In Episode 12 of MEDICUS – the podcast, we sit down with immunologist Rukie de Alwis from Duke-NUS’ Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, and virologist Erik Karlsson from the Institute Pasteur in Cambodia, to discuss the threat of bird flu, in particular H5N1, to Southeast Asia.

While many headlines talk about the outbreak of H5N1 in cows, a variant of the virus has been circulating in Southeast Asia for quite some time. That virus may not infect cows, but it has on occasion jumped into humans with devastating effects. And what might happen if the two meet? is anyone’s guess.

We discuss how H5N1 is impacting countries in Southeast Asia, why we need to keep an eye on the variant spreading in cows and what is being done—and what should be done—to tackle pandemic influenzas like H5N1. And amid all the talk about influenza, we also find out what keeps our guests awake at night.

For more stories from Duke-NUS, why not check out our magazine, MEDICUS: www.duke-nus.edu.sg/medicus

This show was produced by Norfaezah Abdullah, Senior executive, and Nicole Lim, Senior editor at Duke-NUS.

To learn more about the science being driven out of Singapore and the people behind it, go to: www.duke-nus.edu.sg/medicus