Emerging infections

Emerging infections are outbreaks of previously unknown diseases or known illnesses that occur with increased frequency or severity or in new geographic areas. Emerging infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms.

COVID-19 is a recent example of an emerging viral infection that has had devastating impacts around the world. Other emerging infections over the past several decades include HIV, SARS, Lyme disease, E. coli, dengue virus, West Nile virus and the Zika virus.

The obvious question is, if an infection is still emerging, how can we develop a treatment for it? The answer: proactive research and development.

Researchers at the Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre are developing technologies and platforms for biologics that target emerging infections and can be adapted for a range of infections. Examples include viral and bacterial vaccines.

Through our vaccines and emerging infections research initiative, our researchers work with clients and collaborators from industry, academia and government in a variety of areas:

Advancing the development of vaccines and therapeutics against emerging pathogens
Testing, analyzing and improving the efficacy of novel biologics to treat bacterial and viral infections
Researching potential alternatives to antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance