SubscribeThe Economist ProLog inSkip to contentSubscribeThe Economist ProLog inWeekly editionWorld in briefUnited StatesChinaBusinessFinance & economicsEuropeAsiaMiddle EastAmericasArtificial intelligenceCultureCartoons & gamesundefined undefinedSubscribe to The EconomistUnlock unlimited access to all our award-winning journalism, subscriber-only podcasts and newslettersSubscribe to The EconomistUnlock unlimited access to all our award-winning journalism, subscriber-only podcasts and newslettersSubscribeManage accountGift subscriptionsLog outManage accountGift subscriptionsLog out←All episodesBabbage | Science & technologyOur podcast on science and technology. How to manage hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks in a post-aid era of public health May 20th 2026|1 min readA rare disease spreading on a cruise ship triggered memories of covid-19. But while people worried about hantavirus cases reaching their shores, a much larger outbreak of Ebola took hold in central Africa. The two outbreaks have come in the wake of a series of worrying developments for international public health agencies: America has left the World Health Organisation and the country has also gutted its spending on international aid. How should pathogenic threats be handled in this post-aid era?Guests and hosts: Already have an account? Log in Tune in to the world Expert analysis and clear perspectives with Economist Podcasts+ Subscribe now Reuse this contentMore from PodcastsPodcast The IntelligenceBibi, one more time? Israel’s election launchesAlso on the daily podcast: US anti-terror missions in Africa and Cape Verde’s first World Cup20:31Podcast Editor’s picksA looming EU-China trade warA handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist08:30Podcast Drum TowerWhat did Trump and Xi agree on?Our weekly podcast on China. This week, was the American president’s visit to Beijing more ceremony than substance?43:04Podcast The IntelligenceSpread too thin: Africa’s next Ebola outbreakAlso on the daily podcast: the polling favourite for Britain’s next prime minister and the irritating world of celebrity book clubs21:48Podcast Editor’s picksHow the energy shock is changing AsiaA handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist09:30Podcast The IntelligenceEqual before the law? Transitional justice in SyriaAlso on the daily podcast: our America-at-250 series continues and a curious rise in Chinese whiskymaking24:52