In a rapidly changing world, with increased travel and closer contact between humans and animals, viruses continue to evolve and emerge in unexpected places.

In an analysis for The Conversation, Patrick Jackson, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Virginia, describes the viruses he is closely monitoring in 2026, as they may cause outbreaks in areas or populations not previously considered high-risk.

Flu A: Close to the next big outbreak;

Influenza A remains a persistent threat, as it affects numerous animal species and mutates rapidly. The 2009 pandemic (H1N1) claimed more than 280,000 lives in its first year, and the virus is still circulating.