A new BARDA-supported medical countermeasure, Leukine, has been approved by FDA to treat adult and pediatric patients with certain radiological or nuclear injuries after a disaster. Leukine, developed by Sanofi and manufactured by Partner Therapeutics, is effective when given up to two days after exposure to ionizing radiation. BARDA has supported 35 FDA approvals to address chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; pandemic influenza; and emerging infectious diseases.
Safely and securely moving patients with highly infectious diseases takes a tremendous amount of skill, synchronization, and coordination. This week, over 50 organizations are taking part in the largest HHS-sponsored patient movement exercise for Ebola virus or other highly infectious diseases to ensure that health and emergency management professionals are ready to move patients to regional treatment centers during an outbreak.
