Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEID)

The Brink highlights the work being done at @BU_Tweets, including @beacon_bio, to monitor and respond to the Bundibugyo strain Ebola virus outbreak in DRC. spr.ly/6016B8yEw6

In the Bay Area next month? Join us for an introductory presentation on BEACON by CEID Director @BhadeliaMD, & a panel exploring the benefits, risks, & challenges of integrating AI & LLMs into public health policy decisions for pandemic preparedness. spr.ly/6013B8HY7V

Ebola virus disease is a severe infection which can progress in a matter of days to shock, multi-organ failure, & require advanced supportive care, which is why it's critical to bring someone who has a confirmed infection to care quickly says @BhadeliaMD. spr.ly/6014B8DADr

Despite the high mortality of Ebola, widespread global transmission is unlikely, both because cases are mainly occurring in very remote areas & because unlike Covid, asymptomatic transmission is not seen with Ebola, explains @BhadeliaMD. spr.ly/6017B8DWCF

Writing for @NYASciences, @drsyramadad gives an overview of key considerations around the current Ebola outbreak, including what this means for preparations for this summer's FIFA World Cup. spr.ly/6010B8EMye

Adding to the challenges of containing DRC's current Ebola outbreak, is the ongoing armed conflict in the area. Less funding means it’s harder to find an Ebola signal in the noise of many other flu-like illnesses, @BhadeliaMD explains to @NatGeo. spr.ly/6011B8D9uJ

@BhadeliaMD @ChannelNewsAsia She emphasizes though that "Ebola does not pose the same global pandemic risk as airborne viruses like COVID-19, as it requires close contact to spread," & adds that airport screening of passengers coming from effected areas has worked well in the past to control further spread.

Because the current Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak is only the 3rd outbreak of this strain, "we don't have as much clinical experience, & there haven't been as many investments in vaccines & therapeutics," explains @BhadeliaMD. @ChannelNewsAsia spr.ly/6017B8DKVR

Equine influenza epizootic in horses – 60 outbreaks across 34 counties since April 2026, UK Read more at: beaconbio.org/en/report/?rep…

@BhadeliaMD @mygpb She points out that likelihood of survival depends largely on how quickly a patient is able to receive medical care, which proves challenging when early symptoms are similar to a range of diseases, such as malaria and typhoid.

@BhadeliaMD @mygpb It becomes more concerning as the disease progresses. Many patients die from the body going into shock and organs shutting down, "driven by the immune system of the patient revving up in response to the virus."

Reflecting on her previous experience treating Ebola patients, @BhadeliaMD says that unlike how it's often depicted in movies, in early stages, Ebola often resembles other infectious diseases, with general symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, & fever. @mygpb spr.ly/6014B865Ui

Dr. David Hamer provides an explainer for @busph on why hantavirus is unlikely to become the next big pandemic, including its need for closer contact to spread & that given its high fatality rate, it kills hosts too rapidly to spread efficiently. spr.ly/6014BB7t5n

In its 1st year, CEID's @beacon_bio program has helped direct public health responses globally, monitoring 181 pathogens in 169 countries—& even 1 in space. Drs. @BhadeliaMD & Britta Lassmann discuss achievements of year one and what's ahead for BEACON. spr.ly/6014BB7VjO

DRC & the region has immense expertise in handling these types of outbreaks but the current scale in this situation means a lot of international coordination & resources are needed.

I spoke to @KatherineJWu in this article about my concerns re the size of the #Ebola outbreak & how we have lost sight of the chains of transmission which means it will take a lot of work to bring this outbreak to a close. 🧵 theatlantic.com/health/2026/05…

Hantavirus: Addressing online misinformation via WHO ❌ Misinformation: Hantavirus spreads easily like COVID-19 ✅ Fact: Human-to-human transmission of Andes virus is possible, but uncommon and typically linked to close, prolonged contact in enclosed settings. ❌ Misinformation: Hantavirus is a new virus ✅ Fact: Hantaviruses are not new. They are a known group of rodent-borne viruses that have been monitored for decades. ❌ Misinformation: Ivermectin cures hantavirus ✅ Fact: WHO states there is currently no evidence that ivermectin is effective against hantavirus. ❌ Misinformation: Antibiotics treat hantavirus ✅ Fact: Hantavirus is caused by a virus, so antibiotics are not routinely used unless a bacterial infection is also suspected. ❌ Misinformation: There is no treatment at all, so infection is always fatal ✅ Fact: While there is currently no approved antiviral treatment, early supportive medical care and ICU support can improve survival. ❌ Misinformation: Quarantine measures mean authorities are hiding a major outbreak ✅ Fact: Monitoring, contact tracing and isolation are precautionary public health measures designed to detect symptoms early and reduce further spread.

While acknowledging that the high fatality rates of hantavirus are concerning, @drsyramadad tells @TheWorld, "It's important to put into perspective that we know that, looking at the transmission routes, the risk to the general public is low." spr.ly/6013BBmSt7

Though hantavirus is unlikely to spread widely between humans, @BhadeliaMD notes that animal-to-human diseases are emerging more frequently. "When you look at the emerging pathogens over the last 40 years, increasingly you’re seeing that they’re zoonotic.” spr.ly/6015BBmoWZ

May 7 follow-up on hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel: confirmed cases increase to 5, as multiple countries place returning cruise passengers under observation beaconbio.org/en/report/?rep…