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Bev Paterson

@travel-epi.bsky.social
152 followers 304 following 61 posts

Australian epidemiologist consulting on pandemic planning and health security. Working everywhere. Travelling everywhere. Living in gorgeous Tasmania

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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I’ve just set up a new Substack account where I’ll be talking about all things related to travelling and/or infectious disease epidemiology. I’ll hope you’ll enjoy my stories and commentary. substack.com/@travels50pl...
substack.com
The travelling epidemiologist (@travels50plus)
I hate getting sick when traveling. It happens but there are some steps you can take to make it much less likely. Stay well.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Press briefing by WHO on Hantavirus and new Ebola outbreak. Note briefing doesn’t start till 26 mins. Revised case numbers - 10 Still uncertainty re transmission mechanism, therefore take a precautionary approach Depends on host, environment and virus - complex www.youtube.com/live/uhN74J4...
youtube.com
LIVE: WHO Hantavirus update
YouTube video by Reuters
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Flying? How to not get sick on a plane. Reduce your risks from infectious diseases. youtu.be/wXga-TGKlkE?...
youtu.be
How to Avoid Getting Sick When Flying | Infectious Disease Doctor Explains
YouTube video by TravelWellGuide
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Investigative journalist tracking down missing passengers who left the MV Hondius in St Helena. If she’s correct, and this passenger is actively avoiding quarantine while doing extensive travelling, then this is concerning open.substack.com/pub/jacqueli...
open.substack.com
A second woman jet-setted around the globe after leaving the hantavirus-plagued vessel, without anyone noticing
Where in the world are the MV Hondius passengers?
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Latest WHO disease outbreak news on the Hantavirus outbreak is now available. 11 cases now, though one American has an inconclusive test result (one positive, one negative - from two different laboratories). www.who.int/emergencies/...
who.int
Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
This is the third Disease Outbreak News report on the hantavirus cluster, following the notification to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 2 May 2026 of severe respiratory illness cases aboard MV ...
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
With all the discussion about the need for quarantining of the passengers on the cruise ship, I’ve made a short video on what needs to be considered. youtu.be/9YI2egYFfYo?...
youtu.be
Hantavirus: To quarantine or not to quarantine?
YouTube video by TravelWellGuide
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Just tried out Spanish to English live translation on my AirPods using Apple Translate - wow, this changes everything! …the briefing? Meh. Lots of thanks, not much new information
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
And while we’re all focused on Hantavirus it’s good to remember that other pesky viruses still need watching - thanks @fla-medic.bsky.social
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
An American and a French passenger linked to the Hondius cruise ship outbreak tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare respiratory disease, less than a day after leaving the expedition vessel www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
US, France Say Cruise Passengers Test Positive for Hantavirus
An American and a French passenger linked to the Hondius cruise ship outbreak tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare respiratory disease, less than a day after leaving the expediti...
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Latest WHO report on the Hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship. Since 4 May 3 suspected cases confirmed 1 additional case confirmed 1 suspected case now a non-case - not clear if this is the flight attendant? Global risk is low Moderate risk for passengers and crew www.who.int/emergencies/...
who.int
Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
On 2 May 2026, a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). At that time, according to the ship operator, 147 passe...
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
This is my take on the Hantavirus situation on the cruise ship. I’ll provide an update on a couple of days. This is a fast moving situation, I only just posted this and already out needs updating! youtu.be/jzQvf901aGQ?...
youtu.be
Hantavirus on cruise ship, May 2026
YouTube video by TravelWellGuide
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Dear Japan public health colleagues. I am so impressed by smoking (the lack of) in Japan. In 2 months I only saw one person smoking on the street. All smokers were contained in smoking booths. Zero smoke. Well done. Really well done.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Thinking about Japan? I found a wonderful short walk (7km) through a forest and along a mountain trail. Accessible from Hongu in Wakayama. Highly recommended if you want to escape the cities. youtu.be/ZcW-dZPDkm0?...
youtu.be
Japan: Kumano Koda highlight walk
YouTube video by TravelWellGuide
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Dear European public health colleagues - as an Australian I’m staggered by the numbers of smokers and vapers in Europe. What is going on? They’re everywhere. I haven’t come across a single outdoor eating area that’s not full of nicotine. Please explain.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
I think about this every time I travel so I thought I’d make a video. (Not giving up my day job…) youtu.be/wXga-TGKlkE?...
youtu.be
How to not get sick when you're travelling on a plane
YouTube video by TravelWellGuide
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Thoughts from a beginner vlogger
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
Horrified that CDC Atlanta has been the target of a shooter. Also, it doesn’t rate a mention in the Australian press. www.cnn.com/2025/08/09/u...
cnn.com
Gunman in CDC shooting near Emory University has been identified | CNN
Gunfire riddled CDC headquarters in Atlanta. A police officer is dead. And the shooter may have blamed a possible illness on vaccines.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Off to #Cambodia for my third visit in 6 months. Helping the government with drafting their #pandemicplan Great to see countries taking this initiative before all the lessons from #COVID-19 have been forgotten.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Failed to see the Aurora Australis last night due to cloud cover but managed a very nice sunrise instead #Tasmania #Tassielife #PrimroseSands #Sunrise
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Hope everyone is having a perfect Easter break. #Tasmania #Freycinet
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Via Mustapha Mustapha LinkedIn Genomic Epidemiology Foundation and public health buff.ly/jB2E6bR theoretical buff.ly/zTKSgWI Phylogenetic trees buff.ly/ZD7hGqu Bacterial Genomics Bacterial genome buff.ly/DwaPiTR Advanced concepts buff.ly/CBOdYPJ Gene transfer and evolution buff.ly/cRFb9Y0
buff.ly
Introduction to Genomic Epidemiology pt 1
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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Reposted by Bev Paterson
Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 02/04/2025
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social is right. You can humiliate and fire us. But we will not stay down. Because we truly believe in our mission. We fight for people. We fight for kids. For the right to survive and the hope to thrive. Goodnight friends. Get some rest. open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
open.substack.com
Why we keep going
Today thousands of health workers at the CDC and FDA lost their jobs—effective immediately.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
And there go the epidemiologists and data scientists www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/h...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Abruptly Cuts Billions From State Health Services
States have been told that they can no longer use grants that were funding infectious disease management and addiction services.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Bits flu has been discovered in a sheep. Main concern here is the spread into more mammals. World’s first case of bird flu in sheep detected in England www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
theguardian.com
World’s first case of bird flu in sheep detected in England
H5N1 virus found in single animal in Yorkshire but risk to general public is very low, say experts
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
It’s our fault for failing to communicate about uncertainty. That we make the best decisions we can based on imperfect data. That those decisions can change when we know more. We need to clearly state what we know and what we don’t know.
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Reposted by Bev Paterson
William Gibson @greatdismal.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Trump team orders huge government layoffs: how science could fare
Nature talks with scientists inside US agencies about what the latest directive could mean for their staff members and budgets.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
If you need a break from the dismantling of #publichealth, here are some inspiring ideas to help with a #hiking escape to #Australia or #Japan www.croakey.org/wp-content/u...
croakey.org
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Reposted by Bev Paterson
Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
"working to swiftly rectify the situation..." www.nbcnews.com/politics/dog...
nbcnews.com
USDA says it accidentally fired officials working on bird flu and is trying to rehire them
In a statement, an Agriculture Department spokesperson told NBC News that officials are "working to swiftly rectify the situation."
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Totally entertained and educated by the Apopo giant pouched rats that do #landmine detection. Over 20,000 landlines detected in #Cambodia plus many unexploded munitions. Cute and lifesavers. A very worthy cause.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Stunning #BengMealeaTemple - 12th century temple crumbling in a #Cambodian jungle. Also extraordinary - 438 #landmines and 809 UXOs removed from this site over the last twenty years.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Here’s a picture of an elephant I fed and walked through the forest with today. I didn’t think about American politics at all. She’s a retired #elephant who used to give rides to tourists visiting Cambodia’s temple. Now she plays. #KulenElephantForest #Cambodia
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Reposted by Bev Paterson
Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Likely to be the avian variant which seems to be regularly more severe than the bovine variant.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
THIS IS MADNESS As a graduate of the Australian equivalent this is unbelievable. Does the US administration consider consequences at all? Did they not learn anything from the COVID experience? www.statnews.com/2025/02/14/t...
statnews.com
CDC cuts expected to devastate Epidemic Intelligence Service, a ‘crown jewel’ of public health
Members of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service were warned Friday that many of them were about to be fired
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Reposted by Bev Paterson
Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Hard to overstate how funny and perplexing it is that the U.S. is still submitting Article 6's right now. Say what you will about international law but the IHR stays winning
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Finally fulfilling a Year 9 Social Studies dream (after more years than I care to mention). Thanks Mr White for your inspirational teaching all those years ago. #AngkorWat #Cambodia #TaPromhTemple An amazing week exploring #SiemReap
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
One of the oldest trees on the planet, a Huon pine, is under threat from bushfires in #Tasmania Bushfire in Tasmania's Takayna/Tarkine burns within metres of ancient stand of Huon pine - ABC News www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
When the fake trees are disturbingly pleasing #Singapore
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Early morning start for the Parade of Sail @ the #Hobart #woodenboatfestival on board the beautiful #tallship #ladynelson #Tasmania
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SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) @covid19disease.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/d...
nyc.gov
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
#weekendprojects #Tasmania #nothingtodowithoutbreaks Had a blast making a little wooden stool this weekend. Started with a sliced up fallen tree and ended up with this. All made by hand, no power tools involved
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Mike Coston @fla-medic.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
AFD Blog `More Reports On HPAI #H5N5 In Iceland' afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/01/more...
afludiary.blogspot.com
More Reports On HPAI H5N5 In Iceland
#18,587 While our biggest avian flu concern remains HPAI H5N1 , over the years we've seen closely related H5N2 , H5N3, H5N4, H5N5 , H5N6 ,...
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
The case is well and there are no indications of onward transmission. Inevitable that there will be sporadic cases (with this amount of avian influenza circulating) but not making my epi alarm bells ring www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Human case of avian flu detected in England
UKHSA confirms rare case of bird flu (H5N1) in the West Midlands region.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
@epilady.bsky.social thanks for your starter pack. Finding the move from X tedious. So many good public health people I’ve yet to find!
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
I believe that a lab leak is a plausible explanation. I guess we’ll never really know www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
abc.net.au
CIA says it's 'more likely' COVID came from a lab than from nature
The CIA notes it has "low confidence" in its assessment and maintains its occurrence in nature also remains plausible.
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Reposted by Bev Paterson
Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
"Brain drain to follow:” The new administration sends an unsettling message to the scientific community — both within & outside of government — in its first days in office. www.statnews.com/2025/01/24/t...
statnews.com
Trump’s restrictions spark chaos across health and science agencies
The Trump administration's freeze on communications, travel, and diversity efforts has sowed chaos across federal health agencies.
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Reposted by Bev Paterson
WHO @who.int · 24/01/2025
#HealthForAll For everyone. Everywhere.
Black text on white background. It reads:

With you, for you.
WHO remains committed to health for all.
10459561017
Reposted by Bev Paterson
Crawford Kilian @crof.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
reuters.com
US health agencies cancel external meetings, travel after Trump admin directives
U.S. health agencies including the CDC this week canceled meetings with external groups, paused some public health publications and told employees to freeze travel after directives from the Department of Health and Human Services, two sources familiar with the situation said.
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
In Australia, we have one message about this “Don’t touch bats” - leave them and their homes alone
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Bev Paterson @travel-epi.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Guessing that consultants such as myself had better start looking elsewhere. Hate the thought that #WHO may have to start making difficult decisions re their priorities
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