The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released new data comparing deaths from COVID-19 with deaths from flu and pneumonia. … read more

A study, published in PNAS, reports the identification of an influenza virus in pigs in China with the potential for pandemic … read more

Research, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, reports that flu vaccines aimed at the elderly may not be as effective … read more

Research, published in Science Immunology, reports on a relationship in mice between a ketogenic diet and the response to influenza … read more

In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that bacteria in the gut contribute to a range of processes in … read more

A study was published in the journal mBio looking at the genomics of dog flu and whether in future it’s possible dogs could share flu with other mammals such as pigs and possibly people. read more

Scientists have published new research on a potential new mutated flu vaccine in Science.  read more

Scientists commented on the latest development in the 2017/18 winter flu outbreak read more

There is an ongoing outbreak of flu in the UK, which has resulted in hospitalisations and some deaths.
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There is an ongoing outbreak of flu in the UK, which has resulted in hospitalisations and some deaths. read more

Publishing in PLOS Computational Biology, researchers use mathematical modelling to predict the possible effects of a universal flu vaccine. read more

Three wards at Leicester Royal Infirmary have been closed after a number of cancer patients were diagnosed with the H1N1 strain of influenza. read more

Two studies have been published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases which report that statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) have a negative impact on the effectiveness of flu vaccines in elderly patients. read more

Pandemic influenza tops the UK’s National Risk Register due to the social and economic disruption that could result from a particularly virulent strain. Questions have been raised for some years about the efficacy and effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs)Tamiflu and Relenza, the principal antiviral drugs used in treating flu, and whether this justifies their being part of the UK government’s response to influenza. In response to a request from the UK Department of Health, a small, independent steering group was established by the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Wellcome Trust to review the recent evidence about the use of NAIs, consider the pipeline for new treatments for influenza, and identify research priorities. read more

The Academy of Medical Sciences and the Wellcome Trust have published a report into the effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs for the treatment and prevention of influenza. read more

Two teams of scientists have published their work in the journals Nature Medicine and Science, and report the development and successful testing of vaccines in animals which aim to protect against a variety influenza viruses. read more

A new study has investigated a potential link between the use of household bleach and rates of infection and respiratory problems in children. read more

The World Health Organization has released information regarding the composition of the flu virus for the 2015-16 season, as well information on influenza viruses currently circulating globally. read more

Public Health England has announced that the current flu vaccine has low effectiveness against the main strain of flu which is currently circulating. Due to the time taken to produce enough vaccine stocks, decisions on which flu strains are included in the vaccine each year are made months in advance of the flu season. read more

Researchers have published in the Lancet journal a meta-analysis of the effects of Tamiflu, reporting beneficial effects on alleviation of symptoms and risk of complications, but also on an increase in side effects such as nausea. read more