Disease-carrying mosquito species tied to deforestation
October 25, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE -- Two University of Florida infectious disease experts have found deforestation not only destroys beneficial habitats and renders the land less fertile, it also allows disease-carrying mosquitoes to multiply. Read More
UF scientist recognized for research in mosquito-borne disease control
September 20, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE -- University of Florida entomology professor Jeffrey Bloomquist is known to have a restless curiosity about everything, ranging from insecticide toxicology to mosquito control and resistance. Read More
Plant pathogen experts study banana disease in Tanzania
September 18, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE -- The banana crop is an important commodity in Tanzania and much of East Africa, with many in the region eating up to 400 kilograms of bananas per person per year. Plant diseases are a major threat to the sustainability of the crop, and over the past decade, a bacterial infection once found only in Ethiopia has risen in prominence in all countries around Lake Victoria, including Tanzania. Read More
Probiotic reduces sepsis-related deaths among newborns in India
August 23, 2017 -- Read More
EPI faculty members work with Haitian communities to reduce vectors of disease transmission
August 18, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE -- Dr. Kevin Bardosh, a medical anthropologist and member of the Emerging Pathogens Institute, collaborated with several EPI researchers to find community-based methods of reducing the mosquitoes responsible for lymphatic filariasis and malaria in Haiti. Read More
EPI director in Florida Trend
August 4, 2017 -- Florida Trend interviewed Dr. J. Glenn Morris last month about EPI's role in the effort to reduce the threat of infectious diseases. See the video below! Read More
Teachers learn about emerging pathogens through CATALySES program
August 3, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE -- For years, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics has predicted that the jobs of the future will shift more and more toward STEM fields – requiring training in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. STEM education does not come without challenges, however. Under-resourced schools often lack equipment necessary for instruction, and according to the U.S. Department of Education, the demand for teachers skilled in STEM subjects is higher than the number of applicants qualified to teach them. Read More
Dr. Havelaar discusses microbial pathogens at inaugural Food Safety Science and Research Centre meeting in New Zealand.
Zika transmission in U.S. linked to travel from Caribbean
May 26, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Travel between the continental U.S. and the Caribbean led to locally acquired Zika virus infections in Florida, according to new research published this week. Read More
New research models temperature-driven Zika, dengue, and chikungunya transmission
May 10, 2017 -- Read More
Findings from human immune system study could lead Haiti closer to malaria eradication
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A comparison of immune system responses among Haitian malaria patients revealed unique traits among those with the highest risk of transmitting the disease to others. Identifying such patients could lead to a sharp decline in malaria transmission in the country, according to a University of Florida researcher. Read More
Data analysis looks at Zika’s introduction to Americas, predicts microcephaly cases
GAINESVILLE -- Researchers at the University of Florida and several peer institutions have developed a model mapping the spread of Zika virus in the Americas and predicting that the virus arrived in Brazil in late 2013 or early 2014 before spreading throughout the region. The model also projects the number of microcephaly cases that will occur by the end of the year, with hundreds of cases in Mexico, Haiti and Colombia, and thousands of cases in Brazil due to Zika virus infection. Read More
Vaccination campaign necessary to stop the spread of cholera in Haiti, says UF researcher
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- A mathematical model of cholera transmission in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake suggests that current approaches to cholera control and elimination, which focus primarily on improving sanitation, are not likely to solve the problem. However, eradication of cholera is possible with use of oral cholera vaccine. Read More
UF/IFAS scientists find Zika RNA in a second mosquito species
April 18, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences molecular biologist has found Zika RNA in a type of mosquito not often associated with the virus. Read More
EPI director speaks about importance of research at state capitol
March 31, 2017 -- Dr. J. Glenn Morris spoke about the importance of research and science education at the state capitol Wednesday, rallying with the Florida Board of Governors and officials from all 12 of Florida’s public universities to support the launch of a statewide initiative advocating the importance of safety, research, and education at Florida’s universities. Read More
Most dengue infections transmitted in or near home
March 24, 2017 --Study findings could aid in interrupting transmission chains and reducing severe illness Read More
Lieutenant Governor visits EPI
March 24,2017 Read More
Is the microbial friend of my plant, my friend?
March 6, 2017 -- “Life would not long remain possible in the absence of microbes.”—Louis Pasteur (Father of Microbiology) Read More
GHESKIO director meets with Haitian student group during EPI Research Day
March 6, 2017 -- Read More
Research Day 2017
March 2, 2017 -- On Thursday, February 23, the Emerging Pathogens Institute hosted its tenth annual Research Day. Read More
UF researchers detail new tactics against Zika, other viruses
February 20, 2017 -- University of Florida scientists presented new research Sunday outlining ways to prevent the spread of the Zika and dengue viruses through the development of a Zika vaccine and a focus on spraying indoors to control mosquitoes. Read More
Dr. Morris to speak on panel about climate change and public health
February 15, 2017 -- Read More
Carla Mavian, Ph.D, receives Thomas H. Maren award to support HIV study
Physician-scientist develops app to help health workers diagnose cholera
February 6, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Working in collaboration with a mobile phone application developer as well as colleagues in the United States and Bangladesh, a UF investigator helped create and test an app that helps physicians diagnose cholera and other diarrheal diseases with greater accuracy. Read More
Researchers receive grant from DTRA to support search for B. pseudomallei vaccine
February 1, 2017 -- Read More
"Vaccine" article criticizes recommendation against FluMist
January 26, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE -- A commentary published this week in one of the world’s premier journals on vaccination raises concerns about the CDC’s recommendation against using the popular “FluMist” vaccine during the 2016 – 2017 flu season. Read More
Symposium in Honor of the Retirement of Ariena van Bruggen
January 17, 2018 -- On Tuesday, January 16, Dr. Ariena van Bruggen hosted a symposium on microbial cycling in food webs in honor of her retirement from the University of Florida. Read More
UF plays key role in trial for successful Ebola vaccine
January 9, 2017 -- GAINESVILLE -- An international group of researchers associated with the World Health Organization has published its final report on the Ebola vaccine trial in Guinea, finding that the vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent Ebola infection. Read More