Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Global Virus Network, 12901 Bruce B Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL.
A global non-profit network of expert virologists advancing pandemic preparedness through education and training, research, and global health strategies and solutions that inform policy, foster alliances, and combat misinformation.
04/22/2026
Next Week: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET
Join Esimebia Adjovi Amegashie (Medical Laboratory Scientist and Research Associate, The Quaye Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Ghana, Legon) for “Immunological Response to Human Coronaviruses Among People Living with HIV in Ghana,” part of the GVN Forefront of Virology Webinar Series.
Measles is resurging at a scale not seen in decades, with rising cases in the United States and globally highlighting gaps in vaccination coverage and growing vulnerabilities in public health systems.
The U.S. has already reported more than 1,700 cases across over 30 states in 2026, following the highest annual total in more than 30 years in 2025.
“Measles cases are one of the clearest indicators of how well our immunization systems are functioning,” said Dr. William Moss of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “When fewer people are vaccinated, the virus exploits those gaps immediately.”
Measles remains entirely preventable, but even small declines in immunization coverage can lead to outbreaks. GVN outlines what this resurgence means for preparedness and the urgent need to restore vaccination coverage.
The GVN concluded on March 6, 2026, with closing remarks by GVN's CEO, Mathew Evins, emphasizing that pandemic preparedness depends on sustained investment in basic science, strong global collaboration, and continued development of the next generation of virology leaders.
The meeting highlighted how advances in antiviral therapeutics, artificial intelligence, immunology, and global surveillance are shaping the future of how emerging viral threats are detected and controlled, while reinforcing the need to translate these advances into real-world preparedness.
The session concluded with the announcement of the 2027 GVN Annual International Scientific Meeting, to be held in Singapore from April 14-16, 2027.
Applications are now open for GVN's Global Guardians for Pandemic Preparedness, with the deadline extended to April 30, 2026.
At the 2025 program, students stepped into the role of epidemiologists in an outbreak simulation led by the Florida Department of Health.
They investigated a fictional outbreak, analyzed symptoms, conducted mock interviews, and developed response strategies, gaining insight into how disease detectives work in the field.
Hosted at University of South Florida, the program offers Florida high school students the opportunity to explore virology, epidemiology, and public health through hands on learning and engagement with experts.
Program Details:
• July 20 to 24, 2026
• University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
• Open to Florida high school students in grades 9 to 12 who have completed at least one biology course
• Free to attend after a 30 dollar non refundable application fee
• Residency option available
The GVN designated Tampa General Hospital as the inaugural Hospital Virology Center of Excellence during on March 6, 2026.
The designation was presented to TGH's CEO, John Couris, recognizing the institution’s leadership in integrating clinical care, research, and pandemic preparedness.
The designation establishes a standard for hospitals that translate virological science into clinical practice, strengthening diagnostic capacity, patient care, and coordinated response to emerging infectious diseases.
Dr. Sten H. Vermund (GVN Chief Medical Officer; USF College of Public Health) spoke during the Panel Discussion: Hospital Pandemic Playbook at on March 6, 2026.
He emphasized that effective pandemic preparedness requires integration of clinical care, public health systems, and workforce development, highlighting the need for coordinated infrastructure to support response at scale.
USF Health-University of South Florida highlights key discussions from the Global Virus Network Annual International Scientific Meeting, focused on how the world can better prepare for future pandemics.
The article explores advances in artificial intelligence, surveillance, antiviral therapies, and vaccine development, alongside a central challenge: ensuring scientific progress translates into real-world readiness across healthcare systems and communities.
It also underscores the importance of public trust, early detection, and coordinated response in strengthening pandemic preparedness.
Dr. Haru Okuda (Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS)) presented “Training in Uncertainty: Adaptive Simulation During the COVID-19 Pandemic” during the Panel Discussion: Hospital Pandemic Playbook at on March 6, 2026.
He examined how adaptive simulation was used to train healthcare teams under rapidly changing conditions, supporting clinical decision-making and preparedness during pandemic response.
Dr. Asa Oxner (USF Health-University of South Florida; Tampa General Hospital) presented “Lessons From COVID-19 Tracking For Pandemic Preparedness: The USF Experience” during the Panel Discussion: Hospital Pandemic Playbook at on March 6, 2026.
She described how COVID-19 tracking systems were used to support hospital operations, including monitoring patient volumes, resource utilization, and system-wide coordination. Her remarks emphasized how translating scientific advances into coordinated clinical action is essential for effective pandemic response.
Dr. Tomas Cihlar (GVN Board of Directors member; GVN; Gilead Sciences) presented the special lecture “Antiviral Nucleoside Analogs for Advancing Pandemic Preparedness” at on March 6, 2026.
He examined how nucleoside analog antivirals inhibit viral replication and highlighted their role in developing broad-spectrum therapies that can overcome limitations of current COVID-19 treatments and be rapidly deployed against emerging viral threats.
Medical Xpress - Medical and Health News highlights the spread of new flu and COVID variants and how the immune system continues to protect against severe disease.
The article notes that the Global Virus Network considers the SARS-CoV-2 BA.3.2 variant “no cause for concern,” reinforcing that while viruses continue to evolve, existing immune defenses remain effective.
It’s a timely look at how vaccines, T cells, and prior exposure continue to shape protection as new variants emerge.
Dr. Robert Garry (GVN Center of Excellence Director; Tulane University) presented “New Data on COVID-19 Origins” during the Viral Variants in Coronaviruses session at on March 6, 2026.
He presented updated findings on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, contributing to ongoing efforts to understand how coronaviruses evolve, recombine, and adapt across species, which remains central to preventing future spillover events.
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The Global Virus Network (GVN) was co-founded in 2011 by Robert Gallo, MD of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, William Hall, MD, PhD of University College Dublin and the late Reinhard Kurth, MD, PhD, of the Robert Koch Institute. The GVN is an essential and critical defense against viral disease. It is a coalition comprised of leading virologists spanning more than 20 countries worldwide, all working to advance knowledge about how viruses make us sick and to develop drugs and vaccines to prevent illness and death. No single institution in the world has expertise in all viral areas. GVN brings the best medical virologists together to leverage individual strengths and to focus global teams of scientists on key scientific problems. The power of GVN lies in its global reach, the depth of its science, and its commitment to solving viral challenges facing the human population. No other entity exists like the GVN.
Declaration of Support for a Global Virus Network
WE, EXPERTS represent Centers of Excellence for research in medical virology from across the globe. Our work is dedicated to understanding, preventing and eradicating viral disease threats to mankind.
WE AFFIRM the need for new programs to coordinate, support and promote research that bridges the gap between virus surveillance and public health implementation.
WE GATHER in Washington, D.C. to support goals and ideals of the Global Virus Network, a new approach to fostering true collaboration among all regions and all peoples of the world.
Seeking to improve the immediate responses to emerging vial threats, train future generations of medical virologists, and advise governments or non-governmental organizations on viral disease threats and their control, the Global Virus Network fills a critical need in international health for today and into the future.
