Scientists advising the World Health Organization (WHO) on monkeypox say the window is closing to stop its spread, with cases currently doubling every two weeks, raising concerns that it will take several months for the outbreak to peak.

WHO Europe has forecast just over 27,000 monkeypox cases in 88 countries by Aug. 2, up from 17,800 cases in nearly 70 countries at the latest count.

Making predictions beyond that is complex, scientists around the world told Reuters, but there is likely to be sustained transmission for several months and possibly longer, they said.

"We have to get in front of this," said Anne Rimoin, an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"It's clear the window of opportunity for doing so is closing," added Rimoin, a member of the WHO expert committee on monkeypox that met last week to determine whether the outbreak constituted a global health emergency.

A majority of committee members voted against the move and, in an unprecedented step, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared an emergency anyway.

Global health experts said action stemming from that declaration needs to be urgent, including increased vaccination, testing, isolation for those infected and contact tracing.

"Transmission is clearly unchecked," said Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, who chairs the WHO Europe advisory group. Jimmy Whitworth, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said he expected that cases would not plateau for at least the next four-to-six months, or until the those at highest risk of infection have been either vaccinated or infected. Sexual health organizations recently estimated that could be around 125,000 people in the UK.

Monkeypox has been a globally neglected public health problem in parts of Africa for decades, but cases began to be reported outside countries where it is endemic in May.

It generally causes mild to moderate symptoms, including fever, fatigue and the hallmark painful skin lesions, that resolve within a few weeks. Five people have died in the current outbreak, all of them in Africa.

Beyond Africa, monkeypox is spreading chiefly in men who have sex with men, putting sexual health clinics on alert for new cases.

"I remember clearly ... saying that 'I think I'm going to die,' because I can't eat, I can't drink. I can't even swallow my own spit," said Harun Tulunay, 35, a sexual health advocate who was hospitalized with monkeypox in London earlier this month but has since recovered.

'SUSTAINED TRANSMISSION'

While monkeypox is not causing large numbers of deaths globally, an unpleasant virus establishing itself in new populations is still bad news, scientists said.

Flahault's group has modeled three scenarios for the coming months, all of which include "sustained transmission," either between men who have sex with men; beyond these groups and possibly into more vulnerable populations, like children, or between humans and animals.

The latter scenario risks the establishment of a monkeypox reservoir in animals in new countries, as it has in parts of west and central Africa, said Flahault.

Ongoing transmission could also lead to mutations that make the virus more efficient at spreading in humans, scientists said.

On Tuesday, German scientists released a study ahead of peer review that found mutations in one of the 47 cases they sequenced that could help monkeypox spread in people more easily.

"The alarm bell was going off (in Africa) but we kept hitting the snooze button. Now it's time to wake up and do something about it," Rimoin said. "An infection anywhere is potentially an infection everywhere." 
&nbsp;

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Scientists advising the World Health Organization (WHO) on monkeypox say the window is closing to stop its spread, with cases currently doubling every two weeks, raising concerns that it will take several months for the outbreak to peak.

Scientists advising the World Health Organization (WHO) on monkeypox say the window is closing to stop its spread, with cases currently doubling every two weeks, raising concerns that it will take several months for the outbreak to peak. WHO Europe has forecast just over 27,000 monkeypox cases in 88 countries by Aug. 2, up from 17,800 cases in nearly 70 countries at the latest count. Making predictions beyond that is complex, scientists around the world told Reuters, but there is likely to be sustained transmission for several months and possibly longer, they said. "We have to get in front of this," said Anne Rimoin, an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. "It's clear the window of opportunity for doing so is closing," added Rimoin, a member of the WHO expert committee on monkeypox that met last week to determine whether the outbreak constituted a global health emergency. A majority of committee members voted against the move and, in an unprecedented step, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared an emergency anyway. Global health experts said action stemming from that declaration needs to be urgent, including increased vaccination, testing, isolation for those infected and contact tracing. "Transmission is clearly unchecked," said Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, who chairs the WHO Europe advisory group. Jimmy Whitworth, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said he expected that cases would not plateau for at least the next four-to-six months, or until the those at highest risk of infection have been either vaccinated or infected. Sexual health organizations recently estimated that could be around 125,000 people in the UK. Monkeypox has been a globally neglected public health problem in parts of Africa for decades, but cases began to be reported outside countries where it is endemic in May. It generally causes mild to moderate symptoms, including fever, fatigue and the hallmark painful skin lesions, that resolve within a few weeks. Five people have died in the current outbreak, all of them in Africa. Beyond Africa, monkeypox is spreading chiefly in men who have sex with men, putting sexual health clinics on alert for new cases. "I remember clearly ... saying that 'I think I'm going to die,' because I can't eat, I can't drink. I can't even swallow my own spit," said Harun Tulunay, 35, a sexual health advocate who was hospitalized with monkeypox in London earlier this month but has since recovered. 'SUSTAINED TRANSMISSION' While monkeypox is not causing large numbers of deaths globally, an unpleasant virus establishing itself in new populations is still bad news, scientists said. Flahault's group has modeled three scenarios for the coming months, all of which include "sustained transmission," either between men who have sex with men; beyond these groups and possibly into more vulnerable populations, like children, or between humans and animals. The latter scenario risks the establishment of a monkeypox reservoir in animals in new countries, as it has in parts of west and central Africa, said Flahault. Ongoing transmission could also lead to mutations that make the virus more efficient at spreading in humans, scientists said. On Tuesday, German scientists released a study ahead of peer review that found mutations in one of the 47 cases they sequenced that could help monkeypox spread in people more easily. "The alarm bell was going off (in Africa) but we kept hitting the snooze button. Now it's time to wake up and do something about it," Rimoin said. "An infection anywhere is potentially an infection everywhere." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Monkeypox emergency could last months, with window closing to stop spread, experts say

A man in the United States tested positive for the Powassan virus as authorities said people should take steps against possible tick bites.

The man who was above 50 was reported with the virus in late March as laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus. The man was hospitalised after the&nbsp;tick bite was discovered and recovered later.

What is Powassan virus?

The virus is spread among humans from an infected tick. It can become potentially serious as it can cause infection in the brain or encephalitis including meningitis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-what-is-cerebral-aneurysm-that-chinese-president-xi-jinping-reportedly-suffers-from-478027">Also Read:&nbsp;What is 'cerebral aneurysm' that Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly suffers from?</a>

Where has it occurred in the US?

According to the CDC, Powassan rarely spreads through person-to-person by blood transfusion. It also does not spread by coughing or touching. A person infected with the virus suffers from loss of coordination&nbsp;and confusion including seizures.

CDC said the cases of Powassan virus have been increasing with late spring through to fall when ticks are believed to be active. It has been detected in the northeastern and Great Lakes regions in the US.

People who work around bushy and wooded areas are most at risk. The CDC recommends ticks on pets should be prevented.

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What are the symptoms?

A person develops headaches, fever and weakness including vomiting after the tick bite. The infected person might start feeling sick up to&nbsp;one week to one month after being infected.&nbsp;

How can it be cured?

Although there is no specific treatment for Powassan&nbsp;but the CDC recommends hospitalisation including breathing support, staying hydrated and taking steps to reduce swelling in the brain.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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A man in the United States tested positive for the Powassan virus as authorities said people should take steps against possible tick bites. The man who was above 50 was reported with the virus in late March as laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus.

A man in the United States tested positive for the Powassan virus as authorities said people should take steps against possible tick bites. The man who was above 50 was reported with the virus in late March as laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus. The man was hospitalised after the tick bite was discovered and recovered later. What is Powassan virus? The virus is spread among humans from an infected tick. It can become potentially serious as it can cause infection in the brain or encephalitis including meningitis. Also Read: What is 'cerebral aneurysm' that Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly suffers from? Where has it occurred in the US? According to the CDC, Powassan rarely spreads through person-to-person by blood transfusion. It also does not spread by coughing or touching. A person infected with the virus suffers from loss of coordination and confusion including seizures. CDC said the cases of Powassan virus have been increasing with late spring through to fall when ticks are believed to be active. It has been detected in the northeastern and Great Lakes regions in the US. People who work around bushy and wooded areas are most at risk. The CDC recommends ticks on pets should be prevented. Watch: What is a Keto diet? Don't follow diet fads blindly What are the symptoms? A person develops headaches, fever and weakness including vomiting after the tick bite. The infected person might start feeling sick up to one week to one month after being infected. How can it be cured? Although there is no specific treatment for Powassan but the CDC recommends hospitalisation including breathing support, staying hydrated and taking steps to reduce swelling in the brain. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Man hospitalised with Powassan virus: Is it life-threatening? How can it be prevented?

It may seem strange after a pandemic that has killed&nbsp;millions&nbsp;and turned the world upside down, but&nbsp;viruses&nbsp;could&nbsp;save&nbsp;just as many&nbsp;lives.

In a petri dish in a laboratory in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a battle is going on between antibiotic resistant bacteria and "friendly"&nbsp;viruses.

This small nation in the Caucasus has pioneered research on a groundbreaking way to tackle the looming nightmare of bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics on which the world depends.

Long overlooked in the West, bacteriophages or bacteria-eating&nbsp;viruses&nbsp;are now being used on some of the most difficult medical cases, including a Belgian woman who developed a life-threatening infection after being injured in the 2016 Brussels airport bombing.

After two years of unsuccessful antibiotic treatment, bacteriophages sent from Tbilisi cured her infection in three months.

"We use those phages that kill harmful bacteria" to cure patients when antibiotics fail, Mzia Kutateladze of the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages told AFP.&nbsp;

Even a banal infection can "kill a patient because the pathogen has developed resistance to antibiotics," Kutateladze said.

In such cases, phagotherapy "is one of the best alternatives", she added.

Phages have been known about for a century, but were largely forgotten and dismissed after antibiotics revolutionised medicine in the 1930s.

Stalin's henchman

It didn't help that the man who did most to develop them, Georgian scientist Giorgi Eliava, was executed in 1937 on the orders of another Georgian, Lavrentiy Beria, Stalin's most notorious henchman and the head of his secret police.

Eliava had worked in the Pasteur Institute in Paris with French-Canadian microbiologist Felix d'Herelle, one of the two men credited with discovering phages, and persuaded Stalin to invite him to Tbilisi in 1934.&nbsp;

But their collaboration was cut short when Beria had Eliava killed, although his motive still remains a mystery.&nbsp;

With the World Health Organization now declaring antimicrobial resistance a global health crisis, phages are making a comeback, especially as they can target bacteria while leaving human cells intact.

A recent study warned that superbugs&nbsp;could&nbsp;kill as many as 10 million people a year when antimicrobial resistance due to overuse of antibiotics reaches a tipping point. That&nbsp;could&nbsp;come within three decades.

'Training'&nbsp;viruses

While phages-based medicines cannot completely replace antibiotics, researchers say they have major pluses in being cheap, not having side-effects nor damaging organs or gut flora.

"We produce six standard phages that are of wide spectrum and can heal multiple infectious diseases," said Eliava Institute physician Lia Nadareishvili.

In some 10 to 15 percent of patients, however, standard phages don't work and "we have to find ones capable of killing the particular bacterial strain," she added.

Tailored phages to target rare infections can be selected from the institute's massive collection -- the world's richest -- or be found in sewage or polluted water or soil, Kutateladze said.

The institute can even "train" phages so that "they can kill more and more different harmful bacteria."

"It is a cheap and easily accessible therapy," she added.

Last-resort treatment

A 34-year-old American mechanical engineer suffering from a chronic bacterial disease for six years told AFP he "already felt improvement" after two weeks at the Tbilisi institute.

"I've tried every possible treatment in the United States," said Andrew, who would only give his first name.

He is one of the hundreds of patients from around the globe who arrive in Georgia every year for last-resort treatment, said Nadareishvili.

With the traditional antimicrobial armoury depleting rapidly, more clinical studies are needed so that phagotherapy can be more widely approved, Kutateladze argued.

In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised a clinical study on the use of bacteriophages to cure secondary infections in Covid patients.

Beyond medicine, phages are already being used to stop food going off, and they "can be used in agriculture to protect crops and animals from harmful bacteria," Kutateladze said.&nbsp;

The institute has already conducted research on bacteria targeting cotton and rice.

Bacteriophages also have potential to counter biological weapons and combat bioterrorism, with Canadian researchers&nbsp;publishing a 2017 study on using them to counter an anthrax attack on crowded public places.

It may seem strange after a pandemic that has killed millions and turned the world upside down, but viruses could save just as many lives. In a petri dish in a laboratory in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a battle is going on between antibiotic resistant bacteria and "friendly" viruses.

It may seem strange after a pandemic that has killed millions and turned the world upside down, but viruses could save just as many lives. In a petri dish in a laboratory in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a battle is going on between antibiotic resistant bacteria and "friendly" viruses. This small nation in the Caucasus has pioneered research on a groundbreaking way to tackle the looming nightmare of bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics on which the world depends. Long overlooked in the West, bacteriophages or bacteria-eating viruses are now being used on some of the most difficult medical cases, including a Belgian woman who developed a life-threatening infection after being injured in the 2016 Brussels airport bombing. After two years of unsuccessful antibiotic treatment, bacteriophages sent from Tbilisi cured her infection in three months. "We use those phages that kill harmful bacteria" to cure patients when antibiotics fail, Mzia Kutateladze of the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages told AFP. Even a banal infection can "kill a patient because the pathogen has developed resistance to antibiotics," Kutateladze said. In such cases, phagotherapy "is one of the best alternatives", she added. Phages have been known about for a century, but were largely forgotten and dismissed after antibiotics revolutionised medicine in the 1930s. Stalin's henchman It didn't help that the man who did most to develop them, Georgian scientist Giorgi Eliava, was executed in 1937 on the orders of another Georgian, Lavrentiy Beria, Stalin's most notorious henchman and the head of his secret police. Eliava had worked in the Pasteur Institute in Paris with French-Canadian microbiologist Felix d'Herelle, one of the two men credited with discovering phages, and persuaded Stalin to invite him to Tbilisi in 1934. But their collaboration was cut short when Beria had Eliava killed, although his motive still remains a mystery. With the World Health Organization now declaring antimicrobial resistance a global health crisis, phages are making a comeback, especially as they can target bacteria while leaving human cells intact. A recent study warned that superbugs could kill as many as 10 million people a year when antimicrobial resistance due to overuse of antibiotics reaches a tipping point. That could come within three decades. 'Training' viruses While phages-based medicines cannot completely replace antibiotics, researchers say they have major pluses in being cheap, not having side-effects nor damaging organs or gut flora. "We produce six standard phages that are of wide spectrum and can heal multiple infectious diseases," said Eliava Institute physician Lia Nadareishvili. In some 10 to 15 percent of patients, however, standard phages don't work and "we have to find ones capable of killing the particular bacterial strain," she added. Tailored phages to target rare infections can be selected from the institute's massive collection -- the world's richest -- or be found in sewage or polluted water or soil, Kutateladze said. The institute can even "train" phages so that "they can kill more and more different harmful bacteria." "It is a cheap and easily accessible therapy," she added. Last-resort treatment A 34-year-old American mechanical engineer suffering from a chronic bacterial disease for six years told AFP he "already felt improvement" after two weeks at the Tbilisi institute. "I've tried every possible treatment in the United States," said Andrew, who would only give his first name. He is one of the hundreds of patients from around the globe who arrive in Georgia every year for last-resort treatment, said Nadareishvili. With the traditional antimicrobial armoury depleting rapidly, more clinical studies are needed so that phagotherapy can be more widely approved, Kutateladze argued. In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised a clinical study on the use of bacteriophages to cure secondary infections in Covid patients. Beyond medicine, phages are already being used to stop food going off, and they "can be used in agriculture to protect crops and animals from harmful bacteria," Kutateladze said. The institute has already conducted research on bacteria targeting cotton and rice. Bacteriophages also have potential to counter biological weapons and combat bioterrorism, with Canadian researchers publishing a 2017 study on using them to counter an anthrax attack on crowded public places.

Viruses that could save millions of lives

The variants of SARS-CoV-2 are getting better at travelling through the air, and people must wear tight-fitting masks and ensure better ventilation, in addition to getting vaccinated, to help stop spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a study.

The team led by researchers at the University of Maryland in the US found that people infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhale infectious virus in their breath, and those infected with the Alpha variant put 43 to 100 times more virus into the air than people infected with the original strains of the virus.

The study, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, also found that loose-fitting cloth and surgical masks reduced the amount of virus that gets into the air around infected people by about half.

"Our latest study provides further evidence of the importance of airborne transmission," said Don Milton, professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. "We know that the Delta variant circulating now is even more contagious than the Alpha variant. Our research indicates that the variants just keep getting better at travelling through the air, so we must provide better ventilation and wear tight-fitting masks, in addition to vaccination, to help stop spread of the virus," Milton said.

The researchers noted that the amount of virus in the air coming from Alpha variant infections was much more — 18-times more — than could be explained by the increased amounts of virus in nasal swabs and saliva.

"We already knew that virus in saliva and nasal swabs was increased in Alpha variant infections," said doctoral student Jianyu Lai, one of the lead authors of the study. "Virus from the nose and mouth might be transmitted by sprays of large droplets up close to an infected person. But, our study shows that the virus in exhaled aerosols is increasing even more," Lai said.

The researchers said these major increases in airborne virus from Alpha infections occurred before the Delta variant arrived and indicate that the virus is evolving to be better at travelling through the air. To test whether face masks work in blocking the virus from being transmitted among people, the study measured how much SARS-CoV-2 is breathed into the air and tested how much less virus people sick with COVID-19 exhaled into the air after putting on a cloth or surgical mask.

Face coverings significantly reduced virus-laden particles in the air around the person with COVID-19, cutting the amount by about 50 per cent, the researchers found. However, the loose-fitting cloth and surgical masks didn’t stop infectious virus from getting into the air, they said.

"The take-home messages from this paper are that the coronavirus can be in your exhaled breath, is getting better at being in your exhaled breath, and using a mask reduces the chance of you breathing it on others," Jennifer German, a co-author of the study said. "This means that a layered approach to control measures — including improved ventilation, increased filtration, UV air sanitation, and tight-fitting masks, in addition to vaccination — is critical to protect people in public-facing jobs and indoor spaces," German added.

The variants of SARS-CoV-2 are getting better at travelling through the air, and people must wear tight-fitting masks and ensure better ventilation, in addition to getting vaccinated, to help stop spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a study.

The variants of SARS-CoV-2 are getting better at travelling through the air, and people must wear tight-fitting masks and ensure better ventilation, in addition to getting vaccinated, to help stop spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a study. The team led by researchers at the University of Maryland in the US found that people infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhale infectious virus in their breath, and those infected with the Alpha variant put 43 to 100 times more virus into the air than people infected with the original strains of the virus. The study, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, also found that loose-fitting cloth and surgical masks reduced the amount of virus that gets into the air around infected people by about half. "Our latest study provides further evidence of the importance of airborne transmission," said Don Milton, professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. "We know that the Delta variant circulating now is even more contagious than the Alpha variant. Our research indicates that the variants just keep getting better at travelling through the air, so we must provide better ventilation and wear tight-fitting masks, in addition to vaccination, to help stop spread of the virus," Milton said. The researchers noted that the amount of virus in the air coming from Alpha variant infections was much more — 18-times more — than could be explained by the increased amounts of virus in nasal swabs and saliva. "We already knew that virus in saliva and nasal swabs was increased in Alpha variant infections," said doctoral student Jianyu Lai, one of the lead authors of the study. "Virus from the nose and mouth might be transmitted by sprays of large droplets up close to an infected person. But, our study shows that the virus in exhaled aerosols is increasing even more," Lai said. The researchers said these major increases in airborne virus from Alpha infections occurred before the Delta variant arrived and indicate that the virus is evolving to be better at travelling through the air. To test whether face masks work in blocking the virus from being transmitted among people, the study measured how much SARS-CoV-2 is breathed into the air and tested how much less virus people sick with COVID-19 exhaled into the air after putting on a cloth or surgical mask. Face coverings significantly reduced virus-laden particles in the air around the person with COVID-19, cutting the amount by about 50 per cent, the researchers found. However, the loose-fitting cloth and surgical masks didn’t stop infectious virus from getting into the air, they said. "The take-home messages from this paper are that the coronavirus can be in your exhaled breath, is getting better at being in your exhaled breath, and using a mask reduces the chance of you breathing it on others," Jennifer German, a co-author of the study said. "This means that a layered approach to control measures — including improved ventilation, increased filtration, UV air sanitation, and tight-fitting masks, in addition to vaccination — is critical to protect people in public-facing jobs and indoor spaces," German added.

COVID-19 virus evolving to get better at becoming airborne, study shows

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll in ways that no one can measure.&nbsp;

It was vital, he said, for people to follow the science and resist the urge to turn a blind eye to the virus.

"We might be tired of COVID-19. But it is not tired of us," he said.

Tedros, speaking from quarantine after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19, warned that the virus preys on weakness.

"It preys on those in weaker health, but it preys on other weaknesses too: inequality, division, denial, wishful thinking and willful ignorance, he said.

"We cannot negotiate with it, nor close our eyes and hope it goes away."

"It pays no heed to political rhetoric or conspiracy theories," he said.

"Our only hope is science, solutions and solidarity."

Addressing the WHO's main annual assembly he said that "We can’t measure the grief of families who weren’t able to say goodbye to their loved ones. We can’t measure the fear felt by so many in the face of an uncertain future."

"Almost 50 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 1.2 million people have lost their lives. Millions more have died due to disruption of essential health services".

"No one knows the long-term effects of this virus on the human body, or on the type of world, our children and grandchildren will inherit. Although this is a global crisis, we must remember that countries have responded differently, and they have been affected differently,”.

(With inputs from agencies)

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll in ways that no one can measure. It was vital, he said, for people to follow the science and resist the urge to turn a blind eye to the virus.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll in ways that no one can measure. It was vital, he said, for people to follow the science and resist the urge to turn a blind eye to the virus. "We might be tired of COVID-19. But it is not tired of us," he said. Tedros, speaking from quarantine after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19, warned that the virus preys on weakness. "It preys on those in weaker health, but it preys on other weaknesses too: inequality, division, denial, wishful thinking and willful ignorance, he said. "We cannot negotiate with it, nor close our eyes and hope it goes away." "It pays no heed to political rhetoric or conspiracy theories," he said. "Our only hope is science, solutions and solidarity." Addressing the WHO's main annual assembly he said that "We can’t measure the grief of families who weren’t able to say goodbye to their loved ones. We can’t measure the fear felt by so many in the face of an uncertain future." "Almost 50 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 1.2 million people have lost their lives. Millions more have died due to disruption of essential health services". "No one knows the long-term effects of this virus on the human body, or on the type of world, our children and grandchildren will inherit. Although this is a global crisis, we must remember that countries have responded differently, and they have been affected differently,”. (With inputs from agencies)

World may be tired, but the virus 'not tired of us': WHO chief

A British scientist has made a significant breakthrough in the race to beat coronavirus by reducing the normal development time from ''two to three years to just 14 days'', Reuters reported today.

The leading scientist, Robin Shattock, the Head of Mucosal Infection and Immunity at Imperial College London claims that he intends to start testing the vaccine on animals as early as next week. He additionally plans to invest in human studies this summer if he received enough funding and backing.

WATCH:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-nine-year-old-girl-in-wuhan-asks-people-to-not-give-up-on-the-city-amid-coronavirus-crisis-says-we-shall-overcome-278825" hreflang="en"> Nine-year-old girl in Wuhan asks people to not give up on the city amid coronavirus crisis, says 'we shall overcome'</a>

"Conventional approaches usually take at least two to three years before you even get to the clinic," the scientist told Sky News.&nbsp;

"And we've gone from that sequence to generating a candidate in the laboratory in 14 days'', he added.

However, the vaccine may not help to contain the current outbreak but will be helpful in case there's another one.

<h6><img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39755ccd-ec6e-408a-a6e2-ad57c738e24a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_76.jpg" /> 
This photo taken on February 4, 2020 shows a medical staff member (L) taking samples from a person to be tested for the new coronavirus at a quarantine zone in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, in China's central Hubei province. The world has a "window of opportunity" to halt the spread of a deadly new virus, global health experts said, as the number of people infected in China jumped to 24,000 and millions more were ordered to stay indoors | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The coronavirus outbreak has killed 490 people in China. The number of infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continued to spread in China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-china-is-fighting-novel-war-on-coronavirus-through-twitter-278807" hreflang="en">How China is fighting 'novel' war on coronavirus through Twitter</a>

Two deaths were reported outside China with Hong Kong being the latest where a 39-year-old man who had visited Wuhan died on Tuesday. Another man had earlier died due to the virus in the Philippines.

Additionally, new cases were reported on a Japanese cruise ship which now remains under quarantine.

On Tuesday, the Chinese National Health Commission claimed new 65 deaths were recorded, which shot up the death toll to 490 in China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-490-figure-expected-to-rise-278644" hreflang="en">China's coronavirus death toll rises to 490, over 24,000 infected</a>

A British scientist has made a significant breakthrough in the race to beat coronavirus by reducing the normal development time from ''two to three years to just 14 days'', Reuters reported today.

A British scientist has made a significant breakthrough in the race to beat coronavirus by reducing the normal development time from ''two to three years to just 14 days'', Reuters reported today. The leading scientist, Robin Shattock, the Head of Mucosal Infection and Immunity at Imperial College London claims that he intends to start testing the vaccine on animals as early as next week. He additionally plans to invest in human studies this summer if he received enough funding and backing. WATCH: Nine-year-old girl in Wuhan asks people to not give up on the city amid coronavirus crisis, says 'we shall overcome' "Conventional approaches usually take at least two to three years before you even get to the clinic," the scientist told Sky News. "And we've gone from that sequence to generating a candidate in the laboratory in 14 days'', he added. However, the vaccine may not help to contain the current outbreak but will be helpful in case there's another one. This photo taken on February 4, 2020 shows a medical staff member (L) taking samples from a person to be tested for the new coronavirus at a quarantine zone in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, in China's central Hubei province. The world has a "window of opportunity" to halt the spread of a deadly new virus, global health experts said, as the number of people infected in China jumped to 24,000 and millions more were ordered to stay indoors | AFP The coronavirus outbreak has killed 490 people in China. The number of infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continued to spread in China. Also read: How China is fighting 'novel' war on coronavirus through Twitter Two deaths were reported outside China with Hong Kong being the latest where a 39-year-old man who had visited Wuhan died on Tuesday. Another man had earlier died due to the virus in the Philippines. Additionally, new cases were reported on a Japanese cruise ship which now remains under quarantine. On Tuesday, the Chinese National Health Commission claimed new 65 deaths were recorded, which shot up the death toll to 490 in China. Also read: China's coronavirus death toll rises to 490, over 24,000 infected

British scientist makes breakthrough as race for coronavirus vaccine picks up

For Chinese artist, Guo O Dong, the simple black Samsung laptop computer, loaded with six potent viruses, symbolises one of the world's most frightening threats.

On Tuesday his creation "The Persistence of Chaos" rocked the art world, selling for more than $1.3 million in a New York online auction.

There's nothing special about the 2008 10-inch Netbook, running Microsoft's now-outdated Windows XP.&nbsp;

But loaded onto its memory chips are the computing world's equivalents of the most deadly infectious diseases: "I LOVE YOU" from 2000, "Sobig" of 2003, "MyDoom" (2004), "DarkTequila" (2013), "BlackEnergy" (2015), and the most notorious of all, the "WannaCry" ransomware from two years ago.

It is a powerful symbol of the threat on simple laptop can pose to the entire world. The six trojans, worms and malware loaded on it have caused at least $95 billion in damage around the world, according to Guo.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-on-safer-internet-day-10-tips-to-prevent-hacking-32002">Opinion: On Safer Internet Day, 10 tips to prevent hacking</a>

Guo is an internet artist "whose work critiques modern day extremely online culture," the auction site, organized by cybersecurity group Deep Instinct, said.

The computer, viewed via an online video stream, is harmless in its auction state -- turned on, but not connected to any network or the internet.

The auction site says it is "airgapped" -- its wireless and internet connections physically and electronically plugged.&nbsp;

But it comes with ominous warning to the buyer not to unleash its pathogenic programs -- possible by unplugging its connection hardware, or by simply inserting a thumb drive.

The site stresses that the artwork is for research use only, saying that anyone who submitted a bid contractually agreed that they "have no intention of disseminating any malware."&nbsp;

At the same time, the site appeared to acknowledge that the buyer might not heed the agreement.&nbsp;

"Please remember that these are live and dangerous malware samples," it said.

"Running them unconstrained means that you will infect yourself or others with vicious and dangerous malware."

The buyer was not identified.

For Chinese artist, Guo O Dong, the simple black Samsung laptop computer, loaded with six potent viruses, symbolises one of the world's most frightening threats.

For Chinese artist, Guo O Dong, the simple black Samsung laptop computer, loaded with six potent viruses, symbolises one of the world's most frightening threats. On Tuesday his creation "The Persistence of Chaos" rocked the art world, selling for more than $1.3 million in a New York online auction. There's nothing special about the 2008 10-inch Netbook, running Microsoft's now-outdated Windows XP. But loaded onto its memory chips are the computing world's equivalents of the most deadly infectious diseases: "I LOVE YOU" from 2000, "Sobig" of 2003, "MyDoom" (2004), "DarkTequila" (2013), "BlackEnergy" (2015), and the most notorious of all, the "WannaCry" ransomware from two years ago. It is a powerful symbol of the threat on simple laptop can pose to the entire world. The six trojans, worms and malware loaded on it have caused at least $95 billion in damage around the world, according to Guo. Opinion: On Safer Internet Day, 10 tips to prevent hacking Guo is an internet artist "whose work critiques modern day extremely online culture," the auction site, organized by cybersecurity group Deep Instinct, said. The computer, viewed via an online video stream, is harmless in its auction state -- turned on, but not connected to any network or the internet. The auction site says it is "airgapped" -- its wireless and internet connections physically and electronically plugged. But it comes with ominous warning to the buyer not to unleash its pathogenic programs -- possible by unplugging its connection hardware, or by simply inserting a thumb drive. The site stresses that the artwork is for research use only, saying that anyone who submitted a bid contractually agreed that they "have no intention of disseminating any malware." At the same time, the site appeared to acknowledge that the buyer might not heed the agreement. "Please remember that these are live and dangerous malware samples," it said. "Running them unconstrained means that you will infect yourself or others with vicious and dangerous malware." The buyer was not identified.

Virus-packed laptop sells as artwork for over $1.3 million

A computer virus infected the Spanish defence ministry's intranet this month with the aim of stealing high tech military secrets, El País newspaper said on Tuesday, citing sources leading the investigation as suspecting a foreign power behind the cyber attack.

A defence ministry spokesman said the ministry would not comment.

El País said the virus was apparently introduced via email and was first spotted at the beginning of March. However, it could have gone undetected for months in an intranet with more than 50,000 users.

Although the network does not carry classified information, the paper said its sources were concerned about a wider infection to other networks with the purpose of accessing information related to secret military technology.

The investigation had yet to determine who was responsible for the cyber attack, but sources told El País it was too technically complex to be done by standard hackers. "There is a state behind it," they said.

A computer virus infected the Spanish defence ministry's intranet this month with the aim of stealing high tech military secrets, El País newspaper said on Tuesday, citing sources leading the investigation as suspecting a foreign power behind the cyber attack.

A computer virus infected the Spanish defence ministry's intranet this month with the aim of stealing high tech military secrets, El País newspaper said on Tuesday, citing sources leading the investigation as suspecting a foreign power behind the cyber attack. A defence ministry spokesman said the ministry would not comment. El País said the virus was apparently introduced via email and was first spotted at the beginning of March. However, it could have gone undetected for months in an intranet with more than 50,000 users. Although the network does not carry classified information, the paper said its sources were concerned about a wider infection to other networks with the purpose of accessing information related to secret military technology. The investigation had yet to determine who was responsible for the cyber attack, but sources told El País it was too technically complex to be done by standard hackers. "There is a state behind it," they said.

Computer virus infects Spain's defence ministry: Report

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