Bird flu could be on the cusp of transmitting between humans − but there are ways to slow down viral evolution

At the viral chatter stage of an outbreak, pathogens are just starting to infect people in sporadic bursts. It’s a sign that a pandemic may be on the horizon.

Ron Barrett, Professor of Anthropology, Macalester College • conversation
March 31, 2025 • ~9 min

CDC layoffs strike deeply at its ability to respond to the current flu, norovirus and measles outbreaks and other public health emergencies

The CDC was instrumental in eradicating smallpox, identifying the causes of HIV and encouraging Americans to get the COVID-19 shot.

Jordan Miller, Teaching Professor of Public Health, Arizona State University • conversation
Feb. 19, 2025 • ~10 min

US dodged a bird flu pandemic in 1957 thanks to eggs and dumb luck – with a new strain spreading fast, will Americans get lucky again?

With the devastating 1918 pandemic in mind, US health officials saw an outbreak in Asia and swung into action. What happened offers lessons for today.

Alexandra M. Lord, Chair and Curator of Medicine and Science, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
Feb. 6, 2025 • ~8 min

Bird flu flares up again in Michigan poultry – an infectious disease expert explains the risk to humans, chickens, cows and other animals

Officials have confirmed eight new outbreaks in Michigan poultry flocks since mid-December.

Kimberly Dodd, Dean of College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University • conversation
Jan. 16, 2025 • ~10 min

Public health surveillance, from social media to sewage, spots disease outbreaks early to stop them fast

Rather than winging it when an unusual health event crops up, health officials take a systematic approach. The goal is to quickly figure out what’s going on and squash any outbreak before it spreads.

John Duah, Assistant Professor of Health Services Administration, Auburn University • conversation
Nov. 21, 2024 • ~9 min

Avian flu has infected dairy cows in more than a dozen states – a microbiologist explains how the virus is spreading

The H5N1 virus has infected about 900 people since 2003, and more than half of them died. But so far there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

Jenna Guthmiller, Assistant Professor of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Aug. 28, 2024 • ~8 min

Bird flu detected in Colorado dairy cattle − a vet explains the risks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

A veterinarian and epidemiologist who studies infectious diseases in dairy cows discusses the outbreak, how cows recover and what the government is doing to keep the milk supply safe.

Jason Lombard, Associate Professor and Veterinarian, Colorado State University • conversation
May 10, 2024 • ~8 min

How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers

Five livestock experts who study infectious diseases in the dairy industry explain the risks.

Todd Cornish, Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis • conversation
April 25, 2024 • ~9 min

The next pandemic? It’s already here for Earth’s wildlife

Bird flu is decimating species already threatened by climate change and habitat loss.

Diana Bell, Professor of Conservation Biology, University of East Anglia • conversation
March 11, 2024 • ~7 min

I’ve spent 50 years studying one seabird colony fight its way back from near extinction – now it faces new threats

Studying a guillemot colony for 50 years has provided unique insights into how climate change and oil spills affect seabird populations.

Tim Birkhead, Emeritus Professor of Zoology, University of Sheffield • conversation
July 31, 2023 • ~7 min

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