Emerging viruses, emerging threat

Article Abstract:

There always exists the possibility of unknown viruses bringing about serious infectious diseases that could cause widespread catastrophic illness. Examples of present day outbreaks include AIDS, which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, and the flu, caused by the influenza virus. These viruses are not new. A change in human behavior has allowed them to spread The natural hosts for many viruses are animals, but there are some viruses whose natural host is man. Many of these viruses are isolated in remote areas of the world. With fast travel and more animals being shipped, the viruses can spread to areas where people do not have immunity against them. Usually the viruses remain unchanged, but often small genetic changes occur that increase their infectivity. Such genetic change occurs frequently within the influenza virus. These changes permit the viruses that normally reside in animals to infect man. Changing agricultural practices allow different types of animals to live in new areas, which can also bring new viruses. A worldwide surveillance or classification of existing viruses that would be used for epidemiological purposes is being discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Demographic aspects, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Influenza, Virus diseases, Disease transmission, Mutation (Biology), Mutation

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Bush goes 0 for 2 with Anthony Fauci

Article Abstract:

Anthony Fauci, the director of the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), turned down Pres George Bush's offer to become the director of NIH for the second time. Fauci, the NIH's chief coordinator for AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome), said that his responsibilities and research in AIDS were his primary goals at this time. The Administration has been having trouble filling the position, primarily because it was looking for a director who was against abortion and fetal research. Although the administration has abandoned abortion as a litmus test for potential candidates, the search is further complicated considered by the fact that the job has lost a certain amount of its authority. The heads of the cancer and heart institutes are appointed directly by the President and have individual budgets which are approved by Congress. Appointments of personnel by the director require approval by officials in the Public Health Service. After a meeting in early Nov 1989 of a number of leaders in the biomedical field, changes in these matters will be brought forth for Congress' approval.

Laws, regulations and rules, Abortion, Fauci, Anthony S.

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NIH director: the search goes on...and on

Article Abstract:

The position of Director of the National Institutes of Health has been vacant since 1989, when the resignation of the incumbent James B. Wyngaarden, was accepted by incoming President Bush. An advisory committee, headed by James O. Mason, the assistant secretary for health, is trying to help solve the problem of attracting a new director. Obstacles in the committee's path include a salary requirement which is much lower than the average salary for a medical school professor, a term of appointment which is now tied to the tenure of the incumbent President, the perceived erosion of the NIH director's authority over the agency itself, and the role of the National Cancer Institute as a separate entity with direct responsibility to the President. The advisory committee has adjourned until the end of February 1990, when it will reconvene to discuss the role of the NIH director in national science policy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Human resource management, Recruiting, Health services administrators, United States. Department of Health and Human Services, Wyngaarden, James B., Mason, James O.

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