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So far Sean Pepito has created 24 blog entries.

The Government’s Classified Plan for Biological War

2026-07-27T14:33:34-05:00

Rapidly declining government preparedness gaps and public mistrust could turn a single biological incident into a worldwide crisis. Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen discusses her book Biological Warfare: A Scenario, which examines how a severe biological incident, whether caused by an attack, accident, or laboratory leak, could rapidly destabilize society. Biological threats may be especially dangerous because pathogens can spread invisibly through people and across borders. Airborne pathogens receive particular attention because they can remain suspended indoors and spread through ordinary human breathing and movement. One of the biggest thing to note is that biotechnology inherently has "dual-use". The same genetic-engineering tools [...]

The Government’s Classified Plan for Biological War2026-07-27T14:33:34-05:00

CDC Warns That Whooping Cough Continues to Spread This Summer

2026-07-24T16:26:53-05:00

The CDC reported in its Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel update that whooping cough continues to spread throughout the United States this summer. Whooping cough, or pertussis, continued circulating across the United States during summer 2026, even though overall respiratory-illness activity was relatively low. Based on CDC surveillance through late May, approximately 4,724 cases and two child deaths had been reported. Although case numbers were substantially lower than during the unusually high levels recorded in 2025, the disease remained a public-health concern, particularly in California, Washington, Ohio, Florida, and Oregon. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection that can affect people [...]

CDC Warns That Whooping Cough Continues to Spread This Summer2026-07-24T16:26:53-05:00

Fifth Death Reported in New York City Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

2026-07-24T16:25:40-05:00

Officials have not yet determined the original source of the contamination, which has caused illness in more than 72 people over the past month. During a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak affecting New York City’s Upper East Side, more than six dozen people became ill over approximately one month. Though health officials said no new patients had developed symptoms during the preceding 10 days, indicating that the outbreak is slowing down. At the time of the report, eight patients remained hospitalized, while 56 had been discharged. Legionnaires’ disease is a treatable form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella. The [...]

Fifth Death Reported in New York City Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak2026-07-24T16:25:40-05:00

Using 222 nm Far-UVC to Reduce Airborne Bacteria in an Occupied Dental Clinic

2026-07-24T16:24:51-05:00

Harnessing Far-UVC Light to Combat Airborne Diseases in Public Spaces Columbia University’s Center for Radiological Research is studying Far-UVC light as a method for reducing airborne disease transmission in occupied public spaces. Focusing on wavelengths around 220–222 nanometers, which can inactivate airborne microorganisms such as influenza viruses, coronaviruses, and bacteria, the goal of the study is to prevent infections by destroying pathogens while they are still circulating in the air rather than treating people after they become sick. Though conventional germicidal ultraviolet light (GUV) can also kill airborne pathogens, it can still damage the skin and eyes when directly exposed. Columbia’s [...]

Using 222 nm Far-UVC to Reduce Airborne Bacteria in an Occupied Dental Clinic2026-07-24T16:24:51-05:00

New technology that can rapidly detect airborne pathogens

2026-07-15T10:08:43-05:00

ARPA-H and the BREATHE (Building Resilient Environments for Air and Total Health) Program Environmental engineer Linsey Marr and her Virginia Tech team demonstrated a prototype that can detect tiny concentrations of airborne contaminants, including dust mite allergens, influenza, coronavirus, and E. coli, almost in real time. Traditional air testing can take days, making it difficult to respond before people are exposed. The initiative builds on research dating back to the 1930s, when William and Mildred Wells showed that ultraviolet light could disinfect classroom air and reduce measles transmission. Despite these findings, airborne disease prevention was largely neglected until COVID-19 highlighted the [...]

New technology that can rapidly detect airborne pathogens2026-07-15T10:08:43-05:00

International Conference on Far-UVC Science and Technology

2026-06-29T12:27:36-05:00

Far UVC at a Turning Point With ICFUST 2026 coming to a close, researchers, clinicians, engineers, and organizations all over the world have connected in order to understand more about the power of Far UVC. Get more details about the ICFUST here

International Conference on Far-UVC Science and Technology2026-06-29T12:27:36-05:00

Doctors identify the illnesses most likely to pose a risk during the World Cup

2026-06-29T12:15:13-05:00

Whether its the return of Covid-19 or Hantavius, a number of infectious diseases can spread quickly in the 2026 World Cup. With the FIFA World Cup now underway, soccer fans are brought together worldwide, but experts warn that the large gathering could spread not only excitement, but also various infectious pathogens. “Mass gathering dynamics always increase the risk for infectious disease because you have congregate settings with high concentrations of people ... within the stadiums, airports, hotels and bars,” Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and CEO of the Wellness Equity Alliance, tells TODAY.com. Several factors make this World Cup [...]

Doctors identify the illnesses most likely to pose a risk during the World Cup2026-06-29T12:15:13-05:00

Researchers Recommend UV-C for Norovirus Inactivation, Continuous Surface Disinfection

2026-06-08T09:27:30-05:00

Be sure to wipe down surfaces first and use the Far UV while the surface is still wet. Researchers have noted that Far-UVC (222nm) is considered safer for human skin and eyes than a standard 254nm GUV, making it suitable for use on frequently touched surfaces and potentially for hand disinfection. However, the study found that this added safety comes with some limitations, as Far-UVC’s lower penetration makes it less effective when organic matter is present or when surfaces are rough. As a result, the researchers recommended using Far-UVC after surfaces have been cleaned to remove debris and organic material, preferably [...]

Researchers Recommend UV-C for Norovirus Inactivation, Continuous Surface Disinfection2026-06-08T09:27:30-05:00

US measles cases surpass 2,000 for the 2nd year in a row: CDC

2026-06-08T09:20:47-05:00

CDC data show that MMR vaccination rates among kindergartners have continued to decline, falling from 95.2% before the COVID-19 pandemic to 92.5% during the 2024–2025 school year. For the second consecutive year, measles cases in the United States have exceeded 2,000, based on CDC data updated Friday. The CDC reports that most confirmed cases in 2026 have occurred among children and teens 19 and younger, with about 92% involving people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Another 4% of cases were reported among people who had received one dose of the MMR vaccine, while 4% were among those [...]

US measles cases surpass 2,000 for the 2nd year in a row: CDC2026-06-08T09:20:47-05:00
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