Fiocruz International News – October | November 2020

Covid-19 Observatory releases a Bulletin on the six months of the pandemic in Brazil

To mark the six months of Covid-19 in Brazil, Fiocruz has published an assessment of the pandemic that has been having effects on the health of populations and challenging science all over the world. Made by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, the investigation includes the main aspects related to Covid-19, whether social, economic, structural, or epidemiological. The publication brings together analytic texts, data, and graphics that go deep in themes related to the social cost of the disease. A timeline highlights the most significant events up to now, and a final text lists Fiocruz actions in the response to the pandemic.

Covid-19 vaccine: Fiocruz discloses its Technological Order Agreement with AstraZeneca

The agreement puts Brazil in a good position in the global scenario. The subject of the Technological Order agreement is initially limited to 100.4 million doses at a US$ 3.16 per dose cost, fully destined to be delivered to the Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Public Health System. However, after concluding the incorporation of the technology, Fiocruz will be capable of producing an additional 100 million doses in the second semester of 2021.

Fiocruz assesses the impact of Pantanal fires on human health

The fires that have hit the Pantanal region for weeks is a threat not only to local fauna and flora but also to the human health of local populations, especially firefighters and nearby communities. Fiocruz has sent a team of researchers to the state of Mato Grosso, to carry out a preliminary observation of the situation to get to know the dimension of the impact of these fires on human health and of visiting research groups with a tradition in the region.

Pope Francis sends a message of support for Fiocruz scientists
In the letter, he acknowledges the work of scientific excellence in the field of public health carried out in this centenary institution. “For the Pope, the work of researchers and health workers "can – and should – be experienced as an expression of concrete love of neighbor”.
High-resolution microscopy images of coronavirus in action
In a partnership Inmetro, Fiocruz researchers have recorded new images that reveal the effects of the infection by the new coronavirus in the cells. The photographs show that infected cells show membrane extensions that form intercellular connections and maybe one of the strategies of the virus to amplify infection.
Fiocruz integrates platform of genomic data on influenza and new coronavirus
The Foundation is responsible for curating the global data submitted to the international platform of genomic data, the GISAID, in the American continent time zone. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 125 thousand viral genomic sequences of the Sars-CoV-2 have been shared.
Brazilian drug against schistosomiasis is approved
For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration of the USA has granted the status of an orphan drug to a drug developed entirely in Brazil: the P-MAPA, immunomodulator for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
Fiocruz and Eatris sign partnership for translational science
The partnership includes not only education and training projects within this theme, but also the creation of a Global Hub of Drug Repositioning, with an initial focus on neglected and rare diseases.
Research confirms sexual transmission of zika virus in Pernambuco State
This is the first Brazilian study to reach this conclusion, and the second worldwide to show that sexual transmission of the zika virus played a much more significant role in the epidemic than what was initially thought.
Study shows antimicrobial capacity of organelles
With the participation of Fiocruz, a study published at Science indicates that droplets of lipids (organelles) are innate immune centers and act in the defense of the host coevolving with pathogens to develop a defense.
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