All Emerging Threats & Epidemiology articles
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NewsHigh-resolution DNA typing uncovers hidden diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in China
An international research team has revealed previously hidden genetic diversity in Toxoplasma gondii, a globally distributed zoonotic parasite, in China.
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NewsHantavirus in the South Atlantic: A one health and microbiome wake‑up call
The hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreak on MV Hondius shows how global travel and environmental change are reshaping how zoonotic viruses emerge. In a new commentary, Professor Lu proposes four initiatives aligned with Microbiome and One Health.
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NewsClimate change could reshape flu seasons across the Americas
Researchers find that weather and climate patterns can help predict the timing and severity of flu outbreaks across diverse regions.
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NewsGlobal burden of viral skin diseases rises 36% since 1990: Children and elderly bear the brunt
Global analysis of viral skin diseases underscores the need for equitable policies: while high-income countries have made progress via vaccination and better healthcare, low-resource regions lag behind.
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NewsCascading disaster: While U.S. HIV infections have fallen, they are rising among Latinos
From 2010 to 2022, new HIV infections in the United States declined 19% overall but among Latinos, they rose 12%. In 2023, new HIV diagnoses among Latinos jumped 8% in a single year — the largest increase of any racial or ethnic group in the country.
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NewsLong-term hepatitis control efforts dramatically reduce HBV and HCV burden in Japan
Researchers have estimated that the number of HBV infections in Japan could decline gradually down to around 200,000 cases by 2050, down from an estimate of 923,000 to 940,000 cases in 2020. HCV is estimated to decline to less than 20,000 cases.
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NewsUnsafe water still drives global diarrheal disease burden
A new study, analysing data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database, found that deaths and disability-adjusted life years linked to unsafe water have declined sharply over the last three decades. Nevertheless, the burden remains concentrated in low socio-demographic index regions.
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NewsResearcher wins $5.6M NIH Avant Garde Award to prevent HIV, Hepatitis C and overdose
An innovative project will use AI-powered “digital twins” to help public health agencies better prevent HIV, hepatitis C and overdose among people who use drugs.
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OpinionWhy cruise ships remain vulnerable to viral outbreaks - and how new technologies could help
A dream holiday can quickly become a public health challenge when thousands of people share the same dining rooms, elevators and living spaces. Recent viral outbreaks on cruise ships have shown just how vulnerable these floating cities remain to infectious diseases.
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NewsLow risk of global spread of Ebola disease, analysis suggests
Researchers identified and analysed all known Ebola disease cases outside Africa to assess the risk of undetected Orthoebolavirus transmission outside Africa and to put it into context with possible border and travel policies.
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NewsOropouche virus has already infected more than 5 million people in Brazil, study suggests
The recent Oropouche virus outbreak in 2023 has drawn attention in Brazil and other Latin American countries because of its scale and rapid spread. Researchers estimate that since 1960, the virus has infected approximately 9.4 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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NewsReservoir of drug-resistant germs IDed in national surveillance collaboration
Researchers who screened more than 2,000 samples across 42 states say there is a rapidly evolving, plasmid-driven epidemic of community-associated multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae across the United States.
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NewsGenetics: Oldest-known evidence of plague outbreaks in prehistoric communities
Plague outbreaks dating back to around 5,500 years ago documented in hunter-gatherer communities from southeast Siberia are described in a paper. The findings, based on an analysis of ancient DNA, may be the oldest known evidence of the plague and could shed light on its origins.
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NewsTropical ocean temperatures drive changes in malaria cases in Malawi
New research shows that temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Indian Oceans drive year-to-year changes in malaria cases in Malawi.
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NewsHow specific humidity affects flu outbreaks - and what it means under climate change
In temperate regions, flu season is in the winter, while in the tropics, constant low-intensity activity is typically punctuated by two annual peaks—or a surge during the rainy season. Researchers investigated whether specific humidity—the mass of water vapor per unit mass of air—could explain these differing patterns.
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NewsJust 10 viral particles can cause H5N1 avian flu infection in cows
Just 10 viral particles of the H5N1 bird flu that caused hundreds of influenza outbreaks in U.S. dairy cattle can cause infection in cows, a new study shows. The research also hints at why the outbreaks have confounded scientists, farmers and livestock handlers hoping to contain and prevent the disease.
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NewsWastewater analysis offers a new way to monitor HIV in communities
Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) detection in wastewater offers a novel approach to monitor the virus in communities. Hybrid-capture genetic sequencing allows researchers to analyze viral genomes in detail and specifically identify viral signals coming from community wastewater.
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NewsPandemic may have reshaped England’s medication use
Medication dispensing patterns in England shifted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis of national primary care dispensing data. The use of some treatments recovered to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels, including medications for cardiovascular disease and diabetes; the use of others remained lower.
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NewsStudy deploys DNA to track infectious bacteria from raccoons via rivers to humans
The emerging infectious bacterium Escherichia albertii has caused outbreaks of severe food poisoning and hospitalized people through contaminated water and foods, such as salad ingredients. A new study suggests a pathway by which invasive raccoons transmit infections to humans.
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NewsThousands of young people to be offered two-dose MenB vaccine ahead of autumn
Thousands of young people across England will get protection against meningococcal B disease (MenB) through a one-off vaccination programme launching ahead of the 2026 academic year.