Heather Ferguson
@drheatherferg.bsky.social
Prof of Medical #Entomology & Disease Ecology @uofgsbohvm.bsky.social & Visiting Scientist Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania. #Malaria #Mosquito #NTDs #GlobalHealth #Equity
https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/staff/heatherferguson
https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/staff/heatherferguson
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
If I'm doing the math correctly, Musk's big pay packet yesterday could have made each of these now-dead people millionaires instead.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
If I'm doing the math correctly, Musk's big pay packet yesterday could have made each of these now-dead people millionaires instead.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
Folks in the UK -please consider writing to your MP to urge them to maintain full support for the #GlobalFund. It has never been more needed following massive international aid cuts this year- and a total own goal to let infectious diseases that could affect all surge & become resistant to treatment
If this is true and U.K. Government really is planning to cut its contribution to the Global Fund, at a time when Trump’s action will cause deaths on a massive scale, it is moral bankruptcy.
@friendseurope.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
@friendseurope.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Cutting aid for disease fund would be moral failure, Labour MPs tell Starmer
UK expected to reduce contribution to Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria by 20%
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Folks in the UK -please consider writing to your MP to urge them to maintain full support for the #GlobalFund. It has never been more needed following massive international aid cuts this year- and a total own goal to let infectious diseases that could affect all surge & become resistant to treatment
In response to the @theguardian.com editorial on the uptick in malaria due to #globalhealth funding cuts, I write how this also foreshadwos what’s ahead for a lower-profile but similarly devastating group of pathogens – the neglected tropical diseases.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Aid cuts could set back fragile gains in eliminating neglected tropical diseases | Letter
Letter: In response to an editorial on the uptick in malaria, Prof Heather Ferguson writes that progress against dengue, leprosy, rabies and other conditions could unravel
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:18 PM
In response to the @theguardian.com editorial on the uptick in malaria due to #globalhealth funding cuts, I write how this also foreshadwos what’s ahead for a lower-profile but similarly devastating group of pathogens – the neglected tropical diseases.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Is #climatechange increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases in the UK?
My comments #BMJ
⬇️
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Short answer - yes! But rather than focussing just on tropical pathogens & vectors moving north, most imminent risk may be increased transmission capacity in native vectors
My comments #BMJ
⬇️
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Short answer - yes! But rather than focussing just on tropical pathogens & vectors moving north, most imminent risk may be increased transmission capacity in native vectors
November 2, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Is #climatechange increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases in the UK?
My comments #BMJ
⬇️
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Short answer - yes! But rather than focussing just on tropical pathogens & vectors moving north, most imminent risk may be increased transmission capacity in native vectors
My comments #BMJ
⬇️
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Short answer - yes! But rather than focussing just on tropical pathogens & vectors moving north, most imminent risk may be increased transmission capacity in native vectors
Thinking of all my friends and colleagues in beautiful #Tanzania. Wishing for peace, safety & security now and in the future.
BBC News - Samia wins Tanzania election with 98% of votes, as hundreds feared dead in unrest
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Samia wins Tanzania election with 98% of votes, as hundreds feared dead in unrest
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Tanzania election: Samia Suluhu Hassan wins 98% of vote, as hundreds feared dead in unrest
Demonstrations continued on Friday as young protesters denounced the election as unfair.
www.bbc.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Thinking of all my friends and colleagues in beautiful #Tanzania. Wishing for peace, safety & security now and in the future.
BBC News - Samia wins Tanzania election with 98% of votes, as hundreds feared dead in unrest
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Samia wins Tanzania election with 98% of votes, as hundreds feared dead in unrest
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Very sad piece of local history from my home town. Glad they are planning a memorial for those women
BBC News - The witches of Dumbarton - tortured, executed and falsely accused
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - The witches of Dumbarton - tortured, executed and falsely accused
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Witches of Dumbarton - tortured, executed and falsely accused
More than two dozen people in the town were accused and tortured in the belief that they were doing Satan's bidding.
www.bbc.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Very sad piece of local history from my home town. Glad they are planning a memorial for those women
BBC News - The witches of Dumbarton - tortured, executed and falsely accused
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - The witches of Dumbarton - tortured, executed and falsely accused
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
Clatters, demon children, & ghost cats
Is Glasgow’s Subway haunted? Opened in 1896, it’s the world’s 3rd-oldest underground metro system, & human remains – possibly from plague pits – were dug through during its construction…
#WyrdWednesday
www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
Is Glasgow’s Subway haunted? Opened in 1896, it’s the world’s 3rd-oldest underground metro system, & human remains – possibly from plague pits – were dug through during its construction…
#WyrdWednesday
www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
Is the Subway haunted? Seven spooky ghost stories from Glasgow's underground
Are you sure the stranger shoogling along next to you is really there? It seems the underground is rife with ghost stories
www.glasgowlive.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Clatters, demon children, & ghost cats
Is Glasgow’s Subway haunted? Opened in 1896, it’s the world’s 3rd-oldest underground metro system, & human remains – possibly from plague pits – were dug through during its construction…
#WyrdWednesday
www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
Is Glasgow’s Subway haunted? Opened in 1896, it’s the world’s 3rd-oldest underground metro system, & human remains – possibly from plague pits – were dug through during its construction…
#WyrdWednesday
www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
Can interventions both reduce malaria and destabilize vector populations? Study by Tristan Dennis & Mafalda Viana explored this using pyrethroid-pyriproxifen nets. While these nets ⬇️ malaria in Burkina Faso, they had no impact on gene flow in vector population
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
October 28, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Can interventions both reduce malaria and destabilize vector populations? Study by Tristan Dennis & Mafalda Viana explored this using pyrethroid-pyriproxifen nets. While these nets ⬇️ malaria in Burkina Faso, they had no impact on gene flow in vector population
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
Climate change will be more expensive and harmful than carbon reduction would be
Water is coming for the Seaport; the whole city will be poorer for it. apps.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/metr...
A rising flood zone risk is affecting the Seaport, 10 percent of Boston's tax base
Buildings in the Seaport fund one-tenth of Boston’s property-tax base. Flood waters and sea level rise will soon put that at risk.
apps.bostonglobe.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Climate change will be more expensive and harmful than carbon reduction would be
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
#Cholera is an ancient disease we know how to prevent, yet it still devastates the poorest countries.
Vaccination is vital to control outbreaks, and investing in WASH is key to preventing them.
President Hichilema and I urge leaders to help us expand vaccine production and end cholera for good.
Vaccination is vital to control outbreaks, and investing in WASH is key to preventing them.
President Hichilema and I urge leaders to help us expand vaccine production and end cholera for good.
Cholera is spreading fast, yet it can be stopped. Why haven’t we consigned it to history? | Hakainde Hichilema and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Cholera is spreading fast, yet it can be stopped. Why haven’t we consigned it to history? | Hakainde Hichilema and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Vaccine production must be expanded to combat this ancient disease, especially in Africa, but a lack of political will is holding us back
www.theguardian.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
#Cholera is an ancient disease we know how to prevent, yet it still devastates the poorest countries.
Vaccination is vital to control outbreaks, and investing in WASH is key to preventing them.
President Hichilema and I urge leaders to help us expand vaccine production and end cholera for good.
Vaccination is vital to control outbreaks, and investing in WASH is key to preventing them.
President Hichilema and I urge leaders to help us expand vaccine production and end cholera for good.
“ Even 1 attack can break health systems down for years,” says Haar, pointing to pivotal Kunduz Hospital attack in Afghanistan. “They never rebuilt that hospital. They rebuilt a clinic, a smaller clinic, there years later. But there’s no trauma hospital on that site now” share.google/VfpE3mgXjC3M...
How attacking healthcare has become a strategy of war
Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan have put a spotlight on attacks on healthcare facilities and staff in conflict zones. The BMJ looks at the data, which seem to show a new strategy of war: removing civilians’ ...
share.google
October 26, 2025 at 8:21 AM
“ Even 1 attack can break health systems down for years,” says Haar, pointing to pivotal Kunduz Hospital attack in Afghanistan. “They never rebuilt that hospital. They rebuilt a clinic, a smaller clinic, there years later. But there’s no trauma hospital on that site now” share.google/VfpE3mgXjC3M...
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
Non academic (Bilthoven / Utrecht, the Netherlands)
Senior infectious disease modeller to lead and coordinate complex modelling projects
with Jacco Wallinga
at RIVM
More details: http://iddjobs.org/jobs/2380
Senior infectious disease modeller to lead and coordinate complex modelling projects
with Jacco Wallinga
at RIVM
More details: http://iddjobs.org/jobs/2380
October 25, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Non academic (Bilthoven / Utrecht, the Netherlands)
Senior infectious disease modeller to lead and coordinate complex modelling projects
with Jacco Wallinga
at RIVM
More details: http://iddjobs.org/jobs/2380
Senior infectious disease modeller to lead and coordinate complex modelling projects
with Jacco Wallinga
at RIVM
More details: http://iddjobs.org/jobs/2380
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
Israeli strikes killed at least two in Gaza yesterday despite ceasefire, aid flows remain far below needed levels.
UN says 1.5M in Gaza need ’emergency assistance’ as Israel blocks crossings
Israeli strikes killed at least two in Gaza yesterday despite ceasefire, aid flows remain far below needed levels.
bit.ly
October 25, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Israeli strikes killed at least two in Gaza yesterday despite ceasefire, aid flows remain far below needed levels.
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
Yet again, we can't afford to let LLMs become a source of epistemic grounding for society.
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory
An intensive international study was coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Yet again, we can't afford to let LLMs become a source of epistemic grounding for society.
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
Ending polio isn’t just a goal, it’s a promise to children everywhere. With support from global partners, governments, and health workers, we won’t stop until the job is done. #EndPolio #WorldPolioDay
@unicef.org @who.int @gatesfoundation.bsky.social
@unicef.org @who.int @gatesfoundation.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Ending polio isn’t just a goal, it’s a promise to children everywhere. With support from global partners, governments, and health workers, we won’t stop until the job is done. #EndPolio #WorldPolioDay
@unicef.org @who.int @gatesfoundation.bsky.social
@unicef.org @who.int @gatesfoundation.bsky.social
Thx to Al Jazeera for discussion of new report by #AfricanLeadersMalariaAlliance & @malarianomore.org on expected impacts of #globalhealth funding cuts on #malaria with
Dr Joy Phumaphi
Dr Tanja Haj-Hassan
Report ⬇️
economy.zeromalaria.org
Video ⬇️
youtu.be/PBMQEAsk8_M?...
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk
Dr Joy Phumaphi
Dr Tanja Haj-Hassan
Report ⬇️
economy.zeromalaria.org
Video ⬇️
youtu.be/PBMQEAsk8_M?...
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk
October 22, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Thx to Al Jazeera for discussion of new report by #AfricanLeadersMalariaAlliance & @malarianomore.org on expected impacts of #globalhealth funding cuts on #malaria with
Dr Joy Phumaphi
Dr Tanja Haj-Hassan
Report ⬇️
economy.zeromalaria.org
Video ⬇️
youtu.be/PBMQEAsk8_M?...
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk
Dr Joy Phumaphi
Dr Tanja Haj-Hassan
Report ⬇️
economy.zeromalaria.org
Video ⬇️
youtu.be/PBMQEAsk8_M?...
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk
On behalf of the @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk #Diversity & #Inclusion committee, we are honoured to host Prof Steven Spoel FRSE from the University of Edinburgh, to give our #BlackHistoryMonth talk next week.
We are really looking forward to hearing about his inspiring work.
We are really looking forward to hearing about his inspiring work.
October 22, 2025 at 9:54 AM
On behalf of the @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk #Diversity & #Inclusion committee, we are honoured to host Prof Steven Spoel FRSE from the University of Edinburgh, to give our #BlackHistoryMonth talk next week.
We are really looking forward to hearing about his inspiring work.
We are really looking forward to hearing about his inspiring work.
BBC News - Gaza health crisis will last for 'generations', WHO chief warns
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Gaza health crisis will last for 'generations', WHO chief warns
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tells the BBC far more aid is needed to start tackling mounting problems in Gaza.
www.bbc.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:54 AM
BBC News - Gaza health crisis will last for 'generations', WHO chief warns
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
🦟 #Mosquitoes arrive in #Iceland 🇮🇸
"Three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes were found in Kjós in recent days. This has been confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. It is the first time that mosquitoes have been discovered on Icelandic soil."
www.ruv.is/english/2025...
"Three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes were found in Kjós in recent days. This has been confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. It is the first time that mosquitoes have been discovered on Icelandic soil."
www.ruv.is/english/2025...
Mosquitoes arrive in Iceland - RÚV.is
Three mosquitoes were found in Kjós in recent days. This has been confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. It is the first time that mosquitoes have been discovered on Icelandic soil.
www.ruv.is
October 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
🦟 #Mosquitoes arrive in #Iceland 🇮🇸
"Three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes were found in Kjós in recent days. This has been confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. It is the first time that mosquitoes have been discovered on Icelandic soil."
www.ruv.is/english/2025...
"Three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes were found in Kjós in recent days. This has been confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. It is the first time that mosquitoes have been discovered on Icelandic soil."
www.ruv.is/english/2025...
"Sheila Irvine, 70, who is registered blind, told the BBC it was "out of this world" to be able to read and do crosswords again. "It's beautiful, wonderful. It gives me such pleasure."
BBC News - Life-changing eye implant helps blind patients read again - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Life-changing eye implant helps blind patients read again - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Life-changing eye implant helps blind patients read again
The results are astounding and a major advance, say surgeons involved in international research using the pioneering technology.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 7:29 PM
"Sheila Irvine, 70, who is registered blind, told the BBC it was "out of this world" to be able to read and do crosswords again. "It's beautiful, wonderful. It gives me such pleasure."
BBC News - Life-changing eye implant helps blind patients read again - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Life-changing eye implant helps blind patients read again - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
Fiji makes history!
In a landmark public health achievement, Fiji has been validated by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
✅ Trachoma — a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness — is the first NTD to be eliminated in Fiji.
In a landmark public health achievement, Fiji has been validated by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
✅ Trachoma — a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness — is the first NTD to be eliminated in Fiji.
October 20, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Fiji makes history!
In a landmark public health achievement, Fiji has been validated by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
✅ Trachoma — a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness — is the first NTD to be eliminated in Fiji.
In a landmark public health achievement, Fiji has been validated by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
✅ Trachoma — a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness — is the first NTD to be eliminated in Fiji.
"The HIV epidemic will go under the surface..Some countries could completely cut their HIV response within 1-2 yrs, we won’t know what is happening, & then in 5 yrs’), we will start to see wider breakouts with HIV detected in [kids], women & medical facilities.”
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
UNAids is set to close in 2026 – four years early. Are experts right to be alarmed?
The move to shut the agency comes as aid budgets are being slashed, leading to fears that global progress on HIV may be reversed
www.theguardian.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:04 AM
"The HIV epidemic will go under the surface..Some countries could completely cut their HIV response within 1-2 yrs, we won’t know what is happening, & then in 5 yrs’), we will start to see wider breakouts with HIV detected in [kids], women & medical facilities.”
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
We have a 3+ year post doc available in our lab to study trypanosome transmission and virulence. Combined wet lab and bioinformatics expertise preferred. Please apply via the HR link (elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...). Find out more about us in the link below.
The Matthews Lab | Biology
The Matthews Lab
biology.ed.ac.uk
October 17, 2025 at 12:06 PM
We have a 3+ year post doc available in our lab to study trypanosome transmission and virulence. Combined wet lab and bioinformatics expertise preferred. Please apply via the HR link (elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...). Find out more about us in the link below.
Reposted by Heather Ferguson
"Any “soft” arts subject such as history, English, theology, foreign languages, teaches how to think critically, research effectively, and deepens your understanding of the world: vital skills in our time of disinformation, cults and AI."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Kemi Badenoch wants to end ‘rip-off degrees’ – but I wouldn’t have created Horrid Henry without mine | Francesca Simon
I studied Old and Middle English. Although I didn’t know it, I couldn’t have chosen a better subject to train me to become a children’s author, says author Francesca Simon
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 6:30 AM
"Any “soft” arts subject such as history, English, theology, foreign languages, teaches how to think critically, research effectively, and deepens your understanding of the world: vital skills in our time of disinformation, cults and AI."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...