As 2025 begins, public health experts are raising concerns about a growing list of infectious disease threats, including avian flu, norovirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), Oropouche virus, and the continued risk of COVID-19. In a recent Ethnic Media Services briefing, leading epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists discussed whether the U.S. is adequately prepared to manage these outbreaks.

Growing Public Health Concerns

Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, founding director of the Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases at Boston University, emphasized the impact of climate change on the spread of infectious diseases.

“I’m actually concerned about just climate change overall and the impact that that’s going to have on the spread of infectious diseases, on lack of predictability about where they show up, how much more they may manifest than they did before because of the change in the vector and their distributions, as well as other vulnerabilities to healthcare systems,” she said.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, pointed to influenza as a top concern.

“If I had to choose one organism, I think influenza. I know others will mention that too—not only bird flu, which we’re talking about a lot in the media with both humans, but particularly animals suffering, including domesticated animals. But human influenza, which is again beginning its rise now,” he said.

Vaccine Hesitancy and Under-Vaccination

Dr. Benjamin Neuman, Professor of Biology at Texas A&M University, warned about declining vaccination rates in the U.S.

“We may see some of the safety net of herd immunity that has been protecting us since the mid-1900s lifted,” he said. “I would also say I am somewhat worried that the required vaccinations, like for school children, may be modified or may be lessened. And that’s kind of the last bit of the security blanket that definitely remains in place now.”

Dr. William Schaffner, Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University, echoed these concerns:

“I’m also concerned about vaccine hesitancy and skepticism,” he said. “For the moment, I’m focused on influenza. Our emergency rooms and hospitals are full of people now experiencing influenza and COVID is on the rise in my neck of the woods. And RSV, although a little bit later than usual, is also starting to stick its nose up.”

Climate Change and Disease Transmission

Experts also explored the connection between climate change and the spread of respiratory viruses. Dr. Schaffner explained, “We’re obviously indoors, very, very close together, which provides ample opportunities for these viruses, which like to spread closely from one to another. There’s been an awful lot of traveling and parties and family reunions that have occurred over the wonderful holiday season… And now that children are back in school, they, of course, have the distribution franchise, if you will, for the influenza virus.”

Concerns Over Global Public Health Preparedness

Dr. Bhadelia also spoke about the U.S.’s role in global health security and potential consequences of withdrawing from international partnerships.

“The U.S. has played an incredible role in creating global health security infrastructure,” she said. “But during the first Trump administration, the U.S. withdrew from the WHO, and I’m hearing that that might still be the plan… If we withdraw from that, that’s only at our own peril.”

She also raised concerns about research funding cuts, stating, “There have been statements through some incoming senior officials that they will reduce investment in infectious diseases or delay research. I mean, what a travesty that would be… If we take our foot off the pedal, we are doing so at our own peril.”

Norovirus and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)

Dr. Schaffner discussed the highly contagious norovirus, which causes severe gastrointestinal distress and is often mistaken for food poisoning.

“It is extraordinarily contagious. It takes very few viral particles to initiate an infection,” he said. “Our treatment is symptomatic. Most importantly, we have to keep up with our fluids… Hand hygiene is very important.”

Regarding human metapneumovirus (HMPV), Dr. Schaffner clarified that although cases are rising in China, the virus is not a new pandemic threat.

“HMPV is a well-known virus to the infectious disease and public health experts. So far, this isn’t a major concern for a global pandemic,” he said.

Mpox and Oropouche Virus: Emerging Threats

Dr. Chin-Hong addressed the recent rise of Mpox cases, particularly a new strain known as Clade 1B.

“It’s causing a lot of deaths—more than 50,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths, mainly in children under the age of 15,” he said. “This is why it’s a public health emergency of international concern, called by the WHO.”

On Oropouche virus, which has 94 confirmed cases in the U.S., Dr. Chin-Hong explained, “I don’t expect an outbreak in the U.S., but we’re seeing an explosion that’s unprecedented in South America and the Caribbean… Brazil, for example, reported about 300 cases a year ago, but this year it’s more than 10,000 cases.”

H5N1 Avian Flu: A Growing Concern

Dr. Maurice Pitesky, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, described the unprecedented spread of H5N1 avian flu.

“We’re three-plus years into this outbreak, and it’s expanded as far as species, geography, economic impact, food security, and now public health for humans,” he said.

While there is no confirmed human-to-human transmission, Dr. Pitesky warned that lack of surveillance is a major issue.

“The real worry is without a surveillance system, we’re not going to capture that as quickly as we need to,” he said. “The virus can spread significantly before we really get a handle on what’s going on.”

Dr. Bhadelia called for vaccinating farm workers, who are at the highest risk of exposure to infected animals.

“We don’t have 5 million farm workers. If we really wanted to vaccinate them, we could,” she said. “It’s the infrastructure that needs to be set up to allow migrant workers to actually get the vaccine.”

Final Thoughts from Experts

Each speaker left reporters with a key takeaway:

  • Dr. Chin-Hong: “We focus on technology like new vaccines and tests, but it’s always the implementation of the technology that is really the challenge so that all populations can benefit.”
  • Dr. Bhadelia: “Silver bullets are only as good as how many people we can get them to.”
  • Dr. Schaffner: “Vaccines prevent disease. But policies going forward may erode our ability to deliver them comprehensively.”
  • Dr. Pitesky: “There are no short-term solutions. We need to think in the long term and create better habitat corridors to prevent future outbreaks.”
  • Dr. Neuman: “Decreased vaccination uptake and funding changes reduce incentives for vaccine makers to develop new vaccines. That is a long-term problem we have yet to address.”

With multiple public health threats looming, experts stress that preparedness, vaccination, and global cooperation remain critical to preventing widespread outbreaks in 2025 and beyond.