Distinguished viral and epidemiological scientists at Stellenbosch University (SU) gathered for a panel discussion on 2 October to discuss the phenomenon of long-Covid and when the next pandemic could happen.
The panel featured Professor Resia Pretorius, Professor Tulio De Oliveria, and Professor Burtram Fielding as they engaged an audience at Die Khaya Hall, based in Stellenbosch Central. The event was hosted during the 2024 Woordfees.
Pretorius, a professor of physiological science and expert in long-Covid, described the phenomenon broadly as symptoms that develop, or continue after acute Covid-19 infection.
Burtram Fielding, dean of the Faculty of Sciences at SU, also engaged the panel audience reflecting on his Singaporean research fellowship during the 2003 SARS pandemic, and warned of the next pandemic.
De Oliveira, director of the Centre for Epidemiological Research and Innovation (CERI) at SU, reassured the audience that South Africa has some of the best epidemiological laboratories in the world. He also reflected on his work in discovering the Beta and Omicron variants of Covid-19 during the pandemic.