Infectious disease expert Christopher Ohl reflects on COVID-19 past, present, and future
It has been nearly two years since the deadly coronavirus arrived in North Carolina.
Infectious Disease
How SARS-CoV-2 in American deer could alter the course of the global pandemic
Scientists have evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is circulating in white-tailed deer in the U.S. They say the findings could essentially dash any hopes of eliminating the virus in the U.S. — and the world.
COVID is still crushing parts of the U.S. as the holiday season approaches
The U.S. is entering an uneasy stretch of the pandemic. Despite progress, the delta surge is dragging on in certain regions. Can vaccines ward off a big surge over the holidays?
Remembering Zika: Parents offered their kids for studies, then say they were forgotten
Years after agreeing to take part in research, families of children with congenital Zika syndrome are feeling abandoned.
Breakthrough infections might not be a big transmission risk. Here's the evidence
Are vaccinated people who get COVID as likely to spread the infection as unvaccinated people? Scientists don't think so.
Flesh-Eating Parasites May Be Expanding Their Range As Climate Heats Up
Scientists caution that as the planet warms, more Americans could be exposed to disfiguring varieties of the Leishmania parasite. Overtreatment can be a problem, too, experts warn.
Biden Names Massachusetts Doctor to Lead CDC
Dr. Rochelle Walensky is an infectious disease expert and teaches at Harvard Medical School. She will replace Robert Redfield, the current director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Only 50% Effective. Is That Good Enough?
Scientists are racing to develop a vaccine that proves "safe and effective." It may not prevent infection in everyone who gets it, but it still could eventually stop the pandemic. Here's how.
Flu Season Looms And Scientists Wonder How Flu And COVID-19 Might Mix
There's a lot that scientists don't know about how viral infections can interact. But researchers are eager to figure out how coronavirus infections might affect flu infections and vice versa.
CDC Director Says New Analysis Exonerates Agency On Testing Delay
CDC chief Robert Redfield says that earlier testing for the coronavirus would have been like "looking for a needle in a haystack." But other health experts dispute his assertion.