epidemiology
Bird Flu Is Back in the US. No One Knows What Comes Next
The fast-moving pathogen, which has already invaded Europe, was found in East Coast ducks. The last outbreak that tore through the US killed 50 million birds.
A Pandemic Historian Warns Us All to Stop Looking at the Past
Being trapped in my own quarantine reminded me of how little we’ve learned.
Covid Will Become Endemic. The World Must Decide What That Means
The task of 2022 will be figuring out how much action we’re willing to take and how much disease and death we’ll tolerate.
How Science Will Solve the Omicron Variant’s Mysteries
So far, panic about the mysterious new Covid variant has outpaced actual information. Here’s what scientists around the world are trying to uncover.
New Covid Drugs Are Here—and They Could Change the Pandemic
Two antivirals could help beat Covid-19 in countries that don’t have vaccines yet. They just need to work as promised.
New England’s Moose Are Losing the Fight Against Winter Ticks
Climate change has given a tiny parasite a new advantage over the mighty beasts.
What Can Convince People to Just Get Vaccinated Already?
Researchers are struggling to figure out why people don’t get their Covid shots, and what language might persuade them. Saying “You gotta” seems to work.
Oregon Is Burning Trees in Order to Save Them
Sudden oak death, rampant in California, is spreading to the north, leaving the Forest Service with a tough option: Send them up in smoke.
The ‘Forever Virus’ Won't Go Away Until Kids Get Vaccinated
Epidemiologist Larry Brilliant on the Delta surge, chaos at the CDC, and why the under-12s are key to ending the pandemic.
Floods Have Swamped the US. The Next Health Problem: Mold
The goo that grows in soaked buildings can cause infections and allergies—an issue that’s understudied even as climate change leads to more frequent deluges.
Why It’s So Hard to Predict Where the Pandemic Is Headed Next
Human behavior has changed along with the virus and public health measures to contain it. For modelers, it’s a curveball.
A Flawed, Strange Covid-19 Origin Theory Is Gaining Traction
A spate of studies claim that the disease was circulating in Italy long before the pandemic—but they struggle to support the theory.
The Delta Variant Is Making Covid a Pandemic of the Young
Children and teens have been spared the worst of the pandemic, but without vaccines they’re sitting ducks as the virus rages. What risks are they facing?
Vaccine Mandates Work—but Only If They’re Done Right
Requiring people to get their shots can stop Covid-19, but those rules have to be doable and equitable.
Now Isn't the Time to Abandon Contact Tracing
As the nation battles the Delta variant, contact tracing seems to have disappeared from the arsenal of defenses—right when it could help the most.
Afghanistan Almost Beat Polio. Now the Future Is Uncertain
It’s a heart-stopping moment for health officials, who reported only a single case this year—and whose campaigns may end up paused.
Would It Be Fair to Treat Vaccinated Covid Patients First?
Last week, Texas health care policymakers discussed taking vaccination status into account for Covid triage. It’s a larger conversation ethicists are bracing for.
The US Is Getting Covid Booster Shots. The World Is Furious
The White House’s plan to roll out third shots for any American adult is raising profound questions about global equity.
This AI Helps Detect Wildlife Health Issues in Real Time
A system that scans animal rehabilitation center data could provide early alerts when a disease is spreading.
The FDA OKs an Extra Vaccine Dose for Immunosuppressed People
The federal agency will allow people living with organ transplants, undergoing cancer treatments, and taking some medications to get a third shot.
The Dam Is Breaking on Vaccine Mandates
Hopes for a “normal” fall have been dashed by variants and low vaccine uptake. Businesses and the White House think requiring shots can turn things around.
The Olympics Could Be a Covid-19 ‘Super-Evolutionary Event’
In a warped version of international cooperation, the Games could provide a place for variants of the virus to spread and then return home with athletes.
The Next Covid-19 Battle Will Be About Vaccinating Kids
Pfizer and Moderna are midway through clinical trials, and the public health system is well versed in delivering childhood shots. The challenge? Politics.
Covid Protections Kept Other Viruses at Bay. Now They’re Back
When we masked and stayed home, we were shielded from winter viruses. As we get back to normal, some will resurge—and our immune systems may not be prepared.