How Long Is A SARS-CoV-2 Infected Person Contagious?
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the global community has become accustomed to comprehensive, interventional strategies such as wearing a mask, social distancing, hand hygiene, and surface cleaning and disinfection. It is well known that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people through infectious secretions, such as saliva and…
Effect of Suppressed Innate Immunity on Covid-19 Severity
One of the important determinants of severe Covid-19 appears to be an inappropriate response by the innate immune system. Specifically, this involves, on the one hand, insufficient or delayed expression and signaling by type 1 interferons (IFNs), which induce innate cell-mediated immunity. The interferon (IFN) response constitutes the major first line of defense against viruses.…
Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: Superspreaders and Superspreading Events
The concept of Superspreaders and Superspreading events has recently attracted a lot of attention. In fact it is important to understand that most of SARS-CoV-2 infected persons are in fact not contagious! Thus, transmission is really dependent on a handful of individuals we call Superspreaders who nurture Superspreading events. Let’s distinguish between Superspreaders and Superspreading…
GVN 2020 Special Annual Meeting Executive Summary
A New Era in the Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic: Forging a “Viral Pandemic Readiness Alliance” A September 22-23, 2020 Special Meeting of Top Global Experts Launches “Global Virus Network’s Vision for Future Pandemic Preparedness” We are in the midst of a pandemic that has completely upended the world with major economic, social and psychological impacts.…
GVN’s Top Virus Experts Meet Together To Identify Most Promising Advances To Battle COVID-19 & Strategies To Prepare For Future Pandemics
Rapid Diagnostic Testing, Repurposing Drug Therapies and Vaccines Targeting Innate Immunity, Are Integral Factors in Mitigating COVID-19 Baltimore, Maryland, USA, September 30, 2020: The Global Virus Network (GVN), a coalition of the world’s leading medical and basic virology research centers working to prevent illness and death from viral disease, convened a press conference with attendees…
Global Virus Network (GVN) Presents Doherty Institute Director, University of Melbourne Professor Sharon Lewin with the Robert C. Gallo Award for Scientific Excellence and Leadership in Medical Virology
Baltimore, Maryland, USA, September 22, 2020: The Global Virus Network (GVN), comprising foremost experts around the world in every class of virus-causing disease in humans and some animals, today presented Doherty Institute Director, University of Melbourne Professor Sharon Lewin with the Robert C. Gallo Award for Scientific Excellence and Leadership in Medical Virology Presented today…
Current Status of COVID-19 Vaccine Development
As the COVID-19 pandemic expands, interests in the progress of vaccine development are intensifying. Despite an unprecedented rate of progress, it is still uncertain when a safe, effective vaccine will be available for wide distribution to the public. Successful vaccine development goes through a series of stages, from animal studies for the evaluation of its…
Global Virus Network Announces 2020 Special Annual Meeting
World-Renowned Scientists Come Together to Address COVID-19, Ramifications for Future Epidemics and Pandemics at September 22-23 Virtual Meeting Editors’ note: Media are invited to participate in a virtual press conference on Thursday, September 24 at 9 am ET, which will highlight key outcomes/findings of the meeting. GVN founders and session chairs will present the findings,…
Abbott partners with the Global Virus Network on a new coalition to prepare for future pandemics
In late 2019, a group of infectious disease experts had an idea— to create a coalition among leaders in the public and private sectors that could help prepare for how the global health community responds to emerging pandemics and collaborate to end major viral pandemics. As the initial program formed between Abbott and Global Virus…