Emerging and re-emerging viruses are key players among the different pathogens that have caused recent epidemics, as attested by several severe outbreaks affecting humans such as Ebola, chikungunya, influenza, Zika, dengue, SARS and MERS or outbreaks attacking animals such as rabies and bluetongue disease.
This MOOC aims to provide a fundamental knowledge about the different viruses that are involved in viral emergence and describes the associated molecular mechanisms and conditions that drive their emergence. Those range from viral mutations to climate change, the impact of urbanization to alterations in human behaviour.
Special attention is given to the global “One Health” approach. The MOOC also provides basic insights on viral epidemiology and outbreak modelling as well as on detection, early management and infection control mechanisms. It focuses on the scientific and medical measures to prevent and counteract the emergence or re-emergence of viruses, but it also brings a view about the response of governments and agencies such as the World Health Organization to control the worldwide viral dissemination. The MOOC is built up on the profound expertise from international experts in the field of emerging and re-emerging viruses and takes advantage of the worldwide Institut Pasteur Network.
Finally, it should be emphasized that this MOOC illustrates the latest knowledge about the current SARS-CoV-2-Covid-19 pandemic. Here are presented data from Covid-19 virology, epidemiology and vaccinology, as well as the latest findings on the structural determinants of Covid-19 for the design of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The impact of Covid-19 infection on the central nervous system is also deciphered.
For this third edition, a sequence about SARS-CoV-2 variants (by S. van der Werf) has been added.
This MOOC is organized in 8 chapters of 4 to 8 sessions each. Each session includes a 6 to 10-minute video and 2 multiple choice questions to help you test your understanding. There are 8 to 16 multiple choice questions at the end of each chapter. The videos are in English, subtitled in English and French.
This MOOC includes a Forum where you can post any questions you may have on all the chapters of the MOOC.
We recommend a good scientific background (such as a bachelor of life science).
To follow this course, you have the choice between two formulas. The DISCOVERY path gives you access to videos, quizzes and exchanges in the forum. Additionnaly, the QUALIFYING path gives you access to a qualifying exam.
– Discovery path
If you opt for this path, you will have access to the videos, the quizzes and the exchanges in the forum. For this path, no certificate will be delivered. The registration is free.
– Qualifying path
In addition to the activities offered in the DISCOVERY path, the QUALIFYING formula will allow you to obtain a certificate in the form of a “certificate”. To do this, you will have to take a exam, monitored remotely, lasting 1 hour, consisting of 30 multiple choice questions (MCQ) and obtaining 18 correct answers.
The registration fee for the qualifying course is 150€.
Obtaining a qualifying certification is an opportunity for you to obtain a diploma. This course is one of the MOOCs of the Institut Pasteur’s Digital Diploma in Infectious Diseases program (DNM2IP). For more information, see the Institut Pasteur web page, dedicated to this new diploma.
Find all information about this MOOC on: https://www.fun-mooc.fr/en/courses/emerging-and-re-emerging-viruses/
