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Interesting Read on the First Documented Coronavirus Reinfection

August 27, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

COVID-19 reinfections are now documented in several countries.  Picture by Shutterstock/ Lightspring

The first documented Coronavirus reinfection was reported in Hong Kong on August 24th, 2020. Experts say this finding was not unexpected, “especially given the millions of people who have been infected worldwide”. While there have been many presumed cases of reinfection, this case was the first to be confirmed.

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, disease prevention, global health, Hong Kong, infectious disease, outbreak, pandemic, pandemic preparedness, preparedness, public health, SARS-CoV-2

The Difficulty of Predicting the Coronavirus Trajectory

February 17, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

How fast will the new coronavirus spread? Biostatisticians are trying to predict its pattern. Picture by Shutterstock.

There is currently a debate about the trajectory of the new coronavirus disease, now named COVID-19. Different models are predicting different outcomes and numbers provided by Chinese authorities seem to indicate a steep increase in cases. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: biostatistics, coronavirus, COVID-19, modelling, outbreak, pandemic, preparedness, public health, SARS-CoV-2, WHO

The Norwegian Approach to Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness

December 21, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Norway has a universal health system. Photo by Mia Tellmann

As with many other countries around the world, biodefense and public health planning, surveillance, and response are the responsibilities of numerous intertwined agencies within a country that all have different assignments and responsibilities, yet have to work together to successfully protect a nation from harm.

Last summer, I interviewed a Norwegian public health expert who chose to remain anonymous. She shared with me valuable information regarding the Norwegian Government’s approach to public health. As the Norwegian health system is universal and available to everyone, I was interested to find out how they organize pandemic preparedness and the agencies involved. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: biodefense, biological threats, ECDC, NIPH, Norway, Norwegian government, pandemic, preparedness, public health, WHO

Flu shots are now available!

September 9, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Influenza virus. Picture by Shutterstock/Rost9

Flu shots for the 2019-20 season are out. Go and get yours! It’s the best prevention that’s available for now. I got mine on Labor Day at my local pharmacy, which proved to be a good decision as there were no lines with people still away for the holiday. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: CDC, flu, influenza, pandemic, preparedness, public health, vaccination

A Japanese Perspective on Outbreak Preparedness: Prevention and Response to Biological Threats

March 17, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Dr. Tomoya Saito

Last summer, I met with Dr. Tomoya Saito in Tokyo to learn about outbreak and bioterror preparedness in Japan.

Our conversation will be posted in two parts. Part I (below) is about the role that different Japanese institutions play to prevent and respond to biological threats.  In Part II (to be posted soon) we will discuss how dual-use technologies change the risk of biothreats.

Dr. Saito is Chief Senior Researcher at the Department of Health Crisis Management of the National Institute of Public Health of Japan (NIPH). His current area of research is biosecurity, public health emergency preparedness and response, and simulation epidemiology. He is based in Saitama, Japan.

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Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: biodefense, biological threats, bioterrorism, BWC, GHSI, global response, government, Japan, preparedness, prevention, public health, WHO

Book Review of “Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Containing and Preventing Biological Threats”

February 15, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism, book by Jeffrey R. Ryan. Photo by Mia Tellmann

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Containing and Preventing Biological Threats, by Jeffrey R. Ryan, is a very comprehensive and multi-faceted book. This was one of the first books that I read when I began learning about global public health and it gave me a great introduction into the sometimes complicated field of bioterrorism.

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Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: biological threats, biosecurity, bioterrorism, book review, emergency management, learning, preparedness, prevention

National Biodefense Strategy 2018: The US Government’s Latest Approach to Combat Biological Threats

November 24, 2018 by Mia Tellmann 1 Comment

Scientists in high security lab. Picture by Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff

On the preparedness front in the United States, the new National Biodefense Strategy was released on September 19, 2018. The new strategy establishes clear and thoughtful goals that will become a vital part of “managing the risk of biological incidents… in today’s interconnected world” 1. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: biodefense, biological threats, dual-use, government, National Biodefense Strategy 2018, preparedness, USA

A Conversation About Pandemic Preparedness – Part 2

November 12, 2018 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Professor Benjamin J. Cowling. Photo courtesy of School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong

This is the second part of my conversation with Professor Benjamin J. Cowling about influenza pandemic prevention and preparedness. The first part was about pandemic preparedness and genomics. In this part, Prof. Cowling focuses on national and global responses. 

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Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: global response, Hong Kong, influenza, pandemics, preparedness, public health, WHO

A Conversation About Pandemic Preparedness – Part 1

November 2, 2018 by Mia Tellmann 1 Comment

Professor Benjamin J. Cowling. Photo courtesy of The University of Hong Kong

I recently spoke with Professor Benjamin J. Cowling about influenza pandemic prevention and preparedness.

Our conversation will be posted in two parts. The first part below is about pandemic preparedness and genomics. The second part (to be posted next week) will examine national and global responses.

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Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: genomics, Hong Kong, influenza, outbreak prevention, pandemics, preparedness, public health, transmission control measures, WHO

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