An Army lab that has been researching Ebola for an eventual vaccine has been shut down for safety violations. (USAMRIID)
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The CDC shut down an Army lab that’s working on an Ebola vaccine
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/08/08/the-cdc-shut-down-an-army-lab-thats-working-on-an-ebola-vaccine/
August 8, 2019
An Army lab that houses Ebola virus and other infectious diseases
has been shutdown due to violations found in June by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, a CDC spokeswoman confirmed to Army
Times on Thursday.
But officials say there were no associated health risks.
The U.S. Army Medical Research of Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick,
Maryland, is at a standstill until the violations are fixed and it is
re-instated with the Federal Select Agents Program, which allowed it to
handle dangerous biological specimens.
“CDC can confirm FSAP has suspended USAMRIID’s registration with the
Federal Select Agent Program until USAMRIID corrects deficiencies that
have been identified by FSAP,” Sharon Hopkins said.
Hoskins did not provide further details of the lab’s compliance issues.
The lab’s suspension began July 18, according to a USAMRIID spokeswoman.
The issues stemmed from a May 2018 incident in which Fort Detrick’s
steam sterilization plant, which handles biowaste, failed. After that,
the lab transitioned to a chemical system to treat wastewater.
“The new system necessitated numerous changes in laboratory
infrastructure, procedures, and work practices that substantially
increased the complexity of operating in containment laboratories,”
Caree Vander Linden told Army Times. “Mechanical issues and human error
were among the issues cited by CDC in issuing the suspension.”
According to their website, they also investigate outbreaks and other
public health risks, with an eye toward prevention policy and
treatments, if possible.
USAMRIID has been working on an Ebola vaccine, and in March announced
that the Food and Drug Administration had agreed to let it infect rhesus
macaque monkeys with active virus in order to test the developing cure.
That research is now on hold, until USAMRIID is back in CDC compliance.
“Operations
will resume when the Institute meets or exceeds all requirements
identified by the CDC and the U.S. Army,” Vander Linden said. “At this
time, there is no target date for resuming full operations.”
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released
data from the second week of the 2020 influenza season. The FluView report,
which includes data for the week ending January 11, 2020, indicates
that influenza activity remains high, but severity is not considered
high at this point in the season.
Flu Cases Near 30 Million in the US, CDC Reports
FEBRUARY 28, 2020
Michaela Fleming
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated 29
million influenza (flu) cases have reached the US in the 2019-2020
season.
Though activity remains reportedly high, the CDC indicated overall flu activity has decreased slightly week-over-week.
Overall, visits to clinicians for influenza-like-illness decreased from 6.7% last week to 6.1% this week. However, all US regions remain above baseline in reporting outpatient influenza-like-illness occurrence.
According to the latest FluView data, there have been 280,000 hospitalizations for influenza recorded as of February 15, 2020. This figure is consistent with hospitalization rates at this point in time during recent seasons; however, hospitalization rates among children and young adults are considered higher than in recent seasons.
The CDC also indicates that mortality related to pneumonia and influenza has been low during this respiratory virus season. So far, there have been 16,000 flu-related deaths documented during the US influenza season. Of these, there have been 105 influenza-associated deaths among children.
Earlier this season, Contagion® reported that influenza B/Victoria was the predominant strain in the US this season. At this point in time, there has been a decrease in the percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza B, although the percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza B is on the rise.
Nationally, influenza B viruses are being reported more commonly among children and young adults. Among young children aged 0-4, 53% of reported cases have been B viruses and among the 5- to 24-year-old population 68% of reported cases have been B viruses. On the other hand, A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses are the most commonly reported influenza viruses are the most commonly reported viruses among the 25- to 64-year-old population (57% of reported viruses) and 65+ population (64% of reported viruses).
The CDC continues to remind the public that antiviral medications are important to control the spread of seasonal flu. Thus far >99% of influenza viruses tested this season are susceptible to the 4 antiviral medications that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and that are recommended for use in the United States this season.
Last week, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report featured interim estimates of the effectiveness of 2019-20 flu shot. The report estimates that so far this season the vaccine is 45% effective overall and is 55% effective in children.
Although the authors of the report acknowledged that more effective vaccines are needed, they also noted that the currently available vaccines are providing substantial health benefits.
“It's important to know that this COVID-19 emergence is also occurring simultaneous to our regular seasonal influenza,” Christina Tan, MD, MPH, state epidemiologist, assistant commissioner, New Jersey Department of Health, told Contagion®. “What we're seeing in New Jersey, as well as elsewhere throughout the country, is peak activity of influenza right now. January, February is typically around the time that we see peak activity.”
So how can we fight flu in the wake of COVID-19’s emergence? Tan said that it’s important to take common-sense steps to prevent all respiratory viruses.
“This is an opportunity to remind everybody to be mindful that you know, if you haven't gotten your flu vaccine yet, get vaccinated for flu. Take those easy steps. Cover your coughs and sneezes, make sure you wash your hands all the time. Stay home when you're sick. Those types of precautions are helpful not only for seasonal flu, but also for whatever it might be emerging.”
Though activity remains reportedly high, the CDC indicated overall flu activity has decreased slightly week-over-week.
Overall, visits to clinicians for influenza-like-illness decreased from 6.7% last week to 6.1% this week. However, all US regions remain above baseline in reporting outpatient influenza-like-illness occurrence.
According to the latest FluView data, there have been 280,000 hospitalizations for influenza recorded as of February 15, 2020. This figure is consistent with hospitalization rates at this point in time during recent seasons; however, hospitalization rates among children and young adults are considered higher than in recent seasons.
The CDC also indicates that mortality related to pneumonia and influenza has been low during this respiratory virus season. So far, there have been 16,000 flu-related deaths documented during the US influenza season. Of these, there have been 105 influenza-associated deaths among children.
Earlier this season, Contagion® reported that influenza B/Victoria was the predominant strain in the US this season. At this point in time, there has been a decrease in the percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza B, although the percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza B is on the rise.
Nationally, influenza B viruses are being reported more commonly among children and young adults. Among young children aged 0-4, 53% of reported cases have been B viruses and among the 5- to 24-year-old population 68% of reported cases have been B viruses. On the other hand, A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses are the most commonly reported influenza viruses are the most commonly reported viruses among the 25- to 64-year-old population (57% of reported viruses) and 65+ population (64% of reported viruses).
The CDC continues to remind the public that antiviral medications are important to control the spread of seasonal flu. Thus far >99% of influenza viruses tested this season are susceptible to the 4 antiviral medications that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and that are recommended for use in the United States this season.
Last week, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report featured interim estimates of the effectiveness of 2019-20 flu shot. The report estimates that so far this season the vaccine is 45% effective overall and is 55% effective in children.
Although the authors of the report acknowledged that more effective vaccines are needed, they also noted that the currently available vaccines are providing substantial health benefits.
“It's important to know that this COVID-19 emergence is also occurring simultaneous to our regular seasonal influenza,” Christina Tan, MD, MPH, state epidemiologist, assistant commissioner, New Jersey Department of Health, told Contagion®. “What we're seeing in New Jersey, as well as elsewhere throughout the country, is peak activity of influenza right now. January, February is typically around the time that we see peak activity.”
So how can we fight flu in the wake of COVID-19’s emergence? Tan said that it’s important to take common-sense steps to prevent all respiratory viruses.
“This is an opportunity to remind everybody to be mindful that you know, if you haven't gotten your flu vaccine yet, get vaccinated for flu. Take those easy steps. Cover your coughs and sneezes, make sure you wash your hands all the time. Stay home when you're sick. Those types of precautions are helpful not only for seasonal flu, but also for whatever it might be emerging.”
The flu has already killed 10,000 across US as world frets over coronavirus
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/03/the-flu-has-already-killed-10000-across-us-as-world-frets-over-coronavirus.html
Key Points
- The flu remains a higher threat to U.S. public health than the new coronavirus.
- This flu season alone has sickened at least 19 million across the U.S. and led to 10,000 deaths and 180,000 hospitalizations.
- Roughly a dozen cases of the deadly coronavirus have been identified in the U.S., though the number has mushroomed across its outbreak zone in China.
While the new coronavirus
ravages much of China and world leaders rush to close their borders to
protect citizens from the outbreak, the flu has quietly killed 10,000 in
the U.S. so far this influenza season.
At least 19 million people have come down with the flu in the U.S. with 180,000 ending up in the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu season, which started in September and can run until May, is currently at its peak and poses a greater health threat to the U.S. than the new coronavirus, physicians say. The new virus, which first emerged in Wuhan, China, on Dec. 31, has sickened roughly 17,400 and killed 362 people mostly in that country as of Monday morning.
“In the U.S., it’s really a fear based on media and this being something new,” Dr. Jennifer Lighter, hospital epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health, said of the new coronavirus. “When in reality, people can take measures to protect themselves against the flu, which is here and prevalent and has already killed 10,000 people.”
The coronavirus outbreak, however, is proving to be more deadly than the flu. It has killed roughly 2% of the people who have contracted it so far, according to world health officials. That compares with a mortality rate of 0.095% for the flu in the U.S., according to CDC estimates for the 2019-2020 flu season. The CDC estimates that 21 million people will eventually get the flu this season.
At least 19 million people have come down with the flu in the U.S. with 180,000 ending up in the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu season, which started in September and can run until May, is currently at its peak and poses a greater health threat to the U.S. than the new coronavirus, physicians say. The new virus, which first emerged in Wuhan, China, on Dec. 31, has sickened roughly 17,400 and killed 362 people mostly in that country as of Monday morning.
“In the U.S., it’s really a fear based on media and this being something new,” Dr. Jennifer Lighter, hospital epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health, said of the new coronavirus. “When in reality, people can take measures to protect themselves against the flu, which is here and prevalent and has already killed 10,000 people.”
The coronavirus outbreak, however, is proving to be more deadly than the flu. It has killed roughly 2% of the people who have contracted it so far, according to world health officials. That compares with a mortality rate of 0.095% for the flu in the U.S., according to CDC estimates for the 2019-2020 flu season. The CDC estimates that 21 million people will eventually get the flu this season.
“Two percent case fatality is still a tough case
fatality when you compare it to the case fatality for the seasonal flu
or other things,” Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s health
emergencies program, told reporters Wednesday.
“A relatively mild virus can cause a lot of damage if a lot of people get it,” he added. “And this is the issue at the moment. We don’t fully understand it.”
“A relatively mild virus can cause a lot of damage if a lot of people get it,” he added. “And this is the issue at the moment. We don’t fully understand it.”
Though some health-care professionals and analysts
believe the number of coronavirus cases to be much higher, which would
mean a lower mortality rate.
“I think we’re going to find that the mortality number is going to be lower,” Lighter said. “There is more than likely many times that number of people that have mild (cases) or are asymptomatic.”
“It may end up being comparable to a bad flu season,” Lighter added.
If that’s the case, that would bode well for the virus’s mortality rate, pathogens specialist Dr. Syra Madad told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” It would bring the mortality rate much lower, she pointed out, if there were 100,000 cases and only 362 deaths rather than 10,000 cases with 362 deaths.
“I think we’re going to find that the mortality number is going to be lower,” Lighter said. “There is more than likely many times that number of people that have mild (cases) or are asymptomatic.”
“It may end up being comparable to a bad flu season,” Lighter added.
If that’s the case, that would bode well for the virus’s mortality rate, pathogens specialist Dr. Syra Madad told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” It would bring the mortality rate much lower, she pointed out, if there were 100,000 cases and only 362 deaths rather than 10,000 cases with 362 deaths.
“If we’re saying over 100,000 cases, the overall
severity of the disease goes down,” she said. “The risk to the general
American public is low,” Madad said, though it’s still “very
concerning.”
The two viruses have similar symptoms, which some health officials fear will cause misdiagnoses. Common flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat and aches. Coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC.
For now, Lighter stressed that the public should focus on the flu, which is affecting children especially hard this season. She urged people to get their flu shots, if they haven’t already, and practice good hygiene. If they’re near someone sick, she said to stand three feet away at all times.
“We are prepared at NYU to see patients that have coronavirus,” she said. “But we need to remain focused on our patients in our hospital.”
The two viruses have similar symptoms, which some health officials fear will cause misdiagnoses. Common flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat and aches. Coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC.
For now, Lighter stressed that the public should focus on the flu, which is affecting children especially hard this season. She urged people to get their flu shots, if they haven’t already, and practice good hygiene. If they’re near someone sick, she said to stand three feet away at all times.
“We are prepared at NYU to see patients that have coronavirus,” she said. “But we need to remain focused on our patients in our hospital.”
CDC Reports 13 Million Flu Cases Thus Far in 2019-20 Season
https://www.contagionlive.com/news/cdc-reports-13-million-flu-cases-thus-far-in-201920-season
JAN 22, 2020 | MICHAELA FLEMING
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released
data from the second week of the 2020 influenza season. The FluView report,
which includes data for the week ending January 11, 2020, indicates
that influenza activity remains high, but severity is not considered
high at this point in the season.
At this point in the season, CDC estimates indicate that there have been
13 million influenza illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 6600
flu-related deaths.
The CDC notes that the number of respiratory specimens that tested
positive for the flu at clinical laboratories decreased over the past
week from 23.6% to 22.9%. Visits to clinicians for influenza-like
illness also decreased from 5.7% last week to 4.7% this week; however,
activity for all US regions remain above baseline. In fact, 34
jurisdictions are experiencing high influenza-like illness activity.
The percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza also
increased from 6.0% to 6.9%, but remains below the epidemic threshold
According to the report, the overall rate of influenza-associated
hospitalization increased to 1.9 per 100,000. The highest rate of
hospitalization has been observed among adults aged ≥65 (47.6 per
100,000 population), followed by children aged 0-4 years (34.4 per
100,000 population) and adults aged 50-64 years (23.2 per 100,000
population).
Although influenza B/Victoria viruses have been the national predominant virus this season, new data reveal that during recent weeks equal numbers of B/Victoria and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have been reported.
This past week 7 new influenza-associated pediatric deaths were
reported, bringing the seasonal total to 39. According to the FluView
report, 28 deaths were linked to B viruses—5 of which had their lineage
determined and were B/Victoria viruses—and the other 11 deaths were
associated with A viruses, 6 of which were A(H1N1)pdm09
virus-associated.
“Unfortunately, [B viruses] seems to be taking a higher toll on very
young children, more so than in previous years,” Aaron E. Glatt, MD, a
spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America told Contagion®. “It
doesn't necessarily mean that that's something that will continue or
it's something that is intrinsically more dangerous to children. It's
possible that they haven't been exposed to as much influenza B in their
short lives. Even if they're relatively young, they may have seen some
influenza A beforehand, and therefore, it's something that their body
has somewhat been prepared for.”
Nationally, influenza B/Victoria viruses are the most commonly reported
influenza viruses among children age 0-4 years (47% of reported viruses)
and 5-24 years (57% of reported viruses). On the other hand,
A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses are the most commonly reported viruses among the
25-64 years age group (46% of reported viruses) and 65 years and older
(53% of reported viruses).
“From a clinician point of view, stress vaccination, even now,” Glatt,
chairman of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau in
Oceanside, New York, and professor of medicine at Icahn School of
Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Contagion®. “It’s obviously
better to be vaccinated and have whatever benefit the vaccine gives
you...and the vaccine will definitely have some benefits.”
The CDC notes that flu vaccine effectiveness estimates are not available
yet this season, but vaccination is always the best way to reduce the
risk of influenza and any associated complications.
“I personally would add that there is data to support the quadrivalent
vaccine,” Glatt noted. “It has 2 strains of B, whereas the trivalent
vaccine only has 1 strain. The official position says it doesn’t make a
difference, but I would probably recommend the quadrivalent vaccine if
they’re both available.”
US Flu Cases Increased by 4 Million Over the Last Week
https://www.contagionlive.com/news/us-flu-cases-increased-by-4-million-over-the-last-week
FEB 05, 2020 | MICHAELA FLEMING
New data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
indicate that influenza activity in the United States has increased over
the last 2 weeks.
The most recent statistics,
collected through the week ending January 25, 2020, report that there
have been 19 million cases of influenza during US 2019-20 flu season.
This is an increase of 4 million cases since the last report.
Additionally, the CDC has recorded 180,000 hospitalizations and 10,000
deaths from the flu thus far. Based on these figures, severity is not
considered high at this point in the flu season.
Over the past week the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia rose
to 6.7% but remains below the epidemic threshold of 7.2%. Additionally,
the hospitalization rate rose from 24.1 per 100,000 to 29.7 per
100,000, which is considered to be consistent with this time of year
from recent seasons.
However, FluView statistics indicate that hospitalization rates are
higher in children and young adults than at this time in recent seasons.
At this time the highest rate of hospitalizations have been recorded in
adults aged >65 years, followed by children aged 0-4 years, and adults aged 50-64 years.
Of 1108 adults hospitalized for influenza with information available,
91.5% had at least 1 reported underlying medical condition, most
commonly cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorder, obesity and chronic
lung disease.
Among 216 hospitalized women between 15-44 years with information on pregnancy status, 26.4% were pregnant.
Additionally, of 271 hospitalized children with information available,
46.5% had at least 1 underlying medical condition, with asthma reported
most commonly.
Over the last reporting week, 14 new pediatric influenza-associated
deaths were recorded, bringing the seasonal total to 68. According to
CDC, of these 14 deaths, 8 were associated with influenza B—1 of which
was determined to be a B/Victoria virus— and 6 were associated with
influenza A, all of which were found to be A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses.
Outpatient influenza-like illness and laboratory data remain elevated
and increased again this week. The number of jurisdictions experiencing
high influenza-like-illness activity increased from 37 last week to 44
this week. Additionally, the number of jurisdictions reporting regional
or widespread influenza activity increased to 51 this week.
Nationally and in some US regions, the proportions of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 are increasing compared with influenza B viruses.
Nationally, influenza B viruses are the most commonly reported influenza
viruses among children age 0-4 years (58% of reported viruses) and
young adults 5-24 years (72% of reported viruses). On the other hand,
A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses are the most commonly reported influenza viruses
among adults 25-64 years (50% of reported viruses) and those 65 and
older (57% of reported viruses).
According to FluSight forecasting, as of January 27th, forecasts indicate that flu activity is likely to remain elevated through the rest of the month of February.
The CDC notes that estimates on flu vaccine effectiveness are not
available for the 2019-20 US flu season yet, but vaccination is always
the best way to protect against the flu and associated complications.
Based on the current status of the flu season and the forecast for the
rest of the month, the CDC is reminding Americans that antiviral
treatments are effective when initiated soon after onset of illness.
Antivirals, when started within 2 days of becoming ill, can lessen fever
and flu symptoms and reduce the duration of illness. Additionally,
antivirals can reduce the risk of complications such as ear infections
in children and reduce complications that require antibiotics and
hospitalization in adults.
There have been at least 1,300 flu deaths in the US so far this season, CDC estimates
By John Bonifield and Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN
Updated 2039 GMT (0439 HKT) December 13, 2019
(CNN)At
least 1,300 people have died from the flu so far this season, according
to a preliminary estimate released Friday by the US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
There have been at least 2.6 million flu illnesses and 23,000 flu-related hospitalizations, according to the analysis.
So far this season, the CDC has received reports of 10 children who have died from the flu, four more than the week before.
Experts
have warned that flu is hitting the United States early this year, and
there are concerns that this early season could mean a particularly
severe season overall.
Flu spread
significantly in all states except Alaska as of the week ending December
7. Both the eastern and western United States are being hit hard, with
widespread flu activity in 23 states: Alabama, Arizona, California,
Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,
Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and
Washington.
For
the week ending December 7, health care providers in Alabama, Georgia,
Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and
Puerto Rico saw the highest level of flu activity.
Flu
activity is being caused mostly by influenza B/Victoria viruses, which
is unusual for this time of year, according to the CDC, and B strains
tend to hit children particularly hard. Influenza A/H1N1 viruses are
increasing in proportion relative to other flu viruses in some regions,
the CDC said.
Flu symptoms, treatment and prevention
People
with the flu often experience fever, chills, coughing, sore throat,
runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue,
according to the CDC. Some, more commonly children, may have vomiting
and diarrhea. Many people become ill suddenly and recover within a few
weeks.
Those
who are at higher risk for developing flu-related complications should
be treated with antiviral medications as soon as possible. When
treatment is started within days of becoming sick, antiviral drugs can
lessen symptoms, speed recovery and reduce complications and
hospitalizations.
Flu
complications, such as pneumonia, can result in hospitalization or even
death. Some people are at higher risk for complications from the flu,
including children younger than 5 years old, particularly those under 2.
Other groups at high risk are adults 65 and older, pregnant women,
residents of long-term care facilities and people with weakened immune
systems, asthma, heart disease and diabetes.
Hand-washing,
avoiding sick people and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
can help prevent the flu. But the most important step to stop seasonal
flu is for everyone 6 months or older to get vaccinated, according to
the CDC. If the flu is circulating in the area where you live, it is not
too late to get vaccinated.
Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter
Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team.
Although
the vaccine won't prevent all cases of the flu, it lessens the severity
and duration of symptoms, and those who get flu after receiving a
vaccine are less likely to require hospitalization and less likely to
die.
Passenger with face mask is seen in a metro train in Manhattan of New York, the US, on March 4. Photo: Xinhua
Passenger with face mask is seen in a metro train in Manhattan of New York, the US, on March 4. Photo: Xinhua
US urged to explain military lab shutdown
https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1182694.shtml
By Leng Shumei Source:Global Times Published: 2020/3/15 22:03:40
Netizens and experts are calling for the US government to release
information on the suspension of an infectious disease research lab
under the US Army, as a petition on the White House website listed
coincident events between the closure and the outbreak of COVID-19,
urging the US government to clarify whether the lab was related to the
deadly virus.
While the origin of the novel coronavirus is still unknown and conspiracy theories have caused widespread panic, experts said that timely information disclosure to the public would benefit global unity and cooperation against the pandemic, which had infected more than 150,000 people and killed 5,400 around the world as of Saturday.
The Fort Detrick laboratory that handles high-level disease-causing material, such as Ebola, in Fredrick, Maryland was shut after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a cease and desist order to the organization in July, 2019 according to local media.
The suspension was due to multiple causes, including failure to follow local procedures and a lack of periodic recertification training for workers in the biocontainment laboratories. The wastewater decontamination system of the lab also failed to meet standards set by the Federal Select Agent Program, media reported.
The lab, which was closed more than half a year ago, recently caught public attention as a petition submitted to the White House website on March 10 listed some coincidences in time between the closure and the COVID-19 outbreak.
For example, "a large-scale 'influenza' killed more than 10,000 people" in the US in August 2019 following the closure; and the COVID-19 epidemic broke out globally in February 2020 after the US organized Event 201 - A Global Pandemic Exercise - in October 2019.
The petition also noted that many English-language news reports about the closure of Fort Detrick were deleted amid the worsening COVID-19 pandemic, raising suspicions over the lab's relationship with the novel coronavirus.
Petitioners urged the US government to publish the real reason for the lab's closure and to clarify whether the lab was related to the novel coronavirus and whether there was a virus leak.
The petition had received just more than 400 signatures as of Sunday.
Chinese netizens urged the US government to respond to the public's appeals as soon as possible.
"It's not a small issue, the truth should be published," an internet user commented.
"The world deserves to know the truth," said another.
Ni Feng, a deputy director of the Institute of American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, called on the US government to increase transparency in the COVID-19 pandemic related issues in response to wide-spread doubts.
The origin of the virus should be decided according to scientific research, but the urgent issue at the current stage is to cooperate in the global battle against the pandemic, Ni noted.
Wang Yiwei, a professor with the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China, agreed with Ni, noting that the US had behaved badly to China when the latter was struggling with the epidemic - accusing China of low transparency and blaming a Chinese lab for leaking the virus.
Now China has won the conviction of the world with practical efforts and improvements. The US should cooperate sincerely with China and the world against the virus, according to Wang.
While the origin of the novel coronavirus is still unknown and conspiracy theories have caused widespread panic, experts said that timely information disclosure to the public would benefit global unity and cooperation against the pandemic, which had infected more than 150,000 people and killed 5,400 around the world as of Saturday.
The Fort Detrick laboratory that handles high-level disease-causing material, such as Ebola, in Fredrick, Maryland was shut after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a cease and desist order to the organization in July, 2019 according to local media.
The suspension was due to multiple causes, including failure to follow local procedures and a lack of periodic recertification training for workers in the biocontainment laboratories. The wastewater decontamination system of the lab also failed to meet standards set by the Federal Select Agent Program, media reported.
The lab, which was closed more than half a year ago, recently caught public attention as a petition submitted to the White House website on March 10 listed some coincidences in time between the closure and the COVID-19 outbreak.
For example, "a large-scale 'influenza' killed more than 10,000 people" in the US in August 2019 following the closure; and the COVID-19 epidemic broke out globally in February 2020 after the US organized Event 201 - A Global Pandemic Exercise - in October 2019.
The petition also noted that many English-language news reports about the closure of Fort Detrick were deleted amid the worsening COVID-19 pandemic, raising suspicions over the lab's relationship with the novel coronavirus.
Petitioners urged the US government to publish the real reason for the lab's closure and to clarify whether the lab was related to the novel coronavirus and whether there was a virus leak.
The petition had received just more than 400 signatures as of Sunday.
Chinese netizens urged the US government to respond to the public's appeals as soon as possible.
"It's not a small issue, the truth should be published," an internet user commented.
"The world deserves to know the truth," said another.
Ni Feng, a deputy director of the Institute of American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, called on the US government to increase transparency in the COVID-19 pandemic related issues in response to wide-spread doubts.
The origin of the virus should be decided according to scientific research, but the urgent issue at the current stage is to cooperate in the global battle against the pandemic, Ni noted.
Wang Yiwei, a professor with the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China, agreed with Ni, noting that the US had behaved badly to China when the latter was struggling with the epidemic - accusing China of low transparency and blaming a Chinese lab for leaking the virus.
Now China has won the conviction of the world with practical efforts and improvements. The US should cooperate sincerely with China and the world against the virus, according to Wang.
Letter to the Hon. Ryan McCarthy, Acting Secretary for the U.S. Army - Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone press army for answers on shutdown at Frederick Research Lab, lack of notification
Letter
By: Ben Cardin David Trone Chris Van Hollen, Jr.Date: Aug. 14, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Dear Acting Secretary McCarthy:
We write to express our great concern regarding the cease and desist order the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) on July 15, 2019. Furthermore, we are concerned that the Army did not formally inform the Members of Congress who represent this vital institution, when it first occurred.
We are requesting the following detailed information about the USAMRIID situation:
1. What specific deficiencies led to the CDC shutting down USAMRRIID's operations, and how long has USARMIID been aware of those deficiencies?
2. Why didn't the Army formally notify Maryland's federal delegation when CDC issued the cease and desist order on July 15? Why did the Army delay the notification of other local government officials?
3. What is the impact to the occupational health safety and employment status of federal civilian and contract employees?
4. How does this situation impact USAMRIID's ability to meet its operational requirements, budget plan and funding, and support for national security efforts?
5. What specific steps is the Army taking to correct the deficiencies identified by the CDC and mitigate any risks to personnel, infrastructure, and the surrounding community?
6. What is the Army's plan and timeline to bring USAMRIDD into full compliance with federal requirements and return to full operational capability?
We understand and appreciate that Brigadier General Mike Talley, Commanding General for Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, is available for a future meeting with the Maryland Delegation. We would appreciate the Army providing an official written response to the questions outlined above prior to that meeting.
Thank you for your prompt attention and response to this matter.
Source: https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-trone-press-army-for-answers-on-shutdown-at-frederick-research-lab-lack-of-notification
We write to express our great concern regarding the cease and desist order the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) on July 15, 2019. Furthermore, we are concerned that the Army did not formally inform the Members of Congress who represent this vital institution, when it first occurred.
We are requesting the following detailed information about the USAMRIID situation:
1. What specific deficiencies led to the CDC shutting down USAMRRIID's operations, and how long has USARMIID been aware of those deficiencies?
2. Why didn't the Army formally notify Maryland's federal delegation when CDC issued the cease and desist order on July 15? Why did the Army delay the notification of other local government officials?
3. What is the impact to the occupational health safety and employment status of federal civilian and contract employees?
4. How does this situation impact USAMRIID's ability to meet its operational requirements, budget plan and funding, and support for national security efforts?
5. What specific steps is the Army taking to correct the deficiencies identified by the CDC and mitigate any risks to personnel, infrastructure, and the surrounding community?
6. What is the Army's plan and timeline to bring USAMRIDD into full compliance with federal requirements and return to full operational capability?
We understand and appreciate that Brigadier General Mike Talley, Commanding General for Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, is available for a future meeting with the Maryland Delegation. We would appreciate the Army providing an official written response to the questions outlined above prior to that meeting.
Thank you for your prompt attention and response to this matter.
Source: https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-trone-press-army-for-answers-on-shutdown-at-frederick-research-lab-lack-of-notification