Influenza News and Research

Latest Influenza News and Research

WHO announces recommended viral composition for 2025 influenza vaccines

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2025 influenza season in the southern hemisphere.

27 Sep 2024

Antiviral drug molnupiravir linked to new mutations in SARS-CoV-2

Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat patients with COVID-19, appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve, with some of these new viruses being transmitted onwards, a new study has shown.

26 Sep 2024

Drug-free nasal spray demonstrates effectiveness in blocking viral and bacterial infections

Researchers from the Brigham detail how the spray they created may offer broad-spectrum protection from respiratory infections by COVID-19, influenza, everyday cold viruses, and pneumonia-causing bacteria

25 Sep 2024

H5N1 bird flu is mutating fast and jumping to mammals - could the next pandemic be here?

Researchers reveal how H5N1 viruses rapidly adapted to mammals through genetic reassortment and specific mutations, raising concerns over potential pandemic risks. Evidence from mink, marine mammals, and dairy cattle shows mammal-to-mammal transmission.

25 Sep 2024

Novel nasal spray shows promise in preventing respiratory infections

New research published in Advanced Materials reports a novel nasal spray for preventing respiratory infections.

25 Sep 2024

Study reveals gaps in outbreak detection resources in Asia

A landmark study led by Duke-NUS Medical School revealed that despite the recent pandemic, outbreak detection efforts remain under-resourced in South and Southeast Asia, with only about half the countries reviewed having integrated pathogen genomic surveillance initiatives in their national plans.

24 Sep 2024

Review highlights failures in global control strategies for bird flu transmission

A review of sustained mammal-to-mammal bird flu transmission in diverse species, led by The Pirbright Institute, shows global control strategies are not working.

24 Sep 2024

Wastewater surveillance detects influenza and H5 viruses from human and animal sources

Wastewater surveillance reveals influenza A and H5 subtype detections, providing critical insights into public health risks from both human and animal sources during the ongoing HPAI A(H5N1) outbreak.

24 Sep 2024

Nearly half of people older adults plan to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine, poll suggests

The newly updated COVID-19 vaccine just arrived in pharmacies and clinics nationwide, and a new poll suggests nearly half of people age 50 and older plan to get it.

23 Sep 2024

Florida’s new covid booster guidance is straight-up misinformation

In what has become a pattern of spreading vaccine misinformation, the Florida health department is telling older Floridians and others at highest risk from covid-19 to avoid most booster shots, saying they are potentially dangerous.

23 Sep 2024

Janus particles enable highly precise measurements in microfluidic devices

The importance of testing for diseases was thrust into the limelight during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us have undergone a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) or ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test within the past four years.

20 Sep 2024

New method identifies biomarkers in wastewater using origami-paper sensors

Researchers at Cranfield University have developed an innovative new method for identifying biomarkers in wastewater using origami-paper sensors, enabling the tracking of infectious diseases using the camera in a mobile phone.

19 Sep 2024

Machine learning early warning system reduces non-palliative deaths in general medicine unit

A study on CHARTwatch reveals its effectiveness in predicting patient deterioration, leading to reduced non-palliative care mortality in general medicine units.

18 Sep 2024

Seabirds' food-stealing behavior may facilitate spread of deadly avian flu

The deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus, which has killed millions of birds worldwide since 2021 – and in rare cases can be transmitted to humans – may be spread through the food-stealing behaviour of some seabirds.

16 Sep 2024

Cardiovascular risks of COVID-19 antivirals

Study reviews cardiovascular side effects linked to antiviral therapies for COVID-19, highlighting the need for careful consideration when prescribing these drugs to high-risk patients.

16 Sep 2024

Breakthrough in artificial sugars could revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment

Scientists have found a way to create artificial sugars that could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat diseases more accurately than ever before.

16 Sep 2024

Avian influenza detected in Texas wastewater samples

Avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, which spread to cattle and infected 14 people this year, was detected using virome sequencing in the wastewater of 10 Texas cities by researchers at UTHealth Houston and Baylor College of Medicine.

12 Sep 2024

Chinese farmed fur animals found to harbor dozens of novel viruses

Researchers identified 125 virus species in Chinese farmed fur animals, including 36 novel viruses with significant zoonotic potential, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance to prevent future pandemics.

9 Sep 2024

Study reveals how sex hormones regulate immune system functions

Findings indicate that testosterone therapy in trans men alters immune system responses, suggesting implications for disease susceptibility and treatment.

6 Sep 2024

Arthritis medications could reverse COVID lung damage

Arthritis drugs already available for prescription have the potential to halt lingering lung problems that can last months or years after COVID-19 infections, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Cedars-Sinai suggests.

6 Sep 2024