Virus
Viral outbreaks are always on the horizon – here are the viruses an infectious disease expert is watching in 2026
Viral outbreaks are always on the horizon – here are the viruses an infectious disease expert is watching in 2026 In 2026, infectious disease experts will be watching for potential viral outbreaks, including Influenza A, which could lead to a pandemic, and Mpox virus, which has spread globally and is still evolving. The Oropouche virus, […]
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Mammary glands make livestock, humans good hosts for bird flu
Mammary glands make livestock, humans good hosts for bird flu A new study finds that mammary glands in pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle, alpacas, and humans are biologically suitable for infection by H5N1 avian influenza. The study suggests that transmission of H5N1 among these domestic mammals and humans is possible, increasing the risk of a […]
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E. coli use an ancient war trick to kill viruses
E. coli use an ancient war trick to kill viruses E. coli bacteria have discovered an ancient war trick to kill viruses by hijacking viral enzymes to produce an immune signal molecule that triggers a defense against the virus. The newly discovered “Kongming” defense system allows the bacterium to commit suicide, taking the virus down […]
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How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains
How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, has been spreading in birds and cattle, infecting 70 Americans and causing two deaths as of April 8, 2025. The risk to people from bird flu is currently low, but experts are concerned that the […]
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What can scientists learn from people who’ve never had COVID?
What can scientists learn from people who’ve never had COVID? Infectious diseases doctor and researcher Sabrina Assoumou says so-called “super-dodgers” could teach scientists a lot about the virus that causes COVID. Five years after the world shut down in response to the rapid spread of a mysterious disease, the total number of reported cases of […]
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Bird flu could be on the cusp of transmitting between humans − but there are ways to slow down viral evolution
Bird flu could be on the cusp of transmitting between humans − but there are ways to slow down viral evolution Workers who are in frequent contact with potentially sick animals are at high risk of bird flu infection. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Disease forecasts are like weather forecasts: We cannot predict the finer details […]
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