Here’s an article published as a pre-print in Lancet Global Health, proposing a global network of aircraft wastewater screening as part of a surveillance system for novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 and other organisms:
https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S2214-109X(23)00129-8
In the last week WHO launched an initiative “PRET” (Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats) with a three day global meeting for future respiratory pandemic pathogens, which IATA participated in. This shows promise in terms of a practical start to preparedness, in advance of the more major, long-term structural changes around IHR reform and a new Treaty or Instrument for pandemic response. The call to action was in three parts: Update preparedness plans that affirm priority actions; Increase connectivity among stakeholders in pandemic preparedness planning through systematic coordination and cooperation; and Dedicate sustained investments, financing and monitoring of pandemic preparedness. Here is the WHO statement from the launch workshop: https://www.who.int/news/item/26-04-2023-who-launches-new-initiative-to-improve-pandemic-preparedness
WHO risk assessment on Marburg in Equatorial Guinea was updated, and the advice on travel was modified and clarified, now reading as follows: Based on the available information and current risk assessment, WHO advises to strengthen surveillance at points of entry in the affected areas in Equatorial Guinea for the identification of cases, including through exit screening; to map cross-border population mobility to identify populations in vulnerable situations and target public health interventions; and to provide public health information and advice in all relevant languages at points of entry and in adjacent communities near land borders. In addition, suspect, probable and confirmed cases and their contacts should not undertake travel, including international. WHO advises against any other international travel and/or trade measures in Equatorial Guinea.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON459
Meanwhile there are indications that the outbreak of Marburg in Tanzania is contained (Airfinity).
An assessment by the UK Health Security Agency of the risk of avian influenza is here (source - Airfinity):
An article in Nature looking at the somewhat confusing evidence around the risks of repeated COVID-19 infection, is here: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01371-9
A large UK study assessing lateral flow devices (antigen tests) is interesting, showing overall only about 63% sensitivity (69% for symptomatic, only 53% for asymptomatic): https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(23)00129-9/fulltext
This graphic shows how in Asia despite a surge in COVID-19 cases (driven by rising variants), there is a much reduced, less clear, increase in deaths (SOURCE: Airfinity).
And an article in Nature observes that rather than settling into a pattern of seasonal waves, COVID-19 continues to produce more frequent and more short-lived “wavelets” - driven by the more rapid mutation of the virus (compared with influenza and common cold) and more short-lived immunity. And as mentioned above, the trend appears to be that the waves cause less change to numbers of hospitalisations and deaths https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01437-8
The WHO’s COVID-19 Emergency Committee meets later this week.
Please expect a further MCG update in the next two weeks.
David Powell
IATA Medical Advisor