World Health Organization confirmed an outbreak of Ebola in Gabon
On Dec. 12, 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed an outbreak of Ebola in Gabon. The WHO…
Researchers discovered the E6 and E7 gene in HPV
On Nov. 28, 2001, researchers discovered the E6 and E7 gene in HPV virus, linking cervical cancer cell…
The Western Pacific Region was certified polio-free
On Dec. 29, 2000, the Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication certified that the Western Pacific…
Biotechnology | Infectious Disease | Polio | Vaccine | WHO
The Western Pacific Region of the world was certified as polio-free
On Oct. 29, 2000, the Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication certified that the Western Pacific…
Kenya field-tested its first biotechnology crop, a virus-resistant sweet potato
On Aug. 22, 2000, researchers in Kenya announced they had field-tested twelve lines of sweetpotato variety CPT 560…
ACIP voted to withdraw their recommendation for rotavirus vaccine
On Oct. 22, 1999, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), after a review of scientific data from…
The CDC identified and responded to West Nile Virus in New York City
In August 1999, an outbreak of encephalitis caused by West Nile virus (WNV) was detected in New York…
Biotechnology | CDC | Infectious Disease | Polio | Vaccine
ACIP recommended exclusive use of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) for infants and children
On Jun. 17, 1999, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP)…
The Hybrid Capture II human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test was approved by the FDA
On Mar. 17, 1999, the Hybrid Capture II human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test was approved by the U.S….
Bill and Melinda Gates Announce a $100 Million Gift to Establish the Bill and Melinda Gates Children’s Vaccine Program
On Aug. 26, 1998, Bill and Melinda Gates announced the establishment of the Bill and Melinda Gates Children’s Vaccine…
The USDA began surveillance of Influenza virus in swine in the U.S.
In 1998, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began surveillance of swine for influenza virus in the U.S….
Dr. Patrick Lee developed a reovirus that can infect and kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells
In 1998, University of Calgary’s Dr. Patrick Lee revealed that reovirus injected in mice shrank tumours from brain…
Drs. John Harley and Judith James at the OMRF established a link between Epstein-Barr virus and lupus
On Dec. 15, 1997, scientists from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) announced that Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus)…
Enterovirus 71 epidemic reported in Malaysia
In 1997, the first Enterovirus 71 (EV71) epidemic was reported in Malaysia. EV71 is an important emerging pathogen…
Biotechnology | CDC | Infectious Disease | Polio | Vaccine
ACIP recommended adoption of a sequential series of two doses of IPV followed by two doses of OPV for all infants and children
In 1997, the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP) recommended adoption of a sequential series of two doses of…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Influenza | Vaccine | WHO
FluNet, a web-based flu surveillance tool, was launched by the WHO
In 1997, FluNet, a global web-based tool for influenza virological surveillance was launched. It is a critical tool…
First human infection with an avian influenza A H5N1 virus was identified in Hong Kong
In 1997, the H5N1 bird flu incident in Hong Kong was the first known instance of a purely…
The Interational AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) was launched
On Jun. 18, 1996, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) was launched, calling for the speedy development of…
Diagnostics | FDA | HIV
The FDA approved the first test for HIV antigen screening of blood donors
On Mar. 14, 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of the first antigen…
Avian influenza H5N1 virus was first isolated from a farmed goose in China
In 1996, A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (H5N1), the precursor of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) was identified in…
Varicella virus vaccine, live was licensed for the active immunization of persons 12 months of age and older
On Mar. 17, 1995, the varicella virus vaccine, live (Varivax by Merck) was licensed for the active immunization…
The FDA approved the first US HIV test system using oral fluid samples
On Dec. 23, 1994, the FDA announced the approval of the first U.S. HIV test system using oral…
The Americas were certified polio-free
On Sept. 29, 1994, based on recommendations of the national certification committees and after review of surveillance and…
Researchers at Oxford University released a genetically engineered baculovirus, the world’s first release of a biotech-generated virus
In 1994, researchers at Oxford University conducted a field trial involving a genetically engineered baculovirus, specifically one modified…
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), a causative agent for Kaposi’s sarcoma, was identified
In 1994, human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), a causative agent for Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), was identified. HHV-8 is also…
Infectious molecular clone of a human T-cell leukemia virus was developed at Washington University – St Louis
In 1994, Washington University – St. Louis reseacher Lee Ratern, MD and colleagues announced they had developed an…
The CDC responded to a Hantavirus outbreak in the southwestern U.S.
In May 1993, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responded to a Hantavirus outbreak in…
Testing of donor blood was implemented for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies (anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2)
On Jun. 1, 1992, the FDA recommended that all donated blood be screened for antibodies to human immunodeficiency…
Biotechnology | Infectious Disease | Polio | Vaccine | WHO
The Global Polio Laboratory Network was established
In 1990, the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) was formally established by the World Health Organization (WHO), national…
Dr. Steven A Rosenberg conducted the first human gene transfer trial
On May 22, 1989, Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg and his team at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) performed…