How Viruses Spread – Mpox, Transmission Immunology, and Global Health

In May 2022, alarming headlines emerged: A mysterious and deadly disease was spreading in Central Africa. Was this the beginning of a new pandemic? Today, we know that it was Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), a viral disease that has once again been declared a public health emergency in 2024. In this episode of HZI InFact, Dr. Julia Port, head of the Research Group “Laboratory of Transmission Immunology” at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), discusses virus transmission and the role of the immune system. Her research bridges immunology, viral ecology, and global health. Topics covered in this episode: • Why the WHO has once again declared a health emergency due to Mpox • How Mpox spreads through different transmission routes • The role of the immune system in viral transmission • Which professions and groups are particularly at risk • Which protective measures are truly effective against zoonotic viruses • How innovative research can help us better understand future pandemics Exclusive insights Dr. Port explains how she is developing new animal models for virus transmission, why mucous membranes play a crucial role, and what we can learn from the Mpox outbreak for other viruses such as influenza. She also shares advice for young scientists and discusses the challenge of bridging research and science communication. Tune in now to learn more about the science behind pandemics and viral transmission. Explanation of terms: Clade: In biology, a clade refers to a closed community of descent that contains the last common ancestor and all of its descendants. Preprint: Preprints are preliminary versions or manuscript versions of scientific publications that are usually made available to experts and the public before they have been scientifically reviewed. This form of publication is primarily used to accelerate the exchange of research results. Preprints are published freely accessible on preprint servers. #Podcast #Science #Virology #Mpox #VirusTransmission #InfectionResearch #Zoonoses #PandemicPrevention #Immunology #Helmholtz #HZIInfact