Evaluation of animal-to-human and human-to-human transmission of influenza A (H7N9) virus in China, 2013-15. Virlogeux V, Feng L, Tsang TK, Jiang H, Fang VJ, Qin Y, Wu P, Wang X, Zheng J, Lau EHY, Peng Z, Yang J, Cowling BJ, Yu H. Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 11;8(1):552. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17335-9. Abstract: A novel avian-origin influenza A(H7N9) virus emerged in China in March 2013 and by 27 September 2017 a total of 1533 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported. Occurrences of animal-to-human and human-to-human transmission have been previously…
Ban on deadly pathogen research lifts, but controversy remains
Last month, the U.S. government lifted a three-year moratorium on funding risky research to genetically alter deadly viruses in ways that could make them even more lethal. Epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch of Harvard Chan School thinks the move could create an accidental pandemic. Read the article on Harvard Chan News.
On the Relative Role of Different Age Groups During Epidemics Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus. J Infect Dis.
On the Relative Role of Different Age Groups During Epidemics Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Goldstein E, Nguyen HH, Liu P, Viboud C, Steiner CA, Worby CJ, Lipsitch M. J Infect Dis. 2018 Jan 4;217(2):238-244. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix575. Abstract: BACKGROUND: While circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) results in high rates of hospitalization, particularly among young children and elderly individuals, little is known about the role of different age groups in propagating annual RSV…
US government lifts ban on risky pathogen research
“Gain-of-function studies ‘have done almost nothing to improve our preparedness for pandemics — yet they risked creating an accidental pandemic’” says Prof. Marc Lipsitch, CCDD Director. Read the article in Nature.
Can math be used to predict an outbreak?
READ: Scientists use algorithms in effort to forecast ground zero for next animal to human disease crisis.
Preparing in ‘peacetime’ for the next infectious disease outbreak
READ: Featured story “Preparing in ‘peacetime’ for the next infectious disease outbreak”on CCDD-sponsored epidemics seminar.
Taj Azarian, PhD, featured on The Story Collider
Taj Azarian, PhD, CCDD Postdoctoral Research Fellow was a guest storyteller on The Story Collider, a live show featuring true, personal stories about science. Taj presented on October 11, 2017 in Cambridge, MA at the show themed “Road Blocks.” Listen to his story here:
Think Research Podcast with Dr. Bill Hanage
LISTEN: Dr. Bill Hanage interviewed on Harvard Catalyst’s Think Research podcast, “Predicting the Path: The Study of Infectious Diseases“
Sorry, Silicon Valley, but ‘disruption’ isn’t a cure-all
READ: Op-ed by Dr. Caroline Buckee in the Boston Globe
Bill Hanage interview with Travis Smiley, PBS
WATCH: Dr. Bill Hanage interview with Travis Smiley, PBS