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Category: vaccine

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fake cures and vaccine passports for sale: the conspiracy communities in Brazil monetising the anti-vax movement – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    A protest in Brazil against mandatory COVID vaccinations and vaccine passports. Isaac Fontana / Shutterstock.com

    Few places on earth are immune to the explosion of anti-vaccination conspiracy theories and health disinformation fuelled by the COVID pandemic. But in countries like Brazil, where the disinformation flowed from the very top of government, the problem is even more acute and some people are exploiting the fear of others to make money.

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly, we hear about new research out of Brazil into how peddlers of disinformation on social media also sell fake cures and vaccine detoxes. And we ask why some people are looking for solutions to their health problems in these dangerous chemicals and unproven protocols.

    Brazil used to be a country with a strong culture of vaccination. “It was like a ritual”, remembers Igor Sacramento, a researcher in public health at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil. As a child, he would go to public squares where people would be dressed in costumes, parading, alongside the vaccination drives.

    Now, anti-vax disinformation has surged in the country. Sacramento believes the big change was the election of Jair Bolsonaro in 2018, a president who publicly questioned vaccinations. “It was terrible for public health”, he says. Research showed that during the pandemic there was a persistent “Bolsonaro effect” with higher death rates from COVID in pro-Bolsonaro municipalities.

    Vaccination rates for a number of different diseases have fallen in Brazil in recent years, although they are beginning to climb again since the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a third term as president in 2023.

    Promoting fake cures

    New research led by Ergon Cugler, a researcher at  the Brazilian Institute of Information on Science and Technology who is mapping the spread of disinformation on social media in Latin America and the Caribbean, is showing that the same people sowing fear with health disinformation are also selling fake cures.

    Cugler scraped data from more than 1,000 Telegram groups linked to disinformation and conspiracy theories topics over the last decade. Of the 5 million users in these groups, half are in Brazil. His dataset of 61 million pieces of content showed a 290% increase in anti-vaccination conspiracy narratives during the pandemic in Brazil, as well as a 15,000% increase in autism-related disinformation in Latin America and the Caribbean since the pandemic.

    Admins on these conspiracy theory communities on Telegram often post adverts, testimonials and videos promoting fake cures, vaccine detoxes and falsified vaccination passports. Cugler says:

     They spread the feeling of fear suggesting that parasites, for example, could cause diseases like diabetes. And then they offer so-called miracle cures, like deworming protocols or chlorine dioxide, and other substances, and they monetise all of those products.

    Cugler is also tracking how conspiracy theory groups discussing seemingly quite unconnected topics can be used as a way to funnel people into anti-vax groups and sell them fake cures.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast to hear interviews with Ergon Cugler and Igor Sacramento, plus a conversation with Daniel Stycer, editor of The Conversation Brazil.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Ergon Cugler has previously received a research grant from the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (IBICT) and is currently part of a research project funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development through the Observatory of Informational Disorder and Public Policy (DesinfoPop) at the Getulio Vargas Foundation. Igor Sacramento is a researcher in residence between December 2024 and July 2025 at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in France.

    – ref. Fake cures and vaccine passports for sale: the conspiracy communities in Brazil monetising the anti-vax movement – podcast – https://theconversation.com/fake-cures-and-vaccine-passports-for-sale-the-conspiracy-communities-in-brazil-monetising-the-anti-vax-movement-podcast-255142

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: World Immunisation Week shows importance of health targets

    Source: New Zealand Government

    World Immunisation Week, celebrated in the last week of April, is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to ensure their children are up to date with their immunisations, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

    “High immunisation coverage is critical to protect not only the health of individuals, but the community from the spread of preventable diseases.

    “This week is an opportunity to emphasise our focus on childhood immunisation and achieving our target of 95 per cent of children aged 24 months being fully immunised.

    “We know that immunisation for both children and their parents and families is one of the best tools we have to protect Kiwi kids from serious illnesses like whooping cough (pertussis) and measles.

    “Last month, a Taranaki healthcare provider hit 100 per cent for all enrolled children under eight months of age. This is an incredible achievement, and one that we want to see replicated around the country.”

    The recent spread of measles internationally has highlighted the importance of ensuring Kiwis are vaccinated against the disease. 

    “A measles outbreak in New Zealand would mean kids off school, in hospital and, as we’ve seen overseas, could cost some children their lives,” Mr Brown says. 

    “Raising the country’s childhood immunisation rates is a priority for this Government. High rates of immunisation are a safe and effective way to better protect New Zealanders from disease, including measles, and saves lives.”

    Results released in the second quarter 2024/25 earlier this show more children are now fully immunised, with 77 per cent of two-year-olds being immunised in the second quarter of this year, up from 75.7 per cent in the previous quarter.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 24 April 2025 News release Increases in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks threaten years of progress, warn WHO, UNICEF, Gavi

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Immunization efforts are under growing threat as misinformation, population growth, humanitarian crises and funding cuts jeopardize progress and leave millions of children, adolescents and adults at risk, warn WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi during World Immunization Week, 24–30 April.

    Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis and yellow fever are rising globally, and diseases like diphtheria, that have long been held at bay or virtually disappeared in many countries, are at risk of re-emerging. In response, the agencies are calling for urgent and sustained political attention and investment to strengthen immunization programmes and protect significant progress achieved in reducing child mortality over the past 50 years.

    “Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past five decades,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Funding cuts to global health have put these hard-won gains in jeopardy. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are increasing around the world, putting lives at risk and exposing countries to increased costs in treating diseases and responding to outbreaks. Countries with limited resources must invest in the highest-impact interventions – and that includes vaccines.”

    Rising outbreaks and strained health systems

    Measles is making an especially dangerous comeback. The number of cases has been increasing year on year since 2021, tracking the reductions in immunization coverage that occurred during and since the COVID-19 pandemic in many communities. Measles cases reached an estimated 10.3 million in 2023, a 20% increase compared to 2022.

    The agencies warn that this upward trend likely continued into 2024 and 2025, as outbreaks have intensified around the world. In the past 12 months, 138 countries have reported measles cases, with 61 experiencing large or disruptive outbreaks – the highest number observed in any 12-month period since 2019.

    Meningitis cases in Africa also rose sharply in 2024, and the upward trend has continued into 2025. In the first three months of this year alone, more than 5500 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths were reported in 22 countries. This follows approximately 26 000 cases and almost 1400 deaths across 24 countries last year.

    Yellow fever cases in the African region are also climbing, with 124 confirmed cases reported in 12 countries in 2024. This comes after dramatic declines in the disease over the past decade, thanks to global vaccine stockpiles and use of yellow fever vaccine in routine immunization programmes. In the WHO Region of the Americas, yellow fever outbreaks have been confirmed since the beginning of this year, with a total of 131 cases in 4 countries.

    These outbreaks come amidst global funding cuts. A recent WHO rapid stock take with 108 country offices of WHO – mostly in low- and lower-middle-income countries – shows that nearly half of those countries are facing moderate to severe disruptions to vaccination campaigns, routine immunization and access to supplies due to reduced donor funding. Disease surveillance, including for vaccine-preventable diseases, is also impacted in more than half of the countries surveyed.

    At the same time, the number of children missing routine vaccinations has been increasing in recent years, even as countries make efforts to catch up children missed during the pandemic. In 2023, an estimated 14.5 million children missed all of their routine vaccine doses – up from 13.9 million in 2022 and 12.9 million in 2019. Over half of these children live in countries facing conflict, fragility, or instability, where access to basic health services is often disrupted.

    “The global funding crisis is severely limiting our ability to vaccinate over 15 million vulnerable children in fragile and conflict-affected countries against measles,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Immunization services, disease surveillance, and the outbreak response in nearly 50 countries are already being disrupted – with setbacks at a similar level to what we saw during COVID-19. We cannot afford to lose ground in the fight against preventable diseases.”

    Continued investment in the ‘Big Catch-Up initiative’, launched in 2023 to reach children who missed vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and other routine immunization programmes will be critical.

    How immunization addresses these challenges

    Joint efforts by WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and partners have helped countries expand access to vaccines and strengthen immunization systems through primary health care, even in the face of mounting challenges. Every year, vaccines save nearly 4.2 million lives against 14 diseases – with nearly half of these lives saved in the African Region.

    Vaccination campaigns have led to the elimination of meningitis A in Africa’s meningitis belt, while a new vaccine that protects against five strains of meningitis holds promise for broader protection, with efforts underway to expand its use for outbreak response and prevention.

    Progress has also been made in reducing yellow fever cases and deaths through increasing routine immunization coverage and emergency vaccine stockpiles, but recent outbreaks in Africa and in the Region of the Americas highlight the risks in areas with no reported cases in the past, low routine vaccination coverage and gaps in preventive campaigns.

    In addition, the past two years have seen substantial progress in other areas of immunization. In the African Region, which has the highest cervical cancer burden in the world, HPV vaccine coverage nearly doubled between 2020 and 2023 from 21% to 40%, reflecting a concerted global effort towards eliminating cervical cancer. The progress in immunization also includes increases in global coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, particularly in the South-East Asia Region, alongside introductions in Chad and Somalia, countries with high disease burden.

    Another milestone is the sub-national introduction of malaria vaccines in nearly 20 African countries, laying the foundation to save half a million additional lives by 2035 as more countries adopt the vaccines and scale-up accelerates as part of the tools to fight malaria.

    Call to action

    UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi urgently call for parents, the public, and politicians to strengthen support for immunization. The agencies emphasize the need for sustained investment in vaccines and immunization programmes and urge countries to honour their commitments to the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030).

    As part of integrated primary health-care systems, vaccination can protect against diseases and connect families to other essential care, such as antenatal care, nutrition or malaria screening. Immunization is a ‘best buy’ in health with a return on investment of $54 for every dollar invested and provides a foundation for future prosperity and health security.

    “Increasing outbreaks of highly infectious diseases are a concern for the whole world. The good news is we can fight back, and Gavi’s next strategic period has a clear plan to bolster our defences by expanding investments in global vaccine stockpiles and rolling out targeted preventive vaccination in countries most impacted by meningitis, yellow fever and measles,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “These vital activities, however, will be at risk if Gavi is not fully funded for the next five years and we call on our donors to support our mission in the interests of keeping everyone, everywhere, safer from preventable diseases.”

    Gavi’s upcoming high-level pledging summit taking place on 25 June 2025 seeks to raise at least US$ 9 billion from our donors to fund our ambitious strategy to protect 500 million children, saving at least 8 million lives from 2026–2030.

    #####

    Notes to editor:

    Download multimedia content here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AM4086M4S1G

    About WHO
    Dedicated to the health and well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere, an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health. We connect nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. www.who.int

    About UNICEF
    UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: www.unicef.org.

    About Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
    Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has helped to immunize a whole generation – over 1.1 billion children – and prevented more than 18.8 million future deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 78 lower income countries. Gavi also plays a key role in improving global health security by supporting health systems as well as funding global stockpiles for Ebola, cholera, meningococcal and yellow fever vaccines. After two decades of progress, Gavi is now focused on protecting the next generation, above all the zero-dose children who have not received even a single vaccine shot. The Vaccine Alliance employs innovative finance and the latest technology – from drones to biometrics – to save lives, prevent outbreaks before they can spread and help countries on the road to self-sufficiency. Learn more at www.gavi.org.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP investigates severe paediatric case of COVID-19 co-infected with human metapneumovirus

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 23) received a report of a case of severe paediatric COVID-19 and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection and reminded the public to observe personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. High-risk individuals should receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and receive booster doses at appropriate times to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
          
    The case involves an eight-month-old girl with good past health, who developed a fever and runny nose since April 19 and sought medical attention from a private doctor the next day. She developed cough and shortness of breath on April 21 and sought medical attention from another private doctor. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan on April 22 and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment on the same day. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus and hMPV upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 co-infectedwith hMPV complicated with croup. She is still hospitalised and is in critical condition.
          
    A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had not received COVID-19 vaccine and had no travel history during the incubation period. Two of her household contacts had presented with respiratory symptoms and had recovered.
          
    “There has been a recent increase in the activity of COVID-19 in the local community. In the past few weeks, the load of SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the laboratory test positivity rate and the consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general out-patient clinics have continued to rise. As of April 12, the viral load per capita of SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 390 000 copy/litre, which was significantly higher than the week ending March 15 previously, when it was 85 000 copy/litre,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
          
    “Genetic analysis has shown that the predominant circulating strains in Hong Kong are still JN.1 and its related variants, and the vaccines currently used in Hong Kong can effectively prevent the related variants. 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.
          
    Persons with hMPV infection can present with symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath etc. hMPV infection may progress to bronchiolitis or pneumonia. hMPV infection can occur all year round and is more common in late spring and summer locally in general.

    Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent COVID-19, influenza, hMPV infection, 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:
          

    • Patients can wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses. Therefore, it is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
    • High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
    • Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
    • Practise hand hygiene frequently, wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
    • When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
    • Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
    • Maintain good indoor ventilation;
    • Avoid sharing personal items;
    • When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider to refrain from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
    • Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     
    For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP’s website.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Vault Agrees to Pay $8 Million to Settle Allegations of Billing False Claims to the COVID-19 Uninsured Program for Patients with Health Insurance

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – Vault Medical Services, P.A. and Vault Medical Services of New Jersey, P.C. (collectively “Vault”), have agreed to pay the United States $8 million to resolve allegations that Vault violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to the Health Resources & Services Administration COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured Program (the “Uninsured Program”) for patients who had health insurance, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Between approximately May 2020 and April 2022, the Uninsured Program reimbursed eligible providers for COVID-19 tests, testing-related items and services, treatment, and vaccines performed on uninsured individuals.  During the public health emergency, Vault provided various COVID-19 related services to patients across the country, including specimen collection services and vaccine administration.  Vault provided these services via telehealth and at in-person testing sites, and specimens were sent to laboratories for processing.  The settlement announced resolves allegations that Vault knowingly submitted or caused the submission of claims for these services to the Uninsured Program for patients who had active health insurance.

    Specifically, the United States alleges Vault was aware of data integrity issues with patient information collected at the point of service but failed to substantively address those issues, and did not ensure the collection of complete patient information, including demographic and insurance information. The United States further alleges that Vault failed to properly confirm whether certain patients had health insurance coverage, and disregarded insurance information for individuals for whom Vault had valid insurance information on file, including confirmation through an insurance verification process, before submitting claims to the Uninsured Program.

    “The Uninsured Program provided critical support for testing and treatment for uninsured Americans during the height of the pandemic. Our office will not tolerate the alleged fraud, abuse, and waste of these funds.”

    – U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

    “Individuals and entities that participate in the federal healthcare system are required by law to preserve the integrity of program funds,” stated Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “The settlement in this case involves a provider that knowingly sought reimbursement for federal funds to which they were not entitled, and by doing so jeopardized the provision of services for the uninsured.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from HHS-OIG.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kruti Dharia of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit and Trial Attorneys Lindsay DeFrancesco, Elizabeth J. Kappakas, and James Nealon in the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section).

    The government’s pursuit of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

                                                                                                                        ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: CSIR developing digital systems to support NHI

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government needs several systems in place to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI), which is aimed at providing universal health coverage.

    The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), is supporting the implementation of the NHI by developing some of the technology required.

    The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, recently hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa at the CSIR.  

    The President toured various facilities and was given information and demonstrations on several aspects of the CSIR’s work. These included the development of systems to support the NHI, which the President found impressive.

    Matthew Chetty, a trailblazer in digital transformation and the CSIR’s Impact Area Manager for e-Government, briefed the President about the CSIR’s efforts to modernise South Africa’s public sector through the development of smart, integrated digital systems, particularly in the vital arena of healthcare.

    Chetty presented the work done to support the national Department of Health, which will lay the digital foundation for the NHI, explaining that the systems developed were “not just systems,“ but “national digital assets that will support the future of healthcare in this country”.

    One of the core systems displayed was the Health Patient Registration System, which enables the accurate and consistent registration of patients across all public health facilities.  

    By creating a unified digital identity for each beneficiary, the system ensures the continuity of care and strengthens data-driven decision-making.

    Another vital system to which the CSIR contributed is the Electronic Vaccine Data System, which played a central role in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign.  

    The system facilitated the real-time scheduling and tracking of millions of vaccine doses, proving that large-scale digital health solutions are both feasible and effective in South Africa.

    The National Electronic Health Record System revolutionises how patient information is stored, accessed and shared across the healthcare network, facilitating the seamless and secure flow of person-centred healthcare information across institutional and provincial boundaries.

    “These systems are critically important in the context of our health environment, especially as we transition towards NHI,“ explained Chetty.

    He believes that the CSIR’s role is to support the State in building robust, secure and scalable systems that make a real difference in people’s lives. 

    “We are not just developing software; we are helping to shape a health system that is future-ready, citizen-focused, and built on trust.

    “It is essential for government leaders, including the President, to understand the progress we’ve made and the strategic role the CSIR plays in enabling these digital solutions.“

    Chetty and his team, driven by the belief that technology should serve people, enhance service delivery, ensure accessibility and promote equity, are committed to building a digitally empowered public sector, not only in the health sphere.

    The CSIR’s e-government initiatives are not only intended to meet current challenges, but also to anticipate future needs, moving South Africa towards an era in which technology, governance and service delivery converge to create meaningful change. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ECE sector review changes begin

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Regulation Minister David Seymour has today provided an update on the implementation of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review.
    “This review and the changes announced today show the power of a sector review. The Ministry for Regulation went in and listened to the people who actually run, work at, and use early childhood regulation. They found people encircled by multiple regulators enforcing out of date rules, and proposed solutions now being put into action,” Mr Seymour says.
    “By the end of next year ECE providers will be governed by a regulatory system which ensures regulations are focused on what matters, child safety. 
     
    Cabinet has agreed to 15 changes which modernise and simplify regulations across ECE. Services will be able to get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care and education as the changes are rolled out over the coming year.
    “Part of the change will involve amending laws in Parliament. The Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Bill will action many of these changes. The bill will be introduced in July, and I expect it to be passed by the end of the year,” Mr Seymour says.
    “The biggest complaint arises from the calcified, high stakes licencing criteria – 98 of them – that can each have a centre shut down with little to no notice. New licensing criteria will be gazetted by the end of September, following the recommendation to change or merge approximately three-quarters of the licensing criteria. Consultation will begin shortly to test the precise changes.
    “By mid next year, graduated enforcement tools will be used to respond to breaches of the remaining licensing criteria. The only enforcement tools previously available were the granting or removal of ECE licenses, which is too blunt a tool for managing minor breaches and enabling early intervention. There will no longer be high-stakes open-or-shut rules that create anxiety and strained relationships for regulators and centre operators alike.” 
    Graduated enforcement will give the regulator a range of enforcement measures. They will be able to respond proportionately to breaches, changing the sector’s culture from a punitive approach to promoting quality.  
    “The implementation of the recommendations represents a major shakeup of the sector’s outdated system. It is a great result for children, parents and ECE service providers,” Mr Seymour says.  
    “The changes will reduce unnecessary compliance costs, remove duplication, and streamline operational requirements. ECE providers will no longer be burdened with 98 separate licensing criteria, many of which were arbitrary or outdated, such as requirements to: 

    ⁠maintain a constant indoor temperature of 18 degrees, when common sense says a minor deviation from 18 degrees won’t hurt anyone, and
    ⁠hold immunisation records for every child over 15 months, which the Ministry of Health already does.

    “This will encourage more providers into a thriving market with reduced operation costs and compliance headaches. For parents this will mean more safe and affordable ECE options for their children.  
    “As part of its comprehensive review, the Ministry for Regulation analysed over 2,300 submissions and written feedback, met with parents and caregivers, providers and workers, visited 16 ECE services, and conducted a series of structured interviews and workshops with other agencies that engage with or regulate the sector. Thank you to the thousands of people who contributed their views.
    “This is just the beginning. The Ministry is now helping the agriculture and horticulture sector implement sector review findings, and progressing sector reviews into the hairdressing and barbering, and the telecommunications sector. They’re also working closely with the industrial hemp industry and others who’ve come forward through our red tape tipline.
    “In a high-cost economy, regulation isn’t neutral. It’s a tax on growth. Every completed review makes it easier to do business, access services, and innovate in New Zealand. The ECE review is the first of many examples of what smarter regulation looks like in action.”
    Link to report: https://www.regulation.govt.nz/about-us/our-publications/regulatory-review-of-early-childhood-education-full-report/
    Link to report summary: https://www.regulation.govt.nz/about-us/our-publications/regulatory-review-of-early-childhood-education-summary/

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert

    Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert
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    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is asking people and providers to be on alert for mpox cases following the detection of mpox particles in multiple sewage samples found through routine wastewater testing. This year there have been two cases of mpox in North Carolina and the new wastewater detections were determined to be another type, clade I, not previously found in North Carolina. These detections indicate potential undiagnosed or unreported cases. At this time, the risk to the public remains low.        

    The mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, is primarily spread by prolonged close contact, typically skin-to-skin, often during sexual activity. There are two genetic types of the virus, known as clade I and clade II. The viral particles found in wastewater were determined to be clade I. To date, only four clade I cases have been reported in the U.S. Clade I mpox is responsible for a large outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa, which appears to be spreading mostly through heterosexual contact with some spread to household members, including children.

    North Carolina’s detections were found in wastewater samples collected on March 25, March 28, and April 8 from a treatment plant in Greenville, NC. No clade I cases have been reported to date; however, these detections mean there was possibly at least one person with an undiagnosed or unreported clade I mpox infection present or traveling through the Greenville area around the time of these detections.

    “The detection of clade I mpox virus in wastewater surveillance tells us the virus is potentially here   in our state, even though no cases have been reported and confirmed,” said NC Health and Human Services  Secretary Dev Sangvai. “We encourage health care providers to be on the lookout for mpox cases  and we encourage people who are at higher risk to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.”

    NCDHHS requests that all North Carolina health care providers consider mpox in patients with compatible symptoms and ask about any recent international travel. Providers who are treating patients with mpox infections should contact their local health department or the NCDHHS Division of Public Health’s 24/7 epidemiologist on-call number: 919-733-3419.  

    These recent results were found by the North Carolina Wastewater Monitoring Network, which launched in 2021 to better understand the spread of certain viruses in communities across North Carolina. This network is a collaboration between NCDHHS, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wastewater utilities and local health departments. Samples are collected routinely from 35 wastewater treatment plants across the state and tested for specific viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). People with these viruses shed viral particles in their stool even if they don’t have symptoms. These virus particles are no longer infectious but can still be detected through lab testing.  

    While wastewater surveillance has become a valuable tool for tracking and responding to viruses, the program is now at risk due to proposed federal funding cuts. Wastewater surveillance funding allows  North Carolina to have a crucial early warning system for levels of infections that can help public health officials and health care providers make decisions, such as providing guidance on how to prevent infections.       

    NC Wastewater Monitoring Network results are routinely shared on the NCDHHS wastewater monitoring dashboard. Testing for mpox is done on samples from 18 of the participating sites and results are shared on the CDC Mpox wastewater dashboard.

    If you think you have mpox or have had close contact with someone who has mpox, visit your health care provider or contact your local health department. Symptoms include a rash on any part of the body, like the genitals, hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. Some people experience flu-like symptoms before the rash, while others get a rash first followed by other symptoms. In some cases, a rash is the only symptom experienced.  

    Vaccines are available to protect against mpox infection from both clade types and can reduce the severity of illness if infection does occur. Information about vaccine recommendations and where to find vaccine is available on the NCDHHS mpox page.   

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte está pidiendo a las personas y a los proveedores que estén alertas ante casos de viruela símica (mpox) después de la detección de partículas de mpox en múltiples muestras de aguas residuales encontradas a través de pruebas rutinarias de aguas residuales. Este año hubo dos casos de mpox en Carolina del Norte y se determinó que las nuevas detecciones de aguas residuales eran de otro tipo, clado I, que no se había encontrado anteriormente en Carolina del Norte. Estas detecciones indican posibles casos no diagnosticados o no notificados. En este momento, el riesgo para el público sigue siendo bajo.

    El virus de la viruela símica (mpox), anteriormente conocido como viruela del mono, se transmite principalmente por contacto cercano prolongado, generalmente piel con piel, a menudo durante la actividad sexual. Existen dos tipos genéticos del virus, conocidos como clado I y clado II. Se determinó que las partículas virales encontradas en las aguas residuales eran del clado I. Hasta la fecha, solo se han reportado cuatro casos de clado I en los EE. UU. La viruela del clado I es responsable de un gran brote en África Central y Oriental, que parece estar propagándose principalmente a través del contacto heterosexual con algunos miembros del hogar, incluso los niños.

    Las detecciones de Carolina del Norte se encontraron en muestras de aguas residuales recolectadas el 25 de marzo, el 28 de marzo y el 8 de abril de una planta de tratamiento en Greenville, Carolina del Norte. No se han informado casos de clado I hasta la fecha; sin embargo, estas detecciones significan que posiblemente había al menos una persona con una infección por viruela del clado I no diagnosticada o no informada presente o que viajaba por el área de Greenville en el momento de estas detecciones.

     “La detección del virus de la viruela símica del clado I en la vigilancia de aguas residuales nos indica que el virus está potencialmente aquí en nuestro estado, a pesar de que no se han reportado y confirmado casos”, dijo el Secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos de NC, Dev Sangvai. “Animamos a los proveedores de atención médica a estar atentos a los casos de mpox y alentamos a las personas que corren un mayor riesgo a protegerse vacunándose”.

    El NCDHHS solicita que todos los proveedores de atención médica de Carolina del Norte consideren la viruela símica (mpox) en pacientes con síntomas compatibles y pregunten sobre cualquier viaje internacional reciente. Los proveedores que atienden a pacientes con infecciones por mpox deben comunicarse con su departamento de salud local o llamar al número de guardia las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana del epidemiólogo de la División de Salud Pública de NCDHHS al: 919-733-3419.

    Estos resultados recientes se encontraron por la Red de Monitoreo de Aguas Residuales de Carolina del Norte, que se lanzó en 2021 para comprender mejor la propagación de ciertos virus en las comunidades de Carolina del Norte. Esta red es una colaboración entre NCDHHS, la Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Chapel Hill, los servicios públicos de aguas residuales y los departamentos de salud locales. Las muestras se recolectan rutinariamente de 35 plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales en todo el estado y se analizan para detectar virus específicos, incluido el SARS-CoV-2 (el virus que causa COVID-19), la influenza y el virus sincitial respiratorio (RSV). Las personas con estos virus eliminan partículas virales en las heces, incluso si no tienen síntomas. Estas partículas de virus dejan de ser infecciosas, pero aún pueden detectarse mediante pruebas de laboratorio.

    Si bien la vigilancia de las aguas residuales se ha convertido en una herramienta valiosa para rastrear y responder a los virus, el programa ahora está en riesgo debido a los recortes de fondos federales propuestos. El financiamiento de la vigilancia de aguas residuales permite que Carolina del Norte tenga un sistema de alerta temprana crucial para los niveles de infecciones que puede ayudar a los funcionarios de salud pública y proveedores de atención médica a tomar decisiones, como proporcionar orientación sobre cómo prevenir infecciones.

    Los resultados de la Red de Monitoreo de Aguas Residuales de NC se comparten de forma rutinaria en el tablero de monitoreo de aguas residuales de NCDHHS. Las pruebas de la viruela símica (mpox) se realizan en muestras de 18 de los sitios participantes y los resultados se comparten en el tablero de aguas residuales de CDC mpox.

    Si cree que tiene viruela símica (mpox) o ha tenido contacto cercano con alguien que tiene mpox, visite a su proveedor de atención médica o comuníquese con su departamento de salud local. Los síntomas incluyen una erupción en cualquier parte del cuerpo, como los genitales, las manos, los pies, el pecho, la cara o la boca. La erupción de piel puede parecer inicialmente como granos o ampollas y pueden ser dolorosas o provocar comezón. La erupción pasará por varias etapas, incluyendo costras, antes de sanar. Algunas personas experimentan síntomas similares a la influenza (gripe) antes de la erupción, mientras que otras tienen una erupción primero seguida de otros síntomas. En algunos casos, el único síntoma que se experimenta es una erupción cutánea.

    Las vacunas están disponibles para proteger contra la infección por mpox de ambos tipos de clados y pueden reducir la gravedad de la enfermedad si se produce la infección. La información sobre las recomendaciones de vacunas y dónde encontrarlas está disponible en la página web de NCDHHS mpox.
     

    Apr 22, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: “Pop up” travel immunisation clinic to take place in Bendigo in May

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City and Family Immunisation & Travel Specialists (FITS) Clinic have partnered together to provide a satellite “pop-up” travel immunisation clinic for the wider Greater Bendigo community on Monday May 26 at the Strathdale Community Hub.

    City of Greater Bendigo Acting Manager Community and Environment Sue Harrison said the satellite clinic will specifically provide local access to BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine, a live vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis (TB) particularly in babies and young children, without the need to travel to Melbourne.

    “These types of immunisations are recommended for those travelling to countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis,” Ms Harrison said.

    “People living in regional Victoria normally need to travel to Melbourne to get their travel immunisations as this service is not offered in regional Victoria.

    “So this is a fantastic opportunity for parents with young children who are intending to travel overseas to these countries in the future, to receive the necessary travel vaccines in Greater Bendigo.

    “FITS is Victoria’s largest private travel clinic for kids, comprising a team of paediatricians and immunisation nurses who specialise in travel medicine and immunisation and there will be costs associated with receiving the BCG vaccine.

    “Families will also have access to the free, regular National Immunisation Program and flu vaccines provided by the City of Greater Bendigo at the satellite clinic in Strathdale.”

    The clinic will take place between 9am and 4pm on Monday May 26 at the Strathdale Community Centre, 155 Crook St, Strathdale.

    Patients must obtain a referral from their own doctor to attend the clinic and must book online as soon as possible.

    To book online, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – DOH Confirms Second Case of Measles in Hawaiʻi

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – DOH Confirms Second Case of Measles in Hawaiʻi

    Posted on Apr 18, 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 CONFIRMS SECOND CASE OF MEASLES IN HAWAIʻI    

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 17, 2025                                                                                                    25-040

    HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a second case of measles in the household of a child previously confirmed on April 7. The adult member of the family had exhibited symptoms and was presumed infected. Both individuals had recently returned from international travel.

    As expected, on April 16, the test result confirmed measles infection. Because of the duration between symptom onset and test specimen collection, an antibody test was performed which takes longer to process. The DOH had already investigated who may have been exposed based on being a presumed case of measles. The adult is no longer contagious and the child has fully recovered.

    No new suspected measles cases have been reported as of today, April 17. The DOH continues its response efforts, reaching out to those who have been exposed.

    Measles is one of the most highly contagious viruses in the world. It spreads through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

    Vaccination is the best way to protect loved ones and prevent an outbreak. If you or your ʻohana have not been vaccinated or otherwise have immunity against measles, please talk with your healthcare provider about getting a dose of the (measles, mumps, rubella) MMR vaccine.

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Kristen Wong

    Information Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    Mobile: 808-953-9616

    Email: [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China boosts public health with immunization progress

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a volunteer (R) helping Yemeni businessman Sufyan Marwan Sufyan Mohanmmed take vaccine reservation receipt for his daughter from a machine by scanning a QR code at a community health service center in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China has made significant progress in vaccine development and immunization, marked by a growing portfolio of domestically produced vaccines and remarkable public health results.
    These achievements were highlighted at the 2025 National Vaccines and Health Conference, held over the weekend in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province in central China, and attended by nearly 3,000 public health officials and medical professionals.
    Over the past years, China has achieved notable breakthroughs in vaccine technology. Milestones include the successful development of homegrown HPV and Ebola vaccines, as well as advances in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines against 13 types of bacteria and shingles vaccines.
    Several Chinese vaccines have received prequalification from the World Health Organization, enabling their distribution in partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative.
    These advancements underscore a broader shift in China’s vaccine industry — from focusing primarily on domestic needs to increasingly contributing to the global vaccine supply chain, according to Wang Yunfu, head of the Health Commission of Hubei province.
    The global biotechnology landscape has also helped accelerate this transformation, as the participants pointed out. In recent years, breakthroughs in technologies such as mRNA platforms, viral vectors, and nanoparticle delivery systems have opened up unprecedented opportunities for vaccine research and development, significantly improving both efficiency and immune response.
    Alongside scientific innovation, China has placed strong emphasis on safety and regulatory oversight. In 2019, it became the first country to implement a comprehensive vaccine administration law, followed by updated immunization standards introduced in 2023.
    A nationwide traceability system has been set up, ensuring that every dose can be tracked from production to administration, enhancing transparency and public trust.
    China’s national immunization programs have yielded strong public health results.
    The country achieved polio-free status in 2000, eliminated neonatal tetanus by 2012, and has reported no locally transmitted diphtheria cases since 2007. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among children under five declined from nearly 10 percent in 1992 to just 0.3 percent in 2020.
    Routine vaccination coverage has remained above 90 percent nationwide, supported by an extensive healthcare infrastructure that ensures every township has at least one vaccination unit.
    Efforts to expand access and improve service delivery remain a central priority. “Public health should be protected through more accessible and higher-quality vaccine services,” said Li Bin, president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, adding that this goal was reflected in the conference’s theme.
    For example, in Hubei, girls aged 14 are now eligible for free HPV vaccination, and immunization for newborns is being integrated into the birth registration process to ensure early and timely coverage.
    Looking ahead, China is preparing to refine its immunization strategy and services further.
    Health authorities are considering dynamic adjustments to the national immunization program to prioritize vaccines with high cost-effectiveness or those associated with costly diseases. In some regions, pilots may allow the use of personal health insurance accounts to cover non-mandatory vaccines, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for the public.
    Digital tools will also play an increasing role in modernizing immunization services. Electronic vaccination records are being shared across provinces, while artificial intelligence (AI) is assisting with appointment scheduling. Big data platforms are improving vaccine inventory management and logistics.
    Yin Zundong, head of the Immunization Program Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the role of advanced data technologies.
    “With the help of big data and AI, disease surveillance and early warning systems can become more accurate and efficient,” Yin said. “In the future, data-driven tools will enable precise assessments of vaccine protection efficacy.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China boosts public health with vaccine and immunization progress

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    WUHAN, April 20 — China has made significant progress in vaccine development and immunization, marked by a growing portfolio of domestically produced vaccines and remarkable public health results.

    These achievements were highlighted at the 2025 National Vaccines and Health Conference, held over the weekend in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province in central China, and attended by nearly 3,000 public health officials and medical professionals.

    Over the past years, China has achieved notable breakthroughs in vaccine technology. Milestones include the successful development of homegrown HPV and Ebola vaccines, as well as advances in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines against 13 types of bacteria and shingles vaccines.

    Several Chinese vaccines have received prequalification from the World Health Organization, enabling their distribution in partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative.

    These advancements underscore a broader shift in China’s vaccine industry — from focusing primarily on domestic needs to increasingly contributing to the global vaccine supply chain, according to Wang Yunfu, head of the Health Commission of Hubei Province.

    The global biotechnology landscape has also helped accelerate this transformation, as the participants pointed out. In recent years, breakthroughs in technologies such as mRNA platforms, viral vectors, and nanoparticle delivery systems have opened up unprecedented opportunities for vaccine research and development, significantly improving both efficiency and immune response.

    Alongside scientific innovation, China has placed strong emphasis on safety and regulatory oversight. In 2019, it became the first country to implement a comprehensive vaccine administration law, followed by updated immunization standards introduced in 2023.

    A nationwide traceability system has been set up, ensuring that every dose can be tracked from production to administration, enhancing transparency and public trust.

    China’s national immunization programs have yielded strong public health results.

    The country achieved polio-free status in 2000, eliminated neonatal tetanus by 2012, and has reported no locally transmitted diphtheria cases since 2007. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among children under five declined from nearly 10 percent in 1992 to just 0.3 percent in 2020.

    Routine vaccination coverage has remained above 90 percent nationwide, supported by an extensive healthcare infrastructure that ensures every township has at least one vaccination unit.

    Efforts to expand access and improve service delivery remain a central priority. “Public health should be protected through more accessible and higher-quality vaccine services,” said Li Bin, president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, adding that this goal was reflected in the conference’s theme.

    For example, in Hubei, girls aged 14 are now eligible for free HPV vaccination, and immunization for newborns is being integrated into the birth registration process to ensure early and timely coverage.

    Looking ahead, China is preparing to refine its immunization strategy and services further.

    Health authorities are considering dynamic adjustments to the national immunization program to prioritize vaccines with high cost-effectiveness or those associated with costly diseases. In some regions, pilots may allow the use of personal health insurance accounts to cover non-mandatory vaccines, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for the public.

    Digital tools will also play an increasing role in modernizing immunization services. Electronic vaccination records are being shared across provinces, while artificial intelligence (AI) is assisting with appointment scheduling. Big data platforms are improving vaccine inventory management and logistics.

    Yin Zundong, head of the Immunization Program Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the role of advanced data technologies.

    “With the help of big data and AI, disease surveillance and early warning systems can become more accurate and efficient,” Yin said. “In the future, data-driven tools will enable precise assessments of vaccine protection efficacy.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China boosts vaccination accessibility at grassroots

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    WUHAN, April 19 — Every township and subdistrict across China now has at least one vaccination unit, bringing immunization services closer to people’s doorsteps, according to the 2025 National Vaccines and Health Conference held Saturday in Wuhan, capital city of central China’s Hubei Province.

    Over 10 million people have already applied for and are using digital vaccination certificates, which provide lifelong coverage for individuals, according to the conference.

    China has established a comprehensive four-tier immunization program management system at the national, provincial, municipal, and county levels, as well as a service network extending to the county, township, and village levels, Shen Hongbing, deputy head of the National Health Commission and head of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, said at the conference. This ensures timely and convenient access to vaccination for the public, he added.

    By the end of 2024, China had more than 456,000 professionals engaged in vaccination services, Shen noted.

    Official data presented at the conference showed that the coverage rate for vaccines under the national immunization program has remained above 90 percent. Incidence rates of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, hepatitis A, and Japanese encephalitis have dropped to historic lows.

    In recent years, China has allocated over 3 billion yuan (about 416 million U.S. dollars) annually to support the expansion of the immunization program, ensuring vaccine supply and safety, according to the conference. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Health ministers launch landmark polio vaccination campaign to protect 83 million children in Lake Chad Basin

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

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), April 17, 2025/APO Group/ —

    In a renewed effort to eradicate circulating polio variant type 2 in the Lake Chad Basin, Ministers of Health from Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria launched today a synchronized regional vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 83 million under 5 children. The initiative is a crucial milestone in the fight against variant poliovirus type 2, which continues to pose a threat to millions of children across the region.

    Over the past 12 months, variant poliovirus type 2 has been detected both in the environment (wastewater samples) and among affected people in Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. A total of 210 detections have been reported across these four countries, 140 of which resulted in paralysis. Although no cases have been reported in CAR so far, these findings underscore the ongoing risk of cross-border transmission and the pressing need for coordinated regional action.

    Over 50% of the polio cases reported in Chad in 2024 are linked to the strain circulating in Cameroon, underlining the importance of coordination and synchronization of polio response efforts. 

    Nearly 12 million children were vaccinated last year through mass immunization campaigns to halt the spread of the virus.

    To further strengthen immunity and curb transmission, a synchronized polio vaccination campaign will take place from 24 to 28 April 2025, targeting high-risk and mobile populations in border areas where surveillance indicators have remained below target. This campaign is part of a broader strategy to ensure all children are protected, regardless of location or movement patterns.

    The round is supported by an estimated 1.1 million frontline workers (including vaccinators, social mobilizers, and monitors) dedicated to protecting every last child.

    “The Lake Chad Basin remains a critical area in our fight against polio. By coming together as a region, we reinforce our commitment to ending polio once and for all,” said the Minister of Health of Chad, Hon. Dr Abdelmadjid Abderahim.

    As part of the launch, the Ministers of Health will hold a closed-door meeting to discuss challenges, review epidemiological data, and strengthen cross-border cooperation. The event aligns with the Africa Regional Polio Eradication Action Plan and the Polio Eradication Cross-Border Coordination Plan 2024–2025, endorsed in August 2024 and updated in February 2025 to adapt to the evolving epidemiological situation on the ground-underscoring the region’s united commitment to protecting every child.

    Global health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Rotary International, will join the effort, reaffirming their commitment to polio eradication. Community health workers, local leaders, and volunteers will also play a vital role in ensuring the campaign’s success. This event will coincide with African Vaccination Week under the theme ‘Immunization for all is humanly possible.’

    The polio eradication initiative in the Lake Chad Basin demonstrates the power of collaboration in global health. By working together, governments, partners, and communities can ensure a polio-free future for children in the region and beyond.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 17 April 2025 Joint News Release Africa CDC and WHO update mpox strategy as outbreaks persist

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Mpox is a viral illness that spreads between people, mainly through close contact. It causes painful skin and mucosal lesions, often accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease can be debilitating and disfiguring. 

    Historically a zoonotic disease transmitted from infected animals, mpox has increasingly shown a tendency to spread between people. In 2022, a variant of the virus, clade IIb, began spreading globally through sexual contact. Since late 2023, yet another viral strain, clade Ib, began spreading through sexual networks and within households and through close contact. This prompted Africa CDC to declare a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security and the WHO Director-General to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August 2024. 

    By August 2024, the virus had begun spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 4 neighbouring countries. Since then, 28 countries around the world have reported cases of mpox due to clade Ib. Outside Africa, cases remain largely travel-related. However, within Africa, in addition to transmission in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, local transmission has now been documented in additional countries including the Republic of the Congo, South Africa, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. 

    Since the declaration of the emergency, both regional and global support has increased, particularly for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicentre of the outbreak. The Africa CDC and WHO Joint Continental Mpox Plan has guided these efforts, focusing on ten key pillars: coordination, risk communication and community engagement, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, clinical management, infection prevention and control, vaccination, research, logistics, and maintaining essential health services. 

    Vaccination efforts are underway, with more than 650 000 doses administered in 6 countries, 90% of which have been administered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Overall, over a million doses have been delivered to 10 countries, with efforts ongoing to secure additional vaccine supplies. 

    Diagnostic testing capacity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has grown significantly, driven by the expansion of laboratory infrastructure – from 2 laboratories in late 2023 to 23 laboratories in 12 provinces today. With new, near-point-of-care tests currently being rolled out in the country, capacity is expected to increase even further. 

    Despite this progress, major challenges remain. Ongoing conflict and insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the incidence of mpox remains high, as well as humanitarian aid cuts, continue to limit the public health response and restrict access to essential services. Across countries and partners, over US$ 220 million is needed to fill funding gaps for the mpox response.  

    The updated Continental Response Plan calls for intensified efforts to bring outbreaks under control, while also taking concrete actions to integrate mpox into routine health services.  

    Along with the Continental Response Plan for Africa, WHO has updated the global strategic plan to curb – and where feasible, to stop – human-to-human transmission of mpox. In the first two months of 2025, 60 countries reported mpox, with the majority of cases and deaths reported from the African continent.  The joint Continental Response Plan is aligned with the global strategy. 

    Africa CDC and WHO continue to work closely with national governments, local communities, and partners to curb transmission, control the outbreak, and build longer-term resilience within public health systems. 

    “,”datePublished”:”2025-04-17T15:00:00.0000000+00:00″,”image”:”https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/emergencies-and-disasters/2024—mpox-outbreak/mpox-patient-drc-august-2024.jpg?sfvrsn=66105f23_14″,”publisher”:{“@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”World Health Organization: WHO”,”logo”:{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”url”:”https://www.who.int/Images/SchemaOrg/schemaOrgLogo.jpg”,”width”:250,”height”:60}},”dateModified”:”2025-04-17T15:00:00.0000000+00:00″,”mainEntityOfPage”:”https://www.who.int/news/item/17-04-2025-africa-cdc-and-who-update-mpox-strategy-as-outbreaks-persist”,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”NewsArticle”};
    ]]>

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Drugs

    Source: US Food and Drug Administration

    FDA regulates the safety and effectiveness of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and works to help communicate the benefits and risks associated with these products. Read these Consumer Updates to learn more.

    Animal Welfare, Testing and Research of FDA-Regulated Products
    Create and Keep a Medication List for Your Health
    Know When and How to Use Antibiotics, and When to Skip Them
    It’s a Good Time to Get Your Flu Vaccine
    Skip the Antibacterial Soap; Use Plain Soap and Water
    Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses
    Advisory Committees Give FDA Critical Advice and the Public a Voice
    Ivermectin and COVID-19
    Know Which Medication Is Right for Your Seasonal Allergies
    Allergy Relief for Your Child
    Some Medicines and Driving Don’t Mix
    Taking Z-drugs for insomnia? Know the Risks
    5 Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults
    Don’t Overuse Acetaminophen
    Know Your Treatment Options for COVID-19
    Beware of Illegally Marketed Diabetes Treatments, Fraudulent Pharmacies
    Treating Migraines: Ways to Fight the Pain with Medication
    Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Tests, and Treatment
    Treating and Dealing with ADHD
    Safely Treating Molluscum, a Common Skin Condition
    Accidental Exposures to Fentanyl Patches Continue to Be Deadly to Children 
    What to Ask Your Doctor Before Taking Opioids
    Apetamin – An Illegally Imported Weight Gain, Figure Augmentation Product
    FDA Warns of Use of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Among Teens, Young Adults
    Safely Using Hand Sanitizer
    Access to Naloxone Can Save a Life During an Opioid Overdose
    Manage Your Asthma: Know Your Triggers and Treatment Options
    Products Marketed for Removing Moles and Other Skin Lesions Can Cause Injuries, Scarring
    How to Buy Medicines Safely From an Online Pharmacy
    Should Your Child Participate in a Clinical Trial?
    Warning: Aspirin-Containing Antacid Medicines Can Cause Bleeding
    A Recipe for Danger: Social Media Challenges Involving Medicines
    Want to Quit Smoking? FDA-Approved and FDA-Cleared Cessation Products Can Help
    Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’
    Caution Consumers: Honey-based or Honey-flavored Syrup Products May Pose Health Risk
    Generic Drugs Undergo Rigorous FDA Review
    Tianeptine Products Linked to Serious Harm, Overdoses, Death
    FDA Pharmacists Help Consumers Use Medicines Safely
    5 Things to Know about Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol – Delta-8 THC
    Older Therapies Aren’t Necessarily Better for Thyroid Hormone Replacement
    Weight Loss, Male Enhancement and Other Products Sold Online or in Stores May Be Dangerous
    Do Not Use: Black Salve is Dangerous and Called by Many Names
    Safely Using Hand Sanitizer
    Avoid Dangerous HCG Diet Products
    Understanding the Regulatory Terminology of Potential Preventions and Treatments for COVID-19
    Men With Breast Cancer Need More Treatment Options and Access to Genetic Counseling
    What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding
    What to Know About Products Containing Cannabis and CBD
    Be Aware of Potentially Dangerous Products That Claim to Treat Autism
    For Women: The FDA Gives Tips to Prevent Heart Disease
    Safely Soothing Teething Pain and Sensory Needs in Babies and Older Children
    Should You Give Kids Medicine for Coughs and Colds?
    Ticks and Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
    Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines
    Biosimilars: More Treatment Choices and Innovation
    Hurricane Season: Be Prepared
    Treating and Preventing Head Lice
    Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually
    Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don’t Mix
    Caution: Bodybuilding Products Can Be Risky
    Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants
    Products Claiming to “Cure” Cancer Are a Cruel Deception
    Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health

    Content current as of:
    02/03/2023

    Regulated Product(s)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Meeting of the DEVE Committee 24 April – Committee on Development

    Source: European Parliament

    The Committee on Development will meet on 24 April to discuss the following files:

    • Exchange of views with Mr Bjorn Gillsater, GAVI’s Managing Director for Donor Relation, on the Global Vaccine Alliance’s 2026-2030 strategy;
    • Exchange of views with VOICE on Humanitarian priorities and preparations for the European Humanitarian Forum;
    • Jointly with the Committee on Foreign Affairs: Exchange of views with EU Ambassador to Sudan, MSF and European Commission on the situation in Sudan: marking two years of war.

    Vote:

    • Voluntary Partnership Agreement with Cameroon – termination (consent + motion for Non-Legislative Enactment opinions)

    Next DEVE meeting: Thursday 20 May from 9.00 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 18.30, room Antall 6Q2.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Commencement Student Speaker Spotlight: Kristina Delgado

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Meet Kristina Delgado. She was born in Mexico City, Mexico, raised in Cuenca, Ecuador, and moved to the U.S. at 18. Growing up in a multicultural household, she developed resilience, a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for diversity. Seeking purpose, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, where she achieved the highest rank within her enlistment and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Her military service strengthened her leadership and teamwork skills while exposing her to critical gaps in healthcare, igniting her passion for biomedical research.

    Why did you choose UConn and your UConn Graduate School program?

    My path to UConn and the Biomedical Science Graduate School program was shaped by a fortunate opportunity to work as a technician in the Spirochete Research Laboratory at UConn School of Medicine. There, my passion for infectious disease research, particularly on Treponema pallidum, was sparked. The hands-on experience and guidance from exceptional mentors solidified my decision to pursue further education at UConn, where I knew I could grow both academically and professionally.

    Tell us more about your path to grad school.

    My career path began with my military service, which strengthened my leadership and teamwork skills while exposing me to critical gaps in healthcare, sparking my passion for biomedical research. Afterward, I earned my B.S. in Biological Sciences from Georgia State University, leading to an opportunity at the USDA Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory at Plum Island. There, I gained hands-on experience in virology, further fueling my interest in infectious diseases. This passion ultimately led me to work as a technician in the Spirochete Research Laboratory at UConn Health, where the mentorship of Drs. Radolf, Hawley, and Caimano solidified my decision to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, focusing on infectious disease research and vaccine development.

    What activities were you involved with as a grad student?

    As a graduate student, I was fully immersed in my research, but I also made it a priority to support diversity in STEM. As an active member of the Graduate School DEI Committee, I worked alongside a dedicated team to foster an inclusive academic environment. It was incredibly rewarding to give back by mentoring and advising younger students, sharing the opportunities and experiences that shaped my own journey. Being part of something bigger—helping to support and inspire the next generation of scientists—was one of the most fulfilling aspects of my time at UConn.

    What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?

    One thing that truly surprised me about UConn was how welcoming and supportive everyone is, as well as the incredible depth and diversity of research being conducted here. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but I quickly found myself in a collaborative and inspiring community. Being in an environment driven by innovation and curiosity has made my time at UConn both enriching and rewarding.

    What’s one thing every student should do during their time at UConn?

    Every student should take a moment to step beyond their research or career goals and get involved in the broader community. It’s easy to fall into tunnel vision when you’re deep in academic work, but engaging in other aspects of the UConn community helps you gain perspective, connect with others, and see the bigger picture. Whether it’s through mentorship, outreach, or organizations like the DEI Committee, these experiences help you grow in ways that go beyond the lab or classroom. Stepping back from the laboratory bench every now and then reminds us that we’re part of something bigger—and that we have so much to offer to the people and communities around us.

    Who has inspired you most?

    I was incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of mentors who showed me the true impact of our work. They taught me that what we do in the lab isn’t just about experiments—it’s about making a real difference in healthcare. Beyond my mentors, I was also blessed with the unwavering support of my family and friends, who constantly encouraged me and stood by my decision. Their belief in me kept me moving forward, reinforcing my passion and commitment to this field.

    What are your plans after graduation?

    Ah, the dreaded question! I’m happy to say that I still have a deep passion for research and want to continue expanding my scientific expertise. While I don’t know exactly where my career will take me—whether in academia, industry, or teaching—I do know that I want to bridge the gap between basic science and its real-world applications. My goal is to develop the skills needed to move into translational research, connecting fundamental discoveries with clinical trials and patient care. No matter the path I take, I want my work to have a tangible impact on healthcare and the scientific community.

    What’s one thing that will always make you think of UConn?

    One thing that will always make me think of UConn is the sense of community here. Whether it’s the camaraderie among fellow students, the support from mentors, or the collaborative spirit in research, UConn has a unique way of bringing people together. It’s this feeling of connection and shared purpose that I’ll carry with me long after graduation.

    What does being a part of UConn mean to you?

    Being a part of UConn means being part of a supportive and innovative community that fosters growth, collaboration, and inclusion. It’s where I’ve been able to challenge myself, advance my research, and contribute to a diverse environment. The connections I’ve made here, and the shared purpose have shaped me both personally and professionally, and that’s something I’ll carry with me throughout my career.

    What’s it going to be like to walk across the Commencement stage and get your degree?

    Walking across the Commencement stage will be a moment of immense pride and reflection. It will mark the culmination of years of hard work, challenges, and growth. But beyond the academic achievement, it will be a moment to celebrate the support of my family, friends, mentors, and the UConn community that helped me get here. It will be a symbol of not just earning a degree, but of the journey and the people who’ve shaped my path. It’ll be a bittersweet farewell to this chapter, but an exciting step into the next.

    Any final words of wisdom for incoming students?

    No matter how many roadblocks or challenges life throws your way, the key is to face them head-on, learn from them, and keep moving forward. Don’t give up, and remember to enjoy the journey along the way. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress, but make sure you take time to have fun, find balance, and celebrate the small wins. Growth comes from persistence, and the experience will be all the richer if you embrace both the challenges and the moments of joy.

    Delgado’s doctoral dissertation focused on “Cracking the Code of Treponema pallidum Immunity: Lessons from the Rabbit Model to Drive Syphilis Vaccine Innovation.”

    Watch the livestream of UConn Health’s 54th Commencement on May 12, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The world could stop central Africa’s deadly mpox outbreak if it wanted to

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chloe Orkin, Professor of Infection and Inequities, Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London

    MIA Studio/Shutterstock

    The global outbreak of mpox in 2022-23 affected more than 100 countries and grabbed the attention of the scientific community. Research on mpox has intensified since.

    The virus behind the outbreak, technically mpox clade IIb, is spread through close physical contact. During the 2022 outbreak it was found in both sperm and vaginal fluid for the first time. This suggests it is sexually transmissible.

    Overall, deaths in the 2022 outbreak were very low: 0.1%. However, in people with very weak immune systems – such as those with advanced HIV – deaths were much higher, at around 15%.

    The outbreak was curtailed through public health agencies and doctors working in partnership with those most at risk of the disease – sexually active men who have sex with men. Key interventions included ensuring that people knew what signs to look for and how to protect themselves, as well as offering vaccinations.

    The more a virus spreads, the greater the likelihood it will mutate. Mutations can allow the virus to be more easily transmissible. This happened with the clade II virus, which branched into two and resulted in the clade IIb global outbreak in 2022. Something very similar has now happened with clade I. Clade I virus caused 14,626 mpox cases and 654 deaths in 2023.

    Health inequality is a killer

    Doctors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been battling to contain exponentially rising cases of the more severe clade I mpox, mainly affecting children under 15 and their caregivers.

    Mpox can be lethal, especially for children under five years old. The mortality rate for clade I is between 3% and 10%. The variation in mortality rates is due to differences in access to healthcare, such as access to antibiotics, as well as specialist care in hospital and intensive care.

    This strain, which has caused significant harm in central African countries such as the DRC, has not attracted the world’s attention in the same way as it has in the west – even though the number of people with the disease was rising year on year. Sadly, it’s very common in global public health for infectious diseases to be neglected unless they affect people in wealthy countries.

    Clade I virus is transmitted through close physical contact, respiratory droplets and contact with infected materials like bedding and infected animals. Historically affected countries, like the DRC, have not had access to the vaccine that helped curtail the outbreak in the US, Europe and the UK.

    The vaccine – called Jynneos in the US and Imvanex in Europe – has not been made or sold in Africa so far. And at US$100 per dose (£76), it is beyond the affordability of most low- and middle-income countries.

    These countries have relied on donations from philanthropic organisations or from governments. However, during the 2022 mpox outbreak, insufficient vaccines were donated to African countries, and local laboratory capacity – needed to test, monitor and respond to cases – was not significantly strengthened. According to experts, wealthier nations, international health agencies and global health donors should have taken the lead in addressing these gaps, but their support fell far short of what was needed.

    In 2024, the mpox virus spread very quickly from the Kivu area of the DRC, which is on the eastern border with Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda – and caused over 16,000 new cases and 511 deaths. The rapid spread among heterosexual people who were moving across porous borders with neighbouring countries – and within camps of internally displaced people – prompted scientists to study the virus to see if it had mutated.

    The virus has changed significantly enough to warrant being named as a new sub-variant: clade Ib.

    These changes may have enabled the rapid spread to several other African countries and the first ever case of clade I virus in Europe (Sweden) in a returning traveller.

    Vaccine accessibility

    So what does this mean for people in wealthy countries? The risk to the general population is very low. However, travellers to affected countries who mix with affected communities are at risk of contracting mpox and transmitting it to close contacts on return.

    We live in an interconnected world, so cases of the new strain are extremely likely to be identified in the coming weeks and months in many countries. But this does not make a global outbreak of clade Ib inevitable. The tools needed to limit the virus from spreading are in use already: community engagement, contact tracing, laboratory surveillance of new cases to monitor spread of clade Ib virus, and vaccination.

    Anyone who develops symptoms after being in contact with a returning traveller should isolate and follow national guidance on where to attend for medical care. It’s essential to do this as soon as possible after noticing symptoms because being vaccinated within four days of exposure can limit the likelihood of getting mpox and the severity – and length – of infection.

    Mpox causes skin lesions that look like blisters which become filled with pus after a few days – and it can cause ulcers in the mouth and on the genitals and bottom. People diagnosed with mpox should isolate and limit close physical and sexual contact while they have lesions.

    Stopping this outbreak is possible if affected countries are equipped with three things: access to free diagnostic tests, laboratory capacity to determine the mpox clade so the extent of the outbreak can be monitored and, most important, equal access to the vaccine.

    Millions of doses will be needed to protect people in affected countries. The declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization will allow better coordination of the international response, such as emergency licensing of the vaccine in all countries and greater capacity to buy and make the vaccine where it is needed most.

    Chloe Orkin 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. The world could stop central Africa’s deadly mpox outbreak if it wanted to – https://theconversation.com/the-world-could-stop-central-africas-deadly-mpox-outbreak-if-it-wanted-to-236981

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH reminds public who plan to travel during Easter holidays to stay vigilant against infectious diseases

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    With the approach of the Easter holidays, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (April 16) appealed to members of the public who intend to travel to stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases at their destinations and to prevent various infectious diseases, in particular measles, dengue fever (DF) and norovirus infection.
     
    Measles
     
    Recently, the number of measles cases in some overseas countries has been increasing. The outbreaks in North America (including the United States and Canada), Europe and neighbouring areas (including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) are ongoing due to the relatively low vaccination rate. Furthermore, an increasing number of measles cases have also been recorded in Japan and Australia this year. Overseas cases mainly affected people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. This shows the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
     
    Vaccination is the safest and most effective preventive measure against measles. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, they should check their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of the measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received the measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination. Healthy people in general can enjoy long-term, even lifelong protection after receiving the measles vaccination as recommended. Two doses of the measles-containing vaccine can confer protection of up to 97 per cent.
     
    The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If such symptoms appear after returning from measles-endemic areas, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under 1 year old, and should consult their doctors as soon as possible.
     
    Dengue fever

    During their travels, members of the public are urged to stay vigilant against mosquito-borne diseases, including DF, Japanese encephalitis, zika virus infection, and malaria, with DF being a particular concern, and to carry out stringent anti-mosquito measures. In 2024, the World Health Organization recorded over 14 million cases of DF, which was a record number of cases. Some popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, are also endemic areas for DF.
    ​
    Members of the public should follow these anti-mosquito measures when travelling to areas affected by DF to reduce the chance of acquiring mosquito-borne diseases during travels and spreading the diseases to others through mosquitoes:
     

    • Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers;
    • Use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing. For details about the use of insect repellents and key points to be observed, please refer to Tips for using insect repellents;
    • When engaging in outdoor activities, avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skincare products, reapply insect repellents according to instructions, and apply insect repellents after sunscreen if both are used; and
    • Apply insect repellent for 14 days upon returning to Hong Kong from areas affected by DF.

     
    Norovirus infection
     
    Norovirus is more active in winter, and the virus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contacting with the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and touching contaminated objects. It may lead to an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). With the current AGE activities in popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, being higher than during the same period last year, and with temperatures in some areas remaining low, members of the public are still at risk of infection during travels.
     
    Norovirus is also a common cause of food poisoning and is often related to consumption of undercooked or raw shellfish. Therefore, the following points on food safety should be observed during travels:
     

    • Patronise reliable and licensed restaurants;
    • Avoid raw food or undercooked food, especially raw seafood or meat;
    • Be careful in choosing cold cuts, including sashimi, sushi and oysters in buffets;
    • When having hotpots or barbecuing, make sure the food is thoroughly cooked before eating;
    • Drink boiled water; and
    • Wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.

     
    Dr Tsui reminded returned travellers to consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms such as fever, respiratory symptoms, rash or gastroenteritis symptoms, and to inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
     
         “The CHP will continue to monitor the situation of infectious diseases locally and abroad and provide timely updates to members of the public to keep them informed about the development of infectious diseases and help them prepare for precautionary measures,” Dr Tsui said. 
     
    The public may visit the DH’s Travel Health Service webpage for the latest information on infectious disease outbreaks in various parts of the world and the preventive measures.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Preventive care may no longer be free in 2026 because of HIV stigma − unless the Trump administration successfully defends the ACA

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kristefer Stojanovski, Assistant Professor of Social, Behavioral and Population Sciences, Tulane University

    Americans may lose free coverage for cancer and blood pressure screenings, HIV prevention medication and other essential services. Halfpoint Images/Moment via Getty Images

    Many Americans were relieved when the Supreme Court left the Affordable Care Act in place following the law’s third major legal challenge in June 2021. This decision permitted widely supported policies to continue, such as ensuring health coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, allowing coverage for dependents up to age 26 on their parents’ plan, and removing annual and lifetime benefit limits.

    But millions are still at risk of losing access to lifesaving medicine and preventive services, following the Supreme Court’s decision to hear another case – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. v. Braidwood – that has been working its way through lower courts for several years.

    Interestingly, the Trump administration has chosen to build upon the same argument the Biden administration used to defend the law.

    HIV stigma and preventive care

    The case the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear in April 2025 was filed by Braidwood Management, a Christian for-profit corporation owned by Steven Hotze, a Texas physician and Republican activist who has previously filed multiple lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act.

    Braidwood and its co-plaintiffs, a group of conservative Christian employers, objected to providing their 70 employees free access to preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a medicine that prevents HIV infection. Hotze claimed that PrEP “facilitates and encourages homosexual behavior, intravenous drug use and sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman,” without citing scientific evidence to support this. He and his plaintiffs argue that religious beliefs prevent them from providing PrEP under their insurance plans.

    The AIDS epidemic has been claiming lives for decades.

    Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the 1980s, the disease has been politicized and stigmatized. Because it had predominantly affected men who had sex with men, AIDS was initially called gay-related immune deficiency, making people reluctant to be associated with the disease. It was only after a teenage boy from Indiana named Ryan White contracted HIV from a blood transfusion to treat his hemophilia, along with public statements from high-profile celebrities such as Arthur Ashe and Magic Johnson about their HIV status, that social attitudes began to shift with more education about AIDS.

    Yet, the same stigma is still at play in the Braidwood case and other recent policy decisions. In 2023, for example, Tennessee officials declined US$9 million in federal funding for HIV prevention. Those federal funds focused on groups most affected by HIV, including men who have sex with men, heterosexual Black women and people who inject drugs.

    Tennessee has since transitioned to using state dollars for HIV prevention, with a focus on first responders, pregnant women and sex trafficking survivors, groups that aren’t major at-risk populations. Researchers have found that this pivot will be a less efficient use of funds, costing $1 million per life-year saved versus $68,600 when focusing on the most at-risk populations.

    Preventive care and the Affordable Care Act

    The ongoing stigma and politicization of HIV/AIDS may not only hamper the national goal of ending the HIV epidemic but also lead to less or no preventive care for many people.

    Section 2713 of the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to offer full coverage of preventive services endorsed by one of three federal groups: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or the Health Resources and Services Administration. For example, the CARES Act, which allocated emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, used this provision to ensure COVID-19 vaccines would be free for many Americans.

    For a preventive service to be covered by this provision, it requires an A or B rating from the Preventive Services Task Force, an independent body of experts trained in research methods, statistics and medicine that evaluates the rigor and quality of available scientific evidence, with support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Vaccinations require a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while women’s health services require approval from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

    PrEP received an A rating in June 2019, given its near 100% effectiveness. This paved the way for it to be covered at no cost for millions of people.

    PrEP is a key tool to helping the U.S. reach its goal of substantially reducing new HIV infections by 2030.
    AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

    Over 150 million Americans with private health insurance are able to benefit from free preventive care through the Affordable Care Act, with around 60% using at least one free preventive service each year.

    The consequences of losing these benefits would likely be an increase in the number of people getting and dying from preventable diseases. Raising the cost barrier for PrEP, for example, would disproportionately harm younger patients, people of color and those with lower incomes. It will also increase the cost of HIV prevention.

    As public health researchers who study sexual health and health insurance, we believe that prevention and health equity in the U.S. stand to take a big step backward, depending on the outcome of the Braidwood case.

    Future of preventive care lies with Supreme Court

    The most recent ruling in Braidwood – made by a lower court in 2023 – focuses on the appointments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which specifies that certain governmental positions require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation, while other positions have a lower bar.

    District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled that because the Preventive Services Task Force is an independent volunteer panel and not made up of officers of the U.S. government, it does not have appropriate authority to make decisions about what preventive care should be free, unlike the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or Health Resources and Services Administration. O’Connor also ruled that being forced to cover PrEP violated the religious freedom of the plaintiffs.

    O’Connor invalidated all of the task force’s recommendations since the Affordable Care Act was passed in March 2010, returning the power to insurers and employers to decide which, if any, preventive care would remain free to their patients. A few of the recommendations affected by his ruling besides PrEP include blood pressure, diabetes, lung and skin cancer screenings, along with medications to lower cholesterol and reduce breast cancer risk.

    The Trump administration filed a brief continuing the argument from the Biden administration that because the Preventive Services Task Force is overseen by the secretary of Health and Human Services, there is appropriate oversight of the task force and its decision-making by a Senate-confirmed officer. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for April 21, 2025.

    The Affordable Care Act has faced many legal challenges over the years.
    AP Photo/Alex Brandon

    Insurance contracts are typically defined by calendar year, so if the Supreme Court rules against the government, people would likely see changes starting in 2026. Importantly, these services will likely still need to be covered by health insurance plans as essential health benefits through a separate provision of the ACA − they just won’t be free anymore.

    There were concerns that the Supreme Court could take the ruling even further, endangering the free coverage of contraception and other preventive care that wasn’t covered by the lower court ruling. The Trump administration’s support for the case may make this less likely by leaning into the authority of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary to support or override recommendations made by the Preventive Services Task Force and the other bodies.

    However, this could also mean the secretary of HHS can more directly control the task force’s recommendations, potentially determining whether PrEP, contraception and other services are available at no cost to patients. Building more political authority into the process − as well as partisan differences in support for LGBTQ+ health − belies the original intent of having nonpartisan medical experts make decisions about preventive care coverage. Legal experts we have spoken to caution that this approach may be more about preserving powers for the executive branch rather than actually protecting preventive care.

    All of this is happening in the context of massive layoffs at HHS. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which supports the Preventive Services Task Force, was not spared from the recent cuts. It is unclear how all of this will affect the task force’s ability to continue its work, separate from the outcome of Braidwood.

    One way or another, the end to this yearslong case is nearing, with important implications for America’s ability to reach its goals in fighting cancer, diabetes and the HIV epidemic.

    Portions of this article originally appeared in previous articles published on Sept. 7, 2021, Dec. 1, 2021, Sept. 13, 2022, and April 7, 2023.

    Paul Shafer receives research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Department of Veterans Affairs. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of these agencies or the United States government.

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

    – ref. Preventive care may no longer be free in 2026 because of HIV stigma − unless the Trump administration successfully defends the ACA – https://theconversation.com/preventive-care-may-no-longer-be-free-in-2026-because-of-hiv-stigma-unless-the-trump-administration-successfully-defends-the-aca-250011

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Protect yourself and others this winter with your annual flu vaccination

    Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

    Victorians are being reminded to book in their annual flu vaccination ahead of winter peak season, with free flu vaccines now available for children under five years old and other at-risk groups.

    Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Tarun Weeramanthri is encouraging more Victorians to get their annual flu vaccine, with reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses already on the rise.

    Dr Weeramanthri said babies and toddlers need special protection from the flu, as they are more likely to get severe illness and need treatment in hospital.

    “The flu can be serious, especially for children which is why the vaccine is free for children under five,” Dr Weeramanthri said.

    “For vulnerable groups in the community the flu can be deadly and for others it can result in severe health effects and long recovery periods.”

    “It’s critically important to stay up to date with your vaccines – the influenza virus changes throughout the year and that’s why new vaccines are developed for each season. Vaccination is the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, friends and people at most risk in the community.”

    Flu vaccination is recommended for anyone six months and older and is free for at risk groups including children aged six months to five years, people over 65 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe flu.

    People can get their vaccine at general practices, pharmacies, local council immunisation clinics, Aboriginal Health Services and often at their workplace.

    There have been more than 11,000 notified influenza cases in Victoria this year already, which is almost twice as many as for the same time last year. It remains early in this year’s flu season and numbers are expected to rise more steeply in the winter months.

    Dr Weeramanthri highlighted the flu is highly contagious and while it most often causes mild to moderate illness with symptoms such as fever and cough, severe illness can develop. Babies, children, older people, and people with underlying medical conditions were amongst the most vulnerable.

    “Having an annual flu vaccine will not only reduce your chances of catching the flu but also reduce the severity of your illness if you become infected,” he said.

    Flu vaccines can be given at the same time as other National Immunisation Program vaccines, such as the new free maternal RSV vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.

    In addition to vaccination, simple steps can help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses such as washing hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, wearing a mask, and staying home when sick.

    More information on flu vaccination is available on Better Health ChannelExternal Link.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: No end in sight: Sudan’s two years of war story Apr 14, 2025

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    As the war in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) enters its third year, millions of people remain unseen, bombed, besieged, displaced, and deprived of food, medical care, and basic lifesaving services. Sixty percent of the country’s 50 million people need humanitarian assistance, according to the UN, amid simultaneous health crises and limited access to public health care.

    Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reiterates our call on the warring parties and their allies to ensure that civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical teams are protected and that all restrictions impeding the movement of humanitarian supplies and staff are lifted, especially as the rainy season fast approaches.

    “The warring parties are not only failing to protect civilians—they are actively compounding their suffering,” said Claire San Filippo, MSF emergency coordinator. “Wherever you look in Sudan, you will find needs—overwhelming, urgent, and unmet. Millions are receiving almost no humanitarian assistance, medical facilities and staff remain under attack, and the global humanitarian system is failing to deliver even a fraction of what’s required.”

    Wherever you look in Sudan, you will find needs—overwhelming, urgent, and unmet. 

    Claire San Filippo, MSF emergency coordinator

    As front lines have shifted over the course of the war, especially in Khartoum and Darfur, civilians have feared retaliatory attacks from both warring parties. For the past two years, both RSF and SAF have repeatedly and indiscriminately bombed densely populated areas. The RSF and allied militias have unleashed a campaign of brutality, including systematic sexual violence, abductions, mass killings, looting of aid, erasure of civilian neighborhoods, and occupation of medical facilities. Both sides have laid siege to towns, destroyed vital infrastructure, and blocked humanitarian aid. 

    Newly displaced families arrive in Tawila on April 13 following new attacks in Zamzam camp. | Sudan 2025 © Marion Ramstein/MSF

    Sudan’s largest displacement camp is under attack

    RSF and allied armed groups launched a large-scale ground offensive on April 11, attacking Zamzam camp and leaving its residents starved, shelled, and deprived of lifesaving assistance. Marion Ramstein, MSF emergency field coordinator in North Darfur, described the situation:

    “There are reports of people fleeing and many casualties, although we can’t verify how many at the moment. 

    “Back in February, we were forced to suspend all MSF activities in the camp because of escalating security issues. Repeated shelling, shooting at our ambulances, and a tightened siege that prevented us from resupplying facilities and sending staff made it impossible for MSF to continue working in Zamzam despite the immense needs. 

    “The communication network with Zamzam has been shut down. We don’t have news of many of the people who worked with us and decided to remain with their relatives in the camp after the suspension of our field hospital. We’re horrified by what they have to endure, and extremely worried about them and the hundreds of thousands of people already on the brink of survival in the area. We were appalled to learn that nine staff from Relief International were killed. It was the only international humanitarian organization still operating in Zamzam.

    We were appalled to learn that nine staff from Relief International were killed. It was the only international humanitarian organization still operating in Zamzam.

    Marion Ramstein, MSF emergency field coordinator

    “On April 12 and 13, our team in Tawila saw more than 10,000 people fleeing from Zamzam and nearby areas. They arrived in an advanced state of dehydration, exhaustion, and stress. They have nothing but the clothes they’re wearing, nothing to eat, nothing to drink. They sleep on the ground under the trees. Several people told us about family members left behind—lost during the escape, injured, or killed.”

    MSF set up a health post at the entrance of Tawila city to receive the new arrivals and provide water and medical care. Our teams quickly distributed what we had on hand, such as blankets, mosquito nets, and buckets; and we are referring the most critical cases to the local hospital MSF has been supporting since last October. MSF teams are also screening newly arrived children for malnutrition so they can immediately receive therapeutic food and be enrolled in our nutritional program for adequate care.

    A health worker screens a child for malnutrition in Tawila, North Darfur. | Sudan 2024 © MSF

    Hunger and famine take hold

    Widespread starvation is taking hold in areas across Sudan, according to the UN: Sudan is currently the only place in the world where famine has been officially declared in multiple locations. Famine was first declared in Zamzam camp for internally displaced people in August 2024, and has since spread to 10 more areas. Seventeen additional regions are now on the brink. Without immediate intervention, hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk.

    In March, MSF supported multi-antigen catch up vaccination campaigns for children under 2 years old in South Darfur. The over 17,000 children who received vaccinations in 11 of the 14 localities were also screened for malnutrition, with 7 percent of those screened found to be suffering from severe acute malnutrition and with 30 percent with global acute malnutrition. In December 2024, during a therapeutic food distribution in Tawila locality, North Darfur, MSF teams screened over 9,500 children under 5 years old. They found a staggering 35.5 percent global acute malnutrition rate, with 7 percent of the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

    MSF staff hold a meeting at the mobile clinic in Atam, South Sudan, which has received thousands of Sudanese refugees. | South Sudan 2025 © Paula Casado Aguirregabiria/MSF

    Simultaneous emergencies compound crises

    Sudan is facing multiple, overlapping health emergencies at the same time. MSF teams have treated over 12,000 patients—including women and children—for trauma injuries directly resulting from violent attacks. During the first week of February 2025, MSF teams in three areas of Sudan—Khartoum, North Darfur, and South Darfur states—treated mass influxes of war-wounded patients. Sudan is also experiencing one of the worst maternal and child health crises we are seeing anywhere in the world. In October 2024, in two MSF-supported facilities in Nyala, capital of South Darfur, 26 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women seeking care were acutely malnourished. 

    “Outbreaks of measles, cholera, and diphtheria are spreading, driven by poor living conditions and disrupted vaccination campaigns,” said Marta Cazorla, MSF emergency coordinator. “Mental health support and care for survivors of sexual violence remain painfully limited. These compounding crises reflect not just the brutality of the conflict, but the dire consequences of the crumbling public health care system and a failing humanitarian response.” 

    Since April 2023, more than 1.7 million people have sought medical consultations at hospitals, health facilities and mobile clinics MSF supports or is working in, and more than 32,000 people were admitted to our emergency wards.

    About 13 million people have been displaced by the conflict, according to the UN—many of them displaced multiple times. Of these, 8.9 million remain displaced inside Sudan, while 3.9 million have crossed into neighboring countries. Many live in overcrowded camps or makeshift shelters, without access to food, water, health care, or a sense of the future. People depend entirely on humanitarian organizations—but organizations are not responding everywhere. 

    MSF doctors examine Sameera, who developed an arm infection from a poorly administered injection following a home delivery. | Sudan 2025 © Belen Filgueira/MSF

    Health facilities destroyed 

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 70 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are barely operational or completely closed, leaving millions without access to critical care amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Since the war began, MSF has recorded over 80 violent incidents targeting our staff, infrastructure, vehicles, and supplies. Clinics have been looted and destroyed, medicines stolen, and health care workers assaulted, threatened, or killed. 

    “Buildings were destroyed, even beds were looted, and medicines ,” said Muhammad Yusuf Ishaq Abdullah, MSF health promotion officer in Tawila, North Darfur, about the state of Tawila’s hospital after being attacked and looted in June 2023. “From afar, it looked like a hospital, but when you entered it, it was a shelter for snakes and grass.”

    These attacks must stop. Medical personnel and facilities are not targets. 

    A mother cares for her child in the pediatric section of the cholera treatment center in Kosti, which experienced a cholera outbreak. | Sudan 2025 © MSF

    The threat of rainy season approaches

    The fast-approaching rainy season threatens to make an already catastrophic situation even worse—severing supply routes, flooding entire regions, and cutting off communities just as the hunger gap peaks and malnutrition and malaria spike.

    MSF calls for immediate preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season. More border crossings must be opened, and key roads and bridges must be repaired and kept accessible, especially in Darfur, where seasonal flooding isolates communities year after year. 

    In addition, humanitarian restrictions must be lifted, and unhindered access must be guaranteed. MSF urges all actors—including donors, governments, and UN agencies—to enable and prioritize aid delivery, ensuring that assistance not only reaches the country but is transported swiftly and safely to the hardest-hit and most remote communities. Without a serious commitment to overcoming the political, financial, logistical, and security barriers that hinder last-mile delivery, countless lives will remain beyond the reach of help.

    The people of Sudan have endured this horror for too long. They cannot and should not wait any longer to access essential needs. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Africa’s healthcare funding crisis: 3 strategies to manage deadly diseases

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh

    The increasing trend of reducing foreign aid to Africa is forcing the continent to reassess its approach to healthcare delivery.

    African countries face a major challenge of dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases. But the continent’s health systems don’t have the resources to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.

    Historically, aid has played a critical role in supporting African health systems. It has funded key areas, including medical research, treatment programmes, healthcare infrastructure and workforce salaries. In 2021, half of sub-Saharan Africa’s countries relied on external financing for more than one-third of their health expenditures.

    As aid dwindles, a stark reality emerges: many African governments are unable to achieve universal health coverage or address rising healthcare costs.

    The reduction in aid restricts healthcare services and threatens to reverse decades of health progress on the continent. A fundamental shift in healthcare strategy is necessary to address this crisis.

    The well-known maxim that “prevention is better than cure” holds not just for health outcomes but also for economic efficiency. It’s much more affordable to prevent diseases than it is to treat them.

    As an infectious diseases specialist, I have seen how preventable diseases can put a financial burden on health systems and households.

    For instance, each year, there are global economic losses of over US$33 billion due to neglected tropical diseases. Many conditions, such as lymphatic filariasis, often require lifelong care. This places a heavy burden on families and stretches national healthcare systems to their limits.

    African nations can cut healthcare costs through disease prevention. This often requires fewer specialist health workers and less expensive interventions.

    To navigate financial constraints, African nations must rethink and redesign their healthcare systems.

    Three key areas where cost-effective, preventive strategies can work are: improving water, sanitation, and hygiene; expanding vaccination programmes; and making non-communicable disease prevention part of community health services.

    A shift in healthcare delivery

    Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure

    Many diseases prevalent in Africa are transmitted through contact with contaminated water and soil. Investing in safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure is an opportunity. This alone can prevent a host of illnesses such as parasitic worms and diarrhoeal diseases. It can also improve infection control and strengthen epidemic and pandemic disease control.

    Currently, WASH coverage in Africa remains inadequate. Millions are vulnerable to preventable illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 alone, about 510,000 deaths in Africa could have been prevented with improved water and sanitation. Of these, 377,000 deaths were caused by diarrhoeal diseases.

    Unsafe WASH conditions also contribute to secondary health issues, such as under-nutrition and parasitic infections. Around 14% of acute respiratory infections and 10% of the undernutrition disease burden – such as stunting – are linked to unsafe WASH conditions.

    By investing in functional WASH infrastructure, African governments can significantly reduce the incidence of these diseases. This will lead to lower healthcare costs and improved public health outcomes.

    Local production of relevant vaccines

    Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available for preventing infection. Immunisation efforts save over four million lives every year across the continent.

    There is an urgent need for vaccines against diseases prevalent in Africa whose current control is heavily reliant on aid. Neglected tropical diseases are among them.

    Vaccines can also prevent some non-communicable diseases. A prime example is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which can prevent up to 85% of cervical cancer cases in Africa.

    HPV vaccination is also more cost-effective than treating cervical cancer. In some African countries, the cost per vaccine dose averages just under US$20. Treatment costs can reach up to US$2,500 per patient, as seen in Tanzania.

    It is vital to invest in a comprehensive vaccine ecosystem. This includes strengthening local research and building innovation hubs. Regulatory bodies across the continent must also be harmonised and markets created to attract vaccine investment.

    Integrating disease prevention into community healthcare services

    Historically, African healthcare systems were designed to address communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV. This left them ill-equipped to handle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. One cost-effective approach is to integrate the prevention and management of these diseases into existing community health programmes.

    Community health workers currently provide low-cost interventions for health issues such as pneumonia and malaria. They can be trained to address non-communicable diseases as well.

    In some countries, community health workers are already filling the service gap. Getting them more involved in prevention strategies will strengthen primary healthcare services in Africa. This investment will ultimately reduce the long-term financial burden of treating chronic diseases.

    A treatment-over-prevention approach will not be affordable

    Current estimates suggest that by 2030, an additional US$371 billion per year – roughly US$58 per person – will be required to provide basic primary healthcare services across Africa.

    Adding to the challenge is the rising global cost of healthcare, projected to increase by 10.4% this year alone. This marks the third consecutive year of escalating costs. For Africa, costs also come from population growth and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.

    By shifting focus from treatment to prevention, African nations can make healthcare accessible, equitable and financially sustainable despite the decline in foreign aid.

    Francisca Mutapi is affiliated with Uniting to Combat NTDs

    – ref. Africa’s healthcare funding crisis: 3 strategies to manage deadly diseases – https://theconversation.com/africas-healthcare-funding-crisis-3-strategies-to-manage-deadly-diseases-253644

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa’s healthcare funding crisis: 3 strategies to manage deadly diseases

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh

    The increasing trend of reducing foreign aid to Africa is forcing the continent to reassess its approach to healthcare delivery.

    African countries face a major challenge of dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases. But the continent’s health systems don’t have the resources to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.

    Historically, aid has played a critical role in supporting African health systems. It has funded key areas, including medical research, treatment programmes, healthcare infrastructure and workforce salaries. In 2021, half of sub-Saharan Africa’s countries relied on external financing for more than one-third of their health expenditures.

    As aid dwindles, a stark reality emerges: many African governments are unable to achieve universal health coverage or address rising healthcare costs.

    The reduction in aid restricts healthcare services and threatens to reverse decades of health progress on the continent. A fundamental shift in healthcare strategy is necessary to address this crisis.

    The well-known maxim that “prevention is better than cure” holds not just for health outcomes but also for economic efficiency. It’s much more affordable to prevent diseases than it is to treat them.

    As an infectious diseases specialist, I have seen how preventable diseases can put a financial burden on health systems and households.

    For instance, each year, there are global economic losses of over US$33 billion due to neglected tropical diseases. Many conditions, such as lymphatic filariasis, often require lifelong care. This places a heavy burden on families and stretches national healthcare systems to their limits.

    African nations can cut healthcare costs through disease prevention. This often requires fewer specialist health workers and less expensive interventions.

    To navigate financial constraints, African nations must rethink and redesign their healthcare systems.

    Three key areas where cost-effective, preventive strategies can work are: improving water, sanitation, and hygiene; expanding vaccination programmes; and making non-communicable disease prevention part of community health services.

    A shift in healthcare delivery

    Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure

    Many diseases prevalent in Africa are transmitted through contact with contaminated water and soil. Investing in safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure is an opportunity. This alone can prevent a host of illnesses such as parasitic worms and diarrhoeal diseases. It can also improve infection control and strengthen epidemic and pandemic disease control.

    Currently, WASH coverage in Africa remains inadequate. Millions are vulnerable to preventable illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 alone, about 510,000 deaths in Africa could have been prevented with improved water and sanitation. Of these, 377,000 deaths were caused by diarrhoeal diseases.

    Unsafe WASH conditions also contribute to secondary health issues, such as under-nutrition and parasitic infections. Around 14% of acute respiratory infections and 10% of the undernutrition disease burden – such as stunting – are linked to unsafe WASH conditions.

    By investing in functional WASH infrastructure, African governments can significantly reduce the incidence of these diseases. This will lead to lower healthcare costs and improved public health outcomes.

    Local production of relevant vaccines

    Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available for preventing infection. Immunisation efforts save over four million lives every year across the continent.

    There is an urgent need for vaccines against diseases prevalent in Africa whose current control is heavily reliant on aid. Neglected tropical diseases are among them.

    Vaccines can also prevent some non-communicable diseases. A prime example is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which can prevent up to 85% of cervical cancer cases in Africa.

    HPV vaccination is also more cost-effective than treating cervical cancer. In some African countries, the cost per vaccine dose averages just under US$20. Treatment costs can reach up to US$2,500 per patient, as seen in Tanzania.

    It is vital to invest in a comprehensive vaccine ecosystem. This includes strengthening local research and building innovation hubs. Regulatory bodies across the continent must also be harmonised and markets created to attract vaccine investment.

    Integrating disease prevention into community healthcare services

    Historically, African healthcare systems were designed to address communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV. This left them ill-equipped to handle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. One cost-effective approach is to integrate the prevention and management of these diseases into existing community health programmes.

    Community health workers currently provide low-cost interventions for health issues such as pneumonia and malaria. They can be trained to address non-communicable diseases as well.

    In some countries, community health workers are already filling the service gap. Getting them more involved in prevention strategies will strengthen primary healthcare services in Africa. This investment will ultimately reduce the long-term financial burden of treating chronic diseases.

    A treatment-over-prevention approach will not be affordable

    Current estimates suggest that by 2030, an additional US$371 billion per year – roughly US$58 per person – will be required to provide basic primary healthcare services across Africa.

    Adding to the challenge is the rising global cost of healthcare, projected to increase by 10.4% this year alone. This marks the third consecutive year of escalating costs. For Africa, costs also come from population growth and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.

    By shifting focus from treatment to prevention, African nations can make healthcare accessible, equitable and financially sustainable despite the decline in foreign aid.

    – Africa’s healthcare funding crisis: 3 strategies to manage deadly diseases
    – https://theconversation.com/africas-healthcare-funding-crisis-3-strategies-to-manage-deadly-diseases-253644

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Veasey, Doggett, Fletcher Lead Texas Democrats in Letter to CDC Condemning Mass Firings and Vaccine Misinformation Amid Measles Outbreak

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

    Headline: Veasey, Doggett, Fletcher Lead Texas Democrats in Letter to CDC Condemning Mass Firings and Vaccine Misinformation Amid Measles Outbreak

    Lawmakers demand answers following an unprecedented surge in measles cases across Texas and nationwide, including the death of a Texas child, as DOGE cuts and HHS Secretary vaccine misinformation hinder response efforts.

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Marc Veasey, Lloyd Doggett, and Lizzie Fletcher led Texas Democrats in sending  a letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Dr. Susan Monarez expressing deep concern over the surging measles outbreak in Texas and across the country. The lawmakers requested an urgent, detailed report on the CDC’s efforts to contain the outbreak, combat vaccine misinformation, and assess the impact of workforce reductions on outbreak response.

    The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 259 confirmed cases of measles, including 34 hospitalizations and the tragic death of an unvaccinated school-aged child. The outbreak has disproportionately impacted school-aged children. 

    “We write to you with deep concern and grave urgency regarding the unprecedented spread of measles across the United States, with Texas at the epicenter of this alarming crisis.” The Representatives wrote. “We are troubled that anti-vaccine misinformation, cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) workforce, and reductions of public health funding will threaten the country’s ability to respond to the current measles outbreak, and future public health threats.” 

    The lawmakers raised alarm over the dangerous spread of anti-vaccine misinformation, including mixed messaging from Health and Human Services (HHS). Notably, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly downplayed the effectiveness of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, falsely suggesting that “natural immunity” from measles infection is preferable, while promoting alternative treatments such as Vitamin A supplements and cod liver oil.

    “Suggesting that children are better off contracting measles during an unprecedented outbreak is not only dangerous, but instills further distrust in the very safe and effective MMR vaccine amongst Americans,” the letter states.

    The lawmakers also condemned the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for mass firings at the CDC, including the layoff of at least 750 public health workers—many of whom were critical to outbreak response efforts. These cuts, along with a shift away from real-time public health data reporting, have significantly weakened the nation’s ability to contain infectious disease outbreaks.

    “With more than 70% of the CDC’s budget supporting state and local health departments, any cuts will have catastrophic consequences,” the lawmakers warned. “The CDC must have the necessary funding and personnel to protect American communities from infectious disease outbreaks.”

    The letter calls on the CDC to provide a detailed briefing on its plans to contain the outbreak, restore public confidence in vaccination, and describe how cuts have impacted the agency’s ability to fulfill its public health mission.

    “The people of Texas, and the entire country, rely on your agency’s leadership to address this outbreak and ensure that no more children suffer preventable harm,” the lawmakers concluded. “We look forward to your prompt response.”

     The complete text of the letter can be read here: 

    .

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Protect yourself against respiratory illness

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    There are still many Canberrans becoming unwell with influenza, whooping cough and COVID-19.

    In brief

    • Respiratory illnesses are common in winter and leading into spring.
    • Vaccination and talking to your doctor are important steps in keeping well.
    • Staying home when sick and exercising good hygiene are also key to looking after yourself and the community.

    Spring is in sight but there is still plenty of respiratory illness around.

    Throughout winter, many unwell Canberrans have presented to doctors with influenza, whooping cough and COVID-19 symptoms.

    Dr Melanie Dorrington, the ACT Chief GP and Primary Care Advisor, says there has been a high number of influenza cases in the ACT and right across Australia this year.

    She is keen to remove the perception that some of these illnesses are not that serious.

    “It’s important to know that these illnesses are more than just colds”, she said.

    “Influenza and COVID, for example, are both highly contagious viruses that can affect people of all ages. These illnesses can affect everyone differently and people with health conditions and older people are at higher risk of severe illness.

    “There are actions people can take to help keep well while also protecting others in the community”.

    It’s not too late to vaccinate

    Vaccination offers the best protection against serious illness It also helps protect the more vulnerable in the community. This includes babies too young to be vaccinated and others who can’t be vaccinated.

    If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, it’s not too late to do so.

    “It generally takes two weeks following vaccination to be protected,” Dr Mel said.

    “Given that these illnesses still hang around throughout spring, if you haven’t been vaccinated for influenza this year or had a COVID-19 vaccination, if you’re eligible, then now is the time.

    “You should talk to your GP or pharmacist about which vaccines are recommended and funded for you as it can depend on your age, health risks, and other individual circumstances.”

    Simple steps to stay well

    If you’re at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses, it’s important to speak to your healthcare team before you become unwell.

    Things to ask your GP:

    • If I become unwell, what kind of tests should I have?
    • Do I need a PCR pathology request form? If so, how can I get one?
    • Am I eligible to take COVID or influenza antiviral treatments? If so, how can I access them early in my illness?

    There are actions you can take to protect yourself and others.

    “Stay home if you are unwell and don’t send your children to school or daycare if they are sick. Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene and look after your physical and mental health,” Dr Mel said.

    Find more information on how to be well this winter.

    Dr Melanie Dorrington

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: To eradicate polio once and for all, we need a new vaccine – that’s what we’re working on

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lee Sherry, Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow

    Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

    Aside from recent outbreaks of polio in war-torn regions of the world, the deadly virus is close to being eradicated, thanks to vaccines.

    All vaccines work by training our immune systems to recognise a harmless piece of a virus or bacteria so that when the real thing is encountered later, the immune system is prepared to defeat it.

    There are two types of polio vaccine in use. One is the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), and the other the live-attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV).

    The IPV is made by “killing” large quantities of poliovirus with a chemical called formalin, making it unable to replicate. The immune system is then “trained” to recognise the poliovirus – which is thankfully rendered safe by formalin.

    Get your news from actual experts, direct to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. Join The Conversation for free today.

    The OPV vaccine contains a weakened (or “attenuated”) version of the virus. These changes in the virus’s genetic code stop it from causing disease. However, as the OPV vaccine is still capable of replicating, it can revert to a form that can cause disease, with the potential to cause paralysis in unvaccinated people.

    Because of these risks, scientists are now looking for safer ways to create vaccines – methods that don’t require growing large amounts of the live virus in high-security labs, as is done for IPV.

    Our research team has taken an important step towards producing a safer and more affordable polio vaccine. This new vaccine candidate uses virus-like particles (VLPs). These particles mimic the outer protein shell of poliovirus, but are empty inside. This means there is no risk of infection, but the VLP is still recognised by the immune system, which then protects against the disease.

    This vaccine candidate uses technology that’s already being used in hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. Thanks to VLPs, since 2008, there have been no cervical cancer cases in women in Scotland who were fully vaccinated against HPV. Over the past ten years, our research group has worked to apply this successful technology in the fight to eradicate polio.

    Vaccine success

    Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, polio was a major global childhood health concern. However, the development of IPV (licensed in 1955) and of OPV (licensed in 1963), almost eliminated polio-derived paralysis. Due to the success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, introduced in 1988, most cases of paralytic polio are now caused by the vaccine.

    Despite the success of these vaccines, they both have safety concerns that could threaten to compromise eradication of the disease.

    IPV, for instance, is expensive to make because it needs stringent safety measures to prevent the accidental release of live poliovirus and so is mostly used in wealthy countries. OPV is five times cheaper than IPV, and due to its lower cost and ease of use, it is used almost exclusively in developing countries.

    OPV has been instrumental in the near eradication of “wild polioviruses” (the naturally occurring form) around the world. But in areas where vaccination rates are low and enough people are susceptible to infection, the weakened virus (OPV) can replicate.

    Unfortunately, each round of replication increases the potential for the virus to revert to a form of polio that causes illness and paralysis. This is already evident in new vaccine-derived outbreaks across several countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which now accounts for most paralytic polio cases worldwide. So, once all remaining strains of wild poliovirus have been successfully eradicated, OPV use will have to stop.

    Safer vaccine

    The next generation of polio vaccinations is likely to be produced in yeast or insect cells. Our research shows that VLPs produced in both yeast and insect cells can perform equally or better than the current IPV.

    These non-infectious VLPs are also easier to produce than IPVs. They would not need to be handled under such stringent laboratory conditions as IPVs, and they are more temperature stable, thanks to genetic alteration of the outer shell. The new vaccines, then, will be less expensive to produce than IPVs, helping to improve fair and equal access to vaccination – ensuring that once polio is eradicated, it will stay eradicated.

    As we move closer to wiping out polio worldwide, these next-generation vaccines could be the final tool we need – safe, affordable and accessible to all.

    Lee Sherry worked as a post-doc on a WHO-funded research grant for the production of poliovirus virus-like particles

    Nicola Stonehouse is a member of the WHO VLP vaccine Consortium and receives funding from The World Health Organisation – Generation of virus-free polio vaccine.

    – ref. To eradicate polio once and for all, we need a new vaccine – that’s what we’re working on – https://theconversation.com/to-eradicate-polio-once-and-for-all-we-need-a-new-vaccine-thats-what-were-working-on-252086

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Measles outbreaks in US and Canada show that MMR vaccines are needed more than ever – an expert in children’s health explains

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Helen Bedford, Professor of Children’s Health, UCL

    Heather Hazzan, SELF Magazine

    Measles is one of the most challenging diseases to control. It requires a sustained uptake of well over 90% of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine such as MMR. But since the COVID pandemic, there has been a decline in uptake of routine vaccines in many countries including the US, Canada and Europe, resulting in outbreaks of the disease.

    For instance, despite eliminating measles in 2000, the US experienced an outbreak in April 2025. In Texas, the centre of this outbreak, 57 people were hospitalised and two unvaccinated school-aged children died.

    Canada has also exerienced its largest measles outbreak in 14 years, while last year, England experienced an outbreak of almost 3,000 confirmed cases and one death.

    Before the measles vaccine was introduced in the UK in 1968, virtually every child caught the highly infectious disease and hundreds of thousands of cases were reported each year. In a peak year, there were over 100 measles-related deaths.

    Twenty years after the introduction of a measles-only-vaccine, it was replaced with the combination vaccine MMR which also gives protection against mumps and rubella. The aim of this vaccine is to eliminate all three infections. There has been varying success in achieving this aim.

    Rubella – also known as German measles – is a very mild infection, but can be devastating if caught in the early stages of pregnancy. Fortunately, it is now a rare condition in the UK thanks to MMR.

    In rare cases, mumps can cause complications such as meningitis and hearing loss – but it too is now much less common than pre-MMR vaccine.

    Measles can be fatal and is highly contagious, so it’s much more difficult to control than most other infections. It has a high rate of complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain.

    One vaccine dose gives about 95% protection against infection. But, because measles is so contagious, 95% uptake of two doses is needed to prevent outbreaks. Achieving such high uptake in all communities – and importantly, sustaining this high uptake once reached – is challenging.

    Vaccine hesitancy

    In 1998, research published in the medical journal The Lancet implied a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. This received intense media coverage and, not surprisingly, many parents decided not to have their children vaccinated.

    The research was subsequently discredited and the study formally retracted by The Lancet in 2010. Since then, many studies have found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, but for some parents, these fears persist.

    Currently in England, vaccine uptake rates are too low. Only 89% of two-year-old children have had their first dose of MMR vaccine, and 83.9% have had two doses by the age of five. This means large numbers of unvaccinated children: more than 10% of children in each year group remain unprotected.

    Vaccine uptake varies widely around the country. In some parts of London, as many as half the children starting school at five years of age have not had the two doses of vaccine needed for best protection.

    Not only are current vaccine uptakes too low to prevent outbreaks of measles, but many years of less-than-optimal vaccine uptake – including among young adults who weren’t vaccinated as infants because of the autism scare – has resulted in a large number of unprotected people. The impact of COVID also resulted in many young children missing their vaccines.

    Many factors affect whether people are vaccinated or not, including how, where and when vaccination services are provided, as well as behavioural and social factors. For example, vaccine hesitancy, defined by the World Health Organization as a “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite availability of vaccination services”, is frequently blamed for people not getting vaccinated. Research suggests that vaccine hesitancy has increased since the COVID pandemic – even for vaccines such as MMR that have led to the near-eradication of some infectious diseases.

    In England, surveys are conducted regularly to investigate the views of parents of young children regarding vaccination. The most recent survey, conducted in 2023, showed that 84% of parents reported they considered vaccines to be safe – a [reduction from the previous year].

    These findings are reflected in other studies. Since COVID, some parents have reported that the pandemic has affected their views, either making them keener to have their children vaccinated or increasing their concerns about vaccination.

    Given the intense scrutiny and widespread discussion about vaccination that took place during the pandemic, this is not surprising. Unfortunately, due to pressures on general practice and other health services – resulting in a 40% reduction in the number of health visitors in England since 2015 – these trusted sources of advice about vaccination have become less easily available. In this context, people may turn to other sources of less reliable information, such as social media.



    Read more:
    Health misinformation is rampant on social media – here’s what it does, why it spreads and what people can do about it

    Although there is no robust evidence to show that health misinformation would stop a parent who was going to have their child vaccinated from doing so, it can be influential for people with existing concerns.

    Accessing services

    A large study using vaccination records of over ¾ million children born between 2000 and 2020 found that children born in the UK’s most deprived areas were less likely to receive the MMR vaccine. Parents also report having difficulty making or attending appointments as a barrier to vaccination.

    Addressing these obstacles requires a multi-pronged approach, ensuring parents are sent vaccination reminders and are able to attend appointments at suitable times and locations. This may mean holding vaccination clinics at places other than the general practice and at weekends and evenings.

    Work should be done with local communities to establish what works best for them to improve access to immunisation. Opportunistic immunisation is also important: when attending health services for another reason, unvaccinated children could be offered vaccines on the spot.

    Urgent action is needed to improve vaccine uptake – and it requires sustained commitment and increased funding.

    Helen Bedford receives funding from National Institute for Health and Care Research.

    – ref. Measles outbreaks in US and Canada show that MMR vaccines are needed more than ever – an expert in children’s health explains – https://theconversation.com/measles-outbreaks-in-us-and-canada-show-that-mmr-vaccines-are-needed-more-than-ever-an-expert-in-childrens-health-explains-221651

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Stronger Immunization Policies Needed as Vaccine Confidence Falls Singapore | 10 April 2025 Issued by the APEC Health Working Group A new APEC report raises concerns over declining vaccine confidence and uptake across the region, increasing the risk of preventable disease outbreaks and underscoring the urgent need for stronger immunization policies and cross-border collaboration.

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    A new APEC report raises concerns over declining vaccine confidence and uptake across the region, increasing the risk of preventable disease outbreaks and underscoring the urgent need for stronger immunization policies and cross-border collaboration.

    Findings from the updated APEC Regional Dashboard on Vaccination Across the Life-Course reveal gaps in vaccine access, financing and data collection, with only eight economies meeting the 95 percent measles herd immunity threshold in 2023—a 27 percent drop from 2022. The dashboard also highlights a decline in vaccine confidence, with adults in at least 16 APEC economies increasingly questioning the safety, effectiveness and importance of vaccines.

    “Strengthening life-course immunization is critical to building resilient healthcare systems and ensuring economic sustainability across APEC economies,” said Dr Victor Yosef Melt Campos, Chair of the APEC Health Working Group.

    “A well-vaccinated population is not only healthier but also more productive, contributing to stronger communities and a more robust workforce,” Dr Campos added. “Investing in immunization helps economies safeguard public health, enhance social well-being, and create a foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity.”

    Developed by the APEC Vaccines Task Force under the Health Working Group, the dashboard tracks progress on the APEC Action Plan on Vaccination Across the Life-Course, a regional strategy that supports member economies in expanding vaccine access, strengthening immunization programs and preparing for future health challenges.

    The dashboard highlights the need to expand immunization programs beyond childhood to include adolescents, adults and at-risk groups. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the importance of scalable, adaptable strategies to strengthen vaccine uptake across different population segments.

    Gaps in data collection and assessment remain a critical challenge, according to the dashboard. Only one-third of APEC economies currently track the indirect benefits of vaccination, despite growing evidence that adult vaccines can return up to 19 times their initial investment.

    Additionally, just over half of APEC economies have a comprehensive framework to assess both the economic and social benefits of immunization. Strengthening evidence-based policymaking and ensuring that vaccine investments align with broader economic and public health goals will be key to improving immunization outcomes across the region.

    The dashboard also underscores the importance financial sustainability for immunization programs. The dashboard highlights best practices, including free vaccines for older adults, multi-year procurement contracts and tax levies to support vaccine programs.

    Pandemic preparedness remains a key priority. While 90 percent of APEC economies have established preparedness strategies, fewer have introduced catch-up vaccination plans to address routine immunization disruptions. Strengthening surveillance systems, harmonizing regulatory frameworks and ensuring rapid vaccine deployment in response to outbreaks will be essential to mitigating future health crises​

    With 2025 marking the halfway point for both the APEC Action Plan on Vaccination Across the Life-Course and the WHO Immunization Agenda 2030, the dashboard urges member economies to accelerate efforts to strengthen immunization systems. Sustainable and adaptable policies will be essential to ensuring resilient vaccination programs amid evolving public health challenges.

    The APEC Vaccines Task Force remains committed to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing to support economies in enhancing immunization coverage. For more information, visit this page or contact [email protected].

    For further details and media inquiries, please contact:
    [email protected] 

    MIL OSI Global Banks –