logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
26m 29s

Should we be worried about HMPV?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

With reports of rising cases of the respiratory illness HMPV in multiple countries and concern over the risk it poses, we look behind the headlines to reality check what is really going on.

Also on the show, we hear from injured Ukrainians who are building drones to help with their mental and physical rehabilitation. Plus, how does elite sport impact women’s fertility?

Finally, we look ahead to predict what 2025 might have in store for global health.

Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producers: Katie Tomsett and Jack Lee

(Photo: Bangalore Baptist Hospital where two cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) were detected in Bangalore, India, 06 January 2025. Credit: Jagadeesh Nv/EPA)

Up next
Yesterday
First malaria treatment approved for newborns
Until now there has been no approved treatment for malaria in newborns and infants weighing less than 4.5kg. We hear from families and clinicians firsthand what this new formulation, due to be approved across eight African countries, means for them.We are joined by Professor Dami ... Show More
26m 31s
Jul 2
Can bacteria-eating viruses be used to fight superbugs?
Phages are viruses that only infect bacteria. How might they help us tackle antimicrobial resistance? Franklin Nobrega and Esme Brinsden from the University of Southampton explain how their citizen science project that collects samples from around the globe is building a library ... Show More
26m 28s
Jun 25
Childhood vaccination coverage stalls worldwide
There has been immense progress on childhood vaccination since 1974, with over four billion children vaccinated worldwide. So why now are we seeing vaccination rates stall, and decline? We look at what is driving this stagnation that is putting millions of children at risk. The p ... Show More
26m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
Is watching sport good for you?
As the emotional roller coaster of the Euros comes to a close and the summer Olympics begin, James joins Professor Damian Bailey for an experiment to measure the ups and downs of watching sport. We monitor brains, hearts, lungs and hormones to try to out if watching sport is good ... Show More
27m 54s
Oct 2024
Rules of engagement: Nullifying neurotrauma
Today, we're going in depth on traumatic brain injuries. James Tytko speaks with Dawn Astle, daughter of former England striker Jeff Astle, about the finding that his death was linked to head trauma sustained during his playing career. Also, Prof Peter Hutchinson gives an overvie ... Show More
32m 35s
Jul 1
Interview: 1 simple question that could improve women's health | Meryam Sugulle
There's a reliable indicator of a woman's future likelihood of cardiovascular disease — but it rarely gets asked about, says obstetrician and researcher Meryam Sugulle. She delves into the role of the placenta in pregnancy, how it can predict health outcomes and the single questi ... Show More
34m 47s
Sep 2024
Predicting everything
The Royal Society recently announced the shortlist for their annual Science Book Prize – and nominated is science writer and journalist Tom Chivers, author of the book Everything is Predictable. He tells us how statistics impact every aspect of our lives, and joins Marnie as a st ... Show More
34m 50s
Oct 2024
Climate leadership - knowledge is power
It’s an often cited statistic that if healthcare was a country, it would be the fifth largest carbon emitter. At The BMJ we want to change that, and move healthcare towards a more sustainable future.  In this week’s episode, we’ll hear about our annual climate edition from two of ... Show More
41m 8s
Mar 2025
526 - Dr Steve James & Cecilie Wang on Taking Control of Our Wellness
Adam Cox is joined by Dr Steve James, a longevity medicine specialist and Cecilie Wang, the co-founder of Scandinavian Saunas. New research has found that many of us feel our health is in decline, with no idea how to stop it. And now experts are suggesting the problem is that we ... Show More
20m 8s
Apr 23
Why Australians Live 7 Years Longer Than Americans with Dr. Adrian Cois
On this month's installment of our Longevity Series, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes, sits down with Dr. Adrian Cois. Dr. Cois is an Australian-born Emergency Physician and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, currently practi ... Show More
47m 15s
Oct 2024
Reducing the risks of brain injury, with Kim Gorgens, PhD
Every year, there are more than 2.8 million traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. The risks of brain injury among youth athletes, pro football players and military veterans have all made headlines in recent years. But other populations are at increased risk as well – including peo ... Show More
44m 50s
Apr 2024
Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond joins Gabby this week to talk about the “pale stale male” and what he’s doing to avoid becoming one! The former Top Gear presenter warns of the dangers of living in an echo chamber when you get to this stage of life, and why he’s hoping his new podcast (Who We Are ... Show More
55m 35s
Jun 10
Information Inoculation: Defending Against Medical Myths: Why do you need to get a flu shot every year? | Melvin Sanicas
All year long, researchers at hospitals around the world collect samples from flu patients and send them to top virology experts with one goal: to design the vaccine for the next flu season. But why do we need a new one every year? Vaccines for diseases like mumps and rubella off ... Show More
30m 33s