The Latest Breaking News from Influenza

An outbreak of avian flu – a highly contagious viral infection that affects wild birds as well as poultry – has hit poultry farms in South Africa. Two different strains are causing outbreaks in the country – A(H5N1) and influenza A(H7N6). A specialist in poultry health, Shahn Bisschop, answers some…

Many people first became familiar with the term “mRNA” when Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID vaccines were rolled out. In the simplest terms, mRNA, which stands for messenger ribonucleic acid, is a type of genetic material that gives cells in our bodies instructions to make specific proteins.

The South African government says nearly 2.5 million chickens have been culled in an effort to contain outbreaks of two separate strains of avian influenza that have threatened to create a shortage of eggs for consumers

Research led by the Doherty Institute and UNSW shows that cells are replaced as we get older by ones less able to read threat from infections

DPH issues guidelines to prevent/control seasonal flu; only Category C patients to be tested. Mild fever/cough/sore throat (Category A) need not be tested, but should be isolated at home. Category B patients should be treated with Oseltamivir, isolated at home. Category C patients need testing, Oseltamivir, hospitalisation. Masks, vaccination advised…

Of all the recently emerging and potentially pandemic viruses, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N1 is one of the fiercest. First detected in Hong Kong in 1997, it spread to the rest of the world with a mortality rate of 60% when transmitted from birds to humans. The…

Influenza is a seasonal virus that emerges and peaks in winter, so with evenings shortening in the UK, it’s time to think about flu again.

If you test positive for COVID and you’re eligible for antivirals, you’ll likely ask your GP for a script to protect you from severe disease.

CDC approved study of the virus that caused the 1918 pandemic. Researchers wanted to recreate the virus from its genetic material. CDC installed special security measures and only one man, Terrence Tumpey, was authorised to work on it. He found the virus’s haemagglutinin and RNA polymerase genes responsible for virus'…