Virology Lectures 2023 #22: Emerging viruses

Emerging viruses are not new, but we have recently become much better at recognizing. An emerging virus may be a new virus acquired from a non-human animal, a previously unrecognized virus, or a virus with an expanded disease pattern or host range. In this lecture we discuss the factors that drive virus emergence, followed by a description of emerging virus infection including those caused by poliovirus, Nipah and Hendra viruses, Ebolavirus, SARS and MERS coronaviruses.

[jrodowens]

The issue of 'bushmeat' is worse than you describe.

Far from being a sustenance activity, the bushmeat trade is largely one of status and 'luxury.'
Wealthy/middle-class Africans and African expats abroad fuel this devastating, unsustainable practice. Duikers, fruit bats and chimpanzees are not the only food sources available to local people (who are not usually the consumers anyway.)

[bonniespeck]

Please do a lecture on self replicating vaccines and duel use research and when good intentions go bad. And where did vaccinia virus come from, did people spread it to animals?

[stephenandrews]

You seem to be contradicting the extensive senate report on the origins of the virus. Can you please explain why this report is incorrect? There is also other substantial evidence indicating gain of function origin. Please provide the evidence fir your view point?