France Prioritizes Pathogen Monitoring in Wastewater for Upcoming Olympic Games
In preparation for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, experts from France’s national public health agency have developed a model framework for wastewater surveillance (WWS) to monitor key pathogens. With an anticipated 16 million visitors, the focus is on pathogens like polio and influenza, ensuring public health safety through innovative monitoring strategies. This proactive approach aims to detect potential outbreaks early, safeguarding the health of attendees and local residents during this major global event.
Mapping Pathogen Spread Through Human Travel Patterns
Learn how researchers are tracking the spread and evolution of superbugs by combining genomic data with human travel patterns. Insights from the study could help predict and prevent future outbreaks, especially for pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae. Discover how initial reductions in antibiotic resistance linked to vaccines may be temporary, and how non-targeted strains resistant to antibiotics gain a competitive advantage.
Mycoviruses Enhance Fungicide Effectiveness Against Plant Pathogens, Study Finds
Discover how scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University found that mycoviruses can enhance fungicide effectiveness against plant pathogens like Globisporangium ultimum. Learn how this breakthrough could revolutionize disease control in agriculture and reduce the need for chemical treatments.
WHO Introduces New Guidance on Airborne Disease Transmission
Learn how MIT researcher Lydia Bourouiba’s work influenced the World Health Organization’s new guidance on airborne disease transmission. Her expertise in fluid dynamics and disease transmission has reshaped terminology and understanding of how respiratory pathogens spread, leading to more effective strategies for mitigating transmission.
Florida Dolphin Infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu
University of Florida researchers discover a Florida dolphin infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV), marking one of the first instances of mammals being affected by this virus. The case unfolded in Dixie County, Florida, with subsequent examinations confirming the presence of HPAIV. Further investigations reveal the virus subtype and highlight the importance of continued research in understanding its origin and transmission.
Influenza Identified as Most Likely Cause of Next Global Pandemic, Survey Shows
An international survey of 187 senior disease experts reveals that the next global pandemic is most likely to be caused by a strain of the flu virus. The study highlights the constant evolution and mutation of influenza as the basis for concern, with 57% of experts identifying it as the greatest threat to global health. Other potential causes include a hypothetical virus known as Disease X and Sars-CoV-2, responsible for Covid-19, but influenza remains the primary concern among the global scientific community.
WHO to Launch Global Technical Consultation Report on Pathogens Transmitting Through the Air
The World Health Organization (WHO) is launching a global technical consultation report on proposed terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air. The webinar aims to establish a unified language for describing the transmission of air-borne pathogens that can lead to human infection. Experts from various disciplines and major public health agencies will participate in outlining the updated terminology and addressing technical questions. Registration is open for this important event led by the WHO Chief Scientist.
Webinar on Bacteriophages and AMR One Health Perspective
Learn about the upcoming webinar on the broader use of bacteriophages from an AMR One Health perspective, featuring distinguished speakers and focusing on opportunities and challenges associated with the application of bacteriophages for human health. Register now to gain insights into this crucial topic.
New Research Project Targets ECF-T Transport Protein to Starve Resistant Bacteria
New research project aims to develop novel active substances to combat antimicrobial resistance. Prof. Anna Hirsch and her team at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland have identified a potential target structure, the transport protein ECF-T, which could be disrupted by new drugs to starve resistant bacteria. This approach could lead to the development of effective antibiotics that address previously unused target structures in pathogens.
Study Finds Listeria monocytogenes Bacteria Persist in Ready-to-Eat Food Production Environments
A recent study by scientists from the Quadram Institute and the UK Health Security Agency found that Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can persist in ready-to-eat food production environments despite cleaning. The researchers discovered stable bacterial populations coexisting with L. monocytogenes, suggesting the need for new strategies to alter entire bacterial populations for complete pathogen elimination. The study’s lead scientist, Dr. María Díaz, emphasized the importance of cleaning in reducing bacterial load and mitigating cross-contamination, while also noting significant differences in bacterial populations in areas of the facility kept at different temperatures.