Rabbits, Chikungunya, and More Viral News: Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D.

Published August 28, 2025

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., a microbiologist and virologist and chief scientific officer of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss recent developments in viral infections. Together, they explore:

• Shope papilloma virus in rabbits (01:05): Unusual growths raise concern, though the virus poses minimal risk to humans and has actually benefitted research for other papilloma viruses.
• Chikungunya virus (07:07): What it is, how it spreads, who is at risk, and best practices for testing.
• Back-to-school viral trends (12:19): Common viruses that circulate during the school season, tips for keeping kids safe, and guidance for physicians on when to test.
• The laboratorian’s role (18:27): How laboratory professionals contribute to managing viral infections within hospital systems and the broader community.

Resources

• Forbes article: Is the ‘zombie rabbits’ virus a threat to humans?
• Mosquito-borne disease testing overview
• Mosquito-borne testing algorithms and interpretations
• Search our test catalog for more on testing for viral infections