Influenza News and Research

Latest Influenza News and Research

Influenza-associated hospitalization in a subtropical city

A new study shows that tropical and subtropical countries suffer far more illness and death during flu outbreaks than previously imagined, with both hospital admissions and deaths rising considerably during a flu outbreak.

13 Mar 2006

Swedish theory suggests treatment for Avian Influenza Infection

Chemotherapy for a disorder of the immune system may - at least in theory - be effective against severe human avian influenza infection, this suggest scientists at the Karolinska Institutet.

8 Mar 2006

Cat in the clear - but experts argue over "fire blanket" pandemic plan

At the conclusion of a meeting in Geneva on how to limit the effects of a future flu pandemic, experts remain divided on the chance of success.

8 Mar 2006

Novavax and Bharat Biotech form alliance for influenza vaccine development

Novavax and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), have jointly announced a strategic alliance to pursue the rapid development of pandemic influenza vaccine for India and certain other south Asian markets.

7 Mar 2006

Acute stress boosts flu shot response in women

Women who participated in short bouts of physical or mental activity before receiving a flu shot produced more antibodies than other women, according to the first study of this effect in humans.

7 Mar 2006

Bird flu keeps on going round and round and back to China

A team of experts from Hong Kong and Macao have reportedly met with officials from Guangzhou with regard to the latest human bird flu fatality which occurred there last week.

7 Mar 2006

Reports of bird flu in the Bahamas are exaggerated

Preliminary field reports on the investigation of unexplained death of birds on the island of Inagua in the Southern Bahamas were exaggerated.

6 Mar 2006

Poland latest on bird flu hit list

The first Polish case of H5 bird flu has been found in two swans found dead on the banks of the River Vistula in the northern city of Torun.

6 Mar 2006

West Nile virus epidemics in North America are driven by shifts in mosquito feeding behavior

Since its introduction to the United States in 1999, West Nile virus has become the major vector-borne disease in the U.S., with 770 reported deaths, 20,000 reported illnesses, and perhaps around a million people infected.

1 Mar 2006

Bird flu will soon be worldwide

Reports that bird flu has now been found in a cat in Germany has served to further fuel the panic spreading across Europe regarding the deadly virus.

1 Mar 2006

As far as bird flu goes we are in danger - but only of overreacting!

According to an official from the World Animal Health Organisation (WHO), banning imports of poultry from bird flu-affected areas is overreacting to the bird flu situation.

28 Feb 2006

Australian researchers design portable diagnostic system to identify bird flu in a human sample within 2 hours

Avian Influenza (commonly known as bird flu) poses a serious threat to global health with experts predicting it could seriously affect millions of people worldwide.

24 Feb 2006

Australia boost preparedness for Avian Influenza

Australia's preparedness for a potential Avian Influenza pandemic will be boosted by four new projects at The Australian National University (ANU), funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

24 Feb 2006

New Australian bird flu research

University of Queensland researchers will lead two projects announced as part of the Commonwealth Government's $6.5 million bird flu research program.

23 Feb 2006

Two drug giants team up to develop new bird flu therapy

Two major drug companies have teamed up in order to develop a treatment for pandemic flu strains.

22 Feb 2006

Concern grows over possible bird flu spread in West Africa

The FAO has expressed growing concern that the bird flu virus H5N1 may spread to other countries in West Africa following the discovery of the virus in Nigeria last week. The effects on a region already facing severe malnutrition would be devastating, the UN agency warned.

21 Feb 2006