“Contagion” Review

*Caution: Spoilers Ahead*

Tags: contagion, emerging infectious diseases, film, nipah virus

My Apologies

I did a poor job of keeping up with this blog over the summer.

I aim to resume writing shortly though.

A brief update on what kept me away. I am now an ORISE fellow attached to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, Office of Vaccine Research & Review, Division of Viral Products, Laboratory of Retroviral Research, Molecular Retrovirology Section.

Though I am not directly involved with biodefense and biosecurity efforts in the U.S., I am keeping current and updated with issues affecting the biodefense community.

Future posts will most likely be more op-ed and shorter in length, simply as a by-product of a busy lab schedule.

Once again, sorry for my absence, and thanks for reading. Comments are always welcome. I can be reached at drglasner@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or criticisms.

Issue Brief: Germany’s E.coli Outbreak and what it means for the United States

Germany is currently suffering from the deadliest E.coli outbreak in modern history. So far, over 2500 people have been infected, and 25 have died. More than 700 have developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare, severe complication characterized by acute kidney failure. The outbreak has been occurring since early May, an extremely long time considering most E.coli outbreaks only last for two weeks.

Tags: e.coli, food safety, germany, infectious diseases

Sorry for the time away

Be on the lookout for a new post on the E.coli outbreak in Europe and what it means for the U.S.

Plenty in the news about budget cuts as well, posts to come on how that’s going to to affect biodefense/public health in America.

And new disease profile on its way: Yersinia pestis, also known as Plague.

Disease Profile: Clostridium botulinum (Botulism)

Image courtesy of the CDC

CDC Category A Bioterrorism Agent

Microbiology
Causative Agent: Botulinum neurotoxin (7 distinct types, A-G) from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Subtypes A and B are most commonly associated with human disease, though subtypes E and F also cause human illness. Botulinum toxin is the most poisonous substance known to man.

A gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate-anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium.

Note: botulinum toxin is the basis for Botox, the legitimate drug for genuine health problems.

Epidemiology
 The disease occurs worldwide, with the reservoir as spores in the soil. Spores are also isolated from water samples. The disease is relatively rare in the United States but more prevalent in developing countries. Different strains (i.e. different neurotoxin subtypes) are more prevalent in certain geographic areas.

Tags: biodefense, bioterrorism, botulism, disease profile

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Disease Profile: Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)

Image courtesy of the CDC

CDC Category A Bioterrorism Agent

Microbiology
Causative Agent: Bacillus anthracis
A gram-positive, encapsulated, spore-forming, non-motile rod.

Epidemiology
Primarily infects herbivores, and humans are an incidental host. Rarely isolated in developed countries, but the disease is prevalent in impoverished areas where vaccination of animals is not practiced. Veterinarians in contact with infected animals and people working with animal hide, wool, hair, bone, and bone products are at highest risk of exposure. The disease is endemic in agricultural regions of the world where anthrax infection in animals is common (sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, south and central America, southern and eastern Europe).

Tags: anthrax, biodefense, bioterrorism, disease profile

Disease Profile Series

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting profiles on the CDC’s Category A, B, and C agents, starting with the Category A agents. For more information on these disease classifications, please see this post.

I am not a doctor, and I do not possess an M.D. I have never been trained in medicine. I am a microbiologist by training, and I have academically studied all the diseases I will be covering. Just thought this was important to note.

The goal of this series will be to educate readers at a very basic level on the diseases listed by the CDC. Education helps preparedness, and individual preparedness helps the system as a whole. Writing this series also keeps me fresh and informed on some diseases of concern. It’s a win-win.

Stay tuned for more.

Update: World Health Assembly Postpones Smallpox Decision

In a decision that may not have been difficult to foresee, the World Health Assembly decided to wait to decide. Any final ruling on smallpox destruction won’t happen until 2014, giving the United States and Russia at least three more years to complete research on novel smallpox vaccines and therapeutics. The decision to delay was made despite pressure from Iran and around 20 other countries.

Tags: destruction, retention, smallpox, WHO

Defining the Threat: What is Bioterrorism?

Before I go deeper into specific bioterror agents and biodefense policies and programs, I would like to start by defining the threat of bioterrorism.

According to W. Seth Carus from the National Defense University, bioterrorism is “the use, attempted use, or the credible threat to use a biological agent or a toxin by a non-state actor for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, or ideological cause.” Additionally, the CDC defines bioterrorism as “the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants.” Simply put, bioterrorism is the use of a biological agent as a weapon by terrorist groups.

Tags: bioterrorism, cdc