SK bioscience’s Post

On the occasion of the #InternationalDay of Epidemic Preparedness, I call on all to build and maintain global solidarity and trust to safeguard every person’s right to health notwithstanding epidemics. It is high time to act on our leaders’ commitments from the first-ever United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, adopted in September 2023.    Recognizing that pandemics have a disproportionate impact on developing countries, we must make collective efforts and work across sectors to strengthen their capacity in order to achieve peace, prosperity and sustainable development, while leaving no one behind.   We must also further enhance the political momentum and commitment shown at the United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September 2023 to support the on-going discussions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body and the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) in the World Health Organization.” ◾ International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, 27 December https://lnkd.in/eQxsgNSh

The Doherty Institute’s submission to the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry summarises key areas of our involvement and, based on this extensive experience, highlights lessons learnt and aspects of pandemic response which require further focus. We welcome the opportunity to assess and enhance our pandemic preparedness strategies in the region, as we also prepare for the establishment of the Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID). A collaboration with foundation partners the University of Melbourne and the Burnet Institute, the AIID will house the largest concentration of scientists and public health professionals in the Southern Hemisphere. #pandemic #preparedness #covid

East African Community Takes Urgent Action Against Mpox Outbreak In response to the recent outbreak of Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) reported in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has issued a call to action for its Partner States. This directive emphasizes the need for public education on preventive measures to combat the spread of this viral disease, underscoring the EAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health across the region. Current Situation and Impact The World Health Organization (WHO) has flagged Burundi and the DRC as key areas of concern due to the resurgence of Mpox cases. Burundi has reported three confirmed […] #EAC #MpoxOutbreak >>> Read more

The escalating outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo and several other African countries is deeply concerning. The tragic human impact of the outbreak, with hundreds of lives already lost—mostly children—is an urgent signal that coordination, cooperation, and decisive action are needed to address this continental and global health crisis as quickly and equitably as possible. An effective global response must prioritize the needs of the communities hit hardest by this outbreak; this means ensuring rapid and equitable access to lifesaving tools in the countries where the burden of disease and the risk of new outbreaks are highest.   It is heartening to see many regional and global institutions ramp up their support in response to the public health emergency declarations by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is supporting the African researchers leading the response and the work they’re doing to leverage existing disease surveillance and early warning systems to inform national and regional public health decision-making. Guided by the continued leadership of mpox-affected country governments, organizations like the Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) are taking action to increase access to the vaccines needed to save lives now.  As the global effort to get this outbreak under control moves forward, our foundation will continue to support the critical work of our partners around the world and call on governments and organizations—from every sector—to support an equitable and effective response.

The recent resurgence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in North Macedonia, documented by a team comprising experts from the Balkans, underscores the regional expertise and collaborative efforts in combating infectious diseases. The team, comprising individuals from various institutions in the Balkans, including universities, clinics, and research centers, demonstrates the collective commitment to addressing public health challenges in the region. This collaborative effort, facilitated by the Balkan Association for Vector-Borne Diseases, highlights the importance of regional cooperation in surveillance, prevention, and control of emerging infectious diseases. As the region grapples with the resurgence of CCHF, the expertise and dedication of these individuals pave the way for effective response strategies and international collaboration in safeguarding public health. https://lnkd.in/dqsBWYMA

More R&D into already known emerging disease threats, from Mpox to Lassa fever, would go a long way to bolster developing countries’ preparedness as well as protect the world. In this article, Health Policy Watch highlights the key takeaways from a recent seminar on “How Can Global Action Really Meet Local Needs in Emerging Outbreaks". This event was co-sponsored by PANTHER and the Geneva Global Health Centre  #PandemicPreparedness #Research

🌍 As summer and the rainy season are upon us, the importance of good health in combating tropical diseases has never been more evident. 🌍 At Houston Shoulder to Shoulder Foundation, we are deeply committed to providing vital healthcare services and resources to help communities face these challenges head-on. Dengue fever, a debilitating mosquito-borne illness, poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in regions with limited access to medical care. 🩺 Ensuring good health and robust healthcare infrastructure is crucial in fighting diseases like dengue. Through our clinic in Honduras, we strive to offer essential medical services, education on disease prevention, and support to those affected. 💡 As the season progresses, our work becomes even more critical. We need to come together, strengthen our efforts, and provide the necessary tools and care to protect and improve the health of vulnerable populations. 🙏 We thank our supporters for their unwavering dedication and invite everyone to join us in our mission to combat tropical diseases and promote health equity. Together, we can make a lasting impact and safeguard the health of communities in need. #HealthcareForAll #EmpoweringCommunities #TropicalDiseasePrevention #SustainableSolutions #ShoulderToShoulder

One fine morning Claire Hastie, a single mother to 3 boys woke up finding it hard to breathe, she knew something was wrong. The 47-year-old British copywriter had been suffering from an inflamed throat for a few days, but as her breathlessness worsened and she developed further symptoms, unlike any she had experienced before, she knew it must be COVID-19. This was just the beginning of an illness that she needed to cope with in the long run. It was not only her but the story of millions who got affected by the deadly virus, there have been 700,502,061 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,961,204 deaths, reported to WHO so far till today. COVID-19 will not be the last epidemic or pandemic humanity faces. As a global community, there is a dire need to learn the lessons of COVID-19 and put wholesome effort into pandemic preparedness, prevention and response. This year, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) participated in the United Nations' High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response on September 20, 2023. The overarching theme,"𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫: 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞," underscored the global imperative to fortify our defences against infectious threats. To read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dnidWgKU 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 2024 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑵𝒆𝒘, 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑬𝒙𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝑾𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒀𝒐𝒖! Come join us for an insightful Conference on the 6th of February 2024 at The National Conference Centre, Birmingham. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ernVMxVh #EpidemicPreparedness #EpidemicResponse #WorldEpidemicDay #WHO #UKHSA #NHS #Publichealth #covid19pandemic #IPC24 #infectionprevention #DAS24 #communityhealth #unitednations

🌍 Mpox Declared a Global Emergency: Are We Prepared?   The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared mpox a global emergency following an alarming outbreak of a new strain in Africa. With over 17,000 cases and 571 deaths reported this year, the spread of mpox—particularly the Clade 1b variant—poses a significant threat not only to the African continent but to the entire world.   Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, primarily spreads through close contact, and its symptoms can range from skin lesions to severe respiratory and neurological complications. The latest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has highlighted the urgent need for enhanced testing, rapid diagnosis, and international cooperation to contain this virus.   At Katalyst Laboratories, we are committed to equipping laboratories with the necessary tools to combat this escalating health crisis. We offer comprehensive diagnostic solutions which includes:   🔬 PCR Tests: Versatile PCR-based testing solutions for accurate detection of the Mpox virus, enabling swift and reliable identification of cases. 🧪 PCR Machines: High-precision instruments that ensure fast and accurate results, empowering laboratories to respond effectively to outbreaks.   In these critical times, it's essential to stay ahead of the curve. Let's ensure our laboratories are fully prepared to detect and manage mpox, safeguarding public health on a global scale. For more on this visit: https://lnkd.in/dpJ_b23X"   #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #Mpox #Diagnostics #PCRTesting #KatalystLaboratories

COURSE ALERT #epidemic #intelligence You want to widen your knowledge, skills and attitudes on the fundamental principles of the epidemic intelligence (EI) and strengthen your competencies on EI, understanding the added value of EI in their national context. This free course is for you.