Review of the DoD-GEIS Influenza Programs

Review of the DoD-GEIS Influenza Programs
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 248
Release: 2007-12-13
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309110106

The influenza pandemics of 1918, 1957, and 1968 offer a warning to the world about the potential dangers of the influenza virus. In 2006, after a series of cases and clusters of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian virus made clear the threat of a possible pandemic, the U.S. Congress allocated $39 million to the Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (DoD-GEIS) to increase and improve its worldwide influenza surveillance network through upgrades to its domestic and overseas laboratories' capabilities. An Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee was subsequently formed to evaluate the effectiveness of these laboratory-based programs in relation to the supplemental funding, and the report that follows details the committee's findings. The committee that prepared this report, the Committee for the Assessment of DoD-GEIS Influenza Surveillance and Response Programs, was convened at the request of DoD-GEIS management to evaluate the execution of the fiscal year 2006 supplemental funding for avian influenza/ pandemic influenza (AI/PI) surveillance and response. The committee was tasked with evaluating the DoD-GEIS AI/PI surveillance program for the worth of each funded project's contribution to a comprehensive AI/PI surveillance program; the adequacy of the program in view of the evolving epidemiologic factors; responsiveness to the intent of Congress as expressed in Sec. 748, H.R.1815, Pandemic Avian Flu Preparedness; consistency with the DoD and national plans; and coordination of efforts with CDC, WHO, and local governments. Review of the DoD-GEIS Influenza Programs: Strengthening Global Surveillance and Response reviews the development of conclusions and recommendations with long-term, program-level relevance as well as conclusions and recommendations regarding the improvement of specific DoD-GEIS projects.

Perspectives on the Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System

Perspectives on the Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2001-10-30
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309170397

Perspectives on the Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System: A Program Review describes the capacity, quality, and effectiveness of the international and domestic facilities and programs that are a part of a DoD system to monitor and address emerging infectious diseases globally. The committee concludes that the goals of the system are in U.S. military, U.S. civilian, and global public health interests and that substantial progress has been made toward achieving system goals.

Sustaining Global Surveillance and Response to Emerging Zoonotic Diseases

Sustaining Global Surveillance and Response to Emerging Zoonotic Diseases
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 339
Release: 2010-01-24
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309137349

H1N1 ("swine flu"), SARS, mad cow disease, and HIV/AIDS are a few examples of zoonotic diseases-diseases transmitted between humans and animals. Zoonotic diseases are a growing concern given multiple factors: their often novel and unpredictable nature, their ability to emerge anywhere and spread rapidly around the globe, and their major economic toll on several disparate industries. Infectious disease surveillance systems are used to detect this threat to human and animal health. By systematically collecting data on the occurrence of infectious diseases in humans and animals, investigators can track the spread of disease and provide an early warning to human and animal health officials, nationally and internationally, for follow-up and response. Unfortunately, and for many reasons, current disease surveillance has been ineffective or untimely in alerting officials to emerging zoonotic diseases. Sustaining Global Surveillance and Response to Emerging Zoonotic Diseases assesses some of the disease surveillance systems around the world, and recommends ways to improve early detection and response. The book presents solutions for improved coordination between human and animal health sectors, and among governments and international organizations. Parties seeking to improve the detection and response to zoonotic diseases-including U.S. government and international health policy makers, researchers, epidemiologists, human health clinicians, and veterinarians-can use this book to help curtail the threat zoonotic diseases pose to economies, societies, and health.

Countering Biological Threats

Countering Biological Threats
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 196
Release: 2009-05-27
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0309131766

In response to a request from the U.S. Congress, this book examines how the unique experience and extensive capabilities of the Department of Defense (DOD) can be extended to reduce the threat of bioterrorism within developing countries outside the former Soviet Union (FSU). During the past 12 years, DOD has invested $800 million in reducing the risk from bioterrorism with roots in the states of the FSU. The program's accomplishments are many fold. The risk of bioterrorism in other countries is too great for DOD not to be among the leaders in addressing threats beyond the FSU. Taking into account possible sensitivities about a U.S. military presence, DOD should engage interested governments in about ten developing countries outside the FSU in biological threat reduction programs during the next five years. Whenever possible, DOD should partner with other organizations that have well established humanitarian reputations in the countries of interest. For example, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization should be considered as potential partners.

Who's in Charge?

Who's in Charge?
Author: Laura H. Kahn
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2020-04-16
Genre: Medical
ISBN:

With a new preface assessing leadership responses to the coronavirus pandemic, this text explores leadership problems that can develop during such public health crises as the 2001 anthrax attacks, 2003 SARS epidemic, and Mad Cow Disease epidemic of the 1980s–1990s. A threat to public health, such as a rampaging virus, is no time for a muddled chain of command and contradictory decision-making. Who's In Charge? Leadership during Epidemics, Bioterror Attacks, and Other Public Health Crises, re-issued with a new preface assessing leadership during the COVID-19 outbreak, explores the crucial relationships among political leaders, public health officials, and journalists to see why leadership confusion develops. As the problematic response to COVID-19 has once again shown, the reluctance of politicians to risk alarm can run counter to the public health need to prepare for worse cases. Many leaders will seek high visibility during a public health crisis, but politicians are not medical experts, and the more they speak, the more they risk disseminating harmful information. How to achieve the right balance is the essence of this book. Beginning by looking at the overarching issues of leadership and public health administration, it then examines in depth five emergencies: the 2001 anthrax attacks, the 1993 cryptosporidium outbreaks, the 2003 SARS outbreak, the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease crisis, and the battle against Mad Cow Disease.

Role of the Department of Defense During a Flu Pandemic

Role of the Department of Defense During a Flu Pandemic
Author: Lawrence Kapp
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 18
Release: 2009-11
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 143791876X

A flu pandemic is a worldwide epidemic of an influenza virus. As such, the U.S.¿ response to a flu pandemic would have both international and domestic components. Additionally, the domestic response effort would include contributions from every governmental level, non-governmental org., and the private sector. This report focuses on the role of the DoD in supporting the nation¿s domestic response effort, although it also touches on DoD¿s international role. DoD¿s role during a flu pandemic would center on the these objectives: assisting in disease surveillance; assisting partner nations, particularly through military-to-military assistance; protecting and treating U.S. forces and dependents; and providing support to civil authorities in the U.S.

Pandemics and Peace

Pandemics and Peace
Author: William J. Long
Publisher: US Institute of Peace Press
Total Pages: 166
Release: 2011
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1601270801

Presented are case studies of recent pandemic threats in our globalized world and how interests, institutions, and ideas can align to allow for interstate cooperations even in unfavorable environments. The author has a working proposition on what makes new forms of public-private governance effective and he creates analytical frameworks for practitioners grappling with transnational problems. Engaged here are core debates in the international relations theories of cooperation.

Achieving Sustainable Global Capacity for Surveillance and Response to Emerging Diseases of Zoonotic Origin

Achieving Sustainable Global Capacity for Surveillance and Response to Emerging Diseases of Zoonotic Origin
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 152
Release: 2009-01-22
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309128188

One of the biggest threats today is the uncertainty surrounding the emergence of a novel pathogen or the re-emergence of a known infectious disease that might result in disease outbreaks with great losses of human life and immense global economic consequences. Over the past six decades, most of the emerging infectious disease events in humans have been caused by zoonotic pathogens-those infectious agents that are transmitted from animals to humans. In June 2008, the Institute of Medicine's and National Research Council's Committee on Achieving Sustainable Global Capacity for Surveillance and Response to Emerging Diseases of Zoonotic Origin convened a workshop. This workshop addressed the reasons for the transmission of zoonotic disease and explored the current global capacity for zoonotic disease surveillance.

The Threat of Pandemic Influenza

The Threat of Pandemic Influenza
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 431
Release: 2005-04-09
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309095042

Public health officials and organizations around the world remain on high alert because of increasing concerns about the prospect of an influenza pandemic, which many experts believe to be inevitable. Moreover, recent problems with the availability and strain-specificity of vaccine for annual flu epidemics in some countries and the rise of pandemic strains of avian flu in disparate geographic regions have alarmed experts about the world's ability to prevent or contain a human pandemic. The workshop summary, The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready? addresses these urgent concerns. The report describes what steps the United States and other countries have taken thus far to prepare for the next outbreak of "killer flu." It also looks at gaps in readiness, including hospitals' inability to absorb a surge of patients and many nations' incapacity to monitor and detect flu outbreaks. The report points to the need for international agreements to share flu vaccine and antiviral stockpiles to ensure that the 88 percent of nations that cannot manufacture or stockpile these products have access to them. It chronicles the toll of the H5N1 strain of avian flu currently circulating among poultry in many parts of Asia, which now accounts for the culling of millions of birds and the death of at least 50 persons. And it compares the costs of preparations with the costs of illness and death that could arise during an outbreak.

The Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense

The Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2007-10-10
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0309179513

This Congressionally-mandated report identifies areas for further cooperation with Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union under the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program of the Department of Defense in the specific area of prevention of proliferation of biological weapons. The report reviews relevant U.S. government programs, and particularly the CTR program, and identifies approaches for overcoming obstacles to cooperation and for increasing the long-term impact of the program. It recommends strong support for continuation of the CTR program.