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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 there is no sustained human‑to‑human transmission at this stage but warned environmental viral load increases the likelihood of spillover events. Bedelia urged cross‑sector (animal and human health) readiness, a state commission on avian influenza (House Bill 2385 referenced in testimony) and rapid diagnostic and vaccination planning if human transmission occurs.
Bedelia also announced Beacon, a near‑real‑time, open‑source disease‑alert system that merges AI and expert regional analysis to provide clinicians and public‑health officials with timely context about emerging threats; the project planned a public launch (testimony stated an upcoming date). The witness said Beacon is coordinating with Mass DPH and global partners.
Earlier in the hearing, representatives of the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Mass Medical Society urged action on rising vaccine hesitancy and low immunization pockets. The medical society recommended removing non‑medical exemptions for school immunization law and noted that local kindergarten vaccination rates under 95 percent threaten herd immunity for measles.
Committee members and witnesses discussed the need to bolster surveillance, lab diagnostics and vaccination campaigns; several speakers said reduced federal grants to state public‑health programs increase the urgency of state coordination and possible state investment in surveillance and preparedness.
