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Category: COVID-19 Vaccine

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Canada announces new support for global polio eradication efforts

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    The world is on the verge of eradicating polio, but humanitarian crises, overburdened health systems, and the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic have created new challenges. Canada has played a leading role in the global health response to polio, and we are responding again.

    September 20, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The world is on the verge of eradicating polio, but humanitarian crises, overburdened health systems, and the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic have created new challenges. Canada has played a leading role in the global health response to polio, and we are responding again.

    Today, at the Rotary International Conference in Toronto, Ontario, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced $151 million in funding as the next phase of Canada’s support for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

    This Canadian investment will enable the GPEI and partners such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization to provide and expand accessible, quality polio health and immunization services around the world. This includes improving access to polio vaccination for the most vulnerable populations, including women and girls, and in conflict-affected areas where access to essential health services is limited or non-existent.

    Efforts will focus on ending transmission of all forms of poliovirus by vaccinating more than 370 million children annually against the disease, preventing 600,000 children from becoming paralyzed or dying each year, improving immunization rates and communications to promote polio vaccination, continuing surveillance and disease containment activities, and strengthening health systems.

    The funding announced today will make a significant and meaningful difference in polio eradication efforts and in protecting those most affected. It will enable more children to live polio-free and healthy lives. And it will bring us one step closer to eliminating this disease for good.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Africa: World Health Organization (WHO) delivers 33.5 metric tonnes of medical supplies to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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    In its largest air cargo shipment to the African region this year, World Health Organization (WHO) today delivered 33.5 metric tonnes of emergency medical supplies and equipment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to reinforce mpox outbreak response.

    Today’s delivery follows an initial shipment of more than 14 metric tonnes of emergency supplies to the country two weeks ago to support infection prevention and control, and clinical care measures in the ongoing outbreak. The two shipments will contribute significantly to infection prevention and treatment services in the country for the next three months.

    In addition to reinforcing the mpox outbreak response, the medical equipment and supplies will also be delivered to laboratories as well as district and referral health facilities to provide care for other medical conditions.

    “We’re intensifying our support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in all critical areas of the mpox outbreak response, ensuring adequate testing, prevention and effective clinical care to stop the spread of this virus,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We’re grateful to our partners for the important collaboration in strengthening the ongoing national efforts to bring this outbreak to an end.”

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for about 90% of the more than 31 000 suspected mpox cases reported so far this year from 14 countries in the African region. WHO is working closely with partners and the government to enhance capacity, expertise and outbreak response measures.

    The spread of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is attributed to two distinct main outbreaks: the spread of mpox clade Ia in the western Equateur and other provinces of the country where the disease is endemic, including spread to and outbreaks in the capital Kinshasa; and the spread of clade Ib in North and South Kivu provinces in the east, with a few cases in Kinshasa.

    As part of increased support to the mpox outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, WHO is expanding its operational capacity in the field, with more than 300 disease surveillance and outbreak response experts from WHO’s polio response programme recently integrated into mpox outbreak control efforts.

    In collaboration with national health authorities and partners, WHO experts are also working closely with communities to raise awareness about mpox, promote preventive measures and encourage reporting of cases.

    Efforts are also being ramped up to strengthen national diagnostic capacities by providing testing kits, reagents and machines to decentralize testing in eight laboratories. On 19 September 2024, WHO dispatched 3500 GeneXpert cartridges to provincial laboratories to ensure adequate testing for effective clinical care, thanks to support from the United States Agency for International Development.

    In readiness for mpox vaccine rollout, WHO is working with countries to ramp up measures to ensure effective introduction of the vaccines. WHO has developed an mpox vaccine roadmap and readiness tool and is supporting countries to develop national vaccine deployment plans that target those populations at highest risk.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Democratic Republic of Congo.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Hungarian Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities

    Source: European Parliament 3

    Ministers are holding a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council.

    Hungary holds the Presidency of the Council until December 2024 included. This text will be updated regularly as the hearings take place.

    Constitutional Affairs

    On 19 September, European Union Affairs Minister János Bóka highlighted the need to reform the EU for upcoming enlargement and told MEPs that the Presidency envisions two ministerial-level discussions on the future of Europe. He raised concerns about maintaining interinstitutional balance when reforming the Framework Agreement between the EP and the Commission and mentioned the transparency of interest representation, EU accession to the European Court of Human Rights, and the EU Ethics Body as other priorities.

    MEPs debated issues including the Hungarian government’s stance on EU values and its compliance with EU Court of Justice judgments. Many speakers raised concerns on the Prime Minister’s recent visits to Moscow and Beijing, while others advocated enhancing national authorities’ role in EU decision-making. Hungary’s announcement that it will seek an opt-out from migration rules and its national assembly’s position that European elections should be abolished were also discussed.

    Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

    On 23 September, Anikó Raisz, Secretary of State for Environmental Affairs and Circular Economy, said the Presidency would push for a more competitive Europe while addressing the triple challenge of reducing pollution, mitigating climate change, and preserving biodiversity. MEPs quizzed the Minister on the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction target for 2040, the Clean Industrial Deal, COP29, recent floods in Europe, the circular economy, pollution, new genomic techniques, chemicals, the role of forests and soil monitoring.

    Péter Takács, Secretary of State for Health, highlighted, as priorities, adopting Council conclusions on cardiovascular diseases and renewing EU cooperation on organ donation and transplants. The Presidency also intends to adopt the updated Council recommendation on smoke-free environments and advance on the pharmaceutical package. MEPs quizzed the Presidency on measures foreseen on rare diseases, equal access to medicines, shortages in the healthcare workforce, the competitiveness of the EU’s pharmaceutical industry as well as mRNA vaccines.

    Development

    On 26 September Tristan Azbej, State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians, said that the Presidency would pay particular attention to the humanitarian-peace-development nexus, especially in the Sahel region. Mr Azbej also mentioned as priorities the implementation of the EU’s Samoa Agreement with the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific region, tacking the root causes of migration in partner countries, and supporting the Global Gateway initiative and the Team Europe approach to development.

    MEPs raised questions about the credibility of the Presidency’s claims to advocate for human rights and democracy, given the rule of law concerns around the government as well as its ties with China and Russia. They also raised the importance of addressing the global persecution of Christians, and plans for closer cooperation with partner countries and countries of origin on returns and readmissions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary, Smt Alka Upadhyaya chairs a National Webinar on the eve of World Rabies Day in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Secretary, Smt Alka Upadhyaya chairs a National Webinar on the eve of World Rabies Day in New Delhi

    Workshop with the Urban and local bodies for streamlining implementation and continuous monitoring of vaccination : Smt. Alka Upadhyaya

    Posted On: 28 SEP 2024 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries,Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Smt Alka Upadhyaya chaired  a National Webinar on the eve of World Rabies Day yesterday in New Delhi.

    Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Dr Abhijit Mitra, Joint Secretary (Livestock Health) Smt Sarita Chouhan, Joint Secretary (GC/PC/Admin) Smt. Suparna Pachouri and technical officers of the Department participated in the meeting. Over 1000 participants joined the webinar online from across the country, with officers from State Veterinary Departments, Veterinary Universities, Animal Welfare Boards and Animal Welfare NGOs.

    Smt.  Upadhyaya in her keynote address, urged the participants and all the stakeholders to take a pledge to put best efforts to control and eliminate the dog mediated Rabies from our country. She also mentioned that, the deadly rabies virus has to be stopped by using the best available prevention and control  technologies in a collaborative way. Referring to the  central role of the Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions in Mass Dog Vaccination, the Secretary suggested to hold a workshop with the Urban and local bodies for streamlining implementation and continuous monitoring of vaccination as MDV is the most cost effective method of Rabies control.

    Dr. Abhijit Mitra reiterated that mass vaccination of dogs and control of dog population is equally important to control, manage and prevent Rabies infection. However, he emphasised that increasing stray dog population poses a big challenge to rabies control and coordinated effort by Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions with the State Animal husbandry department essential to control the dog population.

    Smt Sarita Chauhan talked about the importance of  creating awareness among all strata of public especially children and responsible pet ownership besides coordinated efforts by all concerned departments to increase vaccination of stray dogs.  The state veterinary departments of Goa, Kerala and Sikkim gave details of the planning and action for successfully controlling the disease and its spread in their respective states  The novel practices adopted by these states in control and maintenance of controlled status of disease was appreciated  and all other states were called upon to replicate the most conducive model for their states. The activities including mass vaccination, sterilization, and robust public awareness campaigns. Strengthening rabies surveillance, legislation, and reporting systems will be essential for maintaining rabies-free status and ensuring public safety, she specified during her session.

    Dr. Simmi Tiwari, Joint Director and Head, Centre for One Health, National Centre for Disease Control, presented an update on India’s National Rabies Control Program. The program, which aims to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030, collaborates internationally and provides technical support to neighbouring countries. Key strategies include mass dog vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis.

    Dr Sharda from Department of Microbiology, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Science University made a presentation on Rabies diagnosis. State Animal Husbandry Departments from  Goa, Kerala and  Sikkim were made  presentations  on their model  Rabies Elimination programs and achievements.

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    (Release ID: 2059872) Visitor Counter : 53

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press Conference by The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the Quadripartite Principals (WHO, UNEP, FAO and WOAH) on the significance of the High-Level Meeting on AMR and its outcome.

    Speakers:

    – HE Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados
    – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
    – Ms. Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
    – Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director-General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
    – Mr. Thanawat Tiensin, Assistant Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

    World leaders and health experts convened at the UN Headquarters in New York today (26 Sep) to address the “silent pandemic” of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with the adoption of a political declaration to confront this escalating global health threat.

    Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High-Level Debate, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that AMR kills over a million people each year. He said, “the declaration is a strong signal from countries that they are committed to addressing this global trend. Today, AMR is one of the most urgent global health threats. AMR could unwind 100 years of medical progress, making infections that are easily treatable today a death sentence.”
    Dr. Tedros further emphasized that no nation is exempt from this threat, although low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest burden. He noted the declaration’s goal to reduce global deaths associated with bacterial AMR by ten percent by 2030.

    He also said, “achieving the target set in the declaration requires action beyond the health sector to protect and promote the health of animals, plants, and our environment.” he added. Dr. Tedros said that the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) are collaborating under a “One Health” approach to tackle the issue.

    Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados described AMR as a “silent growing pandemic.” She cited the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials as the primary drivers of resistance.

    Mottley said, “many of us get antibiotics. We use it for a few days. We don’t use it for the full course, as prescribed by doctors.” She continued, “we have to change behavior at the individual level, and that is a fundamental purpose, first and foremost, for this high-level summit and the political declaration to begin to effect change.”

    Mottley painted a dire picture of the future if AMR is not addressed, saying “imagine what happens if you get an infection from going in a garden, or having a baby, or going to the dentist. These are the things that can bring your life to an end within 48 to 72 hours if the particular antibiotic that you’re using is not effective.”

    Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of UNEP said, “this deadly AMR resistance could potentially lead to 40 million deaths attributable to AMR, and 160 million associated with AMR in just a period of 25 years between 2025 and 2050.”

    WOAH Director-General Emmanuelle Soubeyran welcomed the political declaration’s emphasis on prevention, particularly in animal health and the use of vaccines. She said vaccines help “prevent diseases that could otherwise lead to the use of antimicrobials.”

    Assistant Director-General of the FAO, Thanawat Tiensin, called for collective action to reduce antimicrobial use in agriculture. He said, “and we are expecting that by 2030 we will be able to reduce the global antimicrobial use in agri-food systems, but we need your support.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MyFAs9Reqo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Rosreestr has concluded 22 agreements and memorandums within the framework of international cooperation

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Russia is expanding international cooperation in the areas of real estate and land use. Since 2020, Rosreestr has concluded 22 memorandums and agreements on cooperation with relevant agencies of other countries, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said.

    “Including three memorandums concluded since the beginning of this year with Kyrgyzstan, India and Serbia. Studying foreign practices is necessary to improve the quality of services in the field of land and real estate and to build the National Spatial Data System (NSDS). In addition, possessing advanced competencies in the industry, the department assists other countries in developing the sphere of registration of rights and cadastral registration, creating modern geoinformation resources. One of such large international projects is the creation of a geoportal of the spatial data infrastructure of the CIS member states, which is being implemented on the basis of the unified digital platform “NSDS” developed by Rosreestr,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The geoportal of spatial data infrastructure of the CIS member states is one of the four major international projects of the department, which is being implemented at the site of the Interstate Council on Geodesy, Cartography, Cadastre and Remote Sensing of the Earth. The corresponding list of instructions was signed by the President of Russia in November 2022.

    “The geoportal is being created using the experience of development and technological solutions of the Russian state information system “Unified Digital Platform “NSPD”. It will provide quick and convenient access for citizens, businesses, and professional market participants to open geospatial data of the CIS member states and electronic services created on their basis. Currently, within the framework of the schedule, the issue of providing the infrastructure of the state unified cloud platform for hosting and operating the portal has been worked out. All participants of the CIS Interstate Council have formed a technical assignment for the implementation of the first stage of work, and basic data sets for the operation of services have been agreed upon. The geoportal is planned to be put into operation in 2025,” said Oleg Skufinsky, head of Rosreestr.

    Rosreestr is implementing three more joint international projects with Uzbekistan, Abkhazia and Kyrgyzstan. They are related to the creation of national systems of state cadastral valuation. In particular, Abkhazia was provided with assistance in developing an automated information system of the real estate cadastre and a software module “Assessment of the cadastral value of real estate objects”. The project in Uzbekistan is planned to be completed by the end of 2024.

    The agency also signed six “road maps” for exchanging experience in the field of registration of rights, cadastral registration and creation of spatial data infrastructure. Such contacts have been established with Turkey, Armenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and South Ossetia.

    In addition, Rosreestr is developing cooperation with the countries of the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and China, and has joined the activities of the BRICS Working Group on Geospatial Technologies and their Application.

    One of the key areas of the agency’s activities remains cooperation with relevant international organizations, including the UN system, where the agency represents Russia’s interests. This allows not only to study advanced foreign experience in the field of geodesy, cartography and spatial data infrastructure, but also to promote Russian achievements and technologies in the industry in the international arena.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/52817/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to news that the FDA has approved the drug Cobenfy (KarXT) for schizophrenia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on the FDA approving Cobenfy (KarXT) for schizophrenia. 

    Dr Sameer Jauhar, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Affective Disorders and Psychosis, Consultant Psychiatrist, King’s College, London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said:

    “Schizophrenia can be a devastating illness for people and their families, and the effects on society are significant.

    “We do have effective treatments, and the pharmacological treatments are a foundation for holistic care (which includes psychosocial interventions).

    “Unfortunately currently available antipsychotics have significant side-effects, which include weight gain and movement effects, and this can affect peoples’ concordance with treatment.

    “All currently licensed antipsychotics exert effects on the dopamine system, and this has been the case for at least 50 years.

    “We have had false dawns before, despite significant efforts in the field (with significant financial investment) phase three trials of newer compounds have so far been disappointing.

    “This novel treatment is the first of its kind, which does not act directly on the dopamine system, with good phase three trial data.

    “The side effect profile from Phase three trials suggests it has less of the side effects noted with current treatments.

    “It is acknowledged that these trials are short in duration, and we will need longer-term trials, to inform clinical care.

    “In my opinion, as a clinician and researcher, this is possibly one of the most exciting developments in our field, and I am very excited about this.”

     

    Dr Robert McCutcheon, Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, said:

    Just how significant is this approval in the mental health/ schizophrenia treatment field?

    “This is a major advance – it is the first treatment for schizophrenia with a novel target for 70 years.

    Why do we need other drug treatments in schizophrenia?

    “Current treatments are ineffective for many of the symptoms of schizophrenia, we need compounds with novel mechanisms of action.

    What is different about this drug to previous drugs for schizophrenia?

    “All other treatments work by targeting dopamine receptors. This is the first treatment that has a different target. We hope this may mean it can help people who don’t respond to standard treatments and maybe help the symptoms that aren’t helped by existing treatments.

    What does this mean for patients in the UK who may be excited about this news?

    “We will be running the first UK trial of this compound in Oxford, starting in 2025.”

    Dr Paul Keedwell, Consultant Psychiatrist and Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:

    “New candidates for the treatment of this frequently debilitating condition are always welcome. However, the clinical effectiveness needs to be tested in real clinical settings. We also need to know how well it is tolerated given its tendency to cause gastro-intestinal problems in some patients.”

    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-drug-new-mechanism-action-treatment-schizophrenia

     

    Declared interests

    Dr Sameer Jauhar: SJ has given educational talks on psychosis for Behringer=Ingelheim, Sunovian, Janssen, and Lundbeck. He has consulted for LB Pharmaceuticals on antipsychotics. He has sat on a Wellcome Funding Panel, and NICE Technology appraisal panel for treatment of antipsychotic induced movement disorder. He is a Council Member of the British Association for Psychopharmacology (unpaid) and Academic Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (unpaid).

    Dr Robert McCutcheon: RAM has received speaker/consultancy fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Karuna, Lundbeck, Newron, Otsuka, and Viatris, and co-directs a company that designs digital resources to support treatment of mental ill health. I am leading a Wellcome trust funded RCT of the compound in early psychosis.

    Dr Paul Keedwell: No conflict of interest.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: CubeSats, the tiniest of satellites, are changing the way we explore the solar system

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mustafa Aksoy, Assistant Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York

    Most CubeSats weigh less than a bowling ball, and some are small enough to hold in your hand. But the impact these instruments are having on space exploration is gigantic. CubeSats – miniature, agile and cheap satellites – are revolutionizing how scientists study the cosmos.

    A standard-size CubeSat is tiny, about 4 pounds (roughly 2 kilograms). Some are larger, maybe four times the standard size, but others are no more than a pound.

    As a professor of electrical and computer engineering who works with new space technologies, I can tell you that CubeSats are a simpler and far less costly way to reach other worlds.

    Rather than carry many instruments with a vast array of purposes, these Lilliputian-size satellites typically focus on a single, specific scientific goal – whether discovering exoplanets or measuring the size of an asteroid. They are affordable throughout the space community, even to small startup, private companies and university laboratories.

    Tiny satellites, big advantages

    CubeSats’ advantages over larger satellites are significant. CubeSats are cheaper to develop and test. The savings of time and money means more frequent and diverse missions along with less risk. That alone increases the pace of discovery and space exploration.

    CubeSats don’t travel under their own power. Instead, they hitch a ride; they become part of the payload of a larger spacecraft. Stuffed into containers, they’re ejected into space by a spring mechanism attached to their dispensers. Once in space, they power on. CubeSats usually conclude their missions by burning up as they enter the atmosphere after their orbits slowly decay.

    Case in point: A team of students at Brown University built a CubeSat in under 18 months for less than US$10,000. The satellite, about the size of a loaf of bread and developed to study the growing problem of space debris, was deployed off a SpaceX rocket in May 2022.

    A CubeSat can go from whiteboard to space in less than a year.

    Smaller size, single purpose

    Sending a satellite into space is nothing new, of course. The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 into Earth orbit back in 1957. Today, about 10,000 active satellites are out there, and nearly all are engaged in communications, navigation, military defense, tech development or Earth studies. Only a few – less than 3% – are exploring space.

    That is now changing. Satellites large and small are rapidly becoming the backbone of space research. These spacecrafts can now travel long distances to study planets and stars, places where human explorations or robot landings are costly, risky or simply impossible with the current technology.

    But the cost of building and launching traditional satellites is considerable. NASA’s lunar reconnaissance orbiter, launched in 2009, is roughly the size of a minivan and cost close to $600 million. The Mars reconnaissance orbiter, with a wingspan the length of a school bus, cost more than $700 million. The European Space Agency’s solar orbiter, a 4,000-pound (1,800-kilogram) probe designed to study the Sun, cost $1.5 billion. And the Europa Clipper – the length of a basketball court and scheduled to launch in October 2024 to the Jupiter moon Europa – will ultimately cost $5 billion.

    These satellites, relatively large and stunningly complex, are vulnerable to potential failures, a not uncommon occurrence. In the blink of an eye, years of work and hundreds of millions of dollars could be lost in space.

    NASA scientists prep the ASTERIA spacecraft for its April 2017 launch.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Exploring the Moon, Mars and the Milky Way

    Because they are so small, CubeSats can be released in large numbers in a single launch, further reducing costs. Deploying them in batches – known as constellations – means multiple devices can make observations of the same phenomena.

    For example, as part of the Artemis I mission in November 2022, NASA launched 10 CubeSats. The satellites are now trying to detect and map water on the Moon. These findings are crucial, not only for the upcoming Artemis missions but to the quest to sustain a permanent human presence on the lunar surface. The CubeSats cost $13 million.

    The MarCO CubeSats – two of them – accompanied NASA’s Insight lander to Mars in 2018. They served as a real-time communications relay back to Earth during Insight’s entry, descent and landing on the Martian surface. As a bonus, they captured pictures of the planet with wide-angle cameras. They cost about $20 million.

    CubeSats have also studied nearby stars and exoplanets, which are worlds outside the solar system. In 2017, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory deployed ASTERIA, a CubeSat that observed 55 Cancri e, also known as Janssen, an exoplanet eight times larger than Earth, orbiting a star 41 light years away from us. In reconfirming the existence of that faraway world, ASTERIA became the smallest space instrument ever to detect an exoplanet.

    Two more notable CubeSat space missions are on the way: HERA, scheduled to launch in October 2024, will deploy the European Space Agency’s first deep-space CubeSats to visit the Didymos asteroid system, which orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt.

    And the M-Argo satellite, with a launch planned for 2025, will study the shape, mass and surface minerals of a soon-to-be-named asteroid. The size of a suitcase, M-Argo will be the smallest CubeSat to perform its own independent mission in interplanetary space.

    The swift progress and substantial investments already made in CubeSat missions could help make humans a multiplanetary species. But that journey will be a long one – and depends on the next generation of scientists to develop this dream.

    Mustafa Aksoy works for the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY) and the Research Foundation for SUNY. He receives funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

    – ref. CubeSats, the tiniest of satellites, are changing the way we explore the solar system – https://theconversation.com/cubesats-the-tiniest-of-satellites-are-changing-the-way-we-explore-the-solar-system-226701

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Annual Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Begins Oct. 4 to Help Protect North Carolinians and Their Pets

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Annual Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Begins Oct. 4 to Help Protect North Carolinians and Their Pets

    Annual Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Begins Oct. 4 to Help Protect North Carolinians and Their Pets
    hejones1

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services to prevent and eliminate the spread of rabies. Beginning next week, Wildlife Services will be distributing the annual oral rabies vaccine for wild raccoons in Western North Carolina. 

    To ensure the public can safely enjoy the outdoors, NCDHHS and Wildlife Services are using the latest science and technology to vaccinate the raccoon population. Starting Oct. 4, baits containing the oral rabies vaccine will be distributed by both aerial operations and by vehicles in Alleghany, Ashe, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, Macon, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Wilkes and Yancey counties.  

    “We encourage people to maintain safe distances from wild animals and ensure their pets are vaccinated against rabies,” said NCDHHS State Public Health Veterinarian Emily Herring, DVM. “Through both the oral rabies vaccination program and the vigilance of pet owners, we can work to prevent the spread of this deadly infection.”

    The baits — consisting of a sachet or plastic packet — contain an oral vaccine that vaccinates animals against the rabies virus when consumed. To attract raccoons, the packets are sprinkled with a fishmeal coating or encased inside hard fishmeal–polymer blocks about the size of a matchbox. When the raccoon bites into a bait, the vaccine packet is punctured, allowing the vaccine to enter the animal’s mouth, stimulating the raccoon’s immune system to produce antibodies to fight the disease. This protects the animal from becoming infected with rabies. 

    Intact baits will not harm people, pets or wildlife. The following precautions have been issued by USDA Wildlife Services if you or your pets encounter a bait: 

    • If you or your pet find a bait, leave it where you found it unless it is on your lawn, driveway or other area unlikely to attract raccoons in which case you can move the bait to an area of thicker cover where raccoons are more likely to find it and pets are less likely to encounter it. 
    • Wear gloves or use a towel when you pick up bait. While there is no harm in touching undamaged baits, they have a strong fishmeal smell.  
    • Eating the baits won’t harm your pet but consuming several baits might temporarily upset your pet’s stomach. 
    • Do not try to remove an oral rabies vaccine packet from your pet’s mouth, as you could be bitten. 
    • Instruct children to leave baits alone. If a bait is ingested by a child or adult, call 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297). NCDHHS has never received a report of a human ingesting a bait packet.
    • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if there is any chance the vaccine packet has ruptured.
    • A warning label on each bait advises people not to touch the bait and contains the rabies information line telephone number.
    • Broken or ruptured baits are ineffective and should be disposed of by using gloves to place the bait in a bag and then into a regular trash bin. Anyone who comes in contact with the bait’s liquid vaccine should thoroughly wash their hands using soap and water and call the phone number listed on the bait or their local health department for further instructions and referral. 

    Sept. 28 is World Rabies Day, which aims to raise awareness about this viral disease. In North Carolina rabies is most commonly found in wild animals, which poses a threat to both people and their domestic animals that may encounter wildlife. This disease is almost always fatal in mammals, including people, once symptoms develop. Increasing the number of vaccinated animals in the population helps establish a buffer to stop the spread of the disease to other wildlife, pets and people.

    While the oral rabies vaccine is safe for domestic dogs and cats, it is only approved for use in vaccinating wildlife. Annual rabies vaccinations for your pets should be administered by a veterinarian. In North Carolina, domestic pets must be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and routinely thereafter in accordance with state law. 

    Wildlife Services appreciates the assistance of the public by reporting strange acting animals to local animal control offices or to Wildlife Services toll-free at 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297). 

    The distribution of these vaccines is expected to be completed by late October, depending on weather and other extenuating factors. Once the vaccines have been distributed, Wildlife Services will continue to monitor the status of raccoons and locations of rabies-positive animals. The most current positive raccoon rabies cases have been located along the eastern edge of the vaccination zone.  

    Information about the National Rabies Management Program can be found on the USDA website.  

    For additional general information on rabies, visit the CDC rabies webpage. 

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte está trabajando con los Servicios de Vida Silvestre (Wildlife Services en inglés) del Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos para ayudar a prevenir la propagación de la rabia. A partir de la próxima semana, los Servicios de Flora y Fauna Silvestre distribuirán una vacuna oral contra la rabia para mapaches libres en el oeste de Carolina del Norte.

    Para garantizar que el público pueda disfrutar del aire libre de manera segura, el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS, por sus siglas en inglés) y los Servicios de Vida Silvestre están utilizando la última ciencia y tecnología para vacunar a la población de mapaches. A partir del 4 de octubre , los cebos que contienen la vacuna oral contra la rabia serán distribuidos por operaciones aéreas y por vehículos en los condados de Alleghany, Ashe, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, Macon, Mitchell, Swain, Transilvania, Wilkes y Yancey.

    “Motivamos a las personas a mantener distancias seguras de los animales salvajes y garantizar que sus mascotas estén vacunadas contra la rabia”, dijo la veterinaria de Salud Pública estatal del NCDHHS, Emily Herring, DVM. “A través del programa de vacunación oral contra la rabia y la vigilancia de los dueños de mascotas, podemos trabajar para prevenir la propagación de esta infección mortal”.

    Los cebos, que consisten en un sobre o un paquete de plástico, contienen una vacuna oral que vacuna a los animales contra el virus de la rabia cuando se consumen. Para atraer a los mapaches, los paquetes se espolvorean con un recubrimiento de harina de pescado o se encierran dentro de bloques duros de polímero de harina de pescado del tamaño de una caja de fósforos. Cuando el mapache muerde un cebo, el paquete de vacunas se perfora, permitiendo que la vacuna entre en la boca del animal, estimulando el sistema inmunológico del mapache para producir anticuerpos para combatir la enfermedad. Esto protege al animal de infectarse con la rabia.

    Los cebos intactos no dañarán a las personas, las mascotas o la vida silvestre. Los Servicios de Vida Silvestre del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos han emitido las siguientes precauciones si usted o sus mascotas encuentran un cebo:

    • Si usted o su mascota encuentran un cebo, déjelo donde lo encontró a menos que esté en su césped, camino de entrada u otra área donde es poco probable que atraiga a los mapaches, en cuyo caso puede mover el cebo a un área de cobertura más gruesa donde es más probable que los mapaches lo encuentren y es menos probable que las mascotas lo encuentren.
    • Use guantes o use una toalla cuando recoja el cebo. Si bien no hay nada malo en tocar cebos intactos, tienen un fuerte olor a harina de pescado.
    • Comer los cebos no dañará a su mascota, pero consumir varios cebos podría afectar temporalmente el estómago de su mascota.
    • No intente quitar un paquete de vacuna oral contra la rabia de la boca de su mascota, ya que podría ser mordido.
    • Indique a los niños que dejen los cebos en paz. Si un niño o un adulto ingiere un cebo, llame al 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297). El NCDHHS nunca ha recibido un informe de un ser humano que ingiera un paquete de cebo.
    • Lávese bien las manos con agua y jabón si hay alguna posibilidad de que el paquete de vacunas se haya roto.
    • Una etiqueta de advertencia en cada cebo aconseja a las personas que no toquen el cebo y contiene el número de teléfono de la línea de información sobre la rabia.
    • Los cebos rotos o perforados son ineficaces y deben desecharse usando guantes para colocar el cebo en una bolsa y luego en un bote de basura regular. Cualquier persona que entre en contacto con la vacuna líquida del cebo debe lavarse bien las manos con agua y jabón y llamar al número de teléfono que figura en el cebo o a su departamento de salud local para obtener más instrucciones y referencias.

    El 28 de septiembre es el Día Mundial de la Rabia, cuyo objetivo es concientizar sobre esta enfermedad viral. En Carolina del Norte, la rabia se encuentra con mayor frecuencia en animales salvajes, lo que representa una amenaza tanto para las personas como para sus animales domésticos que pueden encontrarse con la vida silvestre. Esta enfermedad casi siempre es mortal en los mamíferos, incluidas las personas, una vez que se desarrollan los síntomas. El aumento del número de animales vacunados en la población ayuda a establecer una barrera para detener la propagación de la enfermedad a otras especies silvestres, mascotas y personas.

    Si bien la vacuna oral contra la rabia es segura para perros y gatos domésticos, solo está aprobada para su uso en la vacunación de la vida silvestre. Las vacunas anuales contra la rabia para sus mascotas deben ser administradas por un veterinario. En Carolina del Norte, las mascotas domésticas deben vacunarse contra la rabia a los cuatro meses de edad y de forma rutinaria a partir de entonces de acuerdo con la ley estatal.

    Los Servicios de Vida Silvestre agradecen la asistencia del público al informar sobre animales de comportamiento extraño a las oficinas locales de control de animales o al número gratuito de los Servicios de Vida Silvestre al 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297).

    Se espera que la distribución de estas vacunas se complete a fines de octubre, dependiendo del clima y otros factores atenuantes. Una vez que se hayan distribuido las vacunas, los Servicios de Vida Silvestre continuarán monitoreando el estado de los mapaches y las ubicaciones de los casos de animales positivos para la rabia. Los casos positivos más actuales de rabia del mapache se han localizado a lo largo del borde del este de la zona de vacunación.

    Puede encontrar información sobre el Programa Nacional de Manejo de la Rabia en el sitio web del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA, por sus siglas en inglés).

    Para obtener información general adicional sobre la rabia, visite la página web de los CDC sobre la rabia.

    Sep 27, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –