CEO @APHL, public health prof, husband, girldad, Wheaten owner, proud UMD graduate, Jersey Shore native, he/him. Views are my own! [email protected]
Joined January 2009
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My piece for @USATODAY: COVID testing failures show US needs to rethink pandemic response usatoday.com/story/opinion/2…
Diabetes researchers and clinicians, take note!
Connect with colleagues worldwide in our members-only Diabetes SIG on EndoForum!
Share challenging diabetes cases, discuss research discoveries, and exchange insights.
Selected cases may be featured in our weekly newsletter.
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#Diabetes #Endocrinology
Scott Becker retweeted
An encouraging milestone in the Bundibugyo virus outbreak -- the first participant has been vaccinated in the Tumaini trial, bringing hope to efforts to address the BVD outbreak
Congratulations to the DRC-led teams, @inrb_kinshasa, @CEPIvaccines, @AfricaCDC and the numerous other partners who made this possible.
Special thanks to the participants and their communities; their trust and contributions make this vital research possible and could help protect countless others.
Tumaini means “hope” which is a fitting name for this important effort.
📢 The first participant was vaccinated today in Tumaini, a CEPI-funded pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical trial of vaccine candidates against Bundibugyo virus (BDBV).
The trial is part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s response to the devastating outbreak which has claimed more than 4,500 lives.
There is currently no approved vaccine to protect against BDBV. Tumaini, which means “hope” in Swahili, aims to close that gap. The trial will generate robust evidence about the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of multiple vaccine candidates that could contribute to curtailing the epidemic, saving lives, and strengthening preparedness for future BDBV outbreaks.
“There is still no licensed vaccine against Bundibugyo virus, and the cost of that absence is being counted in the DRC every day, in lives lost and in health workers who go to work without protection. Tumaini aims to change that”, explains @DrRHatchett , CEO of CEPI.
The first candidate to enter the trial is Ervebo. Preparations are underway for two CEPI-funded BDBV-specific vaccine candidates, under development by @moderna_tx and by the @UniofOxford in collaboration with @SerumInstIndia, to enter the trial shortly.
The @inrb_kinshasa and @UAntwerpen Global Health Institute co-lead and co-sponsor the trial, under the leadership and oversight of @MinSanteRDC.
Tumaini is supported by strategic, technical, scientific and operational leadership and expertise from partners including @AfricaCDC @WHO @MSF @Epicentre_MSF @ITMantwerp.
The trial is funded by CEPI’s Bundibugyo virus vaccine development programme, which, to date, is backed by @EU_Commission @StateDept, Fund for Science and Technology, Republic of Korea and CEPI’s core funding.
Read the full press release: cepi.net/first-participant-v…
Scott Becker retweeted
Don’t toss unused and expired prescription medications in the trash -- they can be accidentally ingested by children or pets. Gather all unused or expired medicines & drop them off at a drug collection site near you tomorrow (Sat. Oct. 24): dea.gov/takebackday
Scott Becker retweeted
This week I joined the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (@ASTHO)—the national organization representing state and territorial public health agencies—for its Fall Forum Leadership Dialogue.
Thank you to ASTHO President Dr. Manisha Juthani for moderating a thoughtful conversation on CDC’s vision and priorities, strengthening our public health infrastructure and workforce, and deepening collaboration across public health agencies.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage with public health leaders from across the country on the issues shaping the future of state and territorial health.
This is giving me PTSD from 25 years ago.
US Postal Inspection Service is investigating a series of suspicious letters sent to US Congressional offices
An alert warns that any suspicious letters “should be treated as potentially hazardous and handled in accordance with established safety procedures… do NOT handle it, shake it, bump it or sniff it”
Federal agents are warning Congressional offices to watch out for mailings that contain “discoloration”, “oily stains” or unusual odor.
What a loss. Helen was incredibly knowledgeable, asked great questions and dug deeply into infectious disease and public health issues.
May her memory be a blessing always.
Helen Branswell, STAT's infectious disease reporter who earned the respect of experts and public health officials with her accessible, prescient dispatches, has died at age 69. trib.al/3bBswKg
Scott Becker retweeted
CDC is aware of and closely monitoring reports of a suspected case of pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region of Russia that resulted in a death. We are working across the U.S. government to assess developments as additional information becomes available.
While the circumstances of this reported case remain unconfirmed, plague is a serious bacterial disease that is treatable with antibiotics, particularly when recognized and treated early.
Pneumonic plague can spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets during close contact, which is why rapid identification and treatment of infected individuals, and monitoring of potentially exposed individuals, are important public health measures.
At this time, there is no indication of a broader threat to the United States, but CDC and our interagency partners are prepared and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Scott Becker retweeted
Early detection saves lives, so please encourage people in your life to get screened.
@MDHealthDept has programs to assist eligible uninsured and underinsured residents get no-cost breast cancer screening and follow-up, diagnosis, and treatment services: go.md.gov/BCCDT
Scott Becker retweeted
In 1964 NJ established the Newborn Screening and Genetic Services Program. It started with just one test, phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder that affects how the body breaks down the amino acid, phenylalanine. Learn more: nj.gov/health/fhs/nbs/ #HealthierNJ
Scott Becker retweeted
North Carolina is expanding newborn screening so babies can be checked for two more serious but treatable conditions before leaving the hospital.
Read more to learn how newborn screening protects our youngest residents ➡️ ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releas…
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Carolina del Norte está ampliando las pruebas de detección para recién nacidos, de modo que los bebés puedan ser examinados para detectar dos afecciones graves adicionales —pero tratables— antes de salir del hospital.
Lea más para saber cómo las pruebas de detección para recién nacidos protegen a nuestros residentes más pequeños ➡️ ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releas…
ALT A person gently holds a newborn close. The text highlights that NC newborns are now screened for two additional disorders as NCDHHS celebrates 60 years of lifesaving care. The North Carolina seal is visible, alongside the NCDHHS logo.
ALT Una persona sostiene con ternura a un recién nacido cerca de sí. El texto destaca que a los recién nacidos de Carolina del Norte ahora se les realizan pruebas de detección de dos trastornos adicionales, mientras el NCDHHS celebra 60 años de atención que salva vidas. Se puede ver el sello de Carolina del Norte junto al logotipo del NCDHHS.
Scott Becker retweeted
Diagnostics are essential to bring outbreaks under control. @WHO, @AfricaCDC and @UNITAID launched the BRIDGE-Access initiative (Bundibugyo Response for Improving Diagnostic Global Equitable Access) in the #DRC to generate evidence on how diagnostic tests perform against #Ebola caused by Bundibugyo virus, aiming to help countries make informed decisions about which tools to adopt and deploy and bring diagnosis closer to affected communities.
Happy to sing the praises of PH Labs!
Public health labs are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system. This month, we’re giving a big thank you to the lab staff who work tirelessly to protect our health. Join us! #ThanksPHLabs
ALT A large group of laboratory staff.
This is public health response 👇
Confirmed ricin exposure at residential apartment complex in Hastings, Michigan, USA triggers evacuation and FBI investigation
Read more at: beaconbio.org/en/report/?rep…
Scott Becker retweeted
From a fair attendee: Acton, a physician, stayed after the incident to help attend to one of the injured.
Scott Becker retweeted
Did you know there are three parts to #newbornscreening?
1) Blood test (or heel stick)
2) Hearing screen
3) Pulse oximetry
Learn more about what to expect from your baby’s first test: babysfirsttest.org/newborn-s…
ALT Graphic with text reading: "September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month!" on a yellow and red banner. A baby wearing a blue outfit with striped sleeves lies on their stomach and looks toward the camera. The Maine CDC logo appears on the lower left.
Scott Becker retweeted
South Carolina is investing in laboratory infrastructure built for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s emergencies.
Today on PHRME, Brannon Traxler, @SC_DPH acting director, discusses the state’s new public health and environmental laboratory. Tune in: discover.astho.org/4x3xvEg.
ALT Public Health Review Morning Edition banner featuring podcast guest Brannon Traxler.
Scott Becker retweeted
Lab experts keep our communities healthy. Help track outbreaks, detect toxins, and safeguard communities from emerging public health threats.
Apply today: discover.astho.org/4bZYCs3.
@GaDPH @PAHealthDept @VDHgov
ALT A person in a lab coat is using a microscope in a laboratory setting. The image promotes "Public Health Careers.org" and mentions exploring career opportunities and the benefits of a public health career.
Scott Becker retweeted
Tracking COVID-19 cases is harder now than during the pandemic, when daily counts were readily available. “We just have the tools we have,” said Dr. Scott Harris, state health officer for @ALPublicHealth.
More from @CNN's @jechristensen: cnn.com/2026/08/20/health/co….
