$3 Million Awarded to Biotechnology Firm to Develop Vaccine
A Massachusetts biotechnology firm has been awarded $3 million by the National Institutes of Health to develop a vaccine for the potentially fatal West Nile Virus. The virus can cause encephalitis. However, most who contract it experience only flu-like symptoms and never realize they have been exposed. The virus first appeared in the Western Hemisphere last year when it killed seven people and sickened more than 60 others in the New York area. While no deaths have been reported this year, mosquitoes carrying the virus have been found in New York. The virus has also been located in birds in the Northeast and New York.
OraVax Inc., a Cambridge, Mass-based subsidiary of Britain's Peptide Therapeutics Group, has been working on the West Nile vaccine since last fall. They announced that the vaccine will be developed by using a proven 60-year-old yellow fever vaccine. The vaccine will cause a mild infection with no symptoms and leave the person immunized against West Nile. Testing could begin on humans within the next 18 months.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.
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IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
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