Ebola vaccination campaign in Mbandaka, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 
Credit: Junior D. Kannah/Getty Images

Epidemics: outsmarting deadly outbreaks

The human and economic cost of epidemics is unsustainable. Effective research and coordinated action stop outbreaks spiralling into global health emergencies.

People wearing face masks in an an urban area.

Q&A | 27 August 2020

More than a health crisis: Covid-19 impacts are far-reaching and long-term

Covid-19 is causing wider consequences for societies, national economies and global relations. Three experts share insights on how we can better respond to the pandemic.

A recovered Covid-19 patient donates blood plasma for research into Covid-19 antibodies at the medical researcher of the German Center for Immunity Therapy.

Explainer | 13 January 2021

What drugs are working as treatments for Covid-19?

From repurposed drugs to new therapies – researchers are working at incredible speed to find the best ways to treat Covid-19 patients.

On the left, a medical gloved hand holds up science vial. Vaccine vials then move from left to right into a cartoon ambulance.

Explainer | 21 January 2021

How have Covid-19 vaccines been made quickly and safely?

Unprecedented international cooperation and focus have led to multiple effective and safe Covid-19 vaccines in less than a year, and created a blueprint for future vaccine development.

graphic saying we must act urgently to tackle COVID-19.

Latest news

A teacher wearing a mask speaks to her students in front of the classroom.

Explainer | 23 September 2020

From equality to global poverty: how Covid-19 is affecting societies and economies

Two medical workers hold up baby Noubia, the last known patient to contract Ebola in Guinea

Opinion | 26 June 2020

Four lessons from past epidemics to guide us in the search for COVID-19 treatments by Josie Golding

People at a street flea market in Italy.

Opinion | 30 June 2020

This virus isn’t going away. The only way to beat it is to work together by Jeremy Farrar

Five parishoners in Malawi wash their hands as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19

Opinion | 16 April 2020

Greater investment is needed to help countries with the weakest health systems prepare for COVID-19 by Christiane Hertz-Fowler and Georgia Walton

Three potential coronavirus vaccines in a tray

Opinion | 27 March 2020

A new way of developing vaccines for COVID-19 could help the world to prepare for future outbreaks by Charlie Weller

Woman wears face mask and pushes shopping trolley

Opinion | 27 February 2020

Global institutions must act urgently and decisively to tackle COVID-19 by Jeremy Farrar

People sat at a table get vaccinated against Ebola as part of a community event.

Opinion | 18 December 2019

This is the decade we made one of the world’s deadliest diseases preventable and curable by Jeremy Farrar

Young girl watches Ebola response team prepare vaccination equipment.

Opinion | 2 August 2019

How research has fundamentally changed the response to Ebola in DRC by Josie Golding

A Red Cross volunteer shows a cholera leaflet to refugees in a camp.

News | 17 April 2019

Joint Initiative on Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response: how it works

Image of infographic

News | 19 December 2018

Why we need a globally coordinated approach to preparing for epidemics

A health official works in the laboratory extraction room of the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control in Nigeria.

News | 17 December 2018

Research should be at the heart of an epidemic response