This Week in Virology

TWiV reviews experiments to understand infection, pathogenesis, and transmission of avian H5N1 influenza virus in goats, and identification of a cellular receptor for tick-borne encephalitis virus. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Public trust in science (Nature) Culling of H5N1 ostriches in Canada (Science) H5N1 in goats (Cell Rep) Receptor for tick-borne encephalitis virus (Nature) Letters read on TWiV 1259 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – Astronomers find clues suggesting Planet Y Alan – A tower of worms wriggles like a single organism Vincent – The EPA Is Ending Greenhouse Gas Data Collection. Who Will Step Up to Fill the Gap? Listener Picks Jay – Who Killed the Electric Car Douglas – Measles and Polio Down in the Schoolyard – Marsh Family parody Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello chat about the ongoing Ebola outbreak in DRC, increases in screwworm diagnoses, a pertussis death in Mississippi before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, monoclonal antibody therapy against RSV, where to find PEMGARDA, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, olfactory dysfunction following SARS-CoV-2 infection and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Ebola Disease (WHO: African Region) Mexico sees 32% jump in flesh-eating screwworm cases since August as cases move north (Reuters) Pediatric Pertussis Death Reported (Mississippi State Department of Health) Wastewater for measles (WasterWater Scan) Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC Rubeola) Tracking Measles Cases in the U.S. (Johns Hopkins) Measles vaccine recommendations from NYP (jpg) Weekly measles and rubella monitoring (Government of Canada) Measles (WHO) Get the FACTS about measles (NY State Department of Health) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Measles vaccine (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Presumptive evidence of measles immunity (CDC) Contraindications and precautions to measles vaccination (CDC) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Measles (CDC: Measles Rubeola) Adverse events associated with childhood vaccines: evidence bearing on causality (NLM) Measles Vaccination: Know the Facts(ISDA: Infectious Diseases Society of America) Deaths following vaccination: what does the evidence show (Vaccine) Influenza: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Respiratory virus activity levels (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: cliff notes (CDC FluView) Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths — United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season (CDC: MMWR) ACIP Recommendations Summary (CDC: Influenza) Influenza Vaccine Composition for the 2025-2026 U.S. Influenza Season(FDA) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) Nirsevimab Administration and RSV Hospitalization in the 2024-2025 Season (JAMA: Open Network) Vaccines for Adults (CDC: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)) Economic Analysis of Protein Subunit and mRNA RSV Vaccination in Adults aged 50-59 Years (CDC: ACIP) Evidence to Recommendations Framework (EtR): RSV Vaccination in Adults Aged 50–59 years (CDC: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases) Efficacy and safety of respiratory syncytial virus vaccines (Cochrane Library) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel (CDC: Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Antigenic and Virological Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2, XFG, and NB.1.8.1 (bioRxiV) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Infusion center (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Daniel Griffin’s evidence based medical practices for long COVID (OFID) Long COVID hotline (Columbia : Columbia University Irving Medical Center) The answers: Long COVID Olfactory Dysfunction After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the RECOVER Adult Cohort (JAMA: Open Network) Reaching out to US house representative Letters read on TWiV 1258 Dr. Griffin’s COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Elke Wollants, a lab manager at KU Leuven with expertise in wastewater surveillance, discusses her innovative study on analyzing airplane toilet waste for viruses. She details the logistics of collecting samples from high-risk flights, particularly from Beijing to Brussels, and reveals that about 60% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Beyond COVID-19, they explored other pathogens, including norovirus and bacteria. Looking ahead, Elke shares plans for enhanced surveillance techniques and the potential to detect various serious viruses, contributing significantly to public health.

Explore groundbreaking experiments creating genetically modified chickens that resist avian influenza using CRISPR technology. The hosts discuss how these edits impact viral shedding and the risks of viral escape mutations. Transitioning to HTLV-1, they unveil innovative therapies that show promise in eradicating the virus in humanized mice. The risks and history of emerging pathogens meet the excitement of scientific advancement in this engaging and informative discussion.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease clinician, shares insights on crucial viral diseases. He dissects public misconceptions about science, linking historical examples to current skepticism. Griffin discusses a troubling surge in measles cases and the importance of vaccination, alongside a rise in pediatric flu deaths. He details the latest on COVID vaccine recommendations, emphasizing a universal approach. With updates on Ebola in the DRC and new RSV monoclonal treatments, Griffin provides urgent guidance for public health and individual safety.

Pamela Vallely, President of the European Society for Clinical Virology, and Piotr Kramarz, Chief Scientist at the ECDC, share insights from Thessaloniki. They discuss the crucial role of ESCV in advancing clinical virology and the ECDC's surveillance efforts against communicable diseases. Topics include cross-border pathogen coordination, epidemic intelligence, and the importance of public outreach to combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. They also reflect on their personal hobbies, adding a fun twist to the serious discussions.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, a seasoned clinician and infectious disease expert, joins to provide crucial insights on the evolving landscape of public health. He discusses the alarming increase in U.S. measles cases and highlights tragic complications like SSPE from this preventable disease. The conversation dives into the latest COVID-19 vaccine safety data, emphasizing its reliability for pregnant women. Dr. Griffin also explains new treatments for long COVID and stresses the importance of scientific integrity in health policy, urging listeners to advocate for robust biomedical research.

In this lively discussion, Aaron Schmidt, head of Harvard's virology program, shares his insights on using protein engineering to modulate immune responses against viruses like influenza. Tatum Sass reflects on her CAR T cell advancements, while Ben Gewurz unpacks the complexities of Epstein-Barr virus and its ties to health issues. They emphasize resilience in research and the need for clear science communication, all set against the backdrop of the Harvard virology retreat, which celebrates collaboration and the importance of mentorship in shaping future scientists.

This week, Dr. Griffin dives into a Legionnaires’ outbreak in Harlem and the emergence of the invasive longhorned tick. The discussion also touches on a potential Ebola outbreak in the Congo. Florida's decision to end childhood vaccine mandates raises eyebrows amid rising measles cases. The conversation then shifts to COVID-19, highlighting effective treatments like Paxlovid and the importance of vaccination. Long COVID research is gaining traction, with new clinical studies underway and a push for answers and support for affected individuals.

TWiV re-issues our 100th episode which featured a discussion of viruses with David Baltimore, an exemplary scientist and Vincent’s exemplary mentor, who passed on 6 September 2025. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit Guest: David Baltimore Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV David’s early papers on poliovirus and mengovirus RNA synthesis Reverse transcriptase found by Baltimore and Temin (pdfs) Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1975 The David Baltimore asteroid belt Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.