Infectious Dose

In 1692, something was happening in Salem.

Young women convulsed. They cried out. They described sensations no one around them could explain.

Their community had an explanation of its own: the Devil was among them.

But what if there was another possibility?

This Month of the Macabre episode of Infectious Dose returns to Salem through a series of unsettling recordings, exploring the strange intersection of history, science, fear—and the things we reach for when we can't explain what we're seeing.

This week's #SickFlicks are The Witch and The Blair Witch Project—stories where isolation, fear, and uncertainty make it increasingly difficult to tell what's real.

Some voices from history are easier to explain than others.

🎧 Headphones recommended. Some recordings are better left unfinished.

Full transcript, sources, and the science behind the story are available in the companion blog post at Infectious Dose.

A mysterious cluster of fatal pneumonia cases. A city hotel full of questions. And a killer no one can see.

Step into the shoes of a 1970s outbreak detective in this immersive Month of the Macabre story inspired by a real investigation. Follow the evidence through medical records, interviews, and the hotel itself as epidemiology becomes detective fiction—and the dead begin leaving clues.

This week's #SickFlicks are The Andromeda Strain and The Bay—stories where an invisible killer leaves behind a mystery that science has to solve.

Fog. Fever. Fieldwork.

Full transcript, annotated sources, and more are available in the companion blog post at Infectious Dose

Our public health safety net is unraveling. In this episode, we explore why infectious disease surveillance — once our invisible safety net — is quietly vanishing, and what that means for early outbreak detection. Dr. Jim Alwine breaks down common misunderstandings around gain-of-function research and explains how fear-driven narratives like the lab leak theory have warped public perception and policymaking. We also examine how recent regulatory changes are limiting the ability of U.S. scientists to study viruses...and what systems we urgently need to restore if we want to be ready for the next pandemic.

Take Action:

https://www.defendpublichealth.org/get-involved

Further Reading & Resources:

TWiV 1121: SARS-CoV-2 Still Didn’t Come from a Lab https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/twiv-1121/ 

Oversight of Pathogen Research Must Be Carefully Calibrated (J. Virol.) https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00176-23

Virology Under the Microscope: A Call for Rational Discourse https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00089-23

Improving the Health of America Together – DPH https://www.defendpublichealth.org/resource/improving-health-americans-together-evidence-based-framework-addressing-root-causes

Field Research Is Essential to Counter Virological Threats (J. Virol.) https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00544-23

🔗 Full article links, summaries, and transcript: infectiousdose.com/jim-alwine

Organizer–sociologist Jon Shaffer, PhD, (Defend Public Health / University of Vermont) joins Heather to talk about turning evidence into local, winnable public-health protections. We dig into why “apolitical” public health backfires, how real teams (not one-off mobilizations) build durable power, and practical, nonpartisan roles for scientists and clinicians—even if you only have an hour a month. Though this moment really deserves more from each of us.

In this episode:

Take action:

Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own.

(Full blog post + transcript at infectiousdose.com )

West Nile virus is back in the headlines, with new human cases in the U.S. and steady activity in Europe. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather tracks the current outbreak season through CDC and ECDC surveillance and state-level reports, explores how the virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes, and examines what happens when you get infected. Most infections are silent, but for a small fraction, West Nile unleashes a devastating attack on the nervous system. With no proven treatments and no human vaccine, prevention remains our best defense—making this one of the most enduring mosquito-borne threats in the U.S. and beyond.

This week, Heather pulls back the curtain on how she figures out what’s true. From gut checks and trusted sources to the brutal training of grad school and the constant practice of science writing, she shares the habits that help her navigate conflicting claims—like the current confusion around COVID vaccine access. You don’t need a PhD to think like a scientist, just the right process.

Heather brings you a bonus mini Booster Dose episode to explain everything you need to know about the new changes in FDA-approved access to fall COVID shots, who’s eligible by brand/age, what counts as “underlying,” off-label/insurance realities, why ACIP mainly affects coverage (not labels), a brief CDC leadership update, and practical protections—documentation, ventilation, high-filtration masks, testing, and an antiviral plan.

Back-to-school season means new teachers, new friends…and a whole new round of germs. From runny noses to strep throats, pinkeye to flu, classrooms are a breeding ground for illness once the school bell rings. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather breaks down the most common fall outbreaks in kids, when to keep children home, and the prevention strategies that actually make a difference.

You’ll also hear about the role vaccines play in keeping kids healthy, what to do if masks aren’t welcome in your school, and how new attendance policies—like the controversial one in Tennessee—make it even harder for parents to do the right thing. This episode is a practical, parent-friendly guide to surviving sick season with sanity intact.

In this gripping episode, we dive into the world of Vibrio vulnificus—a flesh-eating bacterium once confined to warm southern waters, now making deadly appearances from Florida to Cape Cod.

We begin with real-life cases from the 2025 surge across the U.S., then uncover the science behind this microscopic killer: how it invades, how it spreads, and why it’s rising globally. From wound infections to raw oysters, climate change to coastal vulnerability—this is a public health warning.

Because with Vibrio vulnificus, a bigger boat won’t help.

Chikungunya is sweeping through southern China in its largest recorded outbreak—and it’s not just a local problem. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather takes you inside Foshan’s summer surge, unpacks how this mosquito-borne virus travels the globe, and explores why its painful symptoms can linger for months or even years. You’ll hear how two species of mosquitoes are redrawing the map of where chikungunya can strike, why genetic changes have made it more adaptable, and what public health responses—from targeted mosquito control to controversial government overreach—look like on the ground. Whether you’re a traveler, a science enthusiast, or just someone who hates mosquito bites, this is your deep dive into the past, present, and future of a virus that won’t stay put.