Robyn Hall
@viroepivet.bsky.social
Canberra, Australia. Discoverer of things. Board certified virologist, epidemiologist, veterinarian, disease ecologist, bushwalker, greyhound mum, amateur astronomer. 🦠🐄🐇🐔👩⚕️🥾🐾🌌
Please share widely
January 31, 2026 at 3:34 AM
Please share widely
Reposted by Robyn Hall
Read this week's Transmission for the latest on Measles, H5N1, Nipah Virus, Influenza, Mpox, and more!
Read here: www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
#measles #h5n1 #mpox #nipahvirus #influenza
Read here: www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
#measles #h5n1 #mpox #nipahvirus #influenza
January 29, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Read this week's Transmission for the latest on Measles, H5N1, Nipah Virus, Influenza, Mpox, and more!
Read here: www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
#measles #h5n1 #mpox #nipahvirus #influenza
Read here: www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
#measles #h5n1 #mpox #nipahvirus #influenza
Reposted by Robyn Hall
This is the large domino, with the small domino being some random quack in the UK in 1998 trying to undermine the existing MMR vaccine so his business partner can swoop in with his own. Instead he lost his work credentials and now kids are dying needlessly all over the world, so great job everyone.
Austria loses its WHO status as measles-free, too, together with Armenia, Azerbaijan Uzbekistan and Spain. This comes as no surprise, considering the rise in numbers in recent years and the decline in MMR vaccine coverage
#VaccineHesitancy #PublicHealthImpact #AllChildrenNeedProtection
#VaccineHesitancy #PublicHealthImpact #AllChildrenNeedProtection
UK loses WHO status as measles-free after rise in deaths and fall in jab uptake
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
January 28, 2026 at 8:58 PM
This is the large domino, with the small domino being some random quack in the UK in 1998 trying to undermine the existing MMR vaccine so his business partner can swoop in with his own. Instead he lost his work credentials and now kids are dying needlessly all over the world, so great job everyone.
A beautiful and haunting piece by Ali Hoeger on how the Twin Cities occupation is impacting public health through fear, food insecurity, and trauma. 💔
www.croakey.org/inside-the-p...
www.croakey.org/inside-the-p...
Inside the public health crisis in the occupied Twin Cities
Introduction by Croakey: The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the fatal shooting
www.croakey.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:04 PM
A beautiful and haunting piece by Ali Hoeger on how the Twin Cities occupation is impacting public health through fear, food insecurity, and trauma. 💔
www.croakey.org/inside-the-p...
www.croakey.org/inside-the-p...
Reposted by Robyn Hall
Love microbes & omics? 🦠🧬
We’re hiring a Postdoc in Public Health Genomics at @unibirmingham.bsky.social
Work on cutting-edge research with wonderful people! @wvschaik.bsky.social @halllab.bsky.social @pathogenomenick.bsky.social @scalene.bsky.social @alanmcn1.bsky.social
📅 Closes 4th Feb
We’re hiring a Postdoc in Public Health Genomics at @unibirmingham.bsky.social
Work on cutting-edge research with wonderful people! @wvschaik.bsky.social @halllab.bsky.social @pathogenomenick.bsky.social @scalene.bsky.social @alanmcn1.bsky.social
📅 Closes 4th Feb
Research Fellow - Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes - 105518 - Grade 7
The post holder will work within the newly established NIHR Health Protection Unit for Public Health Genomics, a partnership between the University of Birmingham and the UK Health Security Agency. You...
edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Love microbes & omics? 🦠🧬
We’re hiring a Postdoc in Public Health Genomics at @unibirmingham.bsky.social
Work on cutting-edge research with wonderful people! @wvschaik.bsky.social @halllab.bsky.social @pathogenomenick.bsky.social @scalene.bsky.social @alanmcn1.bsky.social
📅 Closes 4th Feb
We’re hiring a Postdoc in Public Health Genomics at @unibirmingham.bsky.social
Work on cutting-edge research with wonderful people! @wvschaik.bsky.social @halllab.bsky.social @pathogenomenick.bsky.social @scalene.bsky.social @alanmcn1.bsky.social
📅 Closes 4th Feb
Reposted by Robyn Hall
🌍 “Tackling AMR through a One Health approach” is LIVE.
Marking #OneHealthAwarenessWeek, this session explores the drivers of AMR across human, animal, and environmental health — and the urgent need for coordinated action.
Join now: tinyurl.com/476msxx2
#AMR #OneHealth @sabihaessack.bsky.social
Marking #OneHealthAwarenessWeek, this session explores the drivers of AMR across human, animal, and environmental health — and the urgent need for coordinated action.
Join now: tinyurl.com/476msxx2
#AMR #OneHealth @sabihaessack.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 11:15 AM
🌍 “Tackling AMR through a One Health approach” is LIVE.
Marking #OneHealthAwarenessWeek, this session explores the drivers of AMR across human, animal, and environmental health — and the urgent need for coordinated action.
Join now: tinyurl.com/476msxx2
#AMR #OneHealth @sabihaessack.bsky.social
Marking #OneHealthAwarenessWeek, this session explores the drivers of AMR across human, animal, and environmental health — and the urgent need for coordinated action.
Join now: tinyurl.com/476msxx2
#AMR #OneHealth @sabihaessack.bsky.social
Reposted by Robyn Hall
Post 71 — H5N1: wild birds are not just vectors, they are the system
The current H5N1 panzootic can no longer be explained as a series of isolated outbreaks. Recent evidence reveals an integrated ecological system in which wild birds shape viral persistence, evolution, and global spread. 1/11
The current H5N1 panzootic can no longer be explained as a series of isolated outbreaks. Recent evidence reveals an integrated ecological system in which wild birds shape viral persistence, evolution, and global spread. 1/11
January 12, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Post 71 — H5N1: wild birds are not just vectors, they are the system
The current H5N1 panzootic can no longer be explained as a series of isolated outbreaks. Recent evidence reveals an integrated ecological system in which wild birds shape viral persistence, evolution, and global spread. 1/11
The current H5N1 panzootic can no longer be explained as a series of isolated outbreaks. Recent evidence reveals an integrated ecological system in which wild birds shape viral persistence, evolution, and global spread. 1/11
Reposted by Robyn Hall
Clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 🦠 replicates in human cerebral organoids, targets neurons/astrocytes, but shows lower cell death & inflammation than historical clade 1, suggesting less neuropathogenicity.##idsky
Contemporary Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) Viruses Retain Neurotropism in Human Cerebral Organoids
Clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses are widely circulating in North America with unprecedented transmission into novel host species. A high incidence of neurologic disease is observed in carnivores infected with clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 viruses, and historical outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in humans are also associated with neurologic complications, raising concerns about neurotropism and neurovirulence of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 viruses.MethodsWe analyzed virus replication kinetics, cellular tropism, and host responses to infection in human cerebral organoids (hCOs) inoculated with clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 viruses compared to a historical clade 1 HPAI H5N1 virus and a 2007 seasonal influenza A virus.ResultsHPAI H5N1 viruses replicated to high titers in hCOs, but replication of the seasonal influenza A virus was not detected. Viral antigen and RNA were detected primarily in neuron- and astrocyte-like cells. Interferon responses to infection with HPAI H5N1 viruses were observed in a small population of bystander cells. Higher levels of cell death and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were observed in organoids inoculated with the historical HPAI H5N1 isolate.ConclusionsClade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 viruses exhibit similar neurotropism compared to a historical clade 1 HPAI H5N1 virus. Lower levels of cell death and inflammatory cytokine production induced by clade 2.3.4.4b viruses may indicate reduced neuropathogenic potential of these viruses in humans.
academic.oup.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 🦠 replicates in human cerebral organoids, targets neurons/astrocytes, but shows lower cell death & inflammation than historical clade 1, suggesting less neuropathogenicity.##idsky
Reposted by Robyn Hall
📢Health alert: #JapaneseEncephalitis virus detected in mosquitos in rural Victoria (Horsham), the first detection in the 2025/26 season
Protect yourself:
✔️ Repellent
✔️ Cover up
✔️ Avoid dawn/dusk bites
Free vaccine for high-risk groups
More info: bit.ly/4omYE0l
Protect yourself:
✔️ Repellent
✔️ Cover up
✔️ Avoid dawn/dusk bites
Free vaccine for high-risk groups
More info: bit.ly/4omYE0l
The first case of Japanese encephalitis virus for the summer has been detected in a rural Victorian city.
Japanese encephalitis virus detected in Victoria
The first case of Japanese encephalitis virus for the summer has been detected in a rural Victorian city.
www.abc.net.au
December 2, 2025 at 8:45 AM
📢Health alert: #JapaneseEncephalitis virus detected in mosquitos in rural Victoria (Horsham), the first detection in the 2025/26 season
Protect yourself:
✔️ Repellent
✔️ Cover up
✔️ Avoid dawn/dusk bites
Free vaccine for high-risk groups
More info: bit.ly/4omYE0l
Protect yourself:
✔️ Repellent
✔️ Cover up
✔️ Avoid dawn/dusk bites
Free vaccine for high-risk groups
More info: bit.ly/4omYE0l
Reposted by Robyn Hall
Mexico, Sept 2025, detection of 2344b H5N2 in a human patient. Reassortant bw 2344b H5N1 and LPAI H5N2 viruses circulating in Mexico.
👉 www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
👉 www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 27, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Mexico, Sept 2025, detection of 2344b H5N2 in a human patient. Reassortant bw 2344b H5N1 and LPAI H5N2 viruses circulating in Mexico.
👉 www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
👉 www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
I was just thinking the other day that this year would be a good year to re-do all my virus snowflakes! ❄️
If you'd like to celebrate the biology of viruses - or the fight against viral diseases - this winter, try out our free and updated #VirusSnowflake designs.
Please share, and if you have any photos of Virus Snowflakes in your area it would be lovely to see them!
cvr-engagement.co.uk/virus-snowfl...
Please share, and if you have any photos of Virus Snowflakes in your area it would be lovely to see them!
cvr-engagement.co.uk/virus-snowfl...
November 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I was just thinking the other day that this year would be a good year to re-do all my virus snowflakes! ❄️
Reposted by Robyn Hall
If you missed my talk but still want some tips for writing good code for scientists, my slides are here:
daxkellie.quarto.pub/a-guide-to-w...
All the links and references are there too in case you want to see more! 😀🧪🌏
#ESA2025 #rstats #quartopub
daxkellie.quarto.pub/a-guide-to-w...
All the links and references are there too in case you want to see more! 😀🧪🌏
#ESA2025 #rstats #quartopub
November 26, 2025 at 6:12 AM
If you missed my talk but still want some tips for writing good code for scientists, my slides are here:
daxkellie.quarto.pub/a-guide-to-w...
All the links and references are there too in case you want to see more! 😀🧪🌏
#ESA2025 #rstats #quartopub
daxkellie.quarto.pub/a-guide-to-w...
All the links and references are there too in case you want to see more! 😀🧪🌏
#ESA2025 #rstats #quartopub
Reposted by Robyn Hall
🚨 2 PhD opportunities under Wessex One Health to join my group & work on:
1. Integrating bat and fungal pathogen ecology to understand epidemiology
2. AI-augmented metagenomics to map British bat virome and assess zoonotic potential
Deadline 26 January 2026 🦇🧪🦠🌍🌐
www.surrey.ac.uk/wessex-one-h...
1. Integrating bat and fungal pathogen ecology to understand epidemiology
2. AI-augmented metagenomics to map British bat virome and assess zoonotic potential
Deadline 26 January 2026 🦇🧪🦠🌍🌐
www.surrey.ac.uk/wessex-one-h...
Available studentships| University of Surrey
18 fully funded studentships for October 2026 start: interdisciplinary infection bioscience training to address disease threats to human and animal health.
www.surrey.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 AM
🚨 2 PhD opportunities under Wessex One Health to join my group & work on:
1. Integrating bat and fungal pathogen ecology to understand epidemiology
2. AI-augmented metagenomics to map British bat virome and assess zoonotic potential
Deadline 26 January 2026 🦇🧪🦠🌍🌐
www.surrey.ac.uk/wessex-one-h...
1. Integrating bat and fungal pathogen ecology to understand epidemiology
2. AI-augmented metagenomics to map British bat virome and assess zoonotic potential
Deadline 26 January 2026 🦇🧪🦠🌍🌐
www.surrey.ac.uk/wessex-one-h...
Reposted by Robyn Hall
In Central America, scientists found a spike in malaria cases after the fungus arrived. As frogs died, there were fewer tadpoles to eat mosquito larvae; more mosquitoes resulted in a fivefold increase in malaria cases: wapo.st/3LHtdAj (gift). We allow extinctions at our peril. 🌎
First, the frogs died. Then people got sick.
An emerging area of research is uncovering hidden links between nature and human health.
wapo.st
November 16, 2025 at 2:36 AM
In Central America, scientists found a spike in malaria cases after the fungus arrived. As frogs died, there were fewer tadpoles to eat mosquito larvae; more mosquitoes resulted in a fivefold increase in malaria cases: wapo.st/3LHtdAj (gift). We allow extinctions at our peril. 🌎
Reposted by Robyn Hall
"..the first known human H5N5 infection has captured a good deal of attention, but the `other' flu story we've been following this week has been the rapid spread of a new seasonal H3N2 subcade (K) virus, which emerged in the Southern Hemisphere"
afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/11/cdc-...
afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/11/cdc-...
CDC FluView, ECDC CDT & Canada Announce Early H3N2 Subclade K Prevalence Numbers
Credit NIAID #18,947 Yesterday's announcement for the first known human H5N5 infection has captured a good deal of attention, but the `ot...
afludiary.blogspot.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM
"..the first known human H5N5 infection has captured a good deal of attention, but the `other' flu story we've been following this week has been the rapid spread of a new seasonal H3N2 subcade (K) virus, which emerged in the Southern Hemisphere"
afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/11/cdc-...
afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/11/cdc-...
Reposted by Robyn Hall
The suspected outbreak of a hemorrhagic vial illness in Ethiopia has now been confirmed to Marburg Virus Disease. So far 9 cases have been identified in a part of the country that shares a border with Sudan.
apnews.com/article/ethi...
apnews.com/article/ethi...
Ethiopia confirms first Marburg outbreak as WHO lauds country's fast action
Ethiopia has confirmed its first Marburg outbreak after nine cases were identified in the southern region of the country that borders South Sudan.
apnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The suspected outbreak of a hemorrhagic vial illness in Ethiopia has now been confirmed to Marburg Virus Disease. So far 9 cases have been identified in a part of the country that shares a border with Sudan.
apnews.com/article/ethi...
apnews.com/article/ethi...
Because there are nowhere near enough aurora photos on my BlueSky feed. This was from s35.7 on the night of 12 Nov. What an incredible experience 🌌
November 14, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Because there are nowhere near enough aurora photos on my BlueSky feed. This was from s35.7 on the night of 12 Nov. What an incredible experience 🌌
Reposted by Robyn Hall
Join the ARDC team!
Research Data Specialist (AI/ML)
📍 #Sydney
Close 26 Nov
🔗 https://ow.ly/EZwi50Xrrwo
Engagements Team Manager
📍#Sydney
Close 26 Nov
🔗 https://ow.ly/oHwh50Xrrwm
Cloud Infrastructure and Services Architect
📍#Melbourne
Close 1 Dec
🔗 https://ow.ly/FkxB50Xrrwk
#jobalert
Research Data Specialist (AI/ML)
📍 #Sydney
Close 26 Nov
🔗 https://ow.ly/EZwi50Xrrwo
Engagements Team Manager
📍#Sydney
Close 26 Nov
🔗 https://ow.ly/oHwh50Xrrwm
Cloud Infrastructure and Services Architect
📍#Melbourne
Close 1 Dec
🔗 https://ow.ly/FkxB50Xrrwk
#jobalert
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Join the ARDC team!
Research Data Specialist (AI/ML)
📍 #Sydney
Close 26 Nov
🔗 https://ow.ly/EZwi50Xrrwo
Engagements Team Manager
📍#Sydney
Close 26 Nov
🔗 https://ow.ly/oHwh50Xrrwm
Cloud Infrastructure and Services Architect
📍#Melbourne
Close 1 Dec
🔗 https://ow.ly/FkxB50Xrrwk
#jobalert
Research Data Specialist (AI/ML)
📍 #Sydney
Close 26 Nov
🔗 https://ow.ly/EZwi50Xrrwo
Engagements Team Manager
📍#Sydney
Close 26 Nov
🔗 https://ow.ly/oHwh50Xrrwm
Cloud Infrastructure and Services Architect
📍#Melbourne
Close 1 Dec
🔗 https://ow.ly/FkxB50Xrrwk
#jobalert
Nice work @connorggbamford.bsky.social et al. Although such a heartbreaking finding 💔
November 14, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Nice work @connorggbamford.bsky.social et al. Although such a heartbreaking finding 💔
Reposted by Robyn Hall
Join our lab!
The Disease Ecology Lab at the USYD is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore drivers of infectious diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface
🌐 www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
#PhD #Scholarship #DiseaseEcology #Epidemiology #WildlifeHealth #OneHealth #USYD
The Disease Ecology Lab at the USYD is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore drivers of infectious diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface
🌐 www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
#PhD #Scholarship #DiseaseEcology #Epidemiology #WildlifeHealth #OneHealth #USYD
Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Disease Ecology and Epidemiology
www.sydney.edu.au
October 31, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Join our lab!
The Disease Ecology Lab at the USYD is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore drivers of infectious diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface
🌐 www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
#PhD #Scholarship #DiseaseEcology #Epidemiology #WildlifeHealth #OneHealth #USYD
The Disease Ecology Lab at the USYD is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore drivers of infectious diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface
🌐 www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
#PhD #Scholarship #DiseaseEcology #Epidemiology #WildlifeHealth #OneHealth #USYD
Amazing work by the talented Polly Hannaford revealing new insights into MCV evolution. Coolest finding for me was further indications that MCVs are capturing genes like crazy from bacteria, eukaryotes! These viruses 🤯 @roblanfear.bsky.social
Genomic analysis of Megalocytivirus genomes reveals widespread recombination https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.27.684589v1
October 28, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Amazing work by the talented Polly Hannaford revealing new insights into MCV evolution. Coolest finding for me was further indications that MCVs are capturing genes like crazy from bacteria, eukaryotes! These viruses 🤯 @roblanfear.bsky.social
Reposted by Robyn Hall
🚨 #DiscoveryProjects #DP26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Projects 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Projects 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
/bot
October 28, 2025 at 12:30 AM
🚨 #DiscoveryProjects #DP26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Projects 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Projects 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
/bot
Reposted by Robyn Hall
This is exciting; a forecast system that can do climate change and climate driver attribution, as well as re-run events in a future climate.
Case Study: Australia’s Black summer fire and heat was enhanced by global heating, and far more extreme in future climate
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
Case Study: Australia’s Black summer fire and heat was enhanced by global heating, and far more extreme in future climate
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
journals.ametsoc.org
October 25, 2025 at 10:44 PM
This is exciting; a forecast system that can do climate change and climate driver attribution, as well as re-run events in a future climate.
Case Study: Australia’s Black summer fire and heat was enhanced by global heating, and far more extreme in future climate
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
Case Study: Australia’s Black summer fire and heat was enhanced by global heating, and far more extreme in future climate
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
Reposted by Robyn Hall
AFD Blog `WOAH Statement (Oct 22nd): High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Cattle' #H5N1 afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/10/woah...
WOAH Statement (Oct 22nd): High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Cattle
Credit WOAH #18,922 Not quite 2 weeks ago we looked at an 11-page OFFLU technical document (see OFFLU Guidelines for High Pathogenicity Av...
afludiary.blogspot.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
AFD Blog `WOAH Statement (Oct 22nd): High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Cattle' #H5N1 afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/10/woah...
Thanks to @duckswabber.bsky.social
Deadly H5 strain of bird flu suspected on sub-Antarctic Heard Island in the Southern Ocean
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Deadly H5 strain of bird flu suspected on sub-Antarctic Heard Island in the Southern Ocean
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Breaking: Deadly strain of bird flu suspected on remote Australian island
Suspected bird flu has reached Australia's sub-Antarctic Heard Island, with signs of the deadly H5 avian disease observed in elephant seals.
www.abc.net.au
October 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Thanks to @duckswabber.bsky.social
Deadly H5 strain of bird flu suspected on sub-Antarctic Heard Island in the Southern Ocean
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Deadly H5 strain of bird flu suspected on sub-Antarctic Heard Island in the Southern Ocean
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...