The Expert Opinion

Meet Prof. Emma Thomson, a leading authority on viruses and the newly appointed director of the Medical Research Council's Centre for Virus Research at the University of Glasgow. She's also a consultant for the World Health Organization, making her a critical voice on pandemic preparedness.

Pandemic Predictions

"We once thought pandemics might happen just once in a lifetime, but now they could occur within years or even days," Thomson warns.

Tech: Our Secret Weapon Against Viruses

Despite the increasing likelihood of pandemics driven by urbanization, climate change, and global travel, groundbreaking advancements in technology are boosting our response capabilities. Tools like genetic sequencing and mRNA vaccines play pivotal roles in our fight against viral threats.

An Uncertain Global Accord

As world leaders prepare to reach a consensus on pandemic readiness at the World Health Assembly in May, the United States has opted out of the process. The discussions have stalled, largely due to the unequal expectations of aid between wealthy nations and poorer countries adrift in pharmaceutical negotiations.

Prepared but Vulnerable

Thomson asserts that while we may be more ready than we were in 2019, vulnerabilities remain significant. With unprecedented global travel making the transmission of diseases easier, she raises alarm regarding newly improved transport infrastructures in regions like Africa, which, while positive for development, could exacerbate pathogen spread.

Current Threats

Recent cases of bird flu in U.S. cattle and ongoing mpox emergencies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo underscore the stakes. The potential for avian influenza to transition into human transmission is a severe concern, while the challenge with mpox lies in ensuring vaccine access in critical areas.

Lessons from History

Reflecting on past attitudes, Thomson emphasizes that two decades ago, few would have predicted coronaviruses as a serious threat—until SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 changed the narrative. Similarly, retrovirus research was largely overlooked until HIV underscored its importance.

A Call for Consistent Surveillance

Thomson’s medical journey—from Glasgow to London and Oxford—has shaped her understanding of infectious disease vigilance. Recognized for her leadership in the Covid-19 Genomics UK consortium, she highlights the unsustainable nature of extensive genome sequencing in normal times, stressing the importance of targeted surveillance instead.

Innovative Approaches

In her current project in Uganda, Thomson's team is developing wastewater surveillance systems in hospitals and schools, which could provide early warnings for emerging viruses and antimicrobial resistance.

Urgent Research Initiatives

As the world grapples with new threats—like the recent Sudan Ebola virus outbreak in Uganda—Thomson's projects drone into the urgency of research and swift response. Notably, the first case of this outbreak was detected through a study aimed at analyzing unexpected deaths.

The Future of Pandemic Science

At the upcoming UK Pandemic Sciences Network conference, Thomson and her colleagues will explore the thrilling intersection of AI and virus research. Their innovative approaches, such as predicting viral protein structures through genetic sequences, hold transformative potential for rapid vaccine design.

Building Global Resilience

Thomson stresses the need for a collective global approach to combat future pandemics. It's crucial for scientists in diverse regions, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like Africa, to engage in these efforts. We cannot afford a repeat of past pandemics driven by pathogens lying in wait due to our expanding human presence in these high-risk areas.

The Next Pandemic is a Click Away

Pathogens are more than mere distant threats—they're poised to leap from animals to humans, and modern transportation could spread them worldwide in record time. The stakes have never been higher.