Nancy Cox, Who Worked to Conquer the Wily Flu, Dies at 77
Key Points:
- Nancy J. Cox, a leading expert on influenza and longtime head of the CDC's influenza program, died on April 24 at age 77 from glioblastoma.
- She was renowned for developing a global network for flu forecasting and prevention, helping to track and combat constantly mutating flu viruses.
- Cox emphasized the challenges of influenza surveillance, noting the virus's continual genetic changes require yearly adaptation in protocols and vaccines.
- Over nearly four decades at the CDC, she played a pivotal role in coordinating scientists, forecasters, and policymakers worldwide to improve flu response efforts.