In this episode of viroLOGICAL, Florian Krammer explains the measles virus, one of the most contagious human pathogens known. He discusses the structure and transmission of the virus, its airborne spread, and why its very high R number makes outbreaks difficult to control. The episode covers the typical course of infection, common symptoms and serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, as well as the phenomenon of immune amnesia after measles infection. He also explains how the highly effective measles vaccine was developed, why two doses are needed for optimal protection, and how misinformation and declining vaccination rates have led to a resurgence of measles in many countries, despite the fact that the virus could theoretically be eradicated.

Study about indirect effects of measles: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4823017/

Science article about the study: https://www.science.org/content/article/measles-vaccine-protects-against-other-deadly-diseases

CDC measles information: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

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Krammer laboratory information

Krammer Laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness

Ignaz Semmelweis Institute

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Conflict of interest statement

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has filed patent applications relating to influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics, SARS-CoV-2 serological assays and NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines which name me as inventor. Mount Sinai has spun out a company, CastleVax, to commercialize NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and I am named as co-founder and scientific advisory board member of that company.

I have previously consulted for Curevac, Merck, Gritstone, Sanofi, Seqirus, GSK and Pfizer and I am currently consulting for 3rd Rock Ventures (US) and Avimex (Mexico).

My laboratory has been collaborating in the past with Pfizer on animal models of SARS-CoV-2 and with GlaxoSmithKline and VIR on the development of influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics and we are currently collaborating with Dynavax, Inspirevax and Inimmune on development of influenza virus vaccines.

My work in the on immunity and infectious diseases in the US is supported by the National Institutes of Health, but also by FluLab and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In the past I have also received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH and the US Department of Defense.

My work in Austria is supported by the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft and by the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute through the Medical University of Vienna.

In this episode of viroLOGICAL, Florian Krammer explains rabies, one of the deadliest infectious diseases known. He describes what the rabies virus is, how it is transmitted mainly through bites and scratches, and why symptoms almost always lead to death once they appear. The episode covers how the virus spreads through the nervous system to the brain, which symptoms typically occur, and why incubation times can range from days to even years. It also explains how post-exposure prophylaxis can prevent the disease if given in time, how rabies is controlled through vaccination of pets and wildlife, and why the virus, despite its severity, does not pose a realistic pandemic threat.

Rabies case in the UK due to dog scratch in Morocco: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/18/person-dies-of-rabies-in-yorkshire-after-contact-with-dog-in-morocco

Rabies cases in the US through bats: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7101a5.htm?scid=mm7101a5w

Information about rabies free countries: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/rabies-free-countries

NPR report about person who died due to refusal to get rabies post exposure prophylaxis: https://www.npr.org/2021/09/29/1041457232/rabies-illinois-man-death-rare-public-health

CDC rabies information: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/php/protecting-public-health/index.html

Rabid: A cultural history of the world's most diabolic virus; Bill Wasik, Monica Murphy; ISBN:9780143123576, 0143123572

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Support viroLOGICAL on Steady:

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Krammer laboratory information

Krammer Laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness

Ignaz Semmelweis Institute

+++++

Conflict of interest statement

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has filed patent applications relating to influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics, SARS-CoV-2 serological assays and NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines which name me as inventor. Mount Sinai has spun out a company, CastleVax, to commercialize NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and I am named as co-founder and scientific advisory board member of that company.

I have previously consulted for Curevac, Merck, Gritstone, Sanofi, Seqirus, GSK and Pfizer and I am currently consulting for 3rd Rock Ventures (US) and Avimex (Mexico).

My laboratory has been collaborating in the past with Pfizer on animal models of SARS-CoV-2 and with GlaxoSmithKline and VIR on the development of influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics and we are currently collaborating with Dynavax, Inspirevax and Inimmune on development of influenza virus vaccines.

My work in the on immunity and infectious diseases in the US is supported by the National Institutes of Health, but also by FluLab and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In the past I have also received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH and the US Department of Defense.

My work in Austria is supported by the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft and by the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute through the Medical University of Vienna.

In the first episode of viroLOGICAL, Florian Krammer takes a fundamental look at viruses: What are viruses and why are they not considered living organisms? He explains how viruses replicate inside host cells, how they were first discovered, and why their size, shape and genetic makeup can differ so widely. The episode also covers key concepts like transmission routes, incubation periods, R number, epidemics, pandemics and zoonoses, and discusses why factors such as climate change, globalization and closer contact between humans and animals increase the risk of future outbreaks.

ProMED: https://www.promedmail.org/

Krammer Laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/krammerlab/

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness: https://soap.lbg.ac.at/

Ignaz Semmelweis Institute: https://semmelweisinstitute.ac.at/

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Support viroLOGICAL on Steady:

Questions, feedback or topic suggestions?

+++++

Krammer laboratory information

Krammer Laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness

Ignaz Semmelweis Institute

+++++

Conflict of interest statement

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has filed patent applications relating to influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics, SARS-CoV-2 serological assays and NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines which name me as inventor. Mount Sinai has spun out a company, CastleVax, to commercialize NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and I am named as co-founder and scientific advisory board member of that company.

I have previously consulted for Curevac, Merck, Gritstone, Sanofi, Seqirus, GSK and Pfizer and I am currently consulting for 3rd Rock Ventures (US) and Avimex (Mexico).

My laboratory has been collaborating in the past with Pfizer on animal models of SARS-CoV-2 and with GlaxoSmithKline and VIR on the development of influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics and we are currently collaborating with Dynavax, Inspirevax and Inimmune on development of influenza virus vaccines.

My work in the on immunity and infectious diseases in the US is supported by the National Institutes of Health, but also by FluLab and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In the past I have also received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH and the US Department of Defense.

My work in Austria is supported by the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft and by the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute through the Medical University of Vienna.

Florian Krammer is a virologist and vaccine developer. In his podcast viroLOGICAL he will talk about viruses on a weekly basis – from historical pandemics to current developments.

Krammer laboratory information

Krammer Laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness

Ignaz Semmelweis Institute

+++++

Conflict of interest statement

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has filed patent applications relating to influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics, SARS-CoV-2 serological assays and NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines which name me as inventor. Mount Sinai has spun out a company, CastleVax, to commercialize NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and I am named as co-founder and scientific advisory board member of that company.

I have previously consulted for Curevac, Merck, Gritstone, Sanofi, Seqirus, GSK and Pfizer and I am currently consulting for 3rd Rock Ventures (US) and Avimex (Mexico).

My laboratory has been collaborating in the past with Pfizer on animal models of SARS-CoV-2 and with GlaxoSmithKline and VIR on the development of influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics and we are currently collaborating with Dynavax, Inspirevax and Inimmune on development of influenza virus vaccines.

My work in the on immunity and infectious diseases in the US is supported by the National Institutes of Health, but also by FluLab and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In the past I have also received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH and the US Department of Defense.

My work in Austria is supported by the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft and by the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute through the Medical University of Vienna.