Seminar: Kanta Subbarao

Preparing for a(nother) respiratory virus pandemic

The epidemiologic success of influenza viruses and coronaviruses that cause zoonotic infections, outbreaks and sporadic pandemics results from the ability of some animal viruses to cross the species barrier and infect susceptible humans, to spread through the air and their remarkable ability to change through antigenic drift and shift. The natural reservoir of influenza A viruses and coronaviruses in nature represent a source for future zoonoses and pandemics. We must build on scientific and public health lessons learned from previous pandemics to prepare for the future.