Prepared by: Prof. Dr. Younis Abdul Redha Al-Khafaji
Introduction:
1. Mutated Influenza Strains
• New seasonal flu strains continue to emerge, with some showing resistance to current vaccines.
• A particularly resilient strain is raising concerns for children and the elderly.
2. Post-COVID Coronavirus Surveillance
• While COVID-19 is largely under control, coronaviruses remain a threat.
• Scientists are monitoring new variants that could cause severe respiratory illnesses.
3. Hemorrhagic Fevers
• Diseases like Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa fever are still spreading in parts of Africa and Asia.
• Global travel increases the risk of cross-border transmission.
4. Vector-Borne Viruses
• Dengue and Zika are spreading faster due to climate change and expanding mosquito habitats.
5. Nipah Virus & Zoonotic Threats
• Nipah virus outbreaks in South Asia are alarming due to high fatality rates.
• No widely available vaccine exists yet.
6. New Viruses Emerging in 2025
• China reported cases of a new respiratory virus called HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus).
• In the U.S., a “quad-demic” is unfolding: COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and norovirus are circulating simultaneously.
7. Rare VEXAS Syndrome
• Affects men more than women, causing fever, skin rashes, and joint pain.
• First cases were documented earlier this year.
8. Avian Influenza H5N1 Concerns
• Human cases of H5N1 have been reported in the U.S., especially among farm workers.
• A recent study warns that a single genetic mutation could make the virus transmissible between humans—raising fears of a future pandemic.
Al-Mustaqbal University the First in Iraq