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 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

Six months on from the first case of COVID-19, the pandemic is accelerating and spreading into new areas. Jeremy Farrar talks about the lessons we learned and the long-term solutions.

A biologist takes coronavirus DNA sample from the freezer.

Explainer | 22 April 2020

How can we develop a COVID-19 vaccine quickly?

A COVID-19 vaccine would be an incredibly powerful tool to slow down the coronavirus pandemic. How do we develop one in record time?

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 | 29 May 2020

How can we get effective 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.

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

Latest news

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

Four health workers carry portable vaccine cold storage boxes

Explainer | 3 June 2020

The vaccine journey: from idea to immunisation

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

A researcher expresses coronavirus, Covid-19, onto surface protein, in a research lab

Opinion | 29 April 2020

COVID-19: how researchers around the world are racing to understand the virus and prevent future outbreaks by Josie Golding

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