Wed Sep 18 03:59:30 UTC 2024: ## Nebraska Medical Center’s Global Center for Health Security Stands Ready for Any Biocontainment Crisis

**Omaha, Nebraska** – The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) has established a leading-edge biocontainment center, the Global Center for Health Security (GCHS), designed to combat and prevent any potential biocontainment crisis.

The GCHS boasts an all-star team of experts in biopreparedness, high-consequence infections research, education, and clinical care. This team is dedicated to leading advancements in global health security and working collaboratively with innovative experts to tackle emerging infectious diseases.

The center houses the national Training, Simulation, and Quarantine Center and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, and collaborates with various partners, including the Air Force Research Laboratory’s School of Aerospace Medicine, to provide cutting-edge training and research capabilities.

The GCHS expertise spans biological, chemical, burn, and radiation domains, and is recognized worldwide. It is actively monitoring the spread of emerging pathogens like the new Covid variant XEC, Mpox, and Dengue Fever, providing resources and information on these outbreaks.

The center has garnered international recognition for its contributions to managing high-consequence infections and has become a central resource for global health security initiatives.

**New COVID variant XEC emerges, but vaccines remain effective**

According to scientists, a new COVID variant, XEC, has emerged in Germany and is spreading to other countries, including the UK, US, and Denmark. This variant possesses new mutations that could potentially increase its transmissibility this fall.

However, experts emphasize that current vaccines remain effective in preventing severe COVID cases, including from the XEC variant. The NHS offers free booster shots for individuals at higher risk of severe illness. While the vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, they have not been specifically tailored to XEC, which stems from earlier Omicron subvariants.

Professor Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, highlights that XEC might become the dominant subvariant over the winter due to its slight transmission advantage.

**Stay updated on global health security with the GCHS**

The GCHS provides a wealth of resources and information on emerging pathogens and outbreaks, including news, manuals, playbooks, and biweekly overviews presented by Dr. James V. Lawler, MD, MPH, FIDSA. The center’s website offers detailed information on current outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 Avian Influenza, measles, and other infectious diseases.

The GCHS remains a vital hub for preparedness, research, and response to global health threats, ensuring Nebraska and the world are ready for any biocontainment crisis.

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