Alexandra Phelan

@alexandraphelan

Associate Professor in Global Health Law at Johns Hopkins BSPH Senior Scholar, Center for Health Security Director (Policy), Institute for Planetary Health International law, infectious disease outbreaks, pandemics, equity, solidarity & justice.

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Bluesky

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Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· 1h

Exceptionally excited to be starting vacation in T-12 hours

A photo of a very fluffy and windswept pomsky called Saga with her tongue out as she smiles at the camera

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· 6d

Saga has weekend plans sorted

An exceptionally fluffy pomsky sleeping on their back, paws kangaroo style

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· 9d

every time they announce a new lead in Oh, Mary! my budget becomes the drill candles tweet

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· 17d

these display books are so common in Australian. they're great for keeping documents protected but aren't bulky, and the rings let you add or remove plastic pockets. i've tried to find an American version so many times and i've come to the conclusion that they're just not a thing here???

a pile of three display books, which are rigid plastic folders joined with a ring binding, and inside are 20 plastic pockets for displaying and protecting pages of paper.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jul 14

My three year old’s foresight to get Dada an indoor hydroponic setup for Fathers Day will never be topped www.cnn.com/2026/07/13/h...

child picks a fresh leaf from an overflowing variety of leaves on a hydroponic garden

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jul 6

"Can somebody tell this virus it’s really not a good time" – First Dog on the Moon www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

An extract from a cartoon featuring marsupials reacting to bird flu news.
Top panel: A cheerful virus waves and says "Hi everyone!" while a marsupial exclaims "Bird flu?! Seriously? Can somebody tell this virus it's really not a good time, there's already too much going on."
Bottom-left panel: Text reads, "Look out plague fans, the H5N1 strain of 'high pathogenicity avian influenza' is here! Oh no! Is this really bad? Should we be freaking out? Do we even have capacity to freak out about anything any more? I'm totally freaked out out!"
Bottom right panel: "What you need to know! The H5N1 virus has devastated birds and marine mammals all over the world due to its ability to mutate rapidly and jump between species. It also kills around 25 or so humans a year" and "Australia has avoided it until just recently. 13,000 seal pups (and 100s of penguins) died on Heard Island, and now 7 reports of seabirds with the virus on the mainland." A map of Australia marks "Bird flu found" spots and points to tiny Heard Island offshore. A marsupial in the corner coughs.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jun 13

192 Books getting in the spirit “our fortune lies Upon this jump."

Orange and blue books in a bookstore window, with a chalkboard sign “our fortune lies Upon this jump." Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jun 13

Can’t work out if I’m more excited for tonight’s game or that this little New Yorker is finally wearing her mum’s jersey number.

Tiny New Yorker walking outside wearing a New York Knicks OG Anunoby 8 tshirt

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jun 11

Yesterday @centerforhealthsecurity.org participated in the UN High Level Meeting on Pandemic Preparedness and Response Multistakeholder Hearing. My intervention stressed the urgency of action for Ebola Bundibugyo response to save lives and for any legitimacy in global health multilateralism.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jun 6

There are some figures that show the full modeling for both cases (left) and deaths (right) under all of the above scenarios, that are hopefully a bit more easy to understand from the above explanation:

Figure shows BVD cases across four intervention scenarios showing the proportionate chance based on each of the starting point simulations.

Figure shows BVD deaths across four intervention scenarios showing the proportionate chance based on each of the starting point simulations.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jun 6

In their discussion, the authors state that this outbreak "within 3 months and under low-isolation scenarios, become the second largest Ebola outbreak in history" The risk of a very large outbreak (even with high intervention) means the public health response must be of a magnitude of West Africa.

Highlighted text of the article reads: Although the worst outcomes (higher numbers of cases and associated deaths) in these projections were less likely when a larger proportion of patients were identified, isolated, and treated, this outbreak could, within 3 months and under low-isolation scenarios, become the second largest Ebola outbreak in history. In light of this projected risk for a very large outbreak even if reasonably effective control measures are implemented, the public health response to control this outbreak will likely need to be of similar magnitude to the response for the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jun 6

🟦 3c. Starting with 200 deaths means that even with a high level (70%) of intervention, it's a very bad scenario: ≥10,000 cases (42%) This really drills the message that when you start on the back foot and detection is delayed, further delay has exponential consequences.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jun 6

If we had 100 deaths, in 3 months time, the model projects: 🟥 2a. "Very large outbreaks" with poor intervention (20%). Truly awful: ≥20,000 cases (76%) ≥4,000 deaths (87%) 🟦 2c. 70% makes a big impact in curbing spread but large outbreak still possible: <10,000 cases (94%) <2,000 deaths (90%)

Screenshot of article results reads: Assuming 100 deaths. Assuming 100 cumulative deaths as of May 24, 2026, the inferred median spillover date was February 8, 2026 (IQI = January 21–February 27). Very large outbreaks were likely in the scenario in which only 20% of patients were isolated (76% of simulations projected ≥20,000 cases and 87% projected ≥4,000 deaths). In the scenario in which 70% of infected persons were isolated, 73% of simulations projected <2,000 cumulative deaths by August 22, 2026, and 10% projected ≥4,000 deaths

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Jun 6

For 50 deaths the model projected the following staggering outbreak size & chances in 3 months: 🟥1a 20% ≥20,000 cases (65% of simulations) ≥10,000 cases (85%) ≥4,000 deaths (69%) 🟪1b 50% ≥20,000 cases (17%) ≥4,000 deaths (22%) 🟦1c 70% <10,000 cases (94%) <2,000 deaths (90%) Response matters!

Screenshot of article results reads: Assuming 50 deaths. The model calibrated to 50 deaths estimated that the spillover event that triggered this outbreak most likely occurred on approximately February 19, 2026 (interquartile interval [IQI] = February 1–March 8). Assuming that 20% of infected persons were successfully isolated beginning May 24, 2026, projections showed ≥20,000 cumulative cases in 65% of simulations, ≥10,000 cumulative cases in 85% of simulations, and ≥4,000 cumulative
deaths in 69% of simulations (Figure). Even with 50% of infected persons isolated, many simulations still projected these numbers of cases but were less likely to occur (17% of simulations projected ≥20,000 cases and 22% projected ≥4,000 deaths). At 70% isolation, projected outbreaks were much more likely to be smaller, but still of substantial size, with 94% of simulations projecting <10,000 cases and only 1% projecting ≥20,000 cases; similarly, at this isolation
level, 90% of simulations projected <2,000 deaths and only 3% projected ≥4,000 deaths. Re declined proportional to the percentage of infected persons successfully isolated.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· May 29

Kenya’s high court has temporarily stopped US plans to establish an Ebola quarantine facility for Americans in Kenya. From challenging the bilateral global health MOU to this lawsuit, Kenya’s legal system is demonstrating what holding a government to account looks like.

The judge, Patricia Nyaundi, ruled that Kenya was not allowed to admit anyone exposed to or infected by Ebola under the proposed deal with the US until a challenge to the deal brought by the Kenyan rights group Katiba Institute was heard.

The group’s lawsuit said the plan “raises grave constitutional concerns regarding the rights to life, health, fair administrative action, public participation and parliamentary oversight”.

Health officials had said the proposal could place additional strain on Kenya’s already stretched healthcare system. The country’s main medical union threatened on Thursday to take strike action unless the terms of the agreement with the US were released within 48 hours.

US officials had said the 50-bed facility at an air force base would become operational on Friday. More than 30 staff from the US Public Health Service, a uniformed branch of the Department of Health and Human Services, left the US for Kenya on Wednesday after receiving three days’ training in Washington DC.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· May 27

Very grateful and honored to have been awarded the Excellence in International Public Health Practice Award for Faculty for my work over the last several years on the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. My sincere thanks to the colleagues and collaborators around the world who nominated me.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· May 11

We had this in Australia in the early 2000s

Photo of a can of Golden Circle’s sarsaparilla, SARS

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· May 9

A direct letter from @drtedros.who.int to the people of Tenerife, Canary Islands in light of the MV Hondius’ arrival. This is thoughtful and compassionate, and correctly describes the legal framework, but more importantly the solidarity that underpins it.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· May 6

Here’s France24 reporting on presumably the same person but with very different content: French national being monitored as a contact case “in particular”. www.france24.com/en/health/20...

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· May 6

Here’s what the Sky News link above references. Unfortunately no actual French media links so as noted, just an unconfirmed report and veracity unclear

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· May 4

utterly gobsmacked by the cost of this 8oz flat white in New York City today.

Receipt for Black Fox coffee showing a total of $10.45 for one 8oz half caf flat white with oat milk, New York sales tax and a 20% tip.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Apr 14

The all-weather enjoyer

A very very fluffy and very happy dog sitting on a couch on a balcony in the sun

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Apr 10

WHO reports a case of H9N2 influenza in a man in Italy returning from Senegal. The man had no known exposure to poultry or person exhibiting symptoms. This is the first case of H9N2 reported in Europe and notified by Italy under IHR. hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail20.com/t/d-e-gktzjt...

Screenshot of WHO Disease Outbreak News relating to Avian Influenza A H9N2 case in Italy available at the link

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Apr 3

If we want leaders that protect public health and strengthen science we must elect more leaders with experience and training in public health and science. I'm so delighted nschwalbe.bsky.social is running for Congress for health & equity. Great profile in Lancet: www.thelancet.com/action/showP...

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Feb 27

Contrary to reports, the new Pokémon Pombom is actually a Snow-type starter

A very fluffy pomsky standing in the snow

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Feb 13

This is like when Al Capone opened a soup kitchen during the Great Depression. They’re not Robin Hood: they’re either trying to avoid being regulated or undermine Mamdani’s subsidized grocery store initiative.

Screenshot image from whatisnewyork instagram account showing Polymarket’s “free grocery store” in New York City

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Feb 10

Irish man Seamus Culleton has been in ICE detention in Texas for 5 months in conditions he describes as a “modern day concentration camp”. The conditions are inhumane and he fears for his life, stating that “people have been killed by security staff”.

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Dec 30

Yeah she’s not coming inside anytime soon

The sweetest and fluffiest pomsky you ever did see, standing in the snow on a balcony

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Nov 25

NYC Mayor-Elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social announces 17 transition committees and >400 appointees. Fantastic to see some brilliant names on the Health Committee, inc former NYC health cmssnr Mary Bassett, the inimitable @drdemetre.bsky.social & @tahiramin.bsky.social from @imakglobal.bsky.social

Alexandra Phelan@alexandraphelan· Nov 3

Arrived in Geneva for the third round of IGWG negotiations for the WHO #PandemicAgreement Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex. The recently released draft text confirms several areas of potential emerging consensus but also reveals significant work ahead.