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Everything published from the Institute of Virology
21st Tyrolean Vaccination Day
On Saturday, 4 July 2026, the 21st Tyrolean Vaccination Day (Tiroler Impftag) takes place at the CCB in Innsbruck — a full-day continuing-education event on the latest developments in vaccination, co-organised by the Institute of Virology.
EAVI Kick-off Meeting brings project partners together in Innsbruck
The Institute of Virology Innsbruck is hosting the official Kick-off Meeting of the EU-funded EAVI project (29 June – 01 July). The article provides an overview of the project’s goals and the launch of a European–African collaboration to advance vaccine development against neglected tropical diseases.
3rd Place for Barbara Falkensammer at ISMD2026 in Graz
Barbara Falkensammer was awarded 3rd place in the poster competition at ISMD2026 in Graz. Her poster compared PCR detection methods for influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2.
June 2026
The June 2026 newsletter provides an epidemiological update on the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO on 17 May 2026. As of 12 June 2026, approximately 695 confirmed cases and 138 deaths have been recorded. Topics covered include the pathogen and its mortality, the current absence of approved vaccines or therapies for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, ongoing development efforts, diagnostic criteria, and risk assessment for the EU/EEA.
New EU project on a chikungunya vaccine
A new EU project led by the Medical University of Innsbruck is testing a chikungunya vaccine approved in Europe in Africa.
May 2026
On the Andes virus outbreak linked to an expedition cruise ship (as of 20 May 2026): eleven cases with three fatalities, current sequencing data from four countries, and an overview of transmission routes and applicable quarantine measures.
Podcast: “Chikungunya Virus – a tropical disease in Europe?”
Head of Institute Prof. Dr. Gisa Gerold answers questions surrounding tick bites and the associated risks in this podcast episode of “Frag die Medizin” (in German)
11.06.2026 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Daniel Rawle
Prof. Daniel Rawle from the Emerging Viral Diseases Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer, Brisbane, Australia will hold a talk titled “Uncovering mechanisms of infection and disease for emerging arboviruses” on June 11, 2026 at 3:00 pm in the Pharmacology Lecture Hall.
Podcast: “Ticks – the danger in tall grass?”
Head of Institute Prof. Dr. Gisa Gerold answers questions surrounding tick bites and the associated risks in this podcast episode of “Frag die Medizin” (in German)
Research stay at the IVI: Magda Benítez from CINVESTAV Mexico
Magda Benítez from CINVESTAV Mexico is currently staying at the IVI as part of her doctorar research on the topic of Dengue virus.
Minisymposium “New trends and challenges in Virology”
On 28 April 2026, a minisymposium on current developments and challenges in virology was held at the Großer Hörsaal MZA, organised by Prof. Gisa Gerold and Prof. Guenter Weiss.
The Institute of Virology at the Long Night of Research 2026
At the Long Night of Research on 24 April 2026, visitors were able to experience research and diagnostics at the IVI in an interactive way – from 3D-printed viruses to a competition to see who could put on an S3 protective suit the fastest.
April 2026
Measles is making a global comeback, with an estimated 10.3 million infections recorded in 2023 — a 20% increase on the previous year. Austria has lost its measles elimination status after documenting the highest case numbers in 25 years in 2024.
22.04.2026 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Kanta Subbarao
Prof. Kanta Subbarao from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval Research Center will hold a talk titled “Preparing for a(nother) respiratory Virus Pandemic” on April 22, 2026 at 3:00 pm in the Histology Lecture Hall.
Prof. Dr. Gisa Gerold Elected to the GfV Advisory Board
Following her term on the board of the Society for Virology (GfV), during which she initiated a collaboration with the Swedish Society for Virology, Prof. Dr. Gisa Gerold has been elected to the GfV Advisory Board. Her new term will span three years.
3rd Place Best Presentation Award for Habib Benainouna at the ÖIK 2026
Habib Benainouna received the 3rd Place Best Presentation Award at the 18th Österreichischer Infektionskongress (ÖIK) for his work on genomic surveillance of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Tyrol.
March 2026
In March 2026, the Division of Virology Innsbruck recorded a marked rise in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positivity rates, exceeding 12% — following a successive increase since the start of the year and in the wake of the seasonal RSV peak.
16.04.2026 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Felix Meissner
Prof. Felix Meissner from the Department of Systems Immunology & Proteomics at the University of Bonn will hold a talk titled “Same Protein – Different Message: How Extracellular Proteoforms Rewire Inflammation” on April 16, 2026 at 3:00 pm in the Pharmacology Lecture Hall.
Stefan Lung selected for Spotlight Talk at London Calling 2026
PhD student Stefan Lung (Stoiber lab) has been selected to present his research as a Spotlight speaker at London Calling 2026 in London — Oxford Nanopore’s flagship annual conference.
Tariq Agbabiaka receives fellowship for Institut Pasteur Vaccinology Course
PhD student Tariq Agbabiaka (Kimpel lab) has been awarded a fellowship to attend the prestigious Institut Pasteur Vaccinology Course in Paris.
February 2026
The 2025/26 influenza season in Austria is gradually subsiding following an unusually early and intense course. The Institute of Virology provides information on vaccine protection, available diagnostic options, and how to distinguish influenza from common cold-like infections and COVID-19.
January 2026
Respiratory virus trends in January 2026: Rhino-/enterovirus and influenza (H3N2) activity shows early signs of decline, while hospitalization rates remain above last year’s levels. SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and a range of additional respiratory pathogens continue to circulate.
MUI Start Funding Awarded to Lifeng Liu
Postdoctoral researcher Lifeng Liu has been awarded funding through the MUI Start programme for a project investigating a novel transmission route of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and its role in pathogenesis. The project was officially approved on 4 December 2025.
26.03.2026 | Guest Lecture: Dr. Aleksandar Antanasijevic
Dr Aleksandar Antanasijevic from the Institute of Virology and Structural Immunology at EPF Lausanne will give a lecture on molecular determinants of antibody immunodominance using cryo-EM on 26 March 2026 at 3 p.m. in the Pharmacology Lecture Hall.
Annual Retreat 2026
The IVI held its annual retreat from January 7th to 9th. 20 talks and keynote lectures by Prof. Niklas Arnberg (Umeå University) and Daniela Weiskopf (La Jolla Institute) sparked lively discussions.
29.01.2026 | Guest Lecture: Dr. Mathias Schemmerer
Dr. Mathias Schemmerer from the Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene at the University Medical Center Regensburg will present on the work of the National Consultant Laboratory for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses on January 29, 2026 at 3:00 pm in the Pharmacology Lecture Hall.
01.12.2025 | Panel Discussion: What We Can Learn from Virus Research for Tomorrow
Prof. Florian Krammer, Rector Gert Mayer, and Prof. Gisa Gerold discussed pandemic preparedness and pandemic retrospective on December 1, 2025. The free event at the Innsbruck City Library was well attended and featured a lively exchange with the audience. We thank all guests!
GfV Executive Board and Advisory Board meeting
IVI Director Gisa Gerold participated in the second joint board and advisory board meeting of the DACH Association Society for Virology (GfV) at Goethe University Frankfurt in her capacity as Chair of the Executive Board. Her cooperation with the Swedish Society for Virology was recognized and will continue with a focus on young scientist exchange.
November 2025
Increase in Hepatitis A cases in Austria: The Institute of Virology confirmed 11 infections by PCR in 2025 – significantly more than in previous years. These observations underscore the importance of preventive immunization against Hepatitis A.
13.11.2025 | Guest Lecture: Prof. Dr. Derek Smith
Prof. Dr. Derek Smith from Cambridge University will present on vaccine strain selection for antigenically variable pathogens on November 13th, 2025 at 3pm in the Pharmacology lecture hall.