The Latest Breaking News from Mark Woolhouse

Scottish Government ‘had no real strategy’ for Covid in early 2020 – inquiry

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry also found the devolved administrations to be too reliant on the UK Government.

Evening Standard · Nov 20, 2025

Health experts reveal 24 infectious diseases that could pose major threat to public health - see full list

The list of 24 infectious diseases has been created to help scientists make new tests, vaccines and medication in preparation

The Independent UK · Mar 25, 2025

Staying prepared for future pandemics ‘absolutely vital’ – scientist

The UK went into its first coronavirus lockdown five years ago.

Evening Standard · Mar 24, 2025

UK lockdowns were a policy ‘failure’, health expert tells Covid inquiry

Stay-at-home measures should have been last resort due to harmful effects, says epidemiologist

The Guardian - UK · Oct 16, 2023

Covid lockdown was a ‘failure of public health policy’, inquiry hears

Professor Mark Woolhouse said the Government was not given the full range of options in November 2020.

The Independent UK · Oct 16, 2023

What is Disease X? WHO boss warns planet is 'unprepared'

Scientists worry about the threat of a virus that could turn into another pandemic

Evening Standard · Aug 7, 2023

Top scientist warns next pandemic could be deadlier than Covid so UK 'better prepare'

Professor Mark Woolhouse told the Covid inquiry that the UK needs to prepare for a pandemic more 'deadly' than Covid - and said nation's planning strategy beforehand was 'like betting on one horse'

Daily Mirror · Jul 5, 2023

Autumn Covid numbers peak at lower levels in UK – but flu cases are on the up

Despite encouraging survey, UK scientists warn of emergence of serious variant, leading to parallel epidemic

The Guardian - UK · Oct 23, 2022

New Disease X could arrive any day as virus outbreaks 'getting worse' amid polio in UK

Two and a half years since the first outbreak of Covid-19, experts are warning more disastrous pandemics are likely on the way as we live in a "perfect storm for emerging infectious diseases"

Daily Mirror · Jun 26, 2022

Britain is being hit by a new wave of Covid – so what do we do now?

Health experts answer the key questions arising from the latest surge in infections

The Guardian - UK · Jun 25, 2022