Jun 11, 2026

About this episode:  

Vaccines for the Zaire ebolavirus have been licensed since 2019, but no such treatment exists for the current outbreak of Bundibugyo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In this episode: Anna Durbin, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research, introduces listeners to three...

Jun 8, 2026

About this episode:  

Dr. Craig Spencer became sick with Ebola while treating patients in West Africa in 2014. He ultimately recovered at a treatment center back in the United States before returning to Guinea to continue his work. In this episode: he talks about what scares him about the current Ebola...

May 11, 2026

About this episode:

An outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship has triggered a global public health response to treat those infected and trace those exposed. In this episode: why this type of hantavirus is unique, what the symptoms and severity are, and why experts are assuring the public that the risk of pandemic-level...

Apr 9, 2026

About this episode:

The U.S. is on track to surpass 2025’s alarming number of measles cases in 2026. At the same time, the nation’s measles elimination status remains under review as health entities use genome sequencing to better understand the state of transmission. In this episode: Infectious disease specialist...

Jan 12, 2026

About this episode:

Flu is surging in states across the country, breaking a 25-year record for flu-related doctor visits. In this episode: the new strain of influenza A that’s driving cases, why getting a flu shot can still protect you, and how antivirals can help if you do get sick.

Guest:

Andrew Pekosz, PhD, is a...