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
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
A study published in the journal PLOS Pathogens has examined how using small portions of a specific protein can improve the efficacy of the seasonal flu vaccine. read more
The UK’s chief medical officer, Prof. Dame Sally Davies, has recommended that toddlers be vaccinated against the influenza virus. read more
We’ve heard about lab experiments on influenza that mutate the virus to investigate how genetic changes could alter how infectious or deadly it is. But what are these gain-of-function experiments, how and where are they conducted, and what have we learned from them so far? read more
A study in PNAS reported an alternative model for the emergence of new strains of bird flu, looking at the immunity of bird populations rather than the ability of viruses to acquire the necessary mutations. read more
