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Category: vaccination

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 10 April 2025 Statement Statement of the forty-first meeting of the Polio IHR Emergency Committee

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The 41st meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) on the international spread of poliovirus was convened by the WHO Director-General on 06 March 2024 with committee members and advisers meeting via video conference with affected countries, supported by the WHO Secretariat.  The Emergency Committee reviewed the data on wild poliovirus (WPV1) and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses (cVDPV) in the context of the global target of interruption and certification of WPV1 eradication by 2027 and interruption and certification of cVDPV2 elimination by 2029. Technical updates were received about the situation in the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), Djibouti, Ethiopia, Germany, Pakistan, Poland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    Wild poliovirus

    Since the last Emergency Committee meeting, 36 new WPV1 cases were reported, three from Afghanistan and 33 from Pakistan bringing the total to 99 WPV1 cases in 2024 and three in 2025. This represents more than four-fold increase in Afghanistan and more than 12-fold increase in Pakistan in the number of WPV1 cases from 2023 to 2024.  A total of 741 WPV1 positive environmental samples were reported in 2024, 113 from Afghanistan and 628 from Pakistan. In 2025, 80 WPV1-positive environmental samples have been reported, 9 from Afghanistan and 71 from Pakistan.

    The upward trend in WPV1 cases and environmental detections has persisted in both endemic countries throughout 2024. In Pakistan, this increase has been evident since mid-2023, initially in environmental samples and later in paralytic polio cases, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, and Balochistan. In Afghanistan, the rise in WPV1 detections, both in environmental samples and cases during 2024 has been predominantly in the South Region. The Committee noted the geographic spread of WPV1 to new provinces and districts in both endemic countries in 2024 and observed that WPV1 transmission has re-established in historical reservoirs, including Kandahar (Afghanistan), Peshawar, Karachi, and Quetta Block (Pakistan). Currently, the most intense WPV1 transmission is occurring in the southern cross-border epidemiological corridor, encompassing Quetta Block (Pakistan) and the South Region (Afghanistan). The Committee also noted the ongoing WPV1 transmission in the epidemiologically critical South KP and Central Pakistan blocks of Pakistan.

    Review of the molecular epidemiology indicates that there has been progressive elimination of the genetic cluster ‘YB3C’ in 2022 and 2023, with its last detection in November 2023 in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. However, there has been persistent transmission of YB3A genetic cluster since May 2022, resulting in its split into two: YB3A4A and YB3A4B. During the first half of 2024, the cluster YB3A4A was mainly circulating in the northern and southern cross-border corridors. During the second half of 2024 there was distinct expansion of both these genetic clusters seen in Pakistan, more pronounced for YB3A4A. In Afghanistan, the predominantly circulating genetic cluster in YB3A4A.

    Both Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to implement an intensive and mostly synchronized campaign schedule focusing on improved vaccination coverage in the endemic zones and effective and timely response to WPV1 detections elsewhere in each country. Afghanistan implemented five sub-national vaccination rounds during the second half of 2024, targeting infected and high-risk provinces, while Pakistan implemented two nationwide and a large scale sub-national vaccination round from September through December 2024. After encouraging progress towards implementing house-to-house campaigns in all of Afghanistan during the first half of 2024, Afghanistan programme has not been able to implement house-to-house campaigns during most of the second half of 2024. All vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan since October 2024 have been implemented using alternate modalities (mostly site-to-site). The committee was concerned that site-to-site campaigns are usually not able to reach all the children, especially those of younger age and girls, which may lead to a further upsurge of WPV1 with geographical spread in Afghanistan and beyond. Afghanistan programme is taking measures to maximize the reach of site-to-site campaigns through adequate operational and social mobilization measures. The Committee noted overall high reported coverage of the vaccination campaigns in Pakistan; however, variations were observed about the quality at the sub-provincial and sub-district levels, relating to operational implementation challenges and increasing insecurity, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Nearly 200,000 and 50,000 missed children were reported from the South KP and Quetta Block (Balochistan) in Pakistan at the end of October and December 2024 campaigns.

    In addition to seasonal movement patterns within and between the two endemic countries, the continued return of undocumented migrants from Pakistan to Afghanistan compounds the challenges faced. The scale of the displacement increases the risk of cross-border poliovirus spread as well as spread within both the countries.  This risk is being managed and mitigated in both countries through vaccination at border crossing points and the updating of micro-plans in the districts of origin and return. The programme continues to closely coordinate with IOM and UNHCR. The Committee noted ongoing coordination between the programmes of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the national and sub-national levels.

    In summary, the available data indicate that globally transmission of WPV1 is geographically limited to the two WPV1 endemic countries; however, there has been geographical spread and intensifying transmission within the two endemic countries in 2024.

    Circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV)

    In 2024, there have been 280 cVDPV cases, of which 265 are cVDPV2, 11 cVDPV1 and four are cVDPV3. Additionally, 257 environmental samples were positive for cVDPV, 254 positive cVDPV2 and three cVDPV3. Of the 265 cVDPV2 cases in 2024, 94 (36%) have occurred in Nigeria. Of the 11 cVDPV1 cases in 2024, 10 were reported from DR Congo and one from Mozambique. All the four cVDPV3 cases in 2024 were reported from Guinea.

     A total of 528 cases have been confirmed with cVDPV in all of 2023, of which 395 are cVDPV2 and 134 are cVDPV1 (one case co-infected with cVDPV1 and cVDPV2). Of the 528 cVDPV cases reported in 2023, 226 (43%) have occurred in the DR Congo.

    Since the last meeting of the Emergency Committee, new cVDPV2 detections were reported from Finland, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and new cVDPV3 detections from Guinea.

    In 2024, the total number of circulating cVDPV2 emergence groups detected to date is 26, compared to 27 in 2023, 22 in 2022, 29 in 2021, 36 in 2020, and 44 in 2019. Of the 26 emergence groups circulating in 2024, eleven are newly detected in 2024, 10 derived from the novel OPV2 vaccine. There have now been 25 nOPV2 derived cVDPV2 emergences since 2021. The committee noted that the nOPV2 vaccine continues to demonstrate significantly higher genetic stability and substantially lower likelihood of reversion to neurovirulence relative to Sabin OPV2.

    A total of 11 cVDPV1 cases have been reported in 2024, 10 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one in Mozambique. This compares to 134 cVDPV1 cases in all of 2023 (106 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 24 in Madagascar, four in Mozambique), representing a 92% reduction in the global cVDPV1 paralytic burden from 2023. However, one new emergence has been reported from the Tshopo province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC-TSH-3). This is the first cVDPV1 emergence reported since September 2022. The committed noted encouraging progress in Madagascar towards interrupting local cVDPV1 transmission, with no detections for more than 16 months.

    In 2024, two countries reported cVDPV3 outbreaks: French Guiana (French territory in South America) and Guinea. Both cVDPV3 outbreaks in 2024 were due to new emergences, leading to three positive environmental samples in French Guiana (May to August 2024) and four cVDPV3 cases in Guinea (July to November 2024). The committee noted that these cVDPV3 outbreaks were reported after a significant interval, with the last cVDPV3 outbreak reported in March 2022.

    In 2024, DR Congo and Mozambique reported co-circulation of cVDPV1 and cVDPV2, while Guinea detected co-circulation of cVDPV2 and cVDPV3.

    The Committee noted that the risk of cVDPV outbreaks is largely driven by a combination of inaccessibility, insecurity, high concentrations of zero-dose and under-immunized children, and ongoing population displacement.

    Conclusion

    The Committee unanimously agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and recommended extending the Temporary Recommendations for a further three months. In reaching this conclusion, the Committee considered the following factors:

    Ongoing risk of WPV1 international spread:  

    Based on the following factors, there remains the risk of international spread of WPV1:

    • Intensifying WPV1 transmission with geographical spread into formerly endemic areas and core reservoirs of Afghanistan (South) and Pakistan (Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta Block) as well as other epidemiologically critical areas like Central Pakistan, and parts of Punjab province in Pakistan that were without any WPV1 detection for prolonged periods of time.
    • That WPV1 transmission has been re-established in the south region of Afghanistan and Karachi, and Quetta Block of Pakistan.
    • This intensifying WPV1 transmission in both endemic countries during the low transmission season indicates sizeable cohort of unimmunized and under-immunized children.
    • Lack of house-to-house vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan represents a major risk of further WPV1 spread and intensification of its transmission.
    • Certain geographies and population pockets in the epidemiologically critical areas of Pakistan continue to have inconsistent campaign quality and substantial number of unimmunized and under-immunized children due to insecurity, operational gaps, and vaccine hesitancy.
    • Ongoing population movement between the two endemic countries, including the returnees from Pakistan to Afghanistan, leading to cross-border WPV1 transmission.
    • Ongoing population movement from the two endemic countries to other countries, neighbouring and distant.

    Ongoing risk of cVDPV international spread:

    Based on the following factors, the risk of international spread of cVDPV appears to remain high:

    Risk categories

    The Committee provided the Director-General with the following advice aimed at reducing the risk of international spread of WPV1 and cVDPVs, based on the risk stratification as follows:

    1. States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1 or cVDPV3.
    2. States infected with cVDPV2, with or without evidence of local transmission.
    3. States previously infected by WPV1 or cVDPV within the last 24 months.

    Criteria to assess States as no longer infected by WPV1 or cVDPV:

    • Poliovirus Case: 12 months after the onset date of the most recent case PLUS one month to account for case detection, investigation, laboratory testing and reporting period OR when all reported AFP cases with onset within 12 months of last case have been tested for polio and excluded for WPV1 or cVDPV, and environmental or other samples collected within 12 months of the last case have also tested negative, whichever is the longer.
    • Environmental or other isolation of WPV1 or cVDPV (no poliovirus case): 12 months after collection of the most recent positive environmental or other sample (such as from a healthy child) PLUS one month to account for the laboratory testing and reporting period.
    • These criteria may be varied for the endemic countries, where more rigorous assessment is needed in reference to surveillance gaps.

    Once a country meets these criteria as no longer infected, the country will remain on a ‘watch list’ for a further 12 months for a period of heightened monitoring.  After this period, the country will no longer be subject to Temporary Recommendations. 

    TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATIONS

    States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1 or cVDPV3 with potential risk of international spread

    (as of data available at WHO HQ on 20 February 2025)

    WPV1                                                                                                                                         

    Afghanistan                            most recent detection 27 Jan 2025

    Pakistan                                  most recent detection 30 Jan 2025

    cVDPV1

    Mozambique                           most recent detection 17 May 2024

    DR Congo                               most recent detection 19 Sep 2024

    cVDPV3

    French Guiana (France)       most recent detection 06 Aug 2024

    Guinea                                  most recent detection 21 Nov 2024

    These countries should:

    • Officially declare, if not already done, at the level of head of state or government, that the interruption of poliovirus transmission is a national public health emergency and implement all required measures to support polio eradication; where such declaration has already been made, this emergency status should be maintained as long as the response is required.
    • Ensure that all residents and long­term visitors (> four weeks) of all ages, receive a dose of bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) between four weeks and 12 months prior to international travel.
    • Ensure that those undertaking urgent travel (within four weeks), who have not received a dose of bOPV or IPV in the previous four weeks to 12 months, receive a dose of polio vaccine at least by the time of departure as this will still provide benefit, particularly for frequent travelers.
    • Ensure that such travelers are provided with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis in the form specified in Annex 6 of the IHR to record their polio vaccination and serve as proof of vaccination.
    • Restrict at the point of departure the international travel of any resident lacking documentation of appropriate polio vaccination. These recommendations apply to international travelers from all points of departure, irrespective of the means of conveyance (road, air and / or sea).
    • Further enhance cross­border efforts by significantly improving coordination at the national, regional, and local levels to substantially increase vaccination coverage of travelers crossing the border and of high risk cross­border populations. Improved coordination of cross­border efforts should include closer supervision and monitoring of the quality of vaccination at border transit points, as well as tracking of the proportion of travelers that are identified as unvaccinated after they have crossed the border.
    • Further intensify efforts to increase routine immunization coverage, including sharing coverage data, as high routine immunization coverage is an essential element of the polio eradication strategy, particularly as the world moves closer to eradication. Countries which have not yet introduced IPV2 into their schedules should urgently implement this. Once available, countries should also consider introducing the hexavalent vaccine, now approved by Gavi.
    • Maintain these measures until the following criteria have been met: (i) at least six months have passed without new infections and (ii) there is documentation of full application of high-quality eradication activities in all infected and high-risk areas; in the absence of such documentation these measures should be maintained until the state meets the above assessment criteria for being no longer infected.
    • Provide to the Director-General a regular report on the implementation of the Temporary Recommendations on international travel.

    States infected with cVDPV2, with or without evidence of local transmission:

    (as of data available at WHO HQ on 20 February 2025)

    1. Algeria                                                        most recent detection 13 Jan 2025
    2. Angola                                                        most recent detection 24 Aug 2024
    3. Benin                                                          most recent detection 19 Nov 2024
    4. Cameroon                                                  most recent detection 04 Nov 2024
    5. Chad                                                           most recent detection 30 Aug 2024
    6. Côte d’Ivoire                                               most recent detection 27 Nov 2024
    7. Democratic Republic of the Congo             most recent detection 22 Nov 2024
    8. Djibouti                                                         most recent detection 20 Oct 2024
    9. Egypt                                                           most recent detection 01 Aug 2024
    10. Equatorial Guinea                                        most recent detection 26 Mar 2024
    11. Ethiopia                                                        most recent detection 04 Dec 2024
    12. Finland                                                          most recent detection 19 Nov 2024
    13. Gambia                                                         most recent detection 15 Feb 2024
    14. Germany                                                       most recent detection 17 Dec 2024
    15. Ghana                                                           most recent detection 20 Aug 2024
    16. Guinea                                                           most recent detection 12 Jun 2024
    17. Indonesia                                                       most recent detection 27 Jun 2024
    18. Kenya                                                              most recent detection 31 Jul 2024
    19. Liberia                                                            most recent detection 08 Jun 2024
    20. Mali                                                                most recent detection 02 Jan 2024
    21. Mozambique                                                  most recent detection 05 Mar 2024
    22. Niger                                                              most recent detection 17 Dec 2024
    23. Nigeria                                                           most recent detection 01 Nov 2024
    24. occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)                most recent detection 09 Jan 2025
    25. Poland                                                           most recent detection 03 Dec 2024
    26. Senegal                                                          most recent detection 21 Oct 2024
    27. Sierra Leone                                                  most recent detection 28 May 2024
    28. Somalia                                                          most recent detection 05 Jun 2024
    29. South Sudan                                                  most recent detection 03 Dec 2024
    30. Spain                                                              most recent detection 16 Sep 2024
    31. Sudan                                                              most recent detection 24 Jan 2024
    32. The United Kingdom of Great Britain

      and Northern Ireland                                     most recent detection 11 Dec 2024

    33. Uganda                                                         most recent detection 07 May 2024
    34. Yemen                                                           most recent detection 16 Sep 2024
    35. Zimbabwe                                                      most recent detection 25 Jun 2024

    States that have had an importation of cVDPV2 but without evidence of local transmission should:

    • Officially declare, if not already done, at the level of head of state or government, that the prevention or interruption of poliovirus transmission is a national public health emergency.
    • Undertake urgent and intensive investigations and risk assessment to determine if there has been local transmission of the imported cVDPV2, requiring an immunization response.
    • Noting the existence of a separate mechanism for responding to type 2 poliovirus infections, Members States should request vaccines from the global novel OPV2 stockpile.
    • Further intensify efforts to increase routine immunization coverage, as high routine immunization coverage is an essential element of the polio eradication strategy, particularly as the world moves closer to eradication. Countries which have not yet introduced IPV2 into their schedules should urgently implement this. Once available, countries should also consider introducing the hexavalent vaccine, now approved by Gavi.
    • Intensify surveillance for polioviruses and strengthen regional cooperation and cross-border coordination to ensure the timely detection of poliovirus.

    States with local transmission of cVDPV2, with risk of international spread, in addition to the above measures, should:

    •  Encourage residents and long­term visitors (> four weeks) to receive a dose of IPV four weeks to 12 months prior to international travel.
    • Ensure that travelers who receive such vaccination have access to an appropriate document to record their polio vaccination status.
    • Intensify regional cooperation and cross­border coordination to enhance surveillance for prompt detection of poliovirus, and vaccinate refugees, travelers and cross­border populations.

    For both sub-categories:

    • Maintain these measures until the following criteria have been met: (i) at least six months have passed without the detection of circulation of VDPV2 in the country from any source, and (ii) there is documentation of full application of high quality eradication activities in all infected and high risk areas; in the absence of such documentation these measures should be maintained until the state meets the criteria of a ‘state no longer infected’.
    • At the end of 12 months without evidence of transmission, provide a report to the Director-General on measures taken to implement the Temporary Recommendations.

    States no longer polio infected, but previously infected by WPV1 or cVDPV within the last 24 months (as of data available at WHO HQ on 20 February 2024)

    WPV1

                 country                                      last virus                   date                                                                       

    cVDPV

                 country                                      last virus                   date                                                                       

    1. Botswana                                          cVDPV2            25 Jul 2023
    2. Burkina Faso                                    cVDPV2            12 Dec 2023                
    3. Burundi                                             cVDPV2            15 Jun 2023
    4. Central African Republic                   cVDPV2            07 Oct 2023
    5. Republic of Congo                            cVDPV2            07 Dec 2023
    6. Israel                                                 cVDPV2            13 Feb 2023
    7. Madagascar                                      cVDPV1            16 Sep 2023
    8. Mauritania                                         cVDPV2            13 Dec 2023
    9. United Republic of Tanzania             cVDPV2             20 Nov 2023
    10. Zambia                                              cVDPV2             06 Jun 2023 

    These countries should:

    • Urgently strengthen routine immunization to boost population immunity.
    • Enhance surveillance quality, including considering introducing or expanding supplementary methods such as environmental surveillance, to reduce the risk of undetected WPV1 and cVDPV transmission, particularly among high-risk and vulnerable populations.
    • Intensify efforts to ensure vaccination of mobile and cross­border populations, Internally Displaced Persons, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.
    • Enhance regional cooperation and cross border coordination to ensure prompt detection of WPV1 and cVDPV, and vaccination of high-risk population groups.
    • Maintain these measures with documentation of full application of high-quality surveillance and vaccination activities.

    Additional considerations

    The Committee noted that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative needs to reconsider its priorities and reprogram its operations in response to the current fiscal constraints. The current financial shortfall poses a significant risk to eradication efforts. The Committee acknowledges and appreciates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s recent confirmation of its $500 million commitment to global polio eradication. The committee urged donor countries and organizations to enhance their financial support, emphasizing that failure is not an option. The Committee also called on national governments to prioritize polio eradication in their domestic funding allocations to ensure sustained progress toward eradication.

    The Committee expressed deep concern over the escalating and expanding WPV1 transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The persistence of WPV1 transmission despite ongoing vaccination campaigns highlights gaps in immunization quality. The Committee also noted that the current levels of WPV1 transmission during the low season could further intensify during the high transmission season if uniform, high-quality campaigns, particularly in core reservoir areas, are not ensured.

    The Committee remains concerned about the continued inability to conduct house-to-house vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan. This challenge places infants and young children, particularly girls, at a heightened risk of missing polio vaccination. The Committee appreciates the efforts to improve women’s participation in site-to-site polio vaccination as well as for border vaccination and encourages to expand these efforts to high-risk South Region of Afghanistan.

    The Committee acknowledged the strong political commitment to polio eradication in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Committee emphasized that this commitment must translate into concrete operational actions to strengthen community engagement and implement high-quality vaccination campaigns. These efforts are essential to interrupt the ongoing intense WPV1 transmission and mitigate the risk of national and international spread. In Afghanistan. The Committee specifically recommended the resumption of house-to-house vaccination campaigns and the recruitment of additional female vaccinators to enhance community acceptance and improve coverage.

    The Committee is encouraged by the improving cVDPV1 situation in the African Region, particularly in Madagascar, which has not reported any cases for over 16 months. The Committee emphasized the need to sustain high-quality vaccination efforts, particularly in the DR Congo and Mozambique, the only two countries that have reported cVDPV1 cases in 2024.

    The Committee noted the ongoing transmission of cVDPV2 in the African Region, particularly in northern Nigeria. While there has been an overall decline in cVDPV2 cases in 2024, the Committee expressed concern over the increase in cases reported by Angola, Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Yemen compared to 2023. The Committee also noted the concerning cVDPV2 epidemiological situation in Chad and Algeria and recommended the implementation of high-quality vaccination campaigns to boost population immunity. The Committee noted the challenges in implementing high-quality immunization responses in critical areas of the African Region and northern Yemen. Additionally, the Committee expressed concerns over surveillance gaps in northern Yemen, which may further hinder early detection and response efforts.

    The Committee noted the detection of cVDPV3 in Guinea and French Guiana in 2024, after more than two years with no reported detections globally and emphasized the need for a high-quality surveillance and immunization response to contain these outbreaks.

    The Committee noted that several cVDPV-affected countries continue to face conflict and insecurity, which disrupts both routine immunization and polio vaccination campaigns. The Committee also noted that ongoing health emergencies and disease outbreaks in several countries further complicate the timely and effective implementation of polio vaccination campaigns. Given the diverse challenges across countries and sub-national areas, the Committee emphasized the need for context-specific, tailored interventions to ensure high-quality campaigns and ultimately stop cVDPV outbreaks. The Committee also underscored the importance of synchronized sub-regional approaches and strong cross-border coordination to address challenges related to permeable borders and shared operational constraints across affected countries.

    The Committee noted some good practices in several countries, particularly in cross-border collaboration and surveillance. The Committee encourages countries to document and share these best practices and suggests that GPEI facilitates this process.

    The Committee noted the ongoing cross-border spread of cVDPV2 in the African and Eastern Mediterranean Regions, as well as the recent detection of cVDPV2 in five countries of the European Region. This reinforces that polio remains a global risk until it is fully eradicated. The Committee acknowledged the ongoing response efforts of Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in strengthening surveillance and addressing sub-national immunity gaps. The Committee also appreciated the inter-country coordination in the European Region, facilitated by the WHO European Regional Office, in response to the cVDPV2 detections in the region. The Committee recommended continued surveillance strengthening across the European Region, along with regular risk assessments to ensure timely identification and mitigation of emerging polio risks.

    The Committee highlighted the importance of maintaining sensitive surveillance in polio-infected and high-risk countries and recommended that GPEI provide all possible support under the Global Polio Surveillance Action Plan. The Committee also underscored the importance of high-income countries maintaining high-quality surveillance for polioviruses, given the ongoing risk of importation, as recently demonstrated by cVDPV detections in the European Region. Robust surveillance remains essential for early detection and timely response to importations and newly emerging outbreaks.

    The Committee noted that novel OPV2 continues to demonstrate greater genetic stability compared to Sabin OPV2. However, the risk of new cVDPV2 emergences increases when the interval between outbreak response campaigns exceeds four weeks or when vaccination quality is suboptimal, underscoring the need for timely and high-quality immunization efforts.

    The Committee noted that the amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) through resolution WHA77.17 (2024), were notified to States Parties on 19 September 2024 and that they would come into effect on 19 September 2025 for 192 States Parties.  Regarding any potential effects of these amendments on the Committee, the Secretariat informed the Committee that it would be premature to assess any such effects at this time but would brief the Committee ahead of their entry into force in September 2025, should the Committee continue to be convened under the IHR at this time.

    Based on the current situation regarding WPV1 and cVDPVs, and the reports provided by affected countries, the Director-General accepted the Committee’s assessment, and on 09 April 2025 determined that the poliovirus situation continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) with respect to WPV1 and cVDPV.  The Director-General endorsed the Committee’s recommendations for countries meeting the definition for ‘States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1 or cVDPV3 with potential risk for international spread’, ‘States infected with cVDPV2 with potential risk for international spread’ and for ‘States previously infected by WPV1 or cVDPV within the last 24 months’ and extended the Temporary Recommendations under the IHR to reduce the risk of the international spread of poliovirus, effective, 09 April 2025.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Child and Youth Strategy report shows worsening outcomes for children in Aotearoa – UNICEF

    Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

    The report shows worsened outcomes in the major areas of food security, affordable housing, hospital admissions and immunisation, and no improvement in material hardship since the 2017-2018 baseline reporting year. The percentage of young people aged 15-24 who experienced high or very high rates of psychological distress in the past four weeks has also increased.
    The report shows the lives of tamariki Māori, Pasifika children and disabled children are consistently harder than others.
    There has been some positive progress in education attendance, rates of child and youth offending and young people’s use of alcohol and cigarettes compared to previous reports.
    With Budget 2025 approaching next month, UNICEF Aotearoa is calling for specific investment into policies and programmes that will materially improve children’s lives, so that New Zealand lives up to the Prime Minister’s remarks at Waitangi last year that “by 2040 we will be the best place and society in the world to be a child”.
    UNICEF Aotearoa Director of Communications Tania Sawicki Mead said in February that so far, the coalition lacked policies that would make meaningful change.
    “Trickle down policies simply aren’t going to cut it, when we see that thousands and thousands of children remain in poverty since 2018, and there’s no clear evidence of any policy changes which will actually address that long term trend.”
    That situation remained the same now and was even more relevant given the worrying and deeply disappointing outcomes of the Child and Youth Strategy reporting this year, she said.
    UNICEF will release a major report from its Report Card series in May, which will rank countries, including New Zealand, against each other based on a range of wellbeing indicators. It will reflect updated data from the last comparable report, released in 2020, where New Zealand ranked 35th out of 41 countries overall for the same indicators. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Making a difference for young New Zealanders

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New reporting out today shows that while most young Kiwis are doing well, further progress is needed so all children and young people thrive.

    Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says the Annual Report on the Child and Youth Strategy / the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and the Child Poverty Related Indicators tabled in Parliament provides important insights, including: 

    • regular school attendance is improving for all learners
    • more children are attending early childhood education
    • rates of child and youth offending have improved since 2019/20
    • more young people are making positive choices around alcohol and cigarette usage, compared to 2019/20. 

    However more needs to be done as: 

    • around 13 per cent of children experienced material hardship in 2023/24
    • rates of immunisation are decreasing
    • children in benefit-receiving households are more likely to be in material hardship than children in working households
    • the number of children in households receiving a main benefit has increased by nearly 25,000 since 2019/20
    • rates of food insecurity have increased

    “Many of the findings reported today continue to reflect the challenges of a prolonged cost of living crisis,” Louise Upston says.

    “We know there are Kiwi families and their kids still doing it tough. We are working hard to fix that through initiatives like FamilyBoost, which as at April 2 had supported close to 52,000 households with the cost of early childhood education.

    “Going forward, our Coalition Government’s work will continue to be informed by our social investment approach. 

    “Today’s findings confirm we’re focusing on the right priorities in education and health, where the most impact can be made, and children’s lives can be improved,” Louise Upston says.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP of DH responds to media enquiries on influenza vaccine safety

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CHP of DH responds to media enquiries on influenza vaccine safety 
    “Influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most safe and effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, and can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza. Hong Kong has established a pharmacovigilance system to monitor adverse events following immunisation. In the past five years, over 8 million doses of influenza vaccine have been administered and there have been no deaths reported after influenza vaccination. All persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications), particularly persons who have a higher risk of getting infected with influenza and developing complications, such as the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccine every year.
     
         “Severe cases related to seasonal influenza involving adults and cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complication recorded in the recent flu season were significantly lower than in the influenza season before the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that this is the result of the general public’s willingness to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. Local data showed that the rate of severe influenza complications among children who did not receive seasonal influenza vaccination of the current season is about four times that of vaccinated children. Among the elderly, the rate of severe influenza (including death) among residents of the residential care homes aged 65 years or above who did not receive seasonal influenza vaccination of the current season is 2.3 times that of the vaccinated residents. The data highlighted the important protective role of seasonal influenza vaccination against severe infection and death.

         “Influenza vaccines currently used in Hong Kong, including inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) and live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), are safe and effective. Traditional IIV has been used for decades. The vaccine has proven to be safe and reliable through repeated testing and quality assessment. The safety of the newer LAIV and RIV is comparable to that of IIV. The World Health Organization has also indicated that vaccination is the most effective means to prevent serious illness arising from influenza. Side effects of influenza vaccines are usually mild and transient. The most common side effects include pain and redness at the injection site. Some recipients may experience fever, chills, muscle pain and tiredness. Severe adverse reactions to influenza vaccines are very rare.”
    Issued at HKT 19:54

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Changing the Eurocentric narrative about the history of science – why multiculturalism matters

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Karen K. Christensen-Dalsgaard, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, MacEwan University

    An illustration by the medieval Islamic scholar Abu Rayhan al-Biruni depicting the phases of the moon in relation to the Sun. (Wikimedia Commons)
    The medieval Islamic mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al Haytham (965 – c. 1040) lived in Cairo, Egypt, during the Islamic golden Age and is considered the father of optics.
    (Wikimedia Commons), CC BY

    In the 11th century in Cairo, the foundations for modern science were laid through the detention of an innocent man.

    The mathematician Abu Ali al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham had been tasked with regulating the flow of the Nile, but when he saw the river that had shaped 4,000 years of human civilization, the hubris of the task became all too obvious.

    To avoid the wrath of the Fatimid caliph in Egypt, Ibn al-Haytham supposedly feigned madness and was placed under house arrest, giving him time to focus on optics.

    In doing so, he developed a scientific method based on controlled, reproducible experiments and mathematics. This would not only change humanity’s understanding of optics and how our eyes actually see, but also later lay the foundations for empirical science in Europe.

    When I started teaching the history of biology, the importance of this pivotal period of scientific history was often diminished in western analysis of science history. Studying the contributions of non-western scholars has shown me what history can teach us about the value of multiculturalism.

    A video from The Smithsonian explaining Ibn al-Haytham’s experiments with light.



    Read more:
    Explainer: what Western civilisation owes to Islamic cultures

    A Eurocentric version of history

    The story typically told in the West is that science was invented in ancient Greece and then, following close to a millennium of intellectual darkness, developed in Western Europe over the past 500 years.

    Other cultures might have contributed a clever trick here or there, like inventing paper or creating our modern number system, but science as we know it was developed almost entirely by white men. As such it becomes a story of superiority, one that demands gratitude.

    The scars of this way of thinking are all over our geopolitical landscape. It shapes how many western leaders interact with other cultures, apparently entitling them to share their intellectual authority without needing to listen to others. It is a mindset that belittles other civilizations and led to centuries of colonial violence.

    This Eurocentric version of scientific history omits some of the most important events that shaped modern thinking. Science was not developed so much by individuals but by a highly complex global process that brought together ideas, lived experiences and approaches from all major civilizations.

    The Plimpton 322 clay tablet, with each row of the table relating to a Pythagorean triple, is believed to have been written in Babylonia around 1800 BCE, around 1,000 years before the Greek mathematician Pythagoras was born.
    (Wikimedia Commons)



    Read more:
    What was the first thing scientists discovered? A historian makes the case for Babylonian astronomy

    Ancient Greek scholarship, for instance, was indeed instrumental in developing science, but it was not inherently western. The Greek empire spanned much of the Mediterranean region and the Black Sea. Scholars travelled extensively, and the centres of scholarship drifted over time from Ionia in present-day Turkey, for example, to Athens to Alexandria in Egypt.

    Greek natural philosophy was influenced by the mathematical and astronomical achievements of the Babylonians and the medical traditions of the Egyptians. Later, Alexandrian scholars made great advances in human anatomy when they overcame the Greek aversion to dissections, likely because of Egyptian influences. Natural philosophy was born from the merger of these scholarly traditions.



    Read more:
    Why are algorithms called algorithms? A brief history of the Persian polymath you’ve likely never heard of

    Importance of testing ideas

    Similarly, Ibn al-Haytham was one of thousands of scholars who, during the golden age of Islam, were engaged in the immense task of translating, combining and developing the world’s knowledge into great encyclopedic texts. They admired Indian and Chinese scholarship and technology but revered the ancient Greeks.

    While the Greeks had an impressive greatness of mind, they had largely shunned the idea of experiments and believed that developing instruments was the job of slaves.

    Many Arab scholars, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of experimentally testing ideas and developed scientific and surgical instruments that allowed for significant advances.

    The opening page from Ibn Sina’s Canon of Medicine.
    (Yale University Medical Historical Library)

    Arguably, Arab scholars built the foundations for modern science by developing a method for controlled experimentation and applying it to Greek scholarship combined with knowledge and technologies from all accessible parts of the world.

    Later, Latin translations of the Arabic texts would allow science to grow in the West from the intellectual ashes of medieval Catholicism. Texts like Ibn Sina’s Qānūn fī al-ṭibb (Canon of medicine) would become standard textbooks throughout Europe for hundreds of years.

    Ibn Al-Haytham inspired scholars like Roger Bacon to work toward European implementation of the scientific method. This would ultimately lead to Europe’s scientific revolution.



    Read more:
    Avicenna: the Persian polymath who shaped modern science, medicine and philosophy

    Importance of intercultural exchange

    Great civilizations existed all over the world in the beginning of the 16th century, in Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and East Asia. Most had scholarship that was superior to the West’s in at least some respects. Arguably, the most valuable thing Europeans took from the rest of the world was knowledge.

    The first vaccine, for instance, was based on variolation techniques developed in China, India and the Islamic world. People were inoculated against smallpox by blowing powdered scabs up their noses or rubbing pus into shallow cuts.

    Europeans believed that diseases were caused by bad air (miasma) and so did not initially trust this technique. It only became widespread in Europe and North America after English aristocrat Lady Montagu saw its efficacy firsthand in Constantinople in the early 18th century and advocated that it be tested in England.

    A vaccine developed by English physician Edward Jenner 80 years later was simply the well-known variolation technique made much safer by inoculating with cowpox instead.

    The importance of intercultural exchanges should not be surprising. Scientific data and observations are ideally objective, but the questions we ask and the conclusions we draw will always be subjective, shaped by our prior knowledge, beliefs and past experiences. Different cultures can help each other see beyond their inherent biases and grow beyond the intellectual constraints of individual approaches.

    In her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, Potawatomi botanist and writer Robin Wall Kimmerer gives a beautiful example of this in the context of how Indigenous approaches can inform modern science.

    One of Canada’s greatest gifts is our diversity. Here, cultures from across the world come together, forming a multiplicity of minds that is well positioned to solve the problems of our world. However, this only has value if we can connect and learn from each other. When we advocate for a diversity of ideas in curricula, both nationally and abroad, we are promoting a future built on the knowledge of people and cultures from around the world.

    There is nothing more intimately personal than the thoughts in your head, and yet you did not conceive them. They are a continuation of knowledge and ideas that for thousands of years have travelled the globe, shaped by countless minds from all civilizations. In a time of seemingly growing division, that is a thought that ought to bring us all together.

    Karen K. Christensen-Dalsgaard does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Changing the Eurocentric narrative about the history of science – why multiculturalism matters – https://theconversation.com/changing-the-eurocentric-narrative-about-the-history-of-science-why-multiculturalism-matters-252884

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Influenza vaccines safe, effective

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Influenza vaccines currently used in Hong Kong are safe and effective, and the side effects of flu vaccines are usually mild and transient, the Centre for Health Protection said today.

    The centre made the statement in response to media enquiries on the safety of the influenza vaccine.

    Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Edwin Tsui noted the influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most safe and effective ways to prevent seasonal flu and its complications, and can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza, adding that Hong Kong has established a pharmacovigilance system to monitor adverse events following immunisation.

    He pointed out that in the past five years, over eight million doses of the influenza vaccine have been administered and there have been no deaths reported after vaccination.

    Except those with known contraindications, all people aged six months and above, particularly those who have a higher risk of getting infected with influenza and developing complications, such as the elderly and children, should receive the seasonal flu vaccine every year.

    Dr Tsui said: “Severe cases related to seasonal influenza involving adults and cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complication recorded in the recent flu season were significantly lower than in the influenza season before the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that this is the result of the general public’s willingness to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.”

    Local data showed that the rate of severe influenza complications among children who did not receive the seasonal influenza vaccination of the current season is about four times that of vaccinated children.

    Among the elderly, the rate of severe influenza including death among residents of the residential care homes aged 65 years or above who did not receive seasonal flu vaccination of the current season is 2.3 times that of vaccinated residents.

    The data highlighted the important protective role of seasonal influenza vaccination against severe infection and death.

    Dr Tsui noted that influenza vaccines currently used in Hong Kong, including inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) and live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), are safe and effective.

    Traditional IIV has been used for decades. The vaccine has proven to be safe and reliable through repeated testing and quality assessment. The safety of the newer LAIV and RIV is comparable to that of IIV.

    He added that the World Health Organization has also indicated that vaccination is the most effective means to prevent serious illness arising from flu.

    The side effects of influenza vaccines are usually mild and transient, and the most common include pain and redness at the injection site. Some recipients may experience fever, chills, muscle pain and tiredness. Severe adverse reactions to influenza vaccines are very rare.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – Measles Case Confirmed in Child on Oʻahu – DOH Notifies Public of Measles Exposure Locations

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – Measles Case Confirmed in Child on Oʻahu – DOH Notifies Public of Measles Exposure Locations

    Posted on Apr 8, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

     

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

    MEASLES CASE CONFIRMED IN CHILD ON OʻAHU — DOH NOTIFIES PUBLIC OF MEASLES EXPOSURE LOCATIONS    

         

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 8, 2025                                                                                                    25-033

    HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratories Division last night confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated child under 5 years of age on Oʻahu. The DOH is investigating the case to identify those who might have been exposed and is working with them to prevent the spread of disease.

    The child had recently returned from international travel with its parents. The child developed a fever, runny nose and cough shortly after returning to Hawaiʻi, sought medical care after breaking out in a rash, and is now recovering at home. A household member with similar symptoms is also being evaluated for possible measles infection.

    Members of the public may have been exposed to measles if they visited the following locations during the specified times:

     

    • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
      • C gates, customs and baggage claim area on March 30 between 10:50 a.m. and 2 p.m.
      • Terminal 2 departures, TSA checkpoints and gate area for Delta flight 309 to Atlanta, Georgia, on April 4 between 1 and 7 p.m.
    • Mānoa Valley District Park art class on April 1, between 9 to 10 a.m.
    • Queen’s Island Urgent Care Kapahulu on April 4, between 8 a.m. to noon

    Flight notifications have been issued for the airlines and airports through which the confirmed and suspected cases traveled. The DOH is also reaching out directly to individuals who had known contact with the confirmed or suspected case.

    If you were at one of the above locations on the day and time specified:

    • Not vaccinated? If you have never received a measles-containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or a measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who was exposed and considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Vaccine or immune globulin can be given to prevent measles if received shortly after exposure.
    • Be vigilant. Watch for symptoms until three weeks after your last exposure. If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
    • Immunocompromised? Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms.
    • Already vaccinated? If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
    • Another dose? If you have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.

    A medical advisory will be issued to healthcare providers statewide.

    Highly contagious

    Measles is one of the most highly contagious viruses in the world. It spreads by direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An infected person can spread measles to others from four days before developing the rash through four days afterward. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room.

    Symptoms of measles

    Measles symptoms typically include fever of greater than 101 F, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. Three to five days after symptoms start, a rash begins to appear on the face and spread to the rest of the body.

    How to protect yourself

    The best protection against measles is the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. All children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose is given at age 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. If you are planning travel, consult your healthcare provider to determine whether an additional or earlier dose of MMR is recommended.

    All adults born during or after 1957 should also have documentation of at least one MMR vaccination, unless they have had a blood test showing they are immune to measles or have had the disease. Certain adults at higher risk of exposure to measles (e.g., post-secondary school students, international travelers and healthcare personnel) need a second dose of MMR vaccine, at least four weeks after the first dose.

    If you are exposed and not protected

    If you are not protected against measles and are exposed to someone with the disease, contact your healthcare provider immediately:

    • The MMR vaccine may prevent or lessen the severity of measles if given with 72 hours of exposure
    • Immune globulin (a blood product containing antibodies to the measles virus) may prevent or lessen the severity of measles if given within six days of exposure.

    If you are not protected against measles, believe you have been exposed and cannot reach your healthcare provider promptly, please call the DOH Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586, or call the Disease Investigation Branch at 808-586-8362.

    There is no specific treatment for measles. Care of patients with measles consists mainly of ensuring adequate intake of fluids, bed rest and fever control. Patients with complications may need treatment specific to their problem.

    Contact your healthcare provider to get the MMR vaccine, or locate a vaccine provider at https://www.vaccines.gov/en/

    For more information about measles, visit:

    DOH measles information website

    CDC measles website

    MMR vaccine factsheet

    #  # #

    Media Contact:

    Stephen J. Downes

    Director of Communications

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    Landline: 808-586-4417

    Email: [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor – News Release – First Hawaiʻi Measles Case of 2025 Confirmed; Gov. Green, Health Leaders Urge Vaccination Amid National Crisis

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor – News Release – First Hawaiʻi Measles Case of 2025 Confirmed; Gov. Green, Health Leaders Urge Vaccination Amid National Crisis

    Posted on Apr 8, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 
     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 
     

    GOVERNOR GREEN AND HEALTH LEADERS URGE VACCINATION AMID NATIONAL MEASLES CRISIS

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    April 8, 2025

    HONOLULU — In response to Hawai‘i’s first confirmed case of measles in years, Governor Josh Green, M.D., joined Department of Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink and The Queen’s Health Systems Clinical Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Nadine Tenn Salle, to issue an urgent call to action: protect Hawai‘i’s communities through vaccination.

    The confirmed case involves an unvaccinated child under age 5 who recently returned to O‘ahu from international travel. The child is recovering at home. A household member with similar symptoms is under evaluation. The Department of Health is actively investigating, issuing flight notifications, contacting those who may have been exposed and alerting healthcare providers statewide.

    Today, Governor Green signed emergency rules to help prevent a measles outbreak in Hawai‘i. The rules allow children with religious exemptions to receive the MMR vaccine while still retaining their exemption to other vaccines and staying in school.

    “There’s no need to panic — but there is a need to act,” said Governor Green. “Measles isn’t just a rash and a fever — it’s one of the most contagious viruses known. We’ve already seen what happens when vaccination rates drop: more cases, more outbreaks, more lives at risk. The best thing you can do to protect your family, your community and our keiki is to get vaccinated. It’s simple, it’s safe and it saves lives.”

    Measles, declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, is resurging. In 2025, more than 600 cases have already been reported across 22 states. Globally, cases have surged, with the World Health Organization estimating 10.3 million cases in 2023.

    “We have a new confirmed case of measles in Hawai‘i,” said Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “The last confirmed case occurred in 2023, and additional travel-related cases are not unexpected. Our goal is to prevent cases from becoming outbreaks. The best way to prevent an outbreak is to have at least a 95% community vaccination rate. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. If you or a family member are not up to date, please talk with your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated against measles to protect your ʻohana and our community.”

    Statewide, Hawai‘i’s MMR vaccination rate stands at 89.8% — below the 95% threshold needed for community (or herd) immunity. Some schools have dangerously low coverage, especially on the Neighbor Islands.

    “Hospitals and clinics across Hawai‘i are on high alert,” said Dr. Nadine Tenn Salle, Clinical Chair of Pediatrics at The Queen’s Health Systems. “We’re ready to identify and isolate cases, but our best defense is prevention. That means vaccination — not just for your child, but to protect newborns, the immunocompromised, and others who cannot be vaccinated. This is a community effort, and the medical community is here to help every step of the way.”

    The best protection against measles is the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. All children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose is given at age 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. If you are planning travel, consult your healthcare provider to determine whether an additional or earlier dose of MMR is recommended.

    All adults born during or after 1957 should also have documentation of at least one MMR vaccination, unless they have had a blood test showing they are immune to measles or have had the disease. Certain adults at higher risk of exposure to measles (e.g., post-secondary school students, international travelers, and healthcare personnel) need a second dose of MMR vaccine, at least four weeks after the first dose.

    Contact your health care provider to get the MMR vaccine, or locate a vaccine provider at https://www.vaccines.gov/en/.

    For more information about measles, visit:

    DOH measles information website

    CDC measles website

    MMR vaccine factsheet

    Photos from today’s news conference can be found here.

    Video from today’s news conference can be found here.

    # # #

    Media Contacts:   
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    Stephen J. Downes
    Director of Communications
    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health
    Office: 808-586-4417
    Email: s[email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Don’t let embarrassment stop you – talking about these anal cancer symptoms could save your life

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Mahady, Gastroenterologist & Clinical Epidemiologist, Senior Lecturer, Monash University

    sarkao/Shutterstock

    Anal cancer doesn’t get a lot of attention. This may be because it’s relatively rare – anal cancer affects an estimated one to two Australians in every 100,000. As a comparison, melanomas affect around 70 in every 100,000 people.

    But it’s also likely due to embarrassment. Anal cancer is an abnormal growth in the cells lining the anus, the last few centimetres of the bowel. Many people feel awkward talking about this part of their body.

    So, when symptoms appear – such as bleeding or itchiness – they may delay speaking to a doctor. But it’s crucial to know what to look for, because if anal cancer is caught early the chances of treating it are much higher.

    The anus is the last few centimetres of the bowel.
    Designua/Shutterstock

    Do we know what causes it?

    Up to nine in ten anal cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection.

    HPV is common – more than 80% of people who have ever been sexually active will be infected at some point with a strain (there are more than 150).

    Most HPV strains won’t cause any problems. But some, particularly HPV16, are higher risk. Persistent infection can cause changes in the anal lining and this can progress to anal cancer. This can happen even if you don’t have anal sex.

    Vaccination against HPV is a highly effective method to reduce the risk of cancers related to HPV infection such as anal and cervical cancer.

    Since the national HPV vaccination program began in Australia in 2007, there has been a substantial drop in diseases linked to HPV (such as genital warts). While it’s too early to say, it is hoped that over time cancer rates will also fall due to vaccination.

    Other factors that increase your risk for anal cancer include:

    • being older
    • a history of smoking
    • a weakened immune system (for example from medication or HIV)
    • sexual activity (having anal sex or multiple sexual partners)
    • a history of cervical, vulval or vaginal cancer.
    Only some HPV strains are linked to cancer.
    wisely/Shutterstock

    What are the symptoms?

    Sometimes anal cancer doesn’t cause any symptoms. A doctor may instead detect the cancer visually during a colonoscopy or another examination.

    Other times, symptoms may include bleeding from the bottom (you might see blood on the toilet paper), a new anal lump, or feeling non-specific discomfort or itchiness in your anus.

    You may also have an unusual sensation that you can’t pass a stool as “fully” or easily as before.

    If you have any of these symptoms – particularly if they are new or getting worse – it is important to speak with your doctor.

    The symptoms of anal cancer can be very similar to common conditions such as haemorrhoids, so it’s best to get them checked by a doctor to get the diagnosis right.

    It’s understandable you might be embarrassed. But for doctors, this is all part of routine practice.

    Catching it early improves your chances

    Survival rates are much better for anal cancer caught in the early stages.

    Around 90% of people diagnosed with stage one anal cancer will live five years or more. That drops to 60% if the diagnosis is made when the cancer has developed to stage three.

    The test may be as simple as a quick anal examination. Or it may require other investigations such as anoscopy (looking inside the bottom with a slim tube) or specialised ultrasounds or scans.

    Most tests involve only a small amount of discomfort or none at all. They can rule out anything serious, giving you peace of mind.

    If a cancer is detected, treatment usually involves radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery, or a combination.

    The bottom line

    If you need another reason to get symptoms checked out, here’s one: they could also indicate bowel cancer.

    Bowel cancer (also known as colon or colorectal cancer) is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, and the second most common cause of cancer death, with similar symptoms such as bleeding from the bottom.

    So, it’s crucial to not to let awkwardness get in the way. Speak to your doctor if any symptoms concern you. Starting the conversation early could save your life.

    Suzanne Mahady does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Don’t let embarrassment stop you – talking about these anal cancer symptoms could save your life – https://theconversation.com/dont-let-embarrassment-stop-you-talking-about-these-anal-cancer-symptoms-could-save-your-life-249570

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: U.S. Navy Invites Former Sailors Who Voluntarily Left to Apply for Reentry under Executive Order 14184

    Source: United States Navy

    The United States Navy is inviting former Sailors who voluntarily left the service or allowed their service to lapse, rather than comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, the opportunity to apply for reinstatement, in accordance with Executive Order 14184, “Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: U.S. Navy Invites Former Sailors to Apply for Reentry under Executive Order 14184

    Source: United States Navy

    The United States Navy is inviting former Sailors who voluntarily left the service or allowed their service to lapse, rather than comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, the opportunity to apply for reinstatement, in accordance with Executive Order 14184, “Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to a case of Clade Ib mpox in an individual in the UK with no known travel history or links to previously confirmed cases

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on a case of Clade 1b Mpox in an individual with no links to other cases, as confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). 

    Dr Jonas Albarnaz, Institute Fellow, Capripoxvirus Biology, The Pirbright Institute, said:

    “Mpox presents as a skin rash with lesions (blisters) in any part of the body, including the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, mouth, genitals, and anus. Mpox rash can be confused with chickenpox. The mode of transmission of mpox is via close contact, and sustained human-to-human transmission has driven the current outbreak of clade 1b mpox in DRC and other countries in Central Africa, as well as the cases imported into countries outside Africa. So far, the clade 1b cases in the UK have been in individuals with recent travel history to Africa and their household contacts. The detection of a clade 1b case in a person without travel history or contact with the other clade 1b cases is surprising. Public health authorities should investigate how this recent case was acquired, but it’s likely that it was acquired from another infected person, via direct contact either with skin lesions or with contaminated surfaces or objects.

    “Transmission of mpox from an asymptomatic person has been reported, but there’s limited information about the role of asymptomatic transmission in driving mpox outbreaks. Zoonotic transmission (animal to human) of mpox also occurs in endemic countries in Africa, but this is an extremely unlikely scenario given the absence of an animal reservoir in the UK.

    “Vaccination remains the best strategy to prevent mpox and is recommended to individuals at higher risk of infection, which include contacts of mpox cases, healthcare workers, and people with multiple sexual partners. Two vaccines are approved against mpox: MVA-BN and LC16. These vaccines are based on weakened versions of a related orthopoxvirus (vaccinia) and were developed against smallpox. However, availability of these vaccines is very limited globally, representing a major bottleneck for the control strategies. It’s up to health authorities to decide on the most efficient strategy to deploy the available vaccine stocks. Ring vaccination, vaccination of close contacts of an infected person, is a common strategy to stop the chain of transmission of the pathogen infection.”

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-detects-first-case-of-clade-ib-mpox

    Declared interests

    Dr Jonas Albarnaz “No conflicts of interest to declare”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public urged to show concern for maternal and child health to echo World Health Day

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Department of Health (DH) today (April 7) called on the public to echo World Health Day and work together to safeguard maternal and newborn health and reduce the number of preventable maternal and newborn deaths, by supporting breastfeeding, receiving timely immunisations as well as maternal and child health services.  

         April 7 each year marks the celebration of World Health Day by the World Health Organization. The theme this year is “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”, with a focus on maternal and child health. Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy and one of the lowest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. In 2023, the infant mortality rate was 1.6 per 1 000 live births, and the maternal mortality rate was three per 100 000 live births. These impressive statistics hinge on a public healthcare system that provides comprehensive health and medical services, including quality maternal and child health services, comprehensive obstetric and woman health services, and efforts in promoting breastfeeding.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP investigates case of severe paediatric COVID-19 infection

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CHP investigates case of severe paediatric COVID-19 infection 
    The case involves a 5-year-old boy with underlying illness, who developed a fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath and wheezing since April 4. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital on the following day and was hospitalised. The patient was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of United Christian Hospital on the same day due to deterioration in his condition. His respiratory specimen tested positive for COVID-19 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 infection complicated with croup. He remains hospitalised in critical condition.
     
    Preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had not completed the initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. He had no travel history during the incubation period, and his school has not experienced any recent outbreak of COVID-19. One of his household contacts has recently developed cough and has sought medical attention.
     
    “There has been a recent increase in the activity of COVID-19 in the local community. In the past three weeks, the load of SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the percentage of specimens testing positive and the average consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general out-patient clinics have continued to rise. As of March 29, the viral load per capita of SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 330 000 copy/litre, which was significantly higher than the previous week ending March 15, when it was 85 000 copy/litre,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
     
    “High-risk persons should receive COVID-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death. Genetic analysis has shown that the predominant circulating strains in Hong Kong are still JN.1 and its descendant lineages, and the vaccines currently used in Hong Kong can effectively prevent the related variant. Scientific data shows that timely booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk persons help lower the risk of severe illness and death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those at high risk (particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities) should receive a booster dose as soon as possible for effective prevention against COVID-19,” Dr Tsui added.
     
    Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent infection of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses as well as transmission in the community, the public should maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times and note the following:
     For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP’s websiteIssued at HKT 19:25

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Gut health links to frailty in old age explored The role gut health plays in contributing to frailty in our old age is the subject of a new study which has been awarded a share of £7.6 million.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Dr Candice QuinThe role gut health plays in contributing to frailty in our old age is the subject of a new study which has been awarded a share of £7.6 million.
    Researchers at the University of Aberdeen will try to pinpoint what change occurs in gut microbiota as we get older which may lead to us suffering more illnesses.
    Frailty can increase the risk of vulnerability to infections and inflammatory diseases including cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
    Older people with frailty are significantly more likely to die or experience disability, yet the factors which contribute to some people becoming frail while others do not are poorly understood.
    The microbiota – bacteria, viruses, fungi etc. – that live in our intestine play a critical role in regulating our immune systems and as we age, the composition of this microbiota changes.
    The Aberdeen researchers will attempt to zero-in on the specific changes which occur in later life.
    The research project is one of 62 across 41 UK universities receiving a share of £7.6 million through the Academy for Medical Science’s Springboard programme, in its largest ever funding initiative. The funding for early-career researchers aims to tackle urgent health challenges.
    Lecturer in Immunology at the University of Aberdeen Dr Candice Quin, who will lead the project, received £125,000 to further her research on frailty in older adults.
    “There is an urgent need to reduce the economic, societal and individual costs of frailty in our ageing population, yet we currently do not have any effective therapeutic strategies,” said Dr Quin. We have shown that age-related changes in the intestinal microbiome contribute to the development of frailty, providing an exciting new avenue for therapeutic intervention.

    There is an urgent need to reduce the economic, societal and individual costs of frailty in our ageing population, yet we currently do not have any effective therapeutic strategies.” Dr Candice Quin

    “The proposed experiments in this Springboard application will identify novel microbial targets that contribute to frailty with age, which we can selectively deplete in future intervention studies and clinical trials. Vaccination with the microbiota has already been shown to improve metabolism and reduce diet-induced obesity.
    “This research will pave the way for similar cutting-edge interventions against frailty and ultimately provide older people with more years of healthy, independent living.”
    Dr Quin will conduct the research in collaboration with Dr Marius Wenzel from the School of Biological Sciences and Dr Huan Cao from the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.
    Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice-President (Non-Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “This record investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of research leaders. By backing these talented early-career researchers, we’re not only addressing today’s urgent health challenges but also strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in medical research.
    The breadth and ambition of projects funded by the Academy’s Springboard programme is remarkable–from understanding teenage drinking behaviours to investigating why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Each Springboard awardee brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that will ultimately translate to improved health outcomes for patients and the public.
    “The Academy is proud to provide the financial resources and career development support needed to help these outstanding scientists establish their independent research careers.”
    UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research supported by the Springboard programme can help to address some of the most pressing health challenges, like antimicrobial resistance and cancer, by giving early-career researchers across the UK the opportunity to test their ideas. “Through this programme we are supporting the next generation of researchers to lead their own groundbreaking research so that the UK can continue to be a pioneer in medical science.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Do I need another COVID booster? Which one should I choose? Can I get it with my flu shot?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Griffin, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Queensland

    Tijana Simic/Shutterstock

    Australians are being urged to roll up their sleeves for a flu vaccine amid rising cases of influenza.

    It’s an opportune time to think about other vaccines too, particularly because some vaccines can be given at the same time as the flu vaccine.

    One is the COVID vaccine.

    Should you get another COVID shot?

    More than five years since COVID was declared a pandemic, we hear much less about this virus. But it’s still around.

    In 2024 there were 4,953 deaths involving COVID. This is nearly 20% lower than in 2023, but still nearly five times that of influenza (1,002).

    Vaccines, which do a very good job at reducing the chances of severe COVID, remain an important tool in our ongoing battle against the virus.

    Case numbers don’t tell us as much about COVID anymore as fewer people are testing. But based on other ways we monitor the virus, such as cases in ICU and active outbreaks in residential aged care homes, there have essentially been two peaks a year over recent years – one over summer and one over winter.

    This doesn’t mean we can predict exactly when another wave will happen, but it’s inevitable and may well be within the next few months. So it’s worth considering another COVID vaccine if you’re eligible.

    Who can get one, and when?

    There are several risk factors for more severe COVID, but some of the most important include being older or immunocompromised. For this reason, people aged 75 and older are recommended to receive a COVID booster every six months.

    In the slightly younger 65 to 74 age bracket, or adults aged 18 to 64 who are immunocompromised, booster doses are recommended every 12 months, but people are eligible every six months.

    Healthy adults under 65 are eligible for a booster dose every 12 months.

    Healthy children aren’t recommended to receive boosters but those who are severely immunocompromised may be eligible.

    What COVID shots are currently available?

    We’ve seen multiple types of COVID vaccines since they first became available about four years ago. Over time, different vaccines have targeted different variants as the virus has evolved.

    While some vaccine providers may still offer other options, such as the older booster that targeted the Omicron variant XBB.1.5, the recent JN.1 booster is the most up-to-date and best option.

    This is a relatively recently updated version to improve protection against some of the newer strains of COVID that are circulating. The new booster only became available in Australia in late 2024.

    This booster, as the name suggests, targets a subvariant called JN.1. Although JN.1 has not been the dominant subvariant in Australia for some time, this shot is still expected to provide good protection against circulating subvariants, including new subvariants such as LP.8.1, which is descended from JN.1.

    While it’s great we have an updated booster available, unfortunately uptake remains poor. Only 17.3% of people 75 and over had received a COVID vaccine in the six months to March.

    COVID vaccine uptake has been poor recently.
    Steve Heap/Shutterstock

    Getting a flu and COVID shot together

    Data from more than 17,000 people who completed a survey after receiving the JN.1 booster shows that while 27% reported at least one adverse event following vaccination, the majority of these were mild, such as local pain or redness or fatigue.

    Only 4% of people reported an impact on their routine activities following vaccination, such as missing school or work.

    If you choose to get the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine at the same time, they’ll usually be given in different arms. There shouldn’t be a significant increase in side effects. What’s more, getting both shots at the same time doesn’t reduce your immune response against either vaccine.

    Now is the ideal time to get your flu vaccine. If you’re eligible for a COVID booster as well, getting both vaccines at the same time is safe and can be very convenient.

    We’re conducting trials in Australia, as are scientists elsewhere, of combined vaccines. One day these could allow vaccination against COVID and flu in a single shot – but these are still a way off.

    If you’re not sure about your eligibility or have any questions about either vaccine, discuss this with your GP, specialist of pharmacist. Australian state and federal government websites also provide reliable information.

    Paul Griffin has been the principal investigator on many vaccine clinical trials and received speaker honoraria and been a member of medical advisory boards for vaccine manufacturers. He is also a scientific advisory board member and director of the immunisation coalition.

    – ref. Do I need another COVID booster? Which one should I choose? Can I get it with my flu shot? – https://theconversation.com/do-i-need-another-covid-booster-which-one-should-i-choose-can-i-get-it-with-my-flu-shot-252914

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release-DOH Expands Efforts to Prevent a Measles Outbreak in Hawai’i

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release-DOH Expands Efforts to Prevent a Measles Outbreak in Hawai’i

    Posted on Apr 3, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

     

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

         DOH EXPANDS EFFORTS TO PREVENT A MEASLES OUTBREAK

    IN HAWAIʻI    

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 3, 2025                                                                                                    25-031

    HONOLULU — The risk of a measles outbreak in Hawaiʻi continues to rise, as measles cases continue to spread across the mainland and globally, even as Hawaiʻi’s measles vaccination rate declines. In response, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) is taking proactive measures to prevent an outbreak in Hawaiʻi.

    DOH is expanding its outreach to provide more information about the increasing risk of exposure to and complications from measles, as well as the safety and effectiveness of measles vaccination. DOH is also taking action to encourage more vaccinations.

    A population vaccination rate of at least 95% is needed to prevent a measles outbreak. In Hawaiʻi, the measles vaccination rate is 90%. In Texas, where a measles outbreak is spreading rapidly, the vaccination rate is 93%. Having a population vaccination rate high enough to prevent an outbreak, which is based on the contagiousness of the infection, is often called ‘herd immunity.’

    However, vaccination rates can vary locally and by school. The risk of an outbreak is higher in schools with low immunization rates (see full list of Hawaiʻi schools). 

    In addition to recommending vaccination against measles, DOH is working to reduce barriers to vaccination for those who choose to get vaccinated. DOH sent a letter to parents and guardians of K-12 students of public, private and charter schools on April 2 encouraging them to get their child vaccinated against measles if the child is not fully vaccinated.

    The letter also announced that DOH will issue emergency rules to remove a barrier to vaccination against the highly contagious measles virus. 

    The emergency rules will allow children with a religious exemption to receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine while retaining the exemption to other vaccines and continuing to attend school. The rules can be effective only for and would expire in 120 days. 

    “Measles is a very serious, sometimes fatal disease for children,” said Dr. Sarah Kemble, a pediatrician and state epidemiologist. “At the rate it’s spreading, it could easily reach Hawaiʻi on the next plane. The MMR vaccine is our best defense against the measles virus. The emergency rules will remove a potential barrier for families choosing to protect their children with the MMR vaccine.”

    Parents are asked to report any updates to their child’s vaccination record to their school to ensure that the school’s vaccination data is accurate and up to date. Should a measles outbreak occur in Hawaiʻi, students without a record of an MMR vaccine may be prohibited from attending school.

    DOH will reach out to schools to assess interest in hosting on-site vaccination clinics. Schools and offices interested in hosting vaccination clinics can also call the DOH Immunization Branch at 808-586-8300.

    To access vaccines, parents and school staff should contact:

    • The child’s preferred healthcare provider
    • A local community clinic

    Vaccine locator:

    https://www.vaccines.gov/en/ 

     

    The best way to prevent a measles outbreak is to have a high community vaccination rate. A high vaccination rate additionally helps protect newborns who are too young to get vaccinated, children who are unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons, unvaccinated pregnant women, and others who may have a weakened immune system.

    Children should receive two doses of MMR: one at 12–15 months of age and a second dose at 4–6 years of age before school entry. Adults not at high risk of exposure and who don’t have evidence of prior immunity are recommended to have at least one documented dose of MMR in their lifetime. Additional vaccine recommendations, including for travelers,, can be found on the CDC website:

    https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html.

     

    For more information on measles, visit DOH’s measles page.

    #  # #

    Media Contact:

    Claudette Springer
    Information Specialist
    Hawai‘i State Department of Health
    Phone: 808-586-4445
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Spurring Innovation: Shapiro Administration Celebrates Historic Investment in GSK’s Growth in Pennsylvania

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 03, 2025 – Marietta, PA

    Spurring Innovation: Shapiro Administration Celebrates Historic Investment in GSK’s Growth in Pennsylvania

    The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger highlighted Pennsylvania’s $21 million investment in GSK at a groundbreaking ceremony for the global biopharma company’s expansion. GSK’s $800 million project, announced by Governor Josh Shapiro in October, will create at least 200 new jobs and retain 4,622 employees while boosting the life sciences industry in the Commonwealth.

    GSK is growing its R&D (research and development) and manufacturing footprint at its existing Lancaster County operation – building new facilities to manufacture lifesaving vaccines and medications. Currently, one in four Americans are administered a vaccine supplied from the company’s Marietta location, which will increase in size and capacity.

    In addition to its historic expansion in Lancaster County, GSK will retain at least 4,622 jobs statewide and keep its U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia.

    Speakers in Order:
    Matteo Leardini – Site Director, GSK
    Regis Simard – President Global Supply Chain, GSK
    Rudy Rosolen – Senior Vice President, Vaccines Manufacturing, GSK
    Rick Siger – Secretary, PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development (DCED)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Flu vaccines are now available for 2025. What’s on offer and which one should I get?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Allen Cheng, Professor of Infectious Diseases, Monash University

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    It’s that time of year when flu vaccines are becoming available in Australia. You may have received an email from your GP clinic or a text message from your pharmacy telling you they’re in stock.

    So far in 2025 in Australia, there have been more flu notifications compared to the same period in previous years.

    Elsewhere, many northern hemisphere countries have reported intense flu activity during the 2024–25 winter season. This has included several deaths in children.

    Although it’s difficult to make predictions about the intensity and timing of the upcoming flu season, it’s a good time to start thinking about vaccination.

    Who should get vaccinated, and when?

    In Australia, flu vaccines are available for everyone over the age of six months. Flu vaccines don’t work well in young infants, but they can be protected if their mothers are immunised during pregnancy.

    The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccines for people at higher risk, including specific age groups (adults older than 65 and children between six months and five years), those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

    For healthy adults and children outside these groups, a flu vaccine costs around A$20–30. The vaccines are widely available at GPs and pharmacies, and through workplace programs.

    Flu vaccines reduce the risk of GP presentation with influenza by around 30–60% and hospitalisation with influenza by about 50–70%.

    There’s some evidence the protection from flu vaccines wanes over several months. Ideally, everyone would get vaccinated within a few months of the peak of the flu season. But in reality, we can’t easily predict when this will occur, and since the COVID pandemic, flu seasons have arrived unusually early in the year. So, some time in the next month or so is a good time to get vaccinated.

    The flu can be a nasty virus to catch.
    Kmpzzz/Shutterstock

    In general, flu vaccines can be given at the same time as most other vaccines, including COVID vaccines, but check with your vaccination provider about whether this is appropriate for you.

    Influenza vaccines are regarded as safe. While some people may get a sore arm or fever, these symptoms are usually mild and short lived. Serious side effects, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, are rare, and are thought to be less common than after influenza infection.

    Why do we need a flu vaccine every year?

    Influenza is a difficult virus to make vaccines for, as the virus changes frequently, and vaccines generally only provide protection against a limited range of strains. Some studies suggest mutations in the influenza virus are 20 times more common than with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.

    This means, each year, experts need to predict the likely circulating strains in the next season, so vaccines can be manufactured in preparation.

    The World Health Organization coordinates two meetings each year – in February to decide on vaccine strains for the following northern hemisphere season, and around September for the southern hemisphere.

    Although all current influenza vaccines contain strains from four influenza subtypes (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B Victoria and B Yamagata), one of the strains appears to have disappeared during the pandemic. So next year’s vaccines will probably drop the B Yamagata strain.

    Seasonal flu vaccines don’t provide protection against avian influenza (bird flu) strains, but vaccination is still recommended for people who may be at risk of bird flu, such as poultry workers. This is to reduce the chance that a new virus could result from the combination of both seasonal and avian influenza strains.

    Which vaccines are available?

    There are a variety of vaccines you may be offered when you book in or turn up for a flu vaccine.

    Over the past few years, new types of vaccines have been developed. Some of these attempt to improve the body’s immune response to vaccines. For example, Fluad Quad contains an adjuvant called MF59, an additional substance designed to attract immune cells to the site of vaccination.

    Other vaccines, such as Fluzone High-Dose, use a larger dose of the vaccine strains to improve the immune response. These vaccines are recommended for older people, as immune responses tend to decline with age.

    Certain vaccines use alternative production methods to try to improve the match between vaccine strains and the circulating strains. Standard flu vaccines are produced using influenza viruses grown in chicken eggs. One weakness of this method is that viral mutations can occur during the production process, known as “egg adaptation”. During some of the seasons between 2014 and 2019, this was shown to reduce the effectiveness of flu vaccines.

    The avoid this issue, cell-based vaccines, such as Flucelvax Quad, use influenza vaccine strains grown in mammalian cells rather than eggs.

    Flu vaccines are free for certain vulnerable groups, such as children under five.
    SeventyFour/Shutterstock

    The key takeaways are:

    1. older people are recommended to receive an enhanced vaccine (Fluad Quad for >65 years or Fluzone High-Dose for >60 years), with Fluad Quad provided free under the National Immunisation Program

    2. other people are recommended to receive a standard vaccine (egg-based or cell-based), with vaccines provided free for high-risk groups and children between six months and five years.

    Looking to the future

    There are several new flu vaccines currently under development. Recombinant vaccines, such as Flublok, use insect cells to produce a specific component of the virus.

    With the success of mRNA vaccines for COVID, there is interest in using a similar process for influenza. In theory, this could shorten the time to develop vaccines, for both seasonal influenza and pandemic influenza.

    There’s also interest in combination vaccines – for example, a single shot could provide protection against both COVID and the flu.

    The “holy grail” of influenza vaccines is one that could provide long-lasting protection against many different strains. Although we’re not there yet, you’re at lower risk of influenza and its complications if you get a flu shot.

    Allen Cheng is a member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. He receives funding from the Australian Department of Health and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

    – ref. Flu vaccines are now available for 2025. What’s on offer and which one should I get? – https://theconversation.com/flu-vaccines-are-now-available-for-2025-whats-on-offer-and-which-one-should-i-get-252292

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 5 years on from its first COVID lockdown, NZ faces hard economic choices – but rebuilding trust must come first

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis Wesselbaum, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Otago

    Phil Walter/Getty Images

    Five years after New Zealand’s first COVID-19 lockdown, it is clear there will be no going back to the pre-pandemic “normal”.

    The pandemic amplified existing fractures and inequities in New Zealand and elsewhere. It also revealed new fissures in society.

    The early effects of the pandemic were clear. There were lockdowns, economic downturns, disrupted education and public health challenges. But as the country moves further into the post-pandemic era, the true consequences of the government’s emergency measures have become more evident.

    Work became flexible – for some

    The shift to flexible work has improved work-life balance and productivity for some.

    But its impact has been uneven. Many remote workers, especially parents, have reported worsened mental health due to social isolation and blurred work-life boundaries.

    Working from home can also lead to overwork and stress. The lack of in-person environments has hindered on-the-job training, particularly for younger employees. Managers have also struggled with monitoring performance and building team culture.

    The pandemic fundamentally changed how New Zealanders work, shop, study and interact with each other.
    Lakeview Images/Shutterstock

    Shopping shifted online

    The pandemic shifted consumer behaviour towards increased online spending. Small and medium-sized businesses rapidly adapted by launching online platforms or boosting their digital presence.

    By 2021, there was a 52% growth in online spending compared to 2019.

    This digital shift helped many businesses survive during lockdowns. But it also created a competitive landscape that favoured those who could invest in a strong online presence.

    Urban centres have continued to see a decline in foot traffic, affecting traditional stores. This may lead to a permanent change in city layouts.

    Hard trade-offs after big spending

    The effect of COVID-19 related monetary and fiscal policy responses continue to have a lasting impact on the economy.

    To reduce the effects of the immediate downturn caused by the pandemic response, the government introduced several stimulus packages, including wage subsidies and NZ$3 billion for “shovel ready” infrastructure projects.

    These measures were essential in maintaining economic stability, given the pandemic and pandemic-related policies. But this persistent stimulus injected cash into a country already struggling with efficiency and productivity.

    This move contributed to rising inflation. Higher interest rates followed, raising borrowing costs and leading to a recession and stagflation (a mix of low growth and rising inflation).

    What made things worse was that this fiscal stimulus was debt-financed, raising questions about whether it was fiscally sustainable.

    In the post-pandemic period, policymakers have faced the delicate task of balancing economic recovery with the need to reduce debt levels over time. This requires careful adjustments, either via tax increases or reductions in spending.

    The government has actively sought to reduce spending, especially on low-value programs (such as cutting contractor and consultant spending) and non-essential spending (for example, cuts to public sector back-office functions). It’s also targeted “fiscal adjustments”, such as delaying or phasing some infrastructure projects or adjusting the timing of capital expenditure. Overall, their policy-mix appears to be right for the current economic environment.

    In the long-run, the high debt levels may limit the government’s ability to respond to future crises or invest in other critical areas such as infrastructure, education and healthcare.

    The need to manage inflation and debt simultaneously has necessitated difficult trade-offs. This could potentially influence future government priorities and policy decisions.

    In March 2020, New Zealand entered its first lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Five years on, the country is still feeling the effect of the former government’s policies.
    Mark Mitchell/Getty Images

    Falling trust in institutions

    The pandemic highlighted the importance of trust in government, science and media. Early on, New Zealanders supported the government’s measures, benefiting from high levels of trust in politicians, scientists and journalists.

    However, with prolonged lockdowns in cities such as Auckland and the imposition of vaccine mandates, cracks began to appear in this trust. This contributed to resistance against some policies, even non-COVID related ones, and an erosion of trust.

    Nowhere was this more evident than the 2022 anti-COVID-19 vaccine mandate protests that resulted in the occupation of parliament grounds.

    This erosion of trust has far-reaching consequences. For example, we have already seen a drop in childhood immunisation rates with concerns about measles and other preventable diseases resurfacing.

    This distrust can have long-term implications for future policy responses across various sectors, potentially affecting areas such as public health, economic growth, trade and social cohesion.

    Risks of entrenching inequality

    The long-term impact of COVID-19 policies on inequalities in education, unemployment and health, to name a few, is likely to persist well beyond the immediate recovery.

    In education, the shift to online learning during the lockdowns exposed deep inequalities in access to technology, digital literacy and home learning environments, particularly for lower-income students. Over time, these disparities could affect future career opportunities and limit social mobility for marginalised groups.

    The shift towards more digital and remote work models may further disadvantage those that don’t have the skills or resources to participate in these new economies, entrenching existing inequality.

    Given that socioeconomic status is an important determinate of health outcomes, the former effects could result in increased physical and mental health inequalities in the long-run.

    The long tail of the pandemic

    In essence, the pandemic has amplified existing vulnerabilities. But it has also revealed emerging fissures between those who have the capacity to adapt to the new digital world, and those that don’t.

    It is not enough for New Zealand to simply move on from the pandemic-era policies. Policymakers need to address the consequences of both COVID-19 and the decisions made in responses to the health emergency.

    At an economic level, the government needs to embrace policies that will increase the productivity and efficiency of the economy.

    But five years on from the pandemic, it is clear that rebuilding trust in institutions is vital. Clear communication, transparency and true expert involvement will help restore public confidence – helping the country to truly move on from the global pandemic.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. 5 years on from its first COVID lockdown, NZ faces hard economic choices – but rebuilding trust must come first – https://theconversation.com/5-years-on-from-its-first-covid-lockdown-nz-faces-hard-economic-choices-but-rebuilding-trust-must-come-first-252478

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: eHealth App introduces new function for viewing radiology reports

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    eHealth App introduces new function for viewing radiology reports 
         Users can generally view the radiology reports through the “Investigations” function of the App 14 days after the reports are released, and the App’s information centre will also issue relevant notifications. The HHB advises citizens to first enquire whether the HCPs can deposit examination records into their personal eHealth accounts when selecting private HCPs for radiological examinations, to enable the building of a comprehensive electronic health record (eHR).
     
         Currently, all public HCPs and over 115 private HCPs with more than 550 service locations in total, including private hospitals, medical group practices and radiological examination centres, are technically ready. If citizens have given “sharing consent” to relevant private HCPs, their radiology reports can then be deposited in their eHealth accounts for access by the citizens and other authorised healthcare professionals. As at the end of February this year, a total of 40 private HCPs (involving nearly 100 service locations) have deposited radiology reports into the eHealth accounts of over 3.1 million citizens upon obtaining their authorisations.
     
         A spokesman for the HHB said, “Under the eHealth+ five-year development plan, we are committed to building a personal lifelong eHR profile and a comprehensive personal medical record for every citizen, while creating a one-stop comprehensive health portal through the eHealth App to help citizens manage their health records, access health information, monitor personal health and establish a healthier lifestyle. With the further enhancement of the App’s function, radiology reports of citizens from both public and private HCPs, as well as those from various government-subsidised healthcare programmes (such as the Project on Enhancing Radiological Investigation Services through Collaboration with the Private Sector), are consolidated for citizens’ access at any time, eliminating the inconvenience of storing paper reports and saving costs on redundant tests. This also facilitates authorised HCPs in conducting analysis and comparison, thereby providing a seamless and personalised care journey for citizens.”
     
         Since the launch of the eHealth App in 2021, the Government has progressively expanded the health records available for citizens’ viewing. Currently, eHealth users can access nine types of eHRs, namely, personal identification and demographic data, allergies and adverse drug reactions, encounters and appointments, immunisation records, medication records, laboratory and radiology reports, healthcare referrals, observation and lifestyle records, as well as medical certificates. In the future, the Government will gradually make more health records available for citizen’s viewing, including radiology images, Chinese medicine prescription records as well as dental check-ups records and dental conditions.
     
         The Government will continue to take a multipronged approach to encourage and facilitate the deposit of citizens’ eHRs into eHealth by private HCPs, thereby assisting citizens in accessing, managing and using their own eHRs during the healthcare process. Through the eHealth website (www.ehealth.gov.hk/en/index.html 
         The Government announced the rollout of the eHealth+ five-year plan in the 2023 Policy Address, with a view to transforming eHealth into a comprehensive healthcare information infrastructure that integrates multiple functions of healthcare data sharing, service delivery and care journey management. eHealth+ aims to bring about a more seamless and personalised care journey for every citizen and facilitate care co-ordination and cross-sector collaboration, as well as health management and health surveillance, thus enabling citizens to enjoy higher-quality healthcare services while effectively supporting various healthcare policies.
     
         For more information, citizens may visit the eHealth thematic website (    app.ehealth.gov.hk/index.html?lang=enIssued at HKT 11:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Catch up clinics offer vaccinations for secondary age children

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The following vaccinations will be available:

    • The Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) vaccine, also known as the 3 in 1 teenage booster which is offered to children in Year 9 and above. This booster is the last routine dose that provides young people with long lasting protection into adulthood.
    • The Meningococcal (Men ACWY) vaccination for children in Year 9 and above which helps protect young people against 4 types of meningococcal disease which can cause both meningitis and septicaemia.
    • The MMR vaccination, to provide long lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella for all school aged children who have missed doses.

    Clinic will be held on Monday 14 April at Biz Space, Room 2, Planetary Road WV13 3SW from 10am to 2pm and on Saturday 26 April at Whitmore Reans Family Hub, Lansdowne Road WV1 4AL from 9.30am to 2pm. Appointments must be booked in advance by contacting Vaccination UK on 01902 200077.

    Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “These vaccines offer the best protection for teenagers as they start their journey into adulthood and start mixing more widely – whether that’s going to college, starting work, travelling or going to festivals.

    “So, if your child has missed out on their vaccinations, maybe because they were off school or are home educated, please come along to one of the catch up clinics being delivered by Vaccination UK over the coming weeks.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study suggesting shingles vaccine (Zostavax) associated with lower risk of dementia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Nature looks at the effect of the shingles vaccine (Zostvax) on dementia risk. 

    Comments provided by our friends at the Australian Science Media Centre:

    Dr Joseph Doyle, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Monash University and President of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, said: 

    “The paper [by Eyting and colleagues in Nature] presents results of a natural experiment in Wales, United Kingdom, on the effect of shingles vaccination on new diagnosis of dementia. The study observed that older adults appeared to have less chance of dementia diagnosis in the seven years after receiving live-attenuated shingles vaccination (Zostavax). The authors estimate there were 3.5% fewer dementia diagnoses among people who received the live-attenuated shingles vaccine.

    “This study had an observational design, so we need to be cautious in assuming the vaccine itself caused this decline in dementia diagnoses. It is plausible that episodes of infection, immune system changes, or health care engagement are among the factors behind this association, but further research is needed to help determine whether there is a causal link.

    “Importantly, we don’t know whether these findings apply to both the live-attenuated shingles vaccine (Zostavax) used in their study and the newer recombinant subunit shingles vaccine (Shingrix) now used widely in Australia. 

    “Australia approved and subsidised Shingrix on the National Immunization Program in 2023. This newer shingles vaccine is available for older adults and is safer for people who are immunocompromised. 

    “While we do not know whether the newer shingles vaccine used locally has the same association with less dementia yet, we do know the shingles vaccine provided free in Australia is very effective and protective against episodes of shingles. 

    “Older adults and people with weak immune systems at higher risk of shingles are encouraged to see their doctor to talk more about vaccination.”  

     

    Professor Anthony Hannan, Group Head of the Epigenetics and Neural Plasticity Group at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, said:

    “This new research article in Nature adds to the evidence that the nervous system and immune system closely interact, and that this has implications for dementia risk, as well as potentially new approaches to dementia prevention and treatment. Furthermore, it provides evidence that vaccination has the potential to impact positively on human health, beyond the particular disease that the vaccine was intended to prevent. 

    “A key question, not answered by this new study, is how the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine may have helped protect (reducing risk by 20%) against dementia. We now know that, despite the blood-brain barrier, the brain has its own immune cells, which serve many roles including removal of specific toxic molecules that accumulate with age (particularly in the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease). 

    “It is possible that the vaccine had direct effects on these brain immune cells, but it is also possible that the vaccine acted indirectly, for example, by slowing brain aging and/or enhancing brain resilience to the ravages of age. The next step is to work out exactly how this vaccine exerts its protective effects against dementia and to use that information to develop new ways to prevent and treat dementia. It also increases the likelihood that in future there may be specific vaccination programs whose primary aim is to prevent dementia.”

     

    Dr Henry Brodaty, Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health and Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at the University of New South Wales, said:

    “They examined the effect of a live virus to prevent shingles administered to people aged 79 to 80. The researchers took advantage of a decision in Wales that 79-80-year-olds born before 2nd September 1933 were ineligible for life to receive the shingles vaccine, whereas those born on or after that day were eligible for at least one year to receive the vaccine. There were 16,595 adults who had become eligible for the vaccine from a total sample of 282,541 adults in the sample.

    “They compared people who were one week too old with those who were one week younger. Those who received the vaccine had an absolute reduction of 7% of developing dementia over the next seven years. Compared to those who were unvaccinated, their risk of dementia was 20% lower. The benefits were stronger for women than men.

    “The authors examined multiple competing hypotheses to explain the results. There were no differences in dementia diagnoses for those who had and had not received influenza vaccines. Other possible explanations were also discounted. The authors considered the possible mechanism maybe preventing the reactivation of the shingles of the herpes varicella virus. The authors confirmed their findings in a different population by combining a different type of data from England and Wales and using deaths certified as being due to dementia.

    “Limitations include that these results only pertained to 79-80-year-olds in Wales and to the use of the live vaccine.

    “There has been evidence for some time that older people who receive their vaccinations in general are less likely to develop dementia. This is the best evidence yet to show this. Future research will determine whether the newer non-live virus, Shingrix will provide the same benefit and whether immunisation at younger ages may be just as effective.”

    ‘A natural experiment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia’ by Markus Eyting et al. was published in Nature at 16:00 UK time on Wednesday 2 April 2025. 

    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08800-x

    Declared interests

    Professor Anthony Hannan: No COI’s.

    Dr Henry Brodaty: is or has been an advisory board member or consultant to Biogen, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Medicines Australia, Roche and Skin2Neuron. He has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

    Prof Joseph Doyle: is a board member of the Australian Society for Infectious Diseases and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. The views expressed here are personal opinions and are not necessarily those of his employers or professional bodies.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ1: Pet-friendly policy

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Maggie Chan and a reply by the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, in the Legislative Council today (April 2):
     
    Question:
     
         There are views that the existing legislation has impeded the development potential of Hong Kong’s pet industry, and there is still substantial room for improvement in the pet-friendly policy of Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) given that in the reply to a question from a Member of this Council on June 12 last year, the Government indicated that it would conduct research on practices and experiences in other places regarding bringing dogs into food premises and consider reviewing the existing legislation, of the progress and details of the relevant work, including whether it will establish a licensing regime for pet-friendly food premises and devise supporting insurance solutions, open up outdoor dining areas for entry of pets on a trial basis, and implement a tiered access system based on the size of food premises, indoor and outdoor space, or types of dog; 
    President, 
         On the questions raised by the Hon Maggie Chan, I would like to reply to the question as follows: 
         The society is divided over this subject. On the one hand, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has from time to time received complaints about certain food premises allowing customers who bring pet dogs inside, expressing concerns on pet dogs entering restaurants. On the other hand, in recent years, there are views in society hoping to bring along pet dogs to dine in food premises.
     
         The Government needs to take into account different factors when considering whether to relax certain restrictions on pet dogs entering food premises, including public health, the operating environment of food premises and social acceptance. The Environment and Ecology Bureau, together with the FEHD, are conducting research on practices and experiences in other places, and would carefully consider whether there is room for relaxing the relevant restrictions. 
         Considering the widespread use of ISO microchips in many other countries and regions, to further facilitate the movements of dogs into and out of Hong Kong, the AFCD has completed a feasibility study and proposed to introduce ISO microchips in addition to the existing AVID microchips. The AFCD has consulted relevant stakeholders, including licensed animal traders, animal welfare organisations, pet transport agents, veterinary clinics and animal-related organisations on the proposal, and the trade is generally supportive. The Government expects to consult the relevant Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on the proposal in the second quarter of this year. If the proposal is supported by the Panel, the Government will introduce the proposed amendments to the relevant subsidiary legislation into the LegCo in due course. 
         The AFCD classifies places into different groups according to different risk of rabies, with reference to information about the surveillance of animal diseases from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Group I includes rabies-free places (i.e. where rabies has been absent for a long time); Group II includes places where rabies cases are few and under effective control. Since Groups I and II places are considered of lower risk of rabies, cats and dogs imported from these places are exempted from quarantine upon fulfilling relevant requirements (such as providing Animal Health Certificate, Residence Certificate and Anti-rabies Vaccination Certificate). Furthermore, Group IIIA includes places that do not meet the requirements of Group II but have satisfactory regulation of veterinary services and official controls on health certification; whereas Group IIIB includes places where rabies cases are reported and not under effective control. In general, places that do not meet the requirements of Group I, II, or IIIA (or their situations cannot be determined) will be included in Group IIIB. Since the incubation period of rabies can be up to several months, to prevent the transmission of rabies into Hong Kong, the AFCD requires a quarantine period of no less than 120 days for the cats and dogs imported from Group IIIB places.
     
         Group IIIA has been introduced since December 2024 to facilitate animal owners in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong. The quarantine period for cats and dogs of the relevant places will be significantly shortened from the current 120 days to 30 days upon their arrival in Hong Kong, provided that they meet the relevant quarantine requirements including that the animals must be vaccinated against rabies, have a satisfactory rabies neutralising antibody titre test and have an animal health certificate issued or endorsed by a government veterinary officer of the place of export. The AFCD has proactively contacted some Group IIIB places which do not meet the requirements of Group II but have satisfactory regulation of veterinary services and official controls on health certification to discuss the relevant quarantine arrangements and, upon reaching an agreement, to include them in Group IIIA to shorten the quarantine period for dogs and cats upon arrival in Hong Kong. Among Group IIIA places, the Macao Special Administrative Region has implemented the new arrangements since December last year. On extending the new arrangement to other cities of the Greater Bay Area, the AFCD is actively discussing the details of the arrangement with the relevant Mainland authorities with a view to implement the new arrangement as soon as possible.
     
         The current arrangement of a 30-day quarantine period for Group IIIA places is formulated with reference to the risk assessment conducted by the expert consultant in light of the actual situation in Hong Kong. The AFCD will continue to make close reference to the latest situation of animal diseases published by the WOAH and timely review whether the relevant quarantine requirements can be enhanced in the light of factors such as operational experience, views of stakeholders and risk assessment.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN POULTRY”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:32PM by PIB Delhi

    As per the information provided by Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), surveillance data on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in food animals including poultry is compiled and published as part of the Indian Network for Fisheries and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR) annual report, which is accessible to the public. The study conducted by ICAR – Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) examined various factors like agro climatic zones, pathogen phylotypes and host characteristics including utilization of machine learning algorithms to identify key drivers of AMR in poultry.

    The measures and advisories are outlined as follows:

    1. Department under Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) scheme, 100% central assistance is provided to States/UTs for vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Lumpy Skin Disease, Black Quarter, Haemorrhagic Septicaemia etc. including disease surveillance, monitoring and capacity building. Vaccination reduces the use of antibiotics, hence reduce the AMR.

     

    1. Department has developed The ‘Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTGs) for Livestock and Poultry’ for best practices in veterinary care to enhance livestock health and disease control while ensuring the responsible use of drugs including antimicrobials.
    1. DAHD has formulated the Poultry Disease Action Plan, which emphasizes proactive disease management through biosecurity measures, enhanced surveillance, and vaccination protocols, thereby safeguarding both poultry population and public health.
    2. Bharat Pashudhan application under National Digital Livestock Mission provides management of nearly 29 common ailments of dairy animals e.g. mastitis, indigestion, diarrhoea etc. using Ethno-Veterinary Medicine (EVM).
    3. Department has constituted the Empowered Committee on Animal Health-Regulatory, a subcommittee to ‘Assess and provide recommendations on submission of veterinary vaccines/biological/drugs for policy input’ to examine the proposals received from DCGI regarding import and manufacturing of drugs and vaccine including antibiotics.
    4. Department has formulated the National Action Plan on Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR) in consultation with MoH&FW and other stake holders for judicious use, surveillance and monitoring of antibiotics in animal health sector. MoA&FW is also one of the stakeholder in respect to use of pesticides and antibiotics in agriculture sector keeping in view the One Health Initiative and provisions under NAP-AMR.
    5. Department has issued advisories to all State/UTs for judicious use of antibiotics in treatment of food producing animals, for stopping the use of antibiotics in animal feed and for general awareness.
    6. As per information received from the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) import, manufacture, sale, distribution of drugs including antibiotics are regulated under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules there under. Further, it is mandatory that the container of the medicine for treatment of food producing animals requires to be labelled with the withdrawal period of the drug for the species on which it is intended to be used.
    7. On the recommendations of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Colistin and its formulations have been prohibited to be manufactured, sold and distributed for food producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplement

     

    1. ICAR has strengthened the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by initiating All India Network Programme on AMR (AINP-AMR) involving 31 centres across different states of the country. Further, INFAAR is a nationwide initiative that comprises 20 animals science centres establishing a strong frame work for monitoring and surveillance.

     

    1. The Central Government has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Egg laying Hens) Rules, 2023 to ensure the welfare of poultry specifically for the space requirement for sheltering the poultry bird. As per the Rule 10 of the said Rules following shall be prohibited for feeding of laying hens:
    1. Feeding of laying hens with remains of dead chicks.
    2. Use of antimicrobial growth promoters.
    3. Use of antimicrobials, if required, may be administered for therapeutic purposes (disease treatment) and only under supervision of a veterinarian and
    4. Withdrawal of feed to induce a molting.

    This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April, 2025.

    *****

    AA

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: STRAY DOGS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 APR 2025 5:13PM by PIB Delhi

    As per Article 246(3) of the Constitution of India, the preservation, protection, and improvement of livestock, as well as the prevention of animal diseases, veterinary training, and practice, fall under the jurisdiction of State Governments. As per Articles 243(W) and 246, local bodies are mandated to control the stray dog population. Accordingly, local bodies are implementing the Animal Birth Control Programme to regulate the population of stray dogs.

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is responsible for the human health component related to dog bites and human rabies. Under the National Rabies Control Program, data on animal bites, including high-risk groups such as children, is being collected, and necessary provisions for post-exposure prophylaxis are being made for all animal bite victims across the country through healthcare facilities. As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, state-wise data on dog bite cases and suspected human rabies deaths reported by states and Union Territories from 2022 to 2025 (till January), as per the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme–Integrated Health Information Platform portal, are provided in Annexure-I and Annexure-II, respectively.

    The Central Government has notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 in supersession of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 to strengthen the implementation of the animal birth control programme. Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 provides for sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs to control the stray dog population, to prevent rabies and to reduce man-dog conflict.

    The intensive implementation of the Animal Birth Control program by local bodies is the only rational and scientific solution to the overpopulation of the street dogs and controlling incidence of Rabies. Dogs are sterilized and released back to their original habitats, and since dogs are territorial, they stay in their locality and do not allow dogs from other neighboring areas to come in. These dogs are also vaccinated annually so they are protected from rabies and even if they bite accidentally, they may not transmit Rabies.

    The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has published the revised Animal Birth Control (ABC) module for Street Dogs Population management, rabies eradication and reducing man-dog conflict.

    Further, Animal Welfare Board of India provides the Animal Birth Control Project Recognition to the recognized Animal Welfare Organizations to carry out the Sterilization and immunization programme of stray dogs across the country. In addition, the Animal Welfare Board of India has issued following advisories / guidelines for proper welfare of the stray dogs as below:

    • Pet Dogs and Street Dogs Circular dated 26.02.2015
    • Standard protocol for the adoption of community animals dated 17.05.2022
    • Request to Chief Secretary of all State/UTs to implement the provision of Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 dated 27.03.2023
    • Request to Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Animal Husbandry as well as to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of all Districts of all State/UTs to implement the provision of Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 dated 31.03.2023
    • Request to al District Magistrate of all Districts of all State/UTs to implement the provision of Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 dated 30.05.2023

    The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is implementing all necessary activities for rabies elimination in India by 2030 through the National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) in coordination with key stakeholder ministries and departments. Each stakeholder ministry/department has a defined role and set of responsibilities for rabies elimination under the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030 (NAPRE), as part of the National Rabies Control Program.

    The activities undertaken by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for rabies elimination across the country are mentioned below at Annexure-III

    The Government has not conducted a formal assessment of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program’s effectiveness in controlling the stray dog population; however, it remains the primary mechanism for managing the issue. The program’s effectiveness is supported by several mandatory provisions, including Animal Birth Control Project Recognition for each project, the constitution of Monitoring and Implementation Committees at the Central, State, and Local levels, and other regulatory measures. However, its effectiveness varies across different regions due to implementation challenges.

    Further, as per the information received, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has assessed the effectiveness of the Animal Birth Control Program in controlling the stray dog population. A study conducted in 2019 and 2023 revealed a 10% reduction in the street dog population in 2023 compared to the previous survey. At the same time, the neutering percentage increased by 20%.

    ANNEXURE-I

    Dog Bite cases reported by states/UTs at IDSP (from 2022-25)

    State/UT

    2022

    (Jan-Dec)

    2023

    (Jan-Dec)

    2024

    (Jan-Dec)

    2025

    (January)

    Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    345

    528

    455

    52

    Andhra Pradesh

    192360

    212146

    245174

    23180

    Arunachal Pradesh

    2501

    4409

    6388

    714

    Assam

    39919

    94945

    166232

    20900

    Bihar

    141926

    241827

    263930

    34442

    Chandigarh

    5365

    11782

    8644

    754

    Chhattisgarh

    21365

    29221

    38268

    5159

    Delhi

    6691

    17874

    25210

    3196

    Dadra Nagar Haveli And Daman Diu

    4169

    5921

    7926

    620

    Goa

    8057

    11904

    17236

    1789

    Gujarat

    169363

    278537

    392837

    53942

    Haryana

    35837

    42690

    60417

    7787

    Himachal Pradesh

    15935

    21096

    22909

    2135

    Jammu And Kashmir

    22110

    34664

    51027

    4824

    Jharkhand

    9539

    31251

    43874

    5344

    Karnataka

    163356

    232715

    361494

    39437

    Kerala

    4000

    71606

    115046

    11649

    Ladakh

    2165

    2569

    4078

    373

    Lakshadweep

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Madhya Pradesh

    66018

    113499

    142948

    16710

    Maharashtra

    393020

    472790

    485345

    56538

    Manipur

    4450

    2964

    9257

    798

    Meghalaya

    5302

    9611

    17784

    2466

    Mizoram

    891

    1141

    1873

    179

    Nagaland

    452

    600

    714

    85

    Odisha

    65396

    92848

    166792

    24478

    Puducherry

    11937

    13006

    12148

    894

    Punjab

    15519

    18680

    22912

    2164

    Rajasthan

    88029

    103533

    140543

    15062

    Sikkim

    3845

    6636

    8601

    840

    Tamil Nadu

    364435

    441796

    480427

    48931

    Telangana

    92924

    119014

    121997

    10424

    Tripura

    3051

    6510

    9641

    1266

    Uttarakhand

    15649

    25623

    23091

    1790

    Uttar Pradesh

    191361

    229921

    164009

    20478

    West Bengal

    22627

    48664

    76486

    10264

    Total

    21,89,909

    30,52,521

    37,15,713

    4,29,664

    * Data source IDSP/IHIP as on 27-2-2025

    ANNEXURE-II

    Human Rabies cases (Death) reported by states/UTs (from 2022-25)

    State/UT

    2022
    (Jan-Dec)

    2023
    (Jan-Dec)

    2024
    (Jan-Dec)

    2025
    (January)

    Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Andhra Pradesh

    3

    0

    1

    0

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0

    0

    1

    0

    Assam

    0

    3

    1

    1

    Bihar

    1

    3

    2

    0

    Chandigarh

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Chhattisgarh

    0

    1

    0

    0

    Delhi

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Dadra Nagar Haveli And Daman Diu

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Goa

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Gujarat

    0

    3

    1

    0

    Haryana

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Himachal Pradesh

    1

    1

    3

    0

    Jammu And Kashmir

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Jharkhand

    0

    1

    1

    0

    Karnataka

    3

    4

    5

    0

    Kerala

    0

    1

    3

    0

    Ladakh

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Lakshadweep

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Madhya Pradesh

    1

    2

    6

    0

    Maharashtra

    7

    14

    14

    0

    Manipur

    1

    3

    2

    0

    Meghalaya

    0

    1

    4

    0

    Mizoram

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Nagaland

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Odisha

    0

    1

    0

    0

    Puducherry

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Punjab

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Rajasthan

    0

    3

    0

    0

    Sikkim

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Tamil Nadu

    2

    5

    2

    0

    Telangana

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Tripura

    0

    1

    1

    0

    Uttarakhand

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Uttar Pradesh

    0

    3

    6

    0

    West Bengal

    0

    0

    1

    0

    Total

    21

    50

    54

    1

    * Data source IDSP/IHIP as on 27-2-2025

    ANNEXURE-III

    The activities undertaken by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for rabies elimination across the country are as follows:

    1. Launch of NAPRE: – Under the ‘National Rabies Control Program’, the “National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030” (NAPRE) was conceptualized and jointly launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAHD) on September 28, 2021. The NAPRE guidelines consist of two components: Human Health and Animal Health. The implementation of the Human Health component is undertaken by the ‘National Centre for Disease Control’ (NCDC) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with dedicated budgetary support, while the implementation of the Animal Health component is to be undertaken by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under MoFAHD.  As per Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 Mass dog vaccination and dog population management are being done by the animal husbandry department in collaboration with local body authorities.

     

    1. Budgetary support to the states under National Rabies Control Program: Under the “National Health Mission”, the states are being supported by providing budget for implementing the ‘National Rabies Control Program’ (NRCP) through budget for Capacity building of the healthcare staff, procurement of rabies vaccines, printing of IEC for rabies & dogbite prevention, for data entry support, review meetings, Monitoring and Surveillance, establishment of Model Anti Rabies Clinics & Wound Washing facilities.

     

    1. Availability of ARV and ARS in Health facilities: – The lifesaving drugs like Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Rabies Serum (ARS)/Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) are being provided at government hospitals and health facilities under the National Free Drug Initiative of the National Health Mission (NHM). These drugs are also included in the essential drug list of the states.

     

    1. Workshops conducted under NRCP for SAPRE: – To develop the ‘State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination’(SAPRE), regional level workshops have been conducted for southern states, northeastern states, North region states and Delhi in the last two years. Rajasthan, Puducherry, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tamilnadu have already launched their SAPREs, while Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi are yet to launch their SAPREs. Rest other states are drafting their SAPRE

     

    1. Establishment of Model Anti Rabies Clinics across the states: Support is being provided to the states’ Health Departments for establishing “Model Anti-Rabies Clinics” in the districts to provide care to dog bite victims. As of now, 279 Model Anti-Rabies Clinics have become operational in the last three years.

     

    1. Strengthening the Diagnostic Labs for Rabies Diagnosis: – Across country 14 diagnostic laboratories of government health institutions have been strengthened under the National Rabies Control Program for rabies diagnosis in the selected states/UTs.

     

    1. Issues advisories and Communication letters to the states: – Issued advisory to all states by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GoI), urging them to classify Human Rabies as a Notifiable Disease under relevant acts. Presently, Human Rabies is notifiable in 23 States/UTs. Additionally, various communications have been sent to the states for implementation of National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) through surveillance, availability of ARV/ARS, training to stakeholders on dogbite and rabies cases management, establishment of Model Anti Rabies Clinics, ensuring Wound washing facility in public hospitals and centres.

     

    1. Rabies Free City Imitative: – The Rabies-Free Cities initiative has commenced in a phased manner, targeting Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities for rabies prevention & control. The initiative is being implemented in 15 cities of 6 states and planned for expansion to 114 cities across country.

     

    1. Formulation of Committees at National & state Level under National Rabies Control Program: – The National Joint steering committee for Rabies Elimination (NJSC-RE) has been constituted under the chairpersonship of Secretary (HFW)-MoHFW and Co-chairpersonship of Secretary Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying for overall steering the program in the country and to formulate policy, legislations and framework for regulatory mechanism. Similarly, to advise the program division on various technical aspects the National Technical Advisory committee (NTAC) was constituted under the chairpersonship of DGHS. In line with NJSC; state and district-level Joint Steering Committees for Rabies Elimination have been established across states and districts to regular review program progress under NRCP.

     

    1. Develop Guidelines and resource documents under National Rabies Control Program: – Various guidelines on rabies prophylaxis and training modules have been developed for medical officers and health workers and disseminated with the states/UTs.

     

    1. Training Programs under National Rabies Control Program: – Numerous training sessions for healthcare professionals on proper animal bite management and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) have been conducted across all States/UTs. Around 1,66,470 medical officers, paramedical staff, and nurses have been trained in dog bite management from 2019 to 2025 (till Feb’25).

     

    1. Community Awareness on Dogbite and Rabies: – Community awareness about rabies prevention is being raised through advocacy, communication, and social mobilization campaigns. To create the awareness to the public and healthcare professionals Dog bite protocols, IEC materials, and training videos on the management of animal bite/dog bite cases for medical officers have been created and disseminated across the country. Reference: https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/iec

     

    1. Observance of “World Rabies Day”: – To further promote awareness about rabies, “World Rabies Day” is observed annually on 28th September at both the national and state levels. During this event, awareness activities on the Do’s and Don’ts of handling dogs, dog bite cases, and the importance of rabies vaccination are conducted, particularly in schools for children.

     

    1. Created dedicated website for National Rabies Control Program: – A dedicated National Rabies Control Program website has been launched on 12th March 2024 to enhance surveillance and reporting of animal bites, suspected/probable/confirmed rabies cases/deaths, and vaccination schedules, with a web-based portal currently under development. Reference: https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/

     

    1. Rabies Helpline: – A dedicated Rabies helpline (15400)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH offers free HPV vaccination to eligible female post-secondary students

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (April 1) that the second phase of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Catch-up Programme has been launched. This Programme provides free HPV vaccination to female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who are currently studying at local post-secondary institutions (PSI) and are registered with eHealth.

    “The CHP sent invitations to PSI in December last year to participate in the Programme. As of yesterday (March 31), all PSI have joined, and six of them have started activities in mid-March, which include offering vaccinations at campus health service or arranging outreach teams to administer the HPV vaccine to eligible female students on campus. The schedules for vaccination activities of each institution have been uploaded to the CHP’s website (see Annex 1) for easy reference, and students can check with their student affairs office for details about the vaccination arrangements of their institutions,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

    “In Hong Kong, cervical cancer was the ninth most common female cancer in 2022, with 522 new cases and 167 deaths. HPV vaccines are highly effective in preventing high-risk HPV types that are most frequently associated with cervical cancer. The DH learned that some students do not want to get vaccinated because they are worried about side effects or even misbelieve rumours that shock, early menstruation, increased sexual activity, etc, may occur after HPV vaccination, but these incorrect claims are completely unsubstantiated by scientific evidence,” he added. To address unnecessary misunderstandings and concerns, the CHP hosted a webinar on March 19 with an enthusiastic response, which was attended by nearly 200 participants. Information of the webinar has been posted on the CHP’s website. Furthermore, the CHP has launched promotional videos on social media to enhance public understanding of the HPV vaccine and encourage eligible females to grasp the opportunity to receive the vaccine for optimal protection.

    The CHP has included HPV vaccination in the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme since the 2019/20 school year for Primary Five and Six female students. So far, approximately 97 600 girls have completed two doses of the vaccine, accounting for about 90 per cent of eligible girls, far exceeding the interim target (70 per cent) outlined in the Hong Kong Cancer Strategy 2019.

    In line with the latest World Health Organization recommendations, the DH launched the first phase of the HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme in December last year. This phase provided free vaccines to female students studying at full-time secondary schools (including the secondary section of special schools) who were in Form Five or above and registered with eHealth. As of April 1, over 510 schools (approximately 98 per cent of eligible schools) have responded or indicated their participation. Among these, nearly 280 schools have already conducted vaccination activities, with over 14 000 doses administered. Counting doses administered under the Programme and self-arranged vaccinations, the first-dose HPV vaccine coverage rate is over 70 per cent.

    “The CHP has asked secondary schools that do not arrange vaccination activities to inform parents. The list of these schools (see Annex 2) has also been uploaded to the CHP’s website, so that parents of students from these schools can arrange for their daughters to receive the vaccine at the DH’s School Immunisation Team sub-offices or Student Health Service Centres,” said Dr Tsui.

    The third phase of the Programme will start in the first half of 2025. Targeted recipients are female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have already completed their studies in Hong Kong. The third phase will also cover the remaining female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not yet completed their HPV vaccination. The CHP, together with the Primary Healthcare Commission, is finalising the arrangements for the third phase, with a preliminary plan to offer vaccinations at district Women Wellness Satellites and District Health Centres. Details will be announced in due course.

    ​This HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme is a one-off special arrangement that will last for about two years. Eligible female Hong Kong residents who do not participate in the Programme may receive the vaccine at their own expense in the future. For more information about the Programme, the public can visit the CHP’s thematic website.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Guterres calls for greater equality and inclusion as world marks Autism Awareness Day

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    Health

    Although people with autism are making enormous contributions to societies across the globe, they still face significant challenges. 

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for renewed commitment to create a more equal and inclusive world in his message marking World Autism Awareness Day on Tuesday.

    This year’s theme – Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – highlights the intersection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts.

    The goal is to showcase how inclusive policies and practices can drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide and contribute to making the SDGs a reality.

    Isolation, stigma and inequality

    “People with autism often experience isolation, stigma and inequality. They have been denied healthcare and education – especially during crises – and their legal capacity has been unrecognized and over-ridden,” the Secretary-General said.

    “Such discrimination contravenes the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ commitment to leave no one behind. It must change,” he added.

    Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, constitutes a diverse group of conditions related to development of the brain, according to a fact sheet by the World Health Organization (WHO).

    Characteristics may be detected in early childhood, involving some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication, however diagnosis often does not occur until much later.

    Vaccine link debunked

    It is estimated that about 1 in 100 children worldwide has autism. Available scientific evidence suggests that there are probably many factors that make a child more likely to have autism, including environmental and genetic factors, WHO said.

    The UN agency noted that extensive research over many years has demonstrated that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine does not cause autism.

    “Studies that were interpreted as indicating any such link were flawed, and some of the authors had undeclared biases that influenced what they reported about their research,” the fact sheet said.

    Furthermore, evidence also shows that other childhood vaccines do not increase risk.

    Varied life experiences

    The abilities and needs of autistic people vary and can evolve over time, WHO explained. While some can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require life-long care and support. 

    Autism also often has an impact on education and employment opportunities, while families can face significant demands in providing care and support. 

    The Secretary-General stressed that governments must adopt legislation and policies that guarantee equality and promote the full participation of people with autism in society. 

    “We need inclusive health and education systems, work environments, and urban design – to ensure people with autism have equal opportunities to thrive,” he said.

    “On World Autism Awareness Day, let us recommit to create a world where no person with autism is left behind,” his message concluded.

    Commitment to diversity

    Throughout its history, the UN has celebrated diversity and promoted the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, including learning differences and developmental disabilities. 

    For example, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which entered into force in 2008, reaffirms the fundamental principle of universal human rights for all. 

    That same year, the UN General Assembly – which brings together all 193 Member States – unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to improve the quality of life of people with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: March 28th, 2025 Heinrich Reintroduces Legislation to Leverage AI For Pandemic Preparedness and Response

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Founder and Co-Chair of the Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus, reintroduced the MedShield Act of 2025 alongside Co-Chair of the Senate AI Caucus, Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). This legislation would implement a recommendation of the National Security Commission on AI to create a program titled MedShield to leverage AI for national pandemic preparedness and response.

    MedShield would be the United States’ “shield” to protect the nation against future pandemics. MedShield would foster collaboration between the public and private sectors as well as with global allies and partners. The program would leverage AI to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. pandemic prevention and response across five key areas:

    • Vaccine development

    • Therapeutic development

    “AI holds amazing potential to supercharge major scientific and medical advances – including our ability to anticipate and address the next public health crisis,” said Heinrich, Founder and Co-Chair of the Senate AI Caucus. “By leveraging AI’s potential, our Medshield Act will ensure we are more prepared for the emergence of new biological threats to mitigate the next pandemic.”

    “Artificial intelligence gives us the opportunity to completely revolutionize health care as we know it, including when it comes to rapid response to pandemics,” said Rounds. “The MedShield program would utilize artificial intelligence to help the U.S. identify pathogens that pose pandemic threats and work quickly to develop necessary protections. We can leverage artificial intelligence not only to improve the quality of life for Americans, but to literally save lives and taxpayer dollars. We need to take steps now to effectively respond to pandemic threats.”

    The legislation includes:

    • Findings and a Sense of Congress addressing the nation’s need to be better prepared for a pandemic, noting the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) recommendation and the need to avoid an initiative such as Operation Warp Speed for the next pandemic.

    Read the full bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    Source: US State of North Carolina

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

    Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Begins to Help Protect North Carolinians and Their Pets
    jwerner

    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. Starting this week, Wildlife Services will be distributing the annual oral rabies vaccine for raccoons in Western North Carolina. This oral rabies distribution program typically takes place annually each fall but was delayed in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene.

    “Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease, and this program plays a critical role in protecting both public health and animal populations across North Carolina,” said Carl Williams, DVM, State Public Health Veterinarian. “By vaccinating wildlife like raccoons, we create a barrier that helps stop the spread of the virus — keeping people, pets and communities safer.”

    Beginning April 2, 2025 , baits containing the oral rabies vaccine will be aerially distributed in the following counties: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey. Additional hand baiting will take place in Buncombe County April 3-9, weather depending.

    The baits consist of a sachet, or plastic packet, containing the oral rabies vaccine. To make the baits attractive to raccoons, the packets are sprinkled with a fishmeal coating or encased inside hard fishmeal–polymer blocks about the size of a matchbox. When a raccoon bites into a bait, the vaccine packet is punctured, and the animal is exposed to the vaccine. This activates the animal’s immune system to produce antibodies that provide protection against rabies infection. 

    Anyone who comes in contact with the liquid vaccine should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and call the phone number listed on the bait for further instructions and referral. While the oral rabies vaccine will not harm  domestic dogs and cats, it is only approved for use in raccoons and coyotes. 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. 

    In North Carolina, rabies is most commonly found in wild animals. People and their domestic animals may be exposed when they encounter infected wildlife. If you or your pet are bitten by a wild animal, please seek medical attention for a rabies risk assessment. If you are exposed to rabies, prompt administration of post exposure prophylaxis will prevent infection and disease. 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.

    The NC Wildlife Resources Commission appreciates the assistance of the public in reporting sick or dead wild animals to the NC Wildlife Helpline at 1-866-318-2401 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or anytime via email at HWI@ncwildlife.org.  

    Baiting should be completed by the end of April 2025. The USDA’s Oral Rabies Vaccination program, originally implemented in the 1990s, helps prevent the raccoon rabies epizootic from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains, where raccoon rabies does not exist. The program has been successful in that regard and the vision is to gradually move the vaccine barrier east until raccoon rabies is eliminated.

    For more information, please visit the National Rabies Management Program webpage. To learn more about rabies, visit the NCDHHS Division of Public Health website.

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte está trabajando en colaboración con los Servicios de Vida Silvestre del Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU.  para prevenir y eliminar la propagación de la rabia. A partir de esta semana, los Servicios de Vida Silvestre distribuirá la vacuna oral anual contra la rabia para mapaches en el oeste de Carolina del Norte. Este programa de distribución oral de la rabia generalmente se lleva a cabo anualmente cada otoño, pero se retrasó en 2024 debido al huracán Helene.

    “La rabia es una enfermedad mortal pero prevenible, y este programa desempeña un papel fundamental en la protección tanto de la salud pública como de las poblaciones de animales en Carolina del Norte”, dijo Carl Williams, DVM, veterinario de salud pública estatal. “Al vacunar a la vida silvestre como los mapaches, creamos una barrera que ayuda a detener la propagación del virus, manteniendo a las personas, las mascotas y las comunidades más seguras”.

    A partir de abril 2 de 2025, los cebos que contengan la vacuna oral contra la rabia se distribuirán por vía aérea en los siguientes condados: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga y Yancey. El cebo de manos adicional se llevará a cabo en el condado de Buncombe del 3 al 9 de abril, dependiendo del clima.

    Los cebos consisten en un sobre, o paquete de plástico, que contiene la vacuna oral contra la rabia. Para que los cebos sean atractivos para 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 un mapache muerde un cebo, el paquete de vacunas se perfora y el animal se expone a la vacuna. Esto activa el sistema inmunológico del animal para producir anticuerpos que proporcionan protección contra la infección por el virus de la rabia.

    Cualquier persona que entre en contacto con la vacuna líquida debe lavar bien el área afectada con  jabón y agua y llamar al número de teléfono que aparece en el cebo para obtener más instrucciones y remisión. Si bien la vacuna oral contra la rabia no lesionará a perros y gatos domésticos, solo está aprobada para su uso en mapaches y coyotes. Las vacunas 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 después de acuerdo con la ley estatal.

    En Carolina del Norte, la rabia se encuentra con mayor frecuencia en animales silvestres. Las personas y sus animales domésticos pueden estar expuestos cuando se encuentran con animales silvestres infectados. Si usted o su mascota son mordidos por un animal silvestre, busque atención médica para una evaluación del riesgo de rabia. Si está expuesto a la rabia, la pronta administración de la profilaxis posterior a la exposición evitará infecciones y enfermedades. Esta enfermedad casi siempre es mortal en los mamíferos, incluso para las personas, una vez que se desarrollan los síntomas. El aumento del número de animales vacunados en la población ayuda a establecer un amortiguador para detener la propagación de la enfermedad a otras especies silvestres, mascotas y personas.

    La Comisión de Recursos de Vida Silvestre de Carolina del Norte agradece la ayuda del público al reportar sobre los animales silvestres enfermos o muertos a la Línea de Ayuda de Vida Silvestre de Carolina del Norte al 1-866-318-2401 (de lunes a viernes, 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. o en cualquier momento por correo electrónico a HWI@ncwildlife.org.

    El cebado debería estar concluido a fines de abril de 2025. El programa de vacunación oral contra la rabia del USDA, implementado originalmente en la década de 1990, ayuda a evitar que la epizootia de la rabia de los mapaches se mueva al oeste de las Montañas Apalaches, donde no existe la rabia de los mapaches. El programa ha tenido éxito en ese sentido y la visión es mover gradualmente la barrera de la vacuna hacia el este hasta que se elimine la rabia del mapache.

    Para obtener más información, visite la página web del Programa Nacional de Manejo de la Rabia. Para obtener más información sobre la rabia, visite el sitio web de la División de Salud Pública del NCDHHS.

    Mar 31, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –