The Danger of ‘Invisible’ #Biolabs Across the U.S.

Opinion by Dan Greene, August 31, 2023

"Recently, many #California residents were disturbed to learn that a small, privately-operated bio lab in the #CentralValley town of #Reedley was shut down by Fresno County Department of Public Health officials after they found that it had been improperly managing almost 1,000 laboratory mice and samples of infectious diseases including #COVID19, #rubella, #malaria, #dengue, #chlamydia, #hepatitis, and #HIV. The lab was registered to a company called #PrestigeBiotech that sold a variety of medical testing kits, including for pregnancy and COVID-19, and it was likely storing disease samples for the purpose of developing and validating its testing kits. Government authorities are still investigating the company’s history, but it appears to have previously operated a lab in Fresno under the name Universal MediTech, where city officials flagged it for investigation regarding improperly stored chemicals.

"From what is publicly known, the Reedley lab should likely have followed proper biosafety practices to minimize the risks of an #outbreak, and it apparently failed to do so. It could have caused illness, disruption, or even death among local communities and beyond depending on the circumstances of an outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (#CDC) maintains a system of four 'Biosafety Level' standards that are used worldwide for work with dangerous pathogens. Based on the pathogens that were being used at the Reedley lab, it probably should have followed Biosafety Level 3, which involves controlling the airflow inside the lab as well as a host of other practices, equipment, and facility design requirements.

"Yet, astonishingly, the U.S. government seems to not have even known that the Reedley lab existed until it was discovered by chance by Jesalyn Harper, an observant local city code enforcement officer—the only such officer working full-time in the entire city. Once discovered, the Fresno County and California Departments of Public Health found it to be in violation of local and state codes, including those for registering clinical labs and managing medical waste. Based on our reading of available information, it was likely also in violation of federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations for protecting workers from bloodborne pathogens. But these codes require proactive reporting, and the lab simply never reported any issues to regulators. In slightly different circumstances, it would likely have continued to operate unnoticed for a long time."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/the-danger-of-invisible-biolabs-across-the-u-s/ar-AA1g2xoJ?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=63e1f402a65c4defaf12a4efa4962d12&ei=7

#BioHazard #LabSafety #Pathogens
Potential #Pandemic #LabLeak

#HIV/#Aids, #Malaria und #TB rückten zu Beginn der #Pandemie in den Hintergrund der politischen Aufmerksamkeit. Verschwunden waren sie dennoch nicht!
Die Auswirkungen von #COVID19 auf die #Gesundheitsprogramme waren teils unterschiedlich, aber in allen Fällen gravierend!

Weiterlesen 👇👀
https://bukopharma.de/images/pharmabriefspezial/2023/2023-01_spezial_Pandemie_Mutter_Kind.pdf

Screenshot S. 10
CC John Healey/USAID

Global #HIV epidemic persists despite progress. Swipe left for our advice on 5 ways you can help end it. 👇
We believe that:
🔴 HIV-related stigma & discrimination should be at the top of the EU political agenda;
🔴 a more ambitious prevention target is needed.
#AIDS @EU_Health

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EU_EESC/status/1683741372250202112

🆕... zudem publiziert: Eine informative Fachbroschüre zu den Auswirkungen von #Covid auf die gesundheitliche Lage von #Frauen, Müttern und #Kindern 🌎🌍🌏
Gerne stellen wir Euch bald die einzelnen Kapitel (#Ernährung, #HIV, #Krebs...) vor👀
zum PDF 👇
https://bukopharma.de/images/pharmabriefspezial/2023/2023-01_spezial_Pandemie_Mutter_Kind.pdf

📢EMA's human medicines committee recommended 14 new medicines for approval in the 🇪🇺, including:
☑️1 vaccine to protect against Respiratory Syncytial Virus #RSV
☑️7 medicines for #cancer
☑️1 medicine to prevent the transmission of #HIV
https://tinyurl.com/yu4kfmp3
#PublicHealth #CHMP https://t.co/EqT4HGfL10

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EMA_News/status/1682364425775325184

Det ser ud til at PrEP har været en kæmpe succes og vi potentielt kan næsten udrydde HIV. Måske man skulle kigge på om det skal være mere tilgængelig så vi kan få de sidste med?
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/antallet-af-nye-hivtilfaelde-er-faldet-massivt-efter-hiv-p-pille-det-er-en-kaempe #sundpol #dksund #HIV

#HIV transmission remains a major public health concern in Europe and beyond.
It is time to:
❗ put HIV-related stigma and discrimination at the top of the EU political agenda;
❗ find measures to fight stigma against HIV.
💡 Read more: http://europa.eu/!bW9Mkt https://t.co/qB9QQNs9YY

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EU_EESC/status/1671049714119192577

"Almost 40 years after HIV first linked to AIDS, Emory scientists test a new mRNA vaccine for HIV" #NPR

#HIV #VACCINE #MRNA #research #progress #Emory

https://www.wabe.org/almost-40-years-after-hiv-first-linked-to-aids-emory-scientists-test-a-new-mrna-vaccine-for-hiv/

European #GP's and #nurses - have you registered yet? Don't miss #ECDC/@EACSociety/@cphiv online webinar on how to fight the #HIV/viral #Hepatitis/#STI stigma on 14 June!

Register: https://bit.ly/3WrQDuG
and exchange views, knowledge & experiences with other experts!

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/ECDC_EU/status/1666366887796547584

Andere Mastodon & Pixelfedaccounts:
#Technik: @elektronikprojekte / @wtsdaten / @techinfo_derAllgaeuer
#Politik: @stephanpolitik
#Trainspotting: Info: @trainspot3regio
#Umweltschutz: @3ruorg_blog
#CoVid & #HIV News + #Inklussion: @covidhivsocial
Bahnthemen: @bahnprobleme / @eisenbahnnews
Fotografie: @StephansFotoBlog / @StephanFotoNews

Are you a #GP or a nurse working in general practices?

We need you to help us fight the #HIV/viral #hepatitis/#STIs stigma!

Learn more and register for our online webinar on 14 June!
⬇️⬇️⬇️
RT @ECDC_HIVAIDS: Are you working in General Practices in EU/EEA countries? Help us fight the #HIV/#ViralHepatitis/#STI stigma!

Join our webinar organised with @EACSociety & @cphiv. Don't miss the chance to meet and exchange views, experiences and knowledge!

Register: https…

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/ECDC_EU/status/1660945555399356416

The Spring #EuropeanTestingWeek is coming up soon!

Reaching and testing those at risk of infection with #HIV, #hepatitis B or C, and other sexually transmitted infections (#STIs) is still a public health challenge in Europe.

#EuroTestWeek

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/ECDC_EU/status/1653410158821752836

How Princess Diana challenged HIV stigma with every hug | Terrence Higgins Trust

https://www.tht.org.uk/news/how-princess-diana-challenged-hiv-stigma-every-hug
#HIV #diana #queendiana #princeharry #aids #Coronation

„Vybral jsem si rychlou smrt.“ HIV pozitivní Rusové bojují na Ukrajině za příslib léků. #HIV #Rusko
Více: https://echo24.cz/a/HTNHP/zpravy-svet-petina-rusky-vojak-vezen-hiv-pozitivni-boj-vymena-lek-antivirotika

RT @Winnie_Byanyima: Passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill will set Uganda back in the fight against #HIV and #AIDS

To end #AIDS ALL who need prevention, testing or treatment services shd get them. Discrimination & stigma drive people away. #RejectTheAntiGayBill

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/MarcAngel_lu/status/1645829759144808448

Just a reminder that if you’re on #Prep and have sex with someone who is #HIV positive but treated and undetectable your chances of getting HIV yourself are significantly LOWER that if you had sex with someone who is negative and tests regularly.

This is because people who are HIV+ and undetectable take medication which ~guarantees~ that their viral load is so low that infection cannot happen.

Undetectable = Untransmittable

We just made a statment to #India UPR Outcomes in collaboration with @theyouthpact & @thehtfngo : We regret that India did not receive any HIV/AIDS-related recommendations, despite India having the third highest prevalence of #HIV in the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMffU8prfKE

RT @UNDPGeneva: We are pleased to relaunch @UNDP’s Capacity Development for Health website!
This provides @GlobalFund implementers and partners with new tools to strengthen and sustain the fight to end #HIV, #TB and #malaria.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/MichalBoni/status/1638584685705011200

In 2020, we endorsed a vaginal ring to reduce the risk of #HIV infection in women, especially in #Africa.

#EUM4all

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EMA_News/status/1638140787140571137

Today in 1986 - 37 years ago - Larry Kramer’s ‘The Normal Heart’ with Martin Sheen leading, started previews at the Royal Court Theatre in London.

BBC’s Newsnight reported on the production and wider AIDS issues:

youtu.be/mQM_5imYqCQ

#40yearsofAIDS #AIDS #hivtest #gay #HIV

https://youtu.be/mQM_5imYqCQ