 February 2021, the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease after a laboratory-confirmed case was detected.
  • This current outbreak constitutes the 12th outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the DRC.
  • Her husband was an Ebola virus disease survivor whose biological samples had tested negative twice since 28 September 2020; she died on 4 February 2021.
  • In addition, as the virus is present in the animal reservoir in many parts of the country, Ebola virus disease outbreaks are recurrent.

MRIGlobal Scientist Co-authors Research That Looks At New Approach To Treating Virus Outbreaks

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Zoonoses, Medical specialties, Medicine, Health sciences, Arenaviridae, Tropical diseases, Animal virology, Biological weapons, Arenavirus, Lassa mammarenavirus, Lassa, Virus

The research showed that repurposing combinations of orally administered drugs provides effective suppression of arenaviruses by blocking virus entry.

Key Points: 
  • The research showed that repurposing combinations of orally administered drugs provides effective suppression of arenaviruses by blocking virus entry.
  • "This approach could lead to a proactive strategy with which to prepare for and control known and new arenavirus outbreaks," said Dr. Olinger.
  • One member of the arenavirus family, the Lassa virus, is estimated to cause up to 300,000 human infections and 5,000 deaths annually.
  • Advantages to this approach include ready availability, relative low cost, room temperature stability, delivery by mouth and utility in non-hospital settings.

Oyagen, Inc. Publishes Study On Its OYA1 As A "Highly Effective" Experimental Drug Candidate For Treating Infections By The Ebola Virus

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Medical specialties, Medicine, Clinical medicine, Zoonoses, Tropical diseases, Ebola, Biological weapons, West African Ebola virus epidemic, Virus, Zaire ebolavirus, Infection, Ebola virus disease treatment research

This Study identified OYA1 as a "highly effective" antiviral against several viruses including Ebola and Lassa viruses.

Key Points: 
  • This Study identified OYA1 as a "highly effective" antiviral against several viruses including Ebola and Lassa viruses.
  • The published study results showed that OYA1 was "highly effective" in reducing the spread of Ebola Virus infection in laboratory tests with the live Ebola virus carried out by NIAID.
  • OYA1 proved equally effective in stopping Ebola infectivity when it was added at the time of infection or 24 hours after an infection.
  • OYA1 was abandoned as a drug candidate for cancer because it had no effect in reducing tumor burden.