Viral diseases: between panic and trivialization

Viruses, rumors, real impacts, trivialization... How can we understand viral diseases
? Come and discuss it with scientists at the Science Bar at the University of Montpellier!

The first Bar des Sciences 2026 event at the University of Montpellier will take place on Thursday, January 29, at 7:30 p.m. at Brasserie Le Dôme. This first meeting offers an exceptional evening of
discussion on viral diseases, a topic at the heart of scientific
and media news. Entitled "Viral diseases: between panic and trivialization," the evening
invites the public to an open dialogue with experts.

Faced with the proliferation of epidemics and the massive dissemination of information, how can we distinguish scientific perception from media panic or, conversely, complacency in the face of the threat?
The discussion may address, in particular, the evolution of viral diseases, from AIDS to
emerging viruses, but also inequalities in access to care between populations and countries, as well as the challenges of prevention and scientific monitoring.

This evening event is an opportunity to understand viral diseases in their scientific and social context
, while chatting directly with researchers over a drink
in a friendly setting.

To discuss this topic, three multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience live:

• Bernard TAVERNE is a health anthropologist at the Translational Research Laboratory on HIV and Infectious Diseases (
  ) and coordinator of the North Senegal Network (
  Nord) of the ANRS Senegal site (UMI TransVIHMI – IRD, ANRS infectious disease
  é émergentes de l’Inserm). His work focuses on the social dimensions of HIV in West Africa, particularly care pathways, treatment adherence, aging with HIV, and the adaptation of health policies to local realities.
  
• Serafín GUTIERREZ is a virologist researcher at the Animal Health-
  Territories-Risks-Ecosystems Unit (ASTRE – CIRAD, INRAE, University of Montpellier) and
  associate researcher at the virology laboratory of the Montpellier University Hospital. His research
  focuses on the ecology and evolution of viruses, particularly those transmitted by mosquitoes
  (West Nile and Usutu viruses).
• 
  Alain MAKINSON is a university professor and hospital infectious disease specialist at the Montpellier University Hospital (
  ) within the Tropical Infectious Diseases Department (MIT – CHU de Montpellier) and president of the Occitanie Regional Sexual Health Coordination Committee (CORESS – formerly COREVIH). His work focuses mainly on aging with HIV, comorbidities, and frailty, particularly neurocognitive disorders, with the aim of improving the clinical care of people living with a controlled chronic infection.

Free admission subject to availability.