Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

HIV/Aids five times more prevalent in American prisons than in general population: Study

HIV/Aids is up to five times more prevalent in American prisons than in the general population. Adherence to treatment programs can be strictly monitored in prison. However, once prisoners are released, medical monitoring becomes problematic.

1 Oct 2009

Swine flu vaccine distribution plan for Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today discussed the state's distribution plans for the new pandemic H1N1 vaccine.

1 Oct 2009

Vertex Pharmaceuticals to receive $155 million in cash from two financial transactions

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced that it will receive $155 million in cash from two financial transactions. In the first transaction, Vertex will receive approximately $120 million in cash for the issuance of notes repayable no later than October 31, 2012 in the total amount of $155 million.

1 Oct 2009

Injectible H1N1 vaccine ships ahead of schedule in U.S.

The first H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine shots available in the U.S. were shipped ahead of schedule after the pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis finished production nearly two weeks early, the chief executive of the company said Tuesday, the New York Times reports.

1 Oct 2009

New technique developed to kill swine flu in any indoor environment

The swine flu has started to spread across the US and there is one company ready to stop it in its tracks. Premier Ozone of Charlotte, NC has developed a proprietary system to kill swine flu in any indoor environment and eliminate bacteria and mold in the process. The specialized system uses no chemicals and has been proven to kill over 99.99% of all surface and airborne viruses and bacteria. The process has no adverse effects on buildings or furniture and is not dangerous to the public.

1 Oct 2009

Update from BioCryst Pharmaceuticals regarding intravenous peramivir

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has delivered a written response to the request for proposal (RFP) announced on September 21, 2009 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) for the supply of intravenous (i.v) peramivir for the treatment of critically ill influenza patients under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). BioCryst management intends to provide an update once the RFP process has reached a conclusion.

1 Oct 2009

NERAC launches public information campaign to prevent H1N1

As millions of Massachusetts children and teenagers returned to school this month, at the start of a serious flu season, the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (NERAC) has an important health message: "It's Up to You to Stop the Flu."

30 Sep 2009

The Replikin Count of H1N1 virus’s infectivity gene shows continued elevation

The latest H1N1 genomic data shows a 50% drop in the Replikin CountTM of the virus’s replikins lethality gene since its recorded highs in April 2009. In contrast, the Replikin Count of the virus’s infectivity gene showed a continued elevation.

30 Sep 2009

Aphios awarded NIH grant to develop pathogen inactivation technology for blood products

Aphios Corporation today announced that it has been awarded a RC-1 Challenge grant (No. 1RC1HL102822-01) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Health’s (NIH) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to develop a generally-applicable pathogen inactivation technology for blood products.

30 Sep 2009

ANXeBusiness highlights the importance of disaster plan readiness during H1N1

ANXeBusiness Corp., a leading provider of networking and security managed services, today issued advice for IT organizations on the importance of disaster plan readiness, proper employee education and preparation for organizations to maintain business continuity during the H1N1 influenza pandemic.

30 Sep 2009

Disaster preparedness program on UCTV

Earthquakes, fires, floods, pandemics. The public relies on health professionals, emergency responders and trained volunteers to react appropriately to a range of disasters, big or small. But does everyone understand the systems that are in place to respond to these dreaded events?

30 Sep 2009

Presentations on seasonal influenza and H1N1 viruses

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar hosted a detailed talk about a virus that's causing concern around the world. The recent cause of an interruption in local school openings, H1N1 information was presented in timely fashion by Dr. Abdullatif Al-Khal, head of the communicable disease unit at Hamad Medical Corporation, and Dr. Ravinder Mamtani, Professor of Public Health at WCMC-Q.

30 Sep 2009

VeriChip and Optimus sign definitive agreement

VeriChip Corporation ("VeriChip" or the "Company") today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement for a $10,000,000 investment commitment with Optimus Technology Capital Partners, LLC, or Optimus.

30 Sep 2009

Study reveals that most Americans will refuse FDA authorized emergency use H1N1 flu vaccine

A majority of Americans would not take an H1N1 flu vaccine or drug additive authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration, according to a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and University of Georgia study. The study, available online today in Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, found that fewer than 10 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to take such a vaccine or drug and nearly 30 percent remained undecided.

30 Sep 2009

Also in Global Health news: News outlets explore AIDS vaccine research; chloroquine resistance unraveled; authorities contest maternal mortality report

The Associated Press examines the role of the Thai participants in the recent clinical trial of an experimental HIV vaccine which showed modest potential for preventing infection. "Nearly 16,000 Thais ignored the false rumors that they were being infected by the AIDS virus, and overcame their fears of becoming social outcasts to participate in trials of the first vaccine found to prevent infection with the deadly virus," the news service writes (Ahuja/Casey, 9/27).

29 Sep 2009

Fourth annual Food Safety Symposium to be sponsored by Ecolab

Ecolab Inc. continued its commitment to proactively help improve global food safety by co-sponsoring the fourth annual Nation's Restaurant News' Food Safety Symposium.

29 Sep 2009

Hygafem's hand sanitizing program launched at Morehouse College

Hygafem, Inc., the Georgia-based premier provider of touch-free workplace wellness technologies and services, has successfully launched its hand sanitizing program at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Hygafem’s touch-free hand sanitizing program decreases the risk of spreading disease, ensures safe and healthy facilities, and boosts satisfaction for students and employees at Morehouse College.

29 Sep 2009

New measles vaccination methods to reduce costs and improve safety

Worldwide, there are estimated to be 10 million cases of measles and 197,000 deaths from the disease each year. While vaccines exist to protect children against measles, the vaccines are often difficult to store, costly to transport and may be prone to contamination when shipped to developing countries.

29 Sep 2009

Flu shots available at Concentra Urgent Care locations

The flu season is in full swing, and health officials predict this year’s outbreak of seasonal influenza to be stronger than usual. To help protect against this highly contagious illness, Concentra is offering seasonal flu vaccines at more than 300 medical centers across the country.

29 Sep 2009

Additional countries to join in donating H1N1 vaccines to developing countries, U.N official says

Additional countries are expected to soon announce they will follow in the footsteps of nine developed countries who recently said they would donate H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine supplies to poorer nations, David Nabarro, of the U.N. said Friday, Reuters reports.

29 Sep 2009