Coronavirus, mpox and rabies: A tale of three viruses

Published: Jan. 17, 2024, 9:16 p.m.

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Today, we dissect three recent public health responses to learn about the world\\u2019s ability to prevent outbreaks \\u2013 covid and beyond \\u2013 in 2024.


Viruses are having a moment. Outbreaks around the world are on the rise, thanks to such factors as climate change, war and instability, and increased animal-to-human contact.


Covid-19 is still here. Even though fewer people are winding up in the hospital compared with last year, some health facilities are requiring masks again as a new variant appears better at infecting people, even those who are vaccinated. Meanwhile, across the globe, a deadlier strain of mpox is threatening the Democratic Republic of Congo, where lifesaving vaccines are difficult to obtain. In Nebraska, a kitten with rabies triggered an all-hands-on-deck public health response. 


Post national health reporter Lena Sun has spent a lot of time trying to better understand pathogens and how they spread. She joins \\u201cPost Reports\\u201d to examine what lessons we have and haven\\u2019t learned from these three recent outbreaks, and what that means for preventing future ones.


Read more: 


Another covid wave hits U.S. as JN.1 becomes dominant variant


Is this covid surge really the second largest?


Mpox surge in Congo raises concerns world will ignore warnings again


How one rabid kitten triggered intensive effort to contain deadly virus


Today\\u2019s show was produced by Elana Gordon and hosted by Elahe Izadi and guest host Arjun Singh. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Tracy Jan and Fenit Nirappil. 


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