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BU researchers and public‑health witnesses warn of H5N1 spread and measles risk; propose Beacon biothreat alert system
Summary
An infectious‑disease center at Boston University told the committee that H5N1 virus activity in animals and pockets of falling measles immunization rates make Massachusetts vulnerable; the researchers described an open‑source Beacon alert system to improve near‑real‑time threat awareness and urged state coordination and funding.
Dr. Naheed Bedelia, founding director of Boston University’s Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases, told the Joint Committee on Public Health that two threats merit urgent attention: the ongoing H5N1 influenza activity in animals and the growing risk of measles outbreaks tied to falling vaccine coverage in some communities.
Bedelia said H5N1 has infected many mammalian species, poultry and wild birds and has produced sporadic human infections; she emphasized…
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