Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
US Rejects UN Pledge For International Collaboration In Future Pandemics
The New York Times: U.S. Rejects U.N. Declaration On Preparing For Future Pandemics
The United States on Friday rejected a declaration by member countries of the United Nations that pledged international collaboration and solidarity in preparing for and responding to pandemics. The European Union also expressed strong objections to parts of the statement. The declaration, the product of a high-level U.N. meeting on pandemic preparedness, is largely ceremonial. It is not legally binding, and does not set rules for what countries should do during pandemics. But its universal endorsement would have signaled a powerful expression of global political commitment to the issue. (Mandavilli, 9/25)
In related news about pandemics —
The Wall Street Journal: This Startup Is Using AI To Fight Off A Future AI Pandemic
In a wine bar near OpenAI’s office in San Francisco, biotech entrepreneurs Hannu Rajaniemi and Nikolai Eroshenko were worried—and excited. Fast advances in artificial intelligence were threatening to make it possible for terrorists or rogue states to develop deadly new bioweapons. The pair brainstormed an idea they would later pitch to OpenAI: using AI to design remedies against AI-enabled bioweapons, and cure other scourges along the way, too. (Wells, 9/27)
On the spread of flu, Ebola, and measles —
CIDRAP: WHO Selects Viruses For 2027 Southern Hemisphere Flu Shots
The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the composition of flu shots for the 2027 influenza season in the southern hemisphere. The composition of the vaccines is decided by a group of experts the WHO convenes twice a year in February and September. At these meetings, the group reviews data on circulating flu viruses generated through the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and makes recommendations for upcoming flu seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres. (Dall, 9/25)
CIDRAP: Ebola Cases, Deaths In DR Congo Outbreak Near 7,900 And 3,800 As Virus Spreads To 2 More Health Zones
As the Ebola virus spreads to two new health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and cases and deaths mount, G20+ leaders have pledged $2.9 billion to help fight the outbreak. Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the Bundibugyo Ebola virus has infiltrated two more health zones, Bulu in Sud Ubangi and Dunghu in Haut Uele province, raising the total number of affected health zones to 63 in seven provinces. (Van Beusekom, 9/25)
CIDRAP: US Measles Cases Continue To Climb, Topping 3,600
The US measles count has climbed to 3,659 confirmed cases, with 171 new cases added this week, according to today’s update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of the 3,659 confirmed cases, 18% are in children age 5 and under, 43% in children and teens aged 5 to 19, and 38% are in adults 20 and older. Nine percent of case-patients have been hospitalized. Ninety-five percent of case-patients are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. (Dall, 9/25)
Chicago Tribune: Measles Outbreak In Illinois Grows To 16 Cases
An outbreak of measles in east central Illinois has grown to 16 confirmed cases, state officials said Friday. The cases – in Douglas and Moultrie counties – have been among people who are not vaccinated against measles or whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. (Schencker, 9/25)
On food safety —
KFF Health News: Food Safety Finds A Place Among ‘Kitchen-Table’ Political Issues
The run-up to the midterm elections is turning into a food fight — literally. The summer was marred by a massive foodborne outbreak that sickened scores of people and the recall of tens of thousands of pounds of imported meat, turning the safety of the U.S. food supply into a topic of national conversation and a political cause. (Armour, 9/28)
