In the News

Here’s Why Chris Christie’s Zika Quarantines Would Be Pointless

Mother Jones – Quotes Elizabeth Talbot, associate professor of medicine, about Republican presidential candidate New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s recent statement that he would use quarantines to prevent the Zika virus outbreak from spreading in the United States. Talbot states that a more effective solution to stop the spread of the Zika virus is to focus on controlling and eradicating the mosquitoes that can carry Zika.

In Brazil, Pregnant Women Urged to Be Cautious With a Kiss

The New York Times via Associated Press – Quotes Elizabeth Talbot, associate professor of medicine, about the mounting global concern over the Zika virus, and how health officials on Friday warned pregnant women to think twice about the lips they kiss and called on men to use condoms with pregnant partners if they have visited countries where the virus is present. “This virus is clearly throwing one curveball after the other,” says Talbot.

Researchers Test Microbe Wipe to Promote Babies’ Health After C-Sections

NPR – Story quotes Juliette Madan, associate professor of pediatrics, about recent research that shows slathering babies born via cesarean in microbes from their mothers’ birth canal might make it possible for them to benefit from picking up Mom’s microbes, just like babies that are born naturally. “It’s a very important study,” says Madan, who was not involved in the study. “It’s showing that this is a possible intervention that might restore a health-promoting microbiome and lead to improved health outcomes for life.”