Global Coalition of Virus Hunters Fights Climate-Driven Pandemics

In today’s rapidly changing world, the race to detect the next pandemic has never been more critical. With the relentless impacts of climate change, a global network of doctors and laboratories has stepped up its efforts to identify and combat emerging viral threats. These “virus hunters” are on a mission, and their vigilance is vital.

Gavin Cloherty, an infectious disease expert leading the Abbott Pandemic Defence Coalition, emphasizes that the threats we face are ever-evolving. The coalition he guides is a diverse conglomerate of doctors and scientists hosted at various prestigious universities and health institutions worldwide. They are united by a compelling objective: to unearth potent viral threats accelerated by climate change.

The involvement of Abbott, a major player in healthcare and medical devices, adds immense value. With their backing, the coalition not only detects and sequences viruses but also responds with speed. This capability proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, as diagnostic test kits became essential tools in managing the crisis. Cloherty explains, “When we find something, we’re able to very quickly make diagnostic tests at industry level.”

Their efforts in Colombia uncovered an unexpected outbreak of Oropouche, a virus typically spread by midges and mosquitoes. Using phylogenetic techniques, they traced the virus’s lineage back to Peru or Ecuador, revealing an unexpected migration pattern and demonstrating the coalition’s prowess in tracking viral movements. In Thailand, another breakthrough was achieved when the coalition identified a tick-borne virus at the heart of a perplexing illness cluster. Pakpoom Phoompoung, an associate professor at Siriraj Hospital, recalls the complexity of diagnosing this ailment, explaining that previous methods were laborious and costly.

Climate change exacerbates these viral threats, as warmer conditions expand habitats for disease carriers like mosquitoes and ticks. Human activities compound the problem, as biodiversity loss and habitat encroachment bring viruses closer to humans. Cloherty warns, “Something that happens in Bangkok could be happening in Boston tomorrow.”

These alarming trends highlight the intrinsic link between climate change and the spread of infections. From record-breaking dengue outbreaks in Latin America to the proliferation of the West Nile Virus in the United States, the global climate crisis leaves its mark. Cloherty expresses concern that the lessons from COVID-19 may soon be forgotten, underscoring the necessity of constant vigilance in our preparedness against pandemics.