Bush proposes five-fold rise in NIH bioterrorism research for 2003

Anthrax
Bioterrorism

Jan 28, 2002 (CIDRAP News) – The Bush administration says it will seek $1.5 billion for bioterrorism-related research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal 2003, a five-fold increase over the $300 million budgeted this year.

The administration's proposed 2003 budget calls for a total of $27.3 billion for the NIH, a $3.7 billion, 16% increase over the fiscal 2002 level, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced Jan 26. This would be the largest one-year increase ever for the NIH, he said.

NIH leaders recommended a significant increase in bioterrorism-related research after Sep 11, Thompson said. The institute proposes to increase its basic research, such as study of the genome of potential bioterrorism agents; speed the development of next-generation anthrax vaccines; and improve diagnostic tools, according to Thompson's announcement.

The proposed NIH budget also calls for substantial increases in research on cancer, diabetes, HIV and AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, Thompson said.

"This research budget reflects the priority the administration places on a long-term solution to the bioterrorism threat, while fully recognizing the need to pursue a wealth of other important research opportunities," Thompson said.

See also:

HHS press release on proposed NIH funding
http://archive.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20020126.html

This week's top reads

  1. Wastewater testing finds H5N1 avian flu in 9 Texas cities

    Wastewater detections began in early March, and so far sequencing hasn't found any mutations linked to human adaptation.

    Lisa Schnirring
    wastewater treatment plant

  2. Study: HHS's COVID vaccine campaign saved $732 billion in averted infections, costs

    Researchers say the campaign encouraged 22 million Americans to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccine series, preventing nearly 2.6 million infections.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Vaccine assembly line

  3. CDC launches new influenza A wastewater dashboard; states report more H5N1 in dairy herds

    The tracker will help with surveillance, but it doesn't distinguish the influenza A subtype or determine the source of the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring
    wastewater collection

  4. Colorado officials probe source of H5N1 in cows as USDA confirms more infected mammals

    Monitoring of about 70 farm workers found no symptoms, and the state's wastewater sampling pilot has found no flu rise.

    Lisa Schnirring
    vet and dairy herd

  5. With H5N1 avian flu silently spreading in US cattle, wastewater testing could be key

    Wastewater treatment systems that have no intake of animal-related sewage could serve as sentinels for human disease, experts say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Wastewater plant

  6. USDA reports more H5N1 detections in poultry, wild birds

    Also, another avian flu outbreak was reported in backyard poultry in Idaho.

    Lisa Schnirring
    farm pigeons

  7. Feds announces assistance for US farmers affected by H5N1 avian flu

    The assistance is meant to both improve on-site biosecurity and address financial losses connected to lost milk production in herds affected by H5N1.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    cows

  8. USDA confirms 3 more H5N1 outbreaks in dairy herds

    Of the three newly confirmed outbreaks, two are in Michigan and one is in Idaho.

    Lisa Schnirring

  9. WHO describes MERS cluster in Saudi Arabia

    The index case-patient, who died from his infection, shared a hospital room with the second patient identified.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  10. Data: Heart-failure patients have 82% better odds of living longer if vaccinated against COVID

    Vaccinated patients also had a 47% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure and a 13% reduced risk of infection over 6 months.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    COVID vaccination in woman wearing pearls