Prof. Devi Sridhar

Thanks so much to the @FinancialTimes for choosing How Not to Die (too Soon) as one of the best health books for 2025 👏ft.com/content/5f6fc2…

There's a new Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo. I'm already getting lots of questions, so let me tell you what you should know: * This one is already big — "over 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported". This means we're just learning about this outbreak long after its already been spreading. This makes it harder to find contacts and all the cases. Most outbreaks don't get this big by the time they're over, let alone this big by the time we even recognize them. * This one is in a really tough place — the outbreak is centered around the east of DR Congo, in a place with a lot of conflict, cross-border traffic, and instability. There may also be cases in the big city here, meaning worry for more/faster spread in an urban environment. I've worked up here, it's a tough spot to get to and work in, due to transport and conflict. There was an Ebola outbreak here in 2018-2019 that grew to over 3,000 cases. * This is on a few borders — this outbreak is close to the Uganda and South Sudan borders. Uganda has a lot of experience with Ebola outbreaks, South Sudan less. Very possible there's already been cross-border cases, given size of the outbreak already. WHO and countries will be stepping up surveillance, but again, this is a place with a lot of conflict and instability. * This is not your normal Ebola — most outbreaks have been of the Zaire strain of Ebola. That's the one we have vaccines and treatments for. But this outbreak appears to be due to the Bundyibugyo strain. This has caused a few outbreaks in DR Congo in the past, as well as over the border in Uganda. BUT there is no vaccine, and no treatment for this strain. My initial reaction here is that this isn't good, at all. I'm glad Africa CDC is on it, as is WHO. But delayed recognition means this has already gotten big, at a confluence of borders with a lot of instability, and for a strain that we don't have any vaccines or treatments for. I'll share updates as I hear them

🚨A new Ebola outbreak has killed 65 people and infected at least 246 others in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to Africa’s top public health body. The outbreak of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever is in eastern Ituri province, a volatile and remote region more than 620 miles from the nation’s capital of Kinshasa, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The Congolese government has yet to formally declare an outbreak but a press conference is expected within hours.

Friday ☀️ to celebrate reading 📚 at Paisley Book Festival

OUT TODAY IN PAPERBACK IMMUNE HEALTH: A Myth-busting Guide. ‘Will change how you think about your body and live your life’ @DoctorChrisVT ‘Brilliant’ @LizEarleMe 'Beautifully written overview' @ProfBrianCox 'Best book on immune health I have ever read' @theAliceRoberts

Great perspective here:

How is anyone supposed to govern a country & lead on important long-term policy, incl in health & wellbeing, if there are constantly knives out from their own party & daily risk of getting kicked out?

One week until @hayfestival - I’m doing a couple of events- hope to see you there ☀️

Exactly how I'm thinking about this too.

@MeghanMcCain P.S. This commentary by Prof. @devisridhar probably answers your question better than my attempt. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

“Hantavirus: the disease you wish you’d never heard of, as visions of the Covid pandemic flash through your head. I’ve seen lots of breathless coverage and some bizarre takes on social media, so I imagine many people are confused as to what’s going on.” theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

My latest column on hantavirus: theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

It’s not surprising that others on the ship will test positive for hantavirus in the coming days. What’s crucial is that they don’t pass this on to others- those most at risk: who they live with/family/friends as they head home. Quarantine for next 45 days super important.

Professor Devi Sridhar, Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh (@devisridhar), on the #hantavirus cruise ship outbreak: - 🦠 Long incubation period raises concern -- but no unlinked cases so far - 🌍 WHO-led international coordination is key, despite differing national responses - 🏥 No vaccine or specific treatment -- quarantine and monitoring are critical - ✅ Public risk remains low; no need to change daily routines From the latest #CNN News Room...

Early morning on CNN talking outbreaks: main messages: this is why research into infectious disease matters & why the WHO is essential for all countries. The US is losing out by not being a member- cooperation among countries is how this is managed best.

On @bbcworldservice on hantavirus outbreak: key factor is whether we see onwards transmission to those not on the cruise ship. So far, no confirmed linked cases from those on shared flights (great news) but it’s still early days given long incubation period.

If helpful, @NatureMedicine paper: Prof Rebecca Katz & I propose a decision-making tree on guiding govt policy response to an outbreak. Hopefully useful…

I’ve worked on quite a few outbreaks over the years- the only constant is that each one is unique- and needs a targeted public health response based on the particular pathogen profile. Also that humility is key. Using existing data, we can lay out scenarios.

Lots of misinformation circulating now on hantavirus. If you’re interested in outbreak response & the steps in preparing and responding to potential pandemics- I’ve written a scientific take on it. Just skip over the Covid part and head to the last few chapters of the book.