Being prepared for emerging infectious diseases is not only about responding to emergencies. It also means having the right research systems in place every day, so that new knowledge can be generated quickly and shared across borders when needed. This is the ambition behind the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases (Ecraid),
Ph. Fajar Arifiyanto/Shutterstock.com James Hay, University of Oxford The NHS is facing severe pressure this winter as flu cases surge earlier than usual, with some calling it “super flu”. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s flu season and how to protect yourself. What is ‘super flu’? Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS
Gemma Ware, The Conversation When the first cases of COVID began to spread around the world in early 2020, people in Iquitos, a remote city in the Peruvian Amazon, weren’t unduly worried. They assumed their isolation would protect them. It didn’t. Peru, and Iquitos, were hit fast and hard. In many wealthier parts
ph. Lightspring/Shutterstock Suman Majumdar, Burnet Institute; Brendan Crabb, Burnet Institute; Emma Pakula, Burnet Institute, and Stuart Turville, UNSW Sydney Since it was detected in August 2023, the JN.1 variant of COVID has spread widely. It has become dominant in Australia and around the world, driving the biggest COVID wave seen in many jurisdictions
ph. nobeastsofierce/Shutterstock John Fraser, University of Auckland Many people first became familiar with the term “mRNA” when Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID vaccines were rolled out. In the simplest terms, mRNA, which stands for messenger ribonucleic acid, is a type of genetic material that gives cells in our bodies instructions to make specific proteins.
Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock Lindsay Broadbent, University of Surrey One aspect of the COVID pandemic that has fascinated both scientists and the public alike is how the infection affects people differently. I’ve previously discussed the potential reasons some people have managed to avoid infection completely. But for those who have been infected, symptoms can range
by Alice Mũrage, Haaris Tiwana, Julia Smith. Originally published on Policy Options With COVID-19 no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern, the federal government is engaging in efforts to improve pandemic preparedness both domestically and globally, recognizing the need to learn from COVID-19 and prepare for the next potential infectious
Sojin Lim, University of Central Lancashire Three years after COVID-19 hit, people around the world have regained their freedom to move between countries. All except in one country: North Korea, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). In January 2020, Kim Jong-un decided to isolate the entire country from the outside world
The podcast explores how science has played a crucial role in defeating pandemics throughout history. It highlights medical breakthroughs such as the smallpox vaccine, antiretroviral drugs for HIV, and the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines. Despite the ongoing threat of pandemics, science has shown that we have the tools to combat them, and
by Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist’s ResourceApril 12, 2023 This collection of research on indoor air quality in U.S. schools, originally published in December 2022, was updated April 12 with a new report that raises concerns about the number of school districts that have not followed the federal government’s guidance on strategies to increase