Preparing for the Unexpected: Lessons from Emerging Infectious Diseases

What happens when the next pandemic emerges from a pathogen we didn't see coming? On this episode of Transmission Interrupted, Jill Morgan speaks with epidemiologist, researcher, and author Dr. Stephen Morse about the emergence of HIV, the origins of his landmark book Emerging Viruses (1993), and how infectious disease threats continue to surprise us. Dr. Morse explores how zoonotic transmission, environmental change, globalization, and rapid viral evolution create threats that defy prediction. Drawing on lessons from COVID-19, he discusses what preparedness requires: stronger surveillance, faster action, reliable PPE supplies, better training, and clearer communication. His message is clear: surveillance matters only when it leads to action. And a lack of imagination and urgency may be among our greatest vulnerabilities. The conversation closes with practical steps everyone can take to reduce transmission, from hand hygiene and masking to staying up to date on vaccines. Because the next outbreak won’t wait for us to be ready—and neither should we. Questions or comments for NETEC? Contact us at [email protected]. Visit Transmission Interrupted on the web. Guests Stephen S. Morse, PhD Professor of Epidemiology at CUMC Dr. Stephen S. Morse's interests focus on epidemiology and risk assessment of infectious diseases (particularly emerging infections, including influenza), and improving disease early warning systems. In 2000, he returned to Columbia after 4 years in government as program manager for Biodefense at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department of Defense, where he co-directed the Pathogen Countermeasures program and subsequently directed the Advanced Diagnostics program. Before coming to Columbia, he was assistant professor of Virology at The Rockefeller University in New York, and remains an adjunct faculty member. His book, Emerging Viruses (Oxford University Press), was selected by "American Scientist" for its list of "100 Top Science Books of the 20th Century". Dr. Morse was chair and principal organizer of the 1989 NIAID/NIH (National Institutes of Health) Conference on Emerging Viruses, for which he originated the term and concept of emerging viruses/infections; served as a member of the Institute of Medicine/National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Emerging Microbial Threats to Health (and chaired its Task Force on Viruses), and was a contributor to its report, Emerging Infections (1992). He subsequently served on the Steering Committee of the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Microbial Threats, and has served on a number of National Academies of Sciences committees on infectious diseases, biomedical policy, and biotechnology; and as an adviser to numerous government and international organizations. He was the founding chair of ProMED (the nonprofit international Program to Monitor Emerging Diseases) and was an originator of ProMED-mail, an international network inaugurated by ProMED in 1994 for outbreak reporting and disease monitoring using the Internet. He was appointed to the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) in 2014. Host Jill Morgan, RN Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA Jill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Resources Emerging Viruses (1993) by Dr. Stephen Morse Transmission Interrupted Podcast NETEC Resource Library About NETEC A Partnership for Preparedness The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S., with the goals of driving best practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources. Our vision is a sustainable infrastructure and culture of readiness for managing suspected and confirmed special pathogen incidents across the United States public health and health care delivery systems. For more information, visit NETEC on the web. NETEC Consultation Services Assess and Advance Your Readiness for Special Pathogens with Free, Expert Consulting. NETEC offers free virtual and onsite readiness consulting to help health care facilities and EMS agencies prepare for special pathogen events. Our targeted support services are delivered by experts selected and assigned to each inquiry based on the unique needs of your organization. Have a question? Ask a NETEC expert. For more information, visit NETEC Consulting Services.