To effectively control emerging diseases, we must detect pathogens early and understand how they move between plants, animals and humans.

New pathogens are emerging at a quicker pace, sped by factors that include climate change, habitat destruction, human population growth, and global trade and travel. The majority of emerging pathogens are viruses, and most new human pathogens are viruses that start out in animal populations. The result: we are faced with an ever increasing number of diseases that come from viruses originating in environments where they were previously harmless or controlled.

By studying what makes virus transmission and infection possible, Ohio State can learn about how to contain disease. We discover how pathogens move from one species to another — the fundamental basis for “pathogen emergence.” We discover how viruses evade immune mechanisms, and either adapt to their hosts or cause disease. All this combining to understand how to both prevent and treat virus infection.

UN FAO Reference Center for Zoonotic Coronaviruses 

The Animal Health Service of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has designated the Infectious Diseases Institute of The Ohio State University as a Reference Center for Zoonotic Coronaviruses. The designation is based upon activities and competencies of the Infectious Diseases Institute, our attainment of scientific, technical and policy standing and our commitment to strengthen capacity development in those areas relevant to FAO's mandate. Leadership is provided by the laboratories of Drs. Qiuhong Wang and Linda Saif.

Dr. Qiuhong Wang's faculty page >>

Dr. Linda Saif's faculty page >>

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