Influenza - policy and news

Call for full access to Tamiflu trial data

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:14:37 +0000

Roche (oseltamivir's manufacturer) publicly pledged to make full results for ten unpublished clinical trials available for scrutiny. Yet, to date, they have failed to fulfil this promise.

Online searches for flu up tenfold

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 09:13:28 +0000

The number of people looking up flu information on the NHS website increased tenfold compared to last year, new figures today reveal.

Scientific Advice and Evidence in Emergencies - uncorrected evidence

Wed, 8 Dec 2010 08:46:55 +0000

Evidence given by Professor Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Adviser; Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, former Secretary of State for Health, and others, to the Select Committee on Science and technology.

Uptake of vaccine lower than previous years

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:12:30 +0000

People at risk of complications from seasonal flu are being reminded of the importance to get themselves protected by taking advantage of the annual free flu jabs.

Select committee evidence session transcript

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 08:57:32 +0100

A transcript of the House of Commons Select Committee on Science & Technology evidence session on swine flu, held as part of its inquiry into Scientific advice and evidence in emergencies.

Flu pandemic identified as threat to UK security

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:21:52 +0100

The UK Government has published its National Security Strategy. It identifies the four most pressing risks, including "a major accident or natural hazard (e.g. influenza pandemic)".

Select Committee evidence session announced

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:20:16 +0100

The House of Commons Select Committee on Science & Technology has announced an evidence session on swine flu as part of its inquiry into Scientific advice and evidence in emergencies.

External review of WHO's response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:38:39 +0100

Margaret Chan addresses the external review.

Ethicists express concern about influence of PR firm on flu experts

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:33:26 +0100

Advice on answering questions about industry ties from the PR company Burson-Marsteller was forwarded to more than 20 senior doctors and other healthcare leaders in Australia. This has alarmed ethicists.

US Government urges universal flu vaccinations

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:14:03 +0100

Flu vaccine will soon be available at local pharmacies and doctors' offices, and US government officials are urging everyone over 6 months of age to receive it. This year's vaccine protects against H1N1 and two other strains of seasonal flu.

After the pandemic

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:52:00 +0100

Despite some mistakes, the World Health Organization handled the flu outbreak well, says Nature.

H1N1 ‘emergency committee’ members named

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:22:42 +0100

The World Health Organization has released the names of the experts making up its H1N1 emergency committee along with, crucially, their declaration of interests.

H1N1 pandemic is over, says WHO

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:22:55 +0100

The world is no longer in the middle of an H1N1 pandemic, the World Health Organisation has announced.

UK Inquiry into scientific advice and evidence in emergencies

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:13:54 +0100

The House of Commons Select Committee on Science & Technology will hold an inquiry into scientific advice and evidence in emergencies - such as the swine flu pandemic and the Icelandic volcanic ash eruptions.

Dispute over H1N1 vaccine contracts continues

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:17:24 +0100

Nature and BMJ authors continue to dispute the facts around the WHO pandemic declaration and government purchases of vaccine.

UK response to H1N1 pandemic was highly satisfactory

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:26:20 +0100

The United Kingdom’s response to the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, which cost £1.2bn was highly satisfactory and good value for money, concludes an independent review.

WHO letter to BMJ re. flu conflicts

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:36:14 +0100

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) sent a letter to the editors of the BMJ, formerly British Medical Journal, in reference to their article on conflicts of interest at the WHO.

Flu experts rebut conflict claims

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 09:16:14 +0100

Reports throw unsubstantiated suspicion on scientific advice given to the World Health Organization.

Swine flu death in Mumbai

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 16:41:41 +0100

Mumbai reported its first swine flu death in nearly eight months as a 25-year-old woman succumbed to the H1N1 virus.

Swine Flu strikes again in Wales

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 16:40:31 +0100

Swine Flu has emerged again in Britain, striking down a man in Wales.

Pandemic influenza vaccine recommendations still valid

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 12:40:21 +0100

Previous recommendations on who should be vaccinated with the H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine still stand according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, the principal advisory group to WHO for development of policy related to vaccines and immunization

Google Flu Trends estimates are less accurate

Tue, 18 May 2010 08:52:40 +0100

Google Flu Trends is not as accurate at estimating rates of laboratory-confirmed influenza as CDC national surveillance programs, according to a new study from the University of Washington.

Portrait of a year-old pandemic

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:08:09 +0100

'Swine flu' isn't over yet, but it already holds lessons for the future.
Nature 464, 1112-1113

Council of Europe group discuss pandemic flu

Thu, 8 Apr 2010 09:51:12 +0100

A hearing on the handling of the H1N1 pandemic was organised by the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Deal reached on surplus pandemic vaccine

Wed, 7 Apr 2010 08:51:19 +0100

The UK Department of Health and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have reached an agreement on the Department’s outstanding orders of swine flu vaccine resulting in significant savings for the Government.

Council of Europe hearing on H1N1

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:04:25 +0100

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is to hold a second public hearing on the handling of the H1N1 pandemic.

Review of swine flu response

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:19:20 +0000

A strategic and independent review of the UK response to swine flu was announced by the Government.

Swine ‘Flu vaccine available for the protection of travellers

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:37:51 +0000

People travelling to the Southern Hemisphere, including the World Cup in South Africa, should be vaccinated against swine ‘flu to prevent them from catching the virus, and from bringing it back. The Southern Hemisphere ‘flu season is expected to start shortly and vaccination will reduce the risk to travellers.

New EU influenza research projects

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:10:00 +0000

European Commission announced the results of its €18 million call for proposals for new research projects on influenza.

Swine flu vaccine continues to provide vital protection says Chief Medical Officer

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:31:08 +0000

Swine flu cases remain near their lowest level since the early stages of the disease in the United Kingdom, according to a statistical bulletin from the Chief Medical Officer for England, published today.

Swine flu - Tom Sheldon responds to Simon Jenkins

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:21:36 +0000

With swine flu there wasn't conspiracy and hype; just scientists, patiently performing the analyses, and explaining the possibilities.

Public strongly advised it is still important to have the Swine Flu jab

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:21:57 +0000

A new statistical bulletin from the Chief Medical Officer for England, published today, shows that swine flu cases are down, but deaths and serious illness remain a concern.

H5N1 Forgotten (Almost), But Not Gone

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:14:09 +0000

H5N1 continues to provide a potential pandemic threat, despite being overshadowed by H1N1.

Virus of the year: the Novel H1N1 Influenza

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:12:01 +0000

For years, scientists have been warning about the potential for an influenza pandemic on the order of the 1918 Spanish flu. But the pandemic that erupted last spring looks nothing like the one health officials have been preparing to combat.
Science Vol. 326. no. 5960, p. 1607

New UK projects look at H1N1 pandemic

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:03:31 +0000

UK research funders have announced £7.5 million of funding for a series of projects aimed at understanding the development and spread of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009.

Agreement for donation of pandemic H1N1 vaccine signed

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:44:43 +0000

GlaxoSmithKline is to donate 50 million doses of pandemic H1N1 vaccine to the World Health Organization.

Arguments over face masks

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 09:59:12 +0000

Three leading scientific organizations specializing in infectious diseases prevention issued a letter to President Obama today expressing their significant concern with current federal guidance concerning the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers in treating suspected or confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza.

Swine Flu Spread Continues to Outpace Efforts to Treat and Prevent Disease

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:38:46 +0000

Health officials today reiterated that the novel H1N1 virus continues to spread rapidly around temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere.

Flu focus pays off for GSK

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:34:19 +0000

GlaxoSmithKline has announced a rosy set of third-quarter financial figures, and is going to be boosted by the ongoing H1N1 outbreak.

Google flu trends increases coverage of world

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 09:43:30 +0100

Google has expanded its flu-tracking tool to include 16 more countries, analyzing local patterns in search queries to determine the spread of the influenza.

Wellcome punloishes educational resource on flu

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 09:26:57 +0100

A one-off issue of The Big Picture examines the nature of influenza, the drugs and vaccines that can fight it, the current H1N1 pandemic, how H1N1 compares with previous strains, and what international and national bodies are doing about it.

Proposals to finalise flu sharing framework

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:03:29 +0100

Proposals to finalize remaining elements of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework for sharing influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits.

Wellcome Collection acquires 'Swine Flu' sculpture

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:00:47 +0100

Wellcome Collection in central London has acquired a new and unusual glass sculpture of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus by the artist Luke Jerram.

UK to give aid to help tackle H1N1pandemic flu

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:44:23 +0100

The UK will provide up to £23 million to help the developing world tackle the H1N1 pandemic, Development Secretary Douglas Alexander has announced.

Questions and Answers on vaccines against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:13:24 +0100

Questions and Answers on vaccines against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza, from the European Commission.

Communication to the public and media, support to Third Countries in tackling pandemic (H1N1) 2009

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:13:23 +0100

Questions and Answers on Communication to the public and media and on Support to Third Countries in tackling pandemic (H1N1) 2009, from the European Commission.

Commission adopts EU strategy on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:12:26 +0100

The European Commission has adopted a strategy paper supporting Member States in their efforts to respond efficiently to the pandemic H1N1 2009. In order to minimise the negative impact of the pandemic, the Commission highlights the importance of close coordination between EU Member States in all related sectors affected by the pandemic.

Flu database row escalates

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:58:22 +0100

The Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data has launched its own version of the Epiflu database.

Global Health Security Initiative meeting on H1N1

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:53:34 +0100

Ministers/Secretaries/Commissioner of Health today concluded a Special Ministerial Meeting on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Brussels and issued a communique.

Commission abandons plans for EU-led vaccination

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:07:12 +0100

The European Commission has abandoned plans for an EU-managed scheme to buy vaccines against swine flu.

Researchers on the front line

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 09:05:57 +0100

As the novel H1N1 pandemic flu virus infects people worldwide, researchers in some of the affected countries describe in their own words the scientific and public-health challenges they face.
Nature vol 461, p 20-21

New ECDC pandemic risk assessment

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 09:28:33 +0100

ECDC has released an updated risk assessment of the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009. The document points out that the virus will continue to transmit in a heterogeneous manner but at a low level over the summer in European countries and that it is likely that a proper first wave of the pandemic will take place in the autumn and winter.

Preparing for the second wave: lessons from current outbreaks

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 09:26:58 +0100

Monitoring of outbreaks from different parts of the world provides sufficient information to make some tentative conclusions about how the influenza pandemic might evolve in the coming months.

EU Health Security Committee agrees statement on target and priority groups for vaccination

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:41:52 +0100

The European Union Health Security Committee and the Early Warning and Response authorities adopted a policy statement proposed by the European Commission which outlines a shared European approach towards identifying target and priority groups for A H1N1 vaccination.

NIHR fast-tracks swine flu projects

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:53:20 +0100

Fourteen projects costing £2.25 million have been fast tracked by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the Department of Health for urgent national swine flu research.

Influenza preprint server launched

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:01:40 +0100

PLoS Currents: Influenza is a new preprint server to allow rapid sharing of flu research.

Pandemic contingency planning checklist

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:24:20 +0100

WHO has issued a pandemic contingency planning checklist for National Influenza Centres (NICs) and other national influenza laboratories.

Elsevier Global Medical News Launches H1N1 Channel

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:53:52 +0100

An H1N1 influenza channel has been added to the Elsevier Global Medical News (EGMN) wire service.

EU Health Security Committee agrees statements on school closures and travel advice

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:03:49 +0100

The European Union Health Security Committee and the Early Warning and Response authorities (HSC/EWRS) unanimously adopted for the first time two policy statements proposed by the European Commission on public health measures for pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009. The statements set out a coordinated European approach on what kind of school closures may be most appropriate to protect public health, and how to balance freedom of movement and public health protection for travellers with flu symptoms.

Flu database row continues

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:03:58 +0100

A question mark is hanging over the future of EpiFlu, an international database created to help monitor the spread and evolution of influenza viruses.
Nature vol 460, pp 786-787

US epidemiologists emphasse evidence in H1N1 prevention and protection

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:58:36 +0100

Three leading US infectious disease organisations have cautioned that failing to act on what science indicates will not lead to enhanced protection, but instead could inhibit an effective response to a future outbreak.

Pandemic influenza vaccine manufacturing process and timeline

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:52:21 +0100

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 7

Vaccine safety

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:51:18 +0100

WHO issues reassurance that regulatory procedures in place for the licensing of pandemic vaccines, including procedures for expediting regulatory approval, are rigorous and do not compromise safety or quality controls.

Planning for national swine flu jabs

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:47:34 +0100

Government officials are working urgently to put arrangements in place that could see all 60 million UK citizens rolling up a sleeve to receive the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes generally available.

Select Committee invites evidence on flu vaccination policy-making

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 10:02:50 +0100

In preparation for the creation of the Science and Technology Committee on 1 October, the IUSS Committee is commissioning work to assess the Government’s use of evidence in policy-making. The Committee has written to the Government on a number of topics and asked two questions: (1) What is the policy? (2) On what evidence is the policy based?

House of Lords influenza report

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:39:24 +0100

House of Lords Science and Technology Committee. Third Report - Pandemic Influenza: Follow-up

Contractual and legal issues affect flu sequence database

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:21:02 +0100

A row appears to have broken out between the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) and the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) over the EpiFlu virus sequence sharing database – one that has been widely praised by researchers for its contribution to rapid sharing of sequences during the current H1N1 pandemic.

HPA weekly swine flu update 16 July 2009

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:12:31 +0100

GP consultation rates in England for individuals presenting with flu-like illness show increased rates, above the threshold level for normal seasonal flu activity and higher than the peak activity in winter 08/09

ECDC Influenza A(H1N1)v infection Update 16 July 2009

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:11:58 +0100

208 new cases and no new deaths confirmed and reported from the EU and EFTA countries

Launch of the National Pandemic Flu Service in England

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:09:13 +0100

The National Pandemic Flu Service is made up of a dedicated website and call centres and will be able to quickly tell you if you have swine flu.

Swine flu - UK planning assumptions

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:08:40 +0100

This document contains revised planning assumptions in relation to the current A(H1N1) swine flu pandemic. The assumptions are intended to assist local planning across all public and private sector organisations.

WHO stops issuing comprehensive H1N1 statistics

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:06:54 +0100

WHO will no longer issue the global tables showing the numbers of confirmed cases for all countries.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 15 Jul

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:54:41 +0100

30 countries have reported a total of 14,451 confirmed cases, including 16 deaths. In the past 24 hours, 157 new cases and no fatal cases were confirmed from the EU and EFTA countries.

WHO Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 2

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:34:43 +0100

WHO recommendations on pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccines

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 9 July 2009

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:11:46 +0100

Out of the 31 EU and EFTA countries, 30 countries are reporting a total of 11,020 confirmed cases, including four deaths.

Flu jabs urged for developing countries

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 09:26:15 +0100

Influenza experts are recommending an extensive vaccination programme against seasonal flu in developing countries, says Nature news.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 8 July 2009

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 08:55:18 +0100

238 new confirmed cases reported from the EU and EFTA countries, reaching a total of 10,820

European Commission calls for scaling up of seasonal flu vaccination

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 08:54:44 +0100

The European Commission adopted a proposal for a Council recommendation on seasonal flu vaccination. The proposed recommendation calls on EU countries to ensure that 75% of their elderly population and 75% of people with some specific underlying health problems are vaccinated every year against seasonal flu

WHO Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 news brief: no. 1

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 08:34:21 +0100

Viruses resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) identified

International Agencies Try to End Flu Naming Wars

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 09:20:51 +0100

Three international agencies, including the World Health Organization, have chosen the name "Pandemic H1N1 2009" for the pandemic flu virus that is currently circulating.

ECDC Director Presents on the 2009-2010 Influenza Pandemic

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 08:59:52 +0100

ECDC’s Director Zsuzsanna Jakab addressed health ministers at the Informal meeting of the EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Jonkoping, Sweden on 6-7 July.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 7 July 2009

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 08:56:54 +0100

Out of the 31 EU and EFTA countries, 30 countries are reporting a total of 10,582 confirmed cases, including four deaths.

WHO update 58 - Pandemic (H1N1) 2009

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 11:19:27 +0100

Laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 as officially reported to WHO.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 5 July 2009

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 09:20:27 +0100

10,260 cases reported from the EU and EFTA countries, with 57 new cases reported in the past 24 hours

WHO update 57 - Pandemic (H1N1) 2009

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 08:47:45 +0100

Laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 as officially reported to WHO.

UK treatment approach announced for pandemic flu

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 08:46:15 +0100

The Government has announced that the UK is moving to a treatment phase to manage the current pandemic flu outbreak.

Predictions should come with a health warning

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 08:37:57 +0100

Fergus Walsh comments on predictions by Andy Burnham, the health secretary, that there could be 100,000 people a day infected with H1N1 swine flu by the end of August.

Hong Kong Case Suggests Resistant Swine Flu May Be Spreading

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 08:32:05 +0100

A third case of oseltamivir-resistant swine flu, announced today in Hong Kong, has flu experts worried that resistance to the drug is spreading.

Call for Research on Flu Vaccines

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 14:29:48 +0100

A call for research on the Co-administration of Vaccines for Influenza is being launched by the NIHR to provide evidence rapidly for the management of the emerging flu pandemic. This project has been requested by the Department of Health to help inform immunisation services.

U.S. Donates Flu Drug

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 14:29:11 +0100

The U.S. government will donate 420,000 treatment courses of the drug Tamiflu to help treat severe cases of influenza in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Public health use of influenza antivirals during influenza pandemics

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:11:36 +0100

Guidance from the ECDC.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 2 July 2009

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:10:30 +0100

563 new cases were reported in EU and EFTA countries, including 391 reported by UK.

Analysis of influenza A(H1N1)v individual case reports in EU and EEA countries

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:09:33 +0100

Analysis of influenza A(H1N1)v individual case reports in EU and EEA countries

Influenza A(H1N1): lessons learned and preparedness

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:06:41 +0100

Speech by Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 1 July 2009

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:56:54 +0100

342 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 1 July 2009

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:54:02 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 711 new cases were confirmed in EU and EFTA countries.

WHO update 56 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:53:25 +0100

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO

Swine Flu Sample Resistant to Antiviral Oseltamivir

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:38:14 +0100

The National Influenza Centre of Denmark at Statens Serum Institut has reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the identification of an isolate of swine flu (H1N1v) resistant to the antiviral oseltamivir. Following testing in Denmark, resistance was also confirmed by the WHO Collaborating Centre at the Medical Research Council (MRC) National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in the UK.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 30 June 2009

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:37:01 +0100

394 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 30 June 2009

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:32:46 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 2,006 new cases were confirmed in EU and EFTA countries, including 1,687 reported by UK. Spain reported its' first fatal case.

WHO update 55 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:31:06 +0100

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO

Review of the situation

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:19:14 +0100

BBC medical correspondent reviews the H1N1 situation in US and UK.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 28 June 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:27:42 +0100

The number of EU and EFTA countries reporting cases is 29 out of 31. In the past 24 hours, 26 new cases were confirmed in 7 EU and EFTA countries.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 26 June 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:03:31 +0100

535 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 25 June 2009

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:17:30 +0100

The number of EU and EFTA countries reporting cases is today 28 out of 31. In the past 24 hours, 101 cases were confirmed in 11 EU and EFTA countries, with France as main reporting country with 41 new cases.

WHO update 53 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:05:21 +0100

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO

UK changes strategy for antiviral use

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:04:28 +0100

A briefing by the chief medical officer for England Sir Liam Donaldson and the new Health Secretary Andy Burnham yielded some interesting new thinking on H1N1 swine flu.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 25 June 2009

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:55:34 +0100

288 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 23 June 2009

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:46:09 +0100

109 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 23 June 2009

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:40:55 +0100

The number of EU and EFTA countries reporting cases has increased to 28 (out of 31) with Latvia reporting its first case. In the past 24 hours, 215 new cases were confirmed in EU and EFTA countries.

ECDC situation report on influenza A(H1N1)v - 22 June 2009

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:32:28 +0100

The number of EU and EFTA countries reporting cases remains 27 out of 31. In the past 24 hours, 326 cases were confirmed in 11 EU and EFTA countries, with UK as main reporting country with 267 new cases.

WHO update 52 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:30:51 +0100

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 22 June 2009

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:29:54 +0100

204 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

H1N1 pandemic highlights for better surveillance in animals

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:14:16 +0100

The 2009 flu pandemic highlights the urgent need for an independent international body for research into human diseases that originate in animals. Editorial in Nature, Editorial Nature 459, 889

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 21 June

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:08:49 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 276 cases were confirmed in 6 EU and EFTA countries, with UK as main reporting countries with 262 new cases.

WHO update 51 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:06:37 +0100

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 21 June 2009

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:05:58 +0100

245 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 18 June 2009

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:52:10 +0100

145 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

New edition of "Guide to public health measures to reduce impact of influenza pandemics in Europe" available

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:12:39 +0100

Guide to public health measures to reduce the impact of influenza pandemics in Europe "‘The ECDC Menu’ 2nd edition published

Sanofi-Pasteur's donates H1N1 vaccine to WHO

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:51:27 +0100

One hundred million doses of vaccine against the pandemic H1N1 2009 virus have been donated to WHO to assist on the world's less-developed countries.

Vaccinating children may be effective at helping control spread of influenza

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:15:39 +0100

Targeting children may be an effective use of limited supplies of flu vaccine, according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust and the EU.

$8 billion for swine flu pandemic

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:09:47 +0100

The U.S. House of Representatives last night approved $7.65 billion in new money to respond to the swine flu pandemic. The money will go toward the purchase of vaccine, antiviral drugs, and other medical needs. Congress also stipulated that the funds be available for surveillance and to help assist international efforts

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 17 June 2009

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:16:35 +0100

110 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu. Together with the 10 laboratory confirmed cases in Scotland reported yesterday (June 16 2009) by the Scottish Government and one laboratory confirmed case in Northern Ireland reported yesterday by the Northern Ireland Executive this brings the total number of laboratory confirmed UK cases identified since April 2009 to 1,582.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 18 June

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:08:05 +0100

Influenza A(H1N1)v infection - Update 17 June 2009, 17:00 hours CEST. 167 new cases were reported in EU and EFTA countries in last 24 hours

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 17 June

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:22:35 +0100

Influenza A(H1N1)v infection - Update 16 June 2009, 17:00 hours CEST

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 16 June 2009

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:20:39 +0100

141 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu bringing the total number of laboratory confirmed UK cases identified since April 2009 to 1,461.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 16 June

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:19:43 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 108 cases were confirmed in seven EU and EFTA countries.

WHO update 49 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:03:38 +0100

As of 17:00 GMT, 15 June 2009, 76 countries have officially reported 35, 928 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 163 deaths

Evolution of swine flu mapped by scientists

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:42:08 +0100

Funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has played an important role in enabling the rapid analysis of genetic data from the ongoing Influenza H1N1 outbreak attributed to Swine flu

WHO FAQ - What is phase 6?

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:15:19 +0100

Explanation of the meaning of pandemic phase 6

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 14 June

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:00:29 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 173 cases were confirmed in nine EU and EFTA countries.

WHO update 48 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:47:15 +0100

As of 07:00 GMT, 12 June 2009, 74 countries have officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 145 deaths.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 14 June 2009

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:44:42 +0100

61 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu. Together with the 43 cases in Scotland announced yesterday (June 13 2009) by the Scottish Government this brings the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 1226.

World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:59:21 +0100

Press statement by WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan on 11th June 2009 raising the alert level of H1N1 influenza to phase 6

UN set for swine flu crisis talks

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:23:07 +0100

UN health officials have called an emergency meeting to discuss swine flu, amid rumours that the first global flu pandemic in 40 years will be declared.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 10 June

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:23:43 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 91 cases were confirmed in nine EU and EFTA countries.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 10 June 2009

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:21:35 +0100

42 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu. Together with the 32 cases in Scotland announced yesterday (June 9 2009) by the Scottish Government and one in Northern Ireland announced earlier today (June 10 2009) by the Northern Ireland Executive this brings the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 750.

WHO update 46 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:11:22 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 10 June 2009, 74 countries have officially reported 27,737 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 141 deaths.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 9 June

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:49:17 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 108 cases were confirmed in nine EU and EFTA countries.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 09 June 2009

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:32:32 +0100

9 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu. Together with the 43 cases in Scotland announced yesterday (June 8 2009) by the Scottish Government this brings the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 675.

Stage six is "close"

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:09:24 +0100

WHO's flu chief Keiji Fukuda said that the agency is now "really very close" to calling the epidemic a pandemic.

WHO update 45 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 11:59:34 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 8June 2009, 73 countries have officially reported 25,288 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 139 deaths.

Third Meeting of the WHO IHR Emergency Committee

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 10:06:26 +0100

The WHO Director-General convened a third meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Committee on 5th June 2009. The purpose of the meeting was to update the Committee on the global situation and seek advice on proposals to introduce severity assessments in any future announcements of pandemic phase changes by WHO

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 07 June 2009

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 10:04:27 +0100

15 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 7 June

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 10:00:08 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 26 cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries.

WHO update 44 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 12:16:35 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 5June 2009, 69 countries have officially reported 21,940 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 125 deaths.

Pandemic Flu: Lessons From the Frontlines

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 11:24:08 +0100

Trust for America's Health (TFAH) has criticised the US response to the latest flu outbreak in this new report

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 04 June 2009

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 10:21:05 +0100

23 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 4 June

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 10:16:02 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 116 cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 3 June

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 08:46:01 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 106 cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries.

WHO update 43 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 08:44:55 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 3 June 2009, 66 countries have officially reported 19,273 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 117 deaths.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 03 June 2009

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 08:44:07 +0100

18 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu.

Inching closer to phase 6

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 08:27:05 +0100

The World Health Organization is inching closer to declaring a full-scale, phase 6 pandemic, says the Science Insider blog.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 2 June

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 08:14:38 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 27 cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries. Luxembourg reported its first confirmed case in a man returning from the United States.

WHO update 42 - Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:54:07 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 1 June 2009, 62 countries have officially reported 17 410 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 115 deaths.

Guidance on the management of contacts of a probable or confirmed case on swine influenza on an aircraft

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:52:55 +0100

This guidance from the HPA applies to the current situation (WHO phase 5, cases in the UK confirmed with sporadic person to person spread only) and will be reviewed in the light of further developments and information.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases - 02 June 2009

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:52:14 +0100

61 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu.

POSTnote on H1N1 vaccine

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 09:45:30 +0100

Two page POSTnote describes how a pandemic vaccine for UK use would be manufactured, and alternative techniques for vaccine development and manufacture.

Summary of prescribing guidance for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza-like illness

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 08:51:52 +0100

This guidance is intended to enable health protection units (HPUs) to address local queries about the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza A(H1N1).

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases 1 Jun 2009

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 08:50:03 +0100

Nine further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 255.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1) 31 May 2009

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 09:41:28 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 32 new cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries. Cyprus reported its first confirmed case.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases 31 May 2009

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 08:49:48 +0100

14 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu.

WHO update 41 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 29 May 2009 11:38:11 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 29 May 2009, 53 countries have officially reported 15,510 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 99 deaths

Swine flu vaccine 'step closer'

Fri, 29 May 2009 12:38:06 +0100

BBC report NIBSC's progress in creating a vaccine against swine flu

CDC Too Optimistic About Flu Peak?

Fri, 29 May 2009 12:35:07 +0100

The ScienceInsider blog reports the conflicting opinions on whether swine flu has peaked in USA

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1) 28 May 2009

Fri, 29 May 2009 10:18:37 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 34 new cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases 28 May 2009

Fri, 29 May 2009 10:21:31 +0100

Seventeen further patients under investigation in England has today been confirmed with swine flu bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 203 (including a case confirmed by Scottish Executive yesterday)

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1) 27 May 2009

Thu, 28 May 2009 09:15:48 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 8 new cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries.

WHO update 40 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Thu, 28 May 2009 09:15:17 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 27 May 2009, 48 countries have officially reported 13,398 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 95 deaths

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases 27 May 2009

Thu, 28 May 2009 08:46:28 +0100

One further patient under investigation in England has today been confirmed with swine flu bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 185

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 26 May

Wed, 27 May 2009 09:46:25 +0100

In the past 24 hours, 54 new cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries. The UK reported 47 new confirmed cases, of which 45 are due to in-country transmission.

Swine-lineage Influenza A H1N1: UK update - 26 May 2009

Wed, 27 May 2009 08:59:02 +0100

Details of epidemiology and surveillance of the H1N1 outbreak in the UK.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases 26 May 2009

Wed, 27 May 2009 08:58:04 +0100

47 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 184.

Analysis of the new influenza H1N1 virus

Tue, 26 May 2009 11:06:25 +0100

The most detailed description yet of the origins of the novel H1N1 virus causing the swine flu outbreak has been published.

WHO still considering definition of pandemic

Tue, 26 May 2009 11:05:13 +0100

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent the definition of a full-scale, phase 6 influenza pandemic to be reconsidered.

US takes steps toward vaccine for the novel Influenza A (H1N1)

Tue, 26 May 2009 11:03:38 +0100

The US Dept of Health & Human Services announced that it will take important steps necessary to prepare for potential commercial-scale production of a candidate vaccine for the novel Influenza A ( H1N1).

WHO update 39 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 26 May 2009 09:28:53 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 26 May 2009, 46 countries have officially reported 12 954 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 92 deaths.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1), 25 May

Tue, 26 May 2009 09:30:26 +0100

Since the previous update, 11 new cases were confirmed in the EU and EFTA countries, including the first confirmed case from the Czech Republic .

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases 25 May 2009

Tue, 26 May 2009 09:27:05 +0100

Four further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 137.

Interim ECDC public health guidance on case and contact management

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:58:30 +0100

ECDC is producing a series of interim guidance documents on suggested procedures to be put in place in order to reduce the risk of influenza A(H1N1) transmission within the EU. This guidance only applies to a situation when there are relatively few persons under investigation, and will be revised if there seems to be a wider spread

Personal protective measures for reducing the risk of acquiring or transmitting human influenza

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:57:43 +0100

In the absence of a specific vaccine, there are a number of personal measures that people may take to reduce their risk of acquiring influenza. The following recommendations are from the ECDC.

ECDC threat assessment for the EU

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:56:50 +0100

The current ECDC assessment is that the new influenza A(H1N1) virus will continue to spread. Though it seems mild in the US and in Europe, this picture is still unclear as there has not been enough transmission to judge the effects, especially in those more at risk.

H1N1 frequently asked questions updated

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:55:02 +0100

Frequently asked questions on influenza A(H1N1) virus Updated 19 May 2009

No bvaccine delays, CDC says

Thu, 21 May 2009 09:40:24 +0100

Despite recent news report to the contrary, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affirms that efforts to make a vaccine against the virus causing the swine flu outbreak have not met unexpected delays.

Pandemics: avoiding the mistakes of 1918

Thu, 21 May 2009 09:35:38 +0100

Essay in Nature, says that the US response to the 1918 flu offers a case study of a communication strategy to avoid.
Nature vol 459, pp 324-325

Classification of Swine Influenza Cases

Thu, 21 May 2009 08:54:57 +0100

HPA proposes a classification that should be applied to cases of swine influenza.

WHO update 34 on Influenza A(H1N1)0

Thu, 21 May 2009 08:54:11 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 20 May 2009, 41 countries have officially reported 10 243 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 80 deaths.

HPA update on confirmed cases of swine flu 20 May 2009

Thu, 21 May 2009 08:54:11 +0100

Two further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 109.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 20 May 2009 08:34:23 +0100

Within the last 24 hours, 11 new confirmed cases were reported in the EU and EFTA countries, reaching a total of 276 confirmed cases reported from 17 countries (Table 1). Five more cases were reported from the United Kingdom, including one additional case from Scotland. Spain reported four additional cases, and France two.

UN, WHO heads meet vaccine manufacturers

Wed, 20 May 2009 08:26:43 +0100

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with over 30 vaccine manufacturers from developing and developed countries at WHO headquarters.

When a pandemic is not a pandemic

Wed, 20 May 2009 08:18:41 +0100

Is it a pandemic or is it not a pandemic? Since the world has never had a chance to make a call like this at the outset of a pandemic, nobody is quite sure how to handle it.
Blog post from Effect Measure.

Recommendations of the WHO expert group on Influenza A (H1N1) vaccines

Wed, 20 May 2009 08:00:28 +0100

Recommendations of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Influenza A (H1N1) vaccines

WHO update 33 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 20 May 2009 07:58:03 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 19 May 2009, 40 countries have officially reported 9830 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 79 deaths.

HPA update on confirmed cases of swine flu 19 May 2009

Wed, 20 May 2009 07:57:04 +0100

Four further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu. Together with the one case in Scotland announced by the Scottish Government yesterday (May 18 2009) the current total number of confirmed UK cases is now 107.

Doug Kell writes on the origins of H1N1

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:47:44 +0100

The general consensus remains that the present outbreak is of a strain that is not excessively virulent, but that during the northern summer (southern winter) a reservoir of infection (in pigs, birds and humans) will build up and the likelihood of mutations or reassortment events producing something considerably nastier will increase significantly.

Pandemic influenza preparedness - brief report

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:31:31 +0100

Pandemic influenza preparedness: sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits. Report by the Secretariat. Presented at World Health Assembly, 18 May 2009

Pandemic influenza preparedness: sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:29:04 +0100

Pandemic influenza preparedness: sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits. Outcome of the resumed Intergovernmental Meeting - report to World Health Assembly

Scale for Flu Warnings Overly Simplistic, Countries Tell WHO

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:19:46 +0100

The phasing system for pandemic influenza needs fixing, representatives of several countries told Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), at the World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

WHO DG says concern over flu pandemic is justified

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:17:59 +0100

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, in her address to the Sixty-second World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland on 18 May 2009 said that concern over flu pandemic is justified.

H1N1 cases increase in Japan but still not pandemic

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:14:14 +0100

The number of confirmed influenza A (H1N1) cases in Japan exploded over the weekend, going from an officially reported four—all in returning vacationers—on 16 May to 129 as of 18 May.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 19 May 2009 08:34:38 +0100

Within the last 24 hours, 2 new confirmed cases were reported in the EU and EFTA countries, reaching a total of 265 confirmed cases reported from 17 countries.

WHO update 32 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 19 May 2009 08:34:38 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 18 May 2009, 40 countries have officially reported 8829 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 74 deaths.

HPA update on confirmed cases of swine flu 18 May 2009

Tue, 19 May 2009 08:34:38 +0100

One further patient under investigation in Scotland and announced by the Scottish Executive has today been confirmed with swine flu bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 102.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 18 May 2009 08:43:36 +0100

New influenza A(H1N1) infection. Update 18 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST

WHO update 31 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 18 May 2009 08:41:10 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 17 May 2009, 39 countries have officially reported 8480 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases 17 May 2009

Mon, 18 May 2009 08:40:26 +0100

14 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 101

WHO update 30 Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 18 May 2009 08:41:54 +0100

As of 07:00 GMT, 16 May 2009, 36 countries have officially reported 8451 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:31:23 +0100

Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO 15 May 2009

WHO update 29 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 15 May 2009 12:01:59 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 15 May 2009, 34 countries have officially reported 7520 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Sharing of influenza viruses, access to vaccines and other benefits

Fri, 15 May 2009 11:58:41 +0100

Dr Margaret Chan's opening remarks at the Intergovernmental Meeting on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Geneva, Switzerland.

Agreements secured for pre-pandemic vaccine for the UK

Fri, 15 May 2009 11:57:53 +0100

Agreements have been signed between the UK Government and vaccine manufacturers to secure supplies of up to 90 million doses of pre-pandemic H1N1 vaccine before a pandemic begins, the Department of Health announced.

Vaccine decisions loom for new flu strain

Fri, 15 May 2009 10:19:13 +0100

World Health Organization considers live attenuated vaccines for swine-associated H1N1 outbreak.

Douglas Kell reviews knowledge of swine flu and bird flu

Fri, 15 May 2009 10:02:02 +0100

BBSRC chief, Doug Keel writes on his blog: "If pigs had wings; what we know and what we don’t know about swine flu and bird flu".

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 15 May 2009 09:07:00 +0100

The ECDC report gives an update of confirmed cases as of today, 15 May, 8:00 hours

HPA update on confirmed cases - 14 May 2009

Fri, 15 May 2009 09:05:05 +0100

Six further patients under investigation in England (and a patient in Northern Ireland - announced earlier by the Northern Ireland Executive) have today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 78.

MRC involvement in influenza research

Fri, 15 May 2009 09:00:47 +0100

In 2007/08 the MRC spent £7.1 million on influenza research. In addition we fund a portfolio of underpinning virology research.

WHO update 28 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:14:40 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 14 May 2009, 33 countries have officially reported 6497 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

The Rapid Rise (and Fall?) of Controversial Theory That Lab Accident Caused Flu Outbreak

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:40:09 +0100

ScienceInsider reports on the ruckus caused by a retired plant virologist who has proposed that the new virus arose from a vaccine-manufacturing accident

CDC's Flu Chief, Nancy Cox, Battling Fires at Home and Abroad

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:09:05 +0100

ScienceInsider has an interview with Nancy Cox looking at her career at CDC and her flu research

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A(H1N1)

Thu, 14 May 2009 10:25:36 +0100

ECDC situation report : Influenza A(H1N1) infection update 14 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:33:09 +0100

ECDC situation report : Influenza A(H1N1) infection update 13 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST

WHO update 27 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:30:42 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 13 May 2009, 33 countries have officially reported 5728 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Journals speed up flu studies

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:52:50 +0100

The Scientist reports that many top tier science journals are going into overdrive to publish data about the emerging swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus epidemic, compressing what is often a multi-month process into just a few days or weeks

Have Antivirals Helped Prevent Flu Spread?

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:28:59 +0100

ScienceInsider looks at how much of the world has contained the spread of H1N1 flu using antivirals

Swine Flu: It's a Mutation, But What Does it Mean?

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:44:09 +0100

ScienceInsider reports the discover of a gene which make the virus better at spreading from person to person

Swine flu could hit one in three

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:49:58 +0100

The BBC's report of the early analysis of the pathogenicity of the new flu virus

Early Lessons From Mexico's Swine Flu Outbreak

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:46:20 +0100

ScienceInsider reports on the initial analysis of the pathogenicity of the novel H1N1 flu

WHO update 26 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:29:06 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 12 May 2009, 30 countries have officially reported 5251 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Early Look at H1N1 Flu Supports Pandemic Alert

Tue, 12 May 2009 09:01:49 +0100

An early look at the H1N1 flu outbreak suggests that the World Health Organization was justified in its 29 April decision to raise the global pandemic alert level to phase 5.

As Flu Spreads, Generic Drugmakers Wait for Call

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:57:02 +0100

Indian generic drug maker Cipla says it could make 1.5 million courses of oseltamavir, as the drug is non-commercially known, before the end of June.

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:25:17 +0100

ECDC situation report : Influenza A(H1N1) infection update 12 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST

Assessing the severity of an influenza pandemic

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:25:17 +0100

Assessment of the current situation from WHO

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases: 11 May 2009

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:25:16 +0100

Ten further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 65.

European pandemic influenza planning assumptions

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:29:28 +0100

European pandemic influenza planning assumptions

WHO update 25 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 11 May 2009 12:06:38 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 11 May 2009, 30 countries have officially reported 4694 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

New England Journal of Medicine H1N1 information

Mon, 11 May 2009 11:55:30 +0100

Information on H1N1 from NEJM

NIMR scientists at heart of influenza sequencing

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:57:47 +0100

Scientists at NIMR have been collaborating with scientists in Israel, Portugal and the UK in the past week to gain a better understanding of the genetic characteristics of the swine-like human influenza A(H1N1) viruses responsible for outbreaks in Europe.

Pandemic flu advice on the web

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:25:51 +0100

Medical Research Council-funded researchers have launched an essential new website giving practical advice on how to avoid catching flu.

First step towards Swine Flu vaccine prototype

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:08:47 +0100

The first step towards producing a European prototype of a swine flu vaccine has been achieved by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced.

ECDC situation report on Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:48:08 +0100

Further cases have been confirmed in the EU, elevating the number of confirmed cases in the EU and EFTA countries. The table of figures and the maps will be updated regularly. The ECDC report gives an update of confirmed cases as of today, 11 May, 8:00 hours CEST

WHO update 24 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:43:39 +0100

As of 07:30 GMT, 10 May 2009, 29 countries have officially reported 4379 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases: 10 May 2009

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:45:50 +0100

Seven further patients under investigation in England and one in Scotland (announced there yesterday) have today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 55.

WHO update 23 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:42:56 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 9 May 2009, 29 countries have officially reported 3440 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

WHO says the world is better prepared for influenza pandemic

Fri, 8 May 2009 11:19:57 +0100

Margaret Chan's address to the ASEAN+3 Health Ministers’ Special Meeting on Influenza A(H1N1) Bangkok, Thailand

Initial epidemiological findings in the European Union published

Fri, 8 May 2009 11:08:55 +0100

ECDC Technical Emergency Team. Initial epidemiological findings in the European Union following the declaration of pandemic alert level 5 due to influenza A (H1N1). In Eurosurveillance

WHO update 21 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 8 May 2009 11:07:33 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 8 May 2009, 24 countries have officially reported 2384 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Pandemic Flu Vaccine questions

Fri, 8 May 2009 10:10:19 +0100

Uncertainties cloud the prospects for vaccines against the new strain of influenza.
Science 8 May 2009: Vol. 324. no. 5928, pp. 702 - 705

Scientists Ponder Swine Flu's Origins

Fri, 8 May 2009 10:09:05 +0100

Review of the origins of the current influenza outbreak.
Science 8 May 2009: Vol. 324. no. 5928, pp. 700 - 702

MMWR article on US and Mexican outbreaks of H1N1

Fri, 8 May 2009 09:31:11 +0100

The 8 May Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reports new details about the swine flu outbreaks in Mexico and the United States, revealing much higher numbers of suspected and confirmed cases than previously reported

WHO To The World: Swine Flu Is Still Serious

Fri, 8 May 2009 09:27:04 +0100

Don’t think the worst is over: That was the message at the daily press conference of the World Health Organization yesterday afternoon.

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 8 May 2009 08:55:34 +0100

Influenza A(H1N1) infection Update 8 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST

WHO update 20 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 8 May 2009 08:44:37 +0100

As of 18:00 GMT, 7 May 2009, 24 countries have officially reported 2371 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

HPA update 7 on confirmed swine flu cases:

Fri, 8 May 2009 08:44:37 +0100

Two further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 34.

What EU and EFTA countries should do in pandemic phases 5 and 6

Fri, 8 May 2009 08:56:45 +0100

ECDC advises that during phases 5 and 6 of pandemic alert, national actions shift from preparedness to response at a global level.

WHO update 19 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Fri, 8 May 2009 08:44:37 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 7 May 2009, 23 countries have officially reported 2099 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Map of the spread of Infuenza A(H1N1)

Thu, 7 May 2009 14:05:52 +0100

Map of the spread of Infuenza A(H1N1): number of laboratory confirmed cases and deaths

How severe will the flu outbreak be?

Thu, 7 May 2009 10:02:21 +0100

Review of epidemiological evidence thus far.

Complacency, not overreaction, is the greatest danger

Thu, 7 May 2009 10:00:43 +0100

Complacency, not overreaction, is the greatest danger, says Nature editorial,
7 May 2009.

High-tech flu vaccines?

Thu, 7 May 2009 09:33:39 +0100

Experts are debating whether to produce a pandemic influenza vaccine.

Swine flu genes dissimilar to past pandemics

Thu, 7 May 2009 09:28:45 +0100

Some genetic markers of influenza infection severity have been identified from past outbreaks. Researchers have failed to find most of these markers, described in the open access journal BMC Microbiology, in samples of the current swine-flu strain.

Tom Jefferson criticises anti-viral use

Thu, 7 May 2009 09:10:36 +0100

Dr Tom Jefferson, of the Cochrane Collaboration in Rome, is appalled that Tamiflu and Relenza are being widely used and relied on as the solution to a flu pandemic.
Guardian, 6 May 2009

Use of antiviral drugs against influenza A(H1N1)

Thu, 7 May 2009 09:04:48 +0100

FAQ from the WHO on antiviral drugs against influenza H1N1

Laboratory biorisk management for laboratories handling human H1N1 specimens

Thu, 7 May 2009 09:03:32 +0100

Laboratory biorisk management for laboratories handling human specimens suspected or confirmed to contain influenza A (H1N1) causing the current international epidemics

The Severity of Disease Caused by the new influenza A (H1N1) virus infections

Thu, 7 May 2009 09:03:02 +0100

WHO Technical Consultation on the Severity of Disease Caused by the new influenza A (H1N1) virus infections

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) - 7th May

Thu, 7 May 2009 08:43:07 +0100

Influenza A(H1N1) infection Update 7 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST

Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO

Thu, 7 May 2009 08:41:42 +0100

Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO

WHO update 18 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Thu, 7 May 2009 08:40:07 +0100

As of 16:00 GMT, 6 May 2009, 23 countries have officially reported 1893 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Advice on Exclusion from Schools and Workplaces

Thu, 7 May 2009 08:38:01 +0100

Following the closure of some schools as a precautionary measure the Health Protection Agency provides advice for the public.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases

Wed, 6 May 2009 15:39:42 +0100

Four further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 32.

A New Patient Zero

Wed, 6 May 2009 12:30:30 +0100

Testing has revealed that a patient had H1N1 in Mexico on 11 March, 6 days earlier than the little boy who was previously thought to be the first case.

New National Director for NHS Flu Resilience appointed

Wed, 6 May 2009 12:24:57 +0100

The appointment of Ian Dalton was announced by the Health Secretary yesterday

Blog posts on public health issues of H1N1

Fri, 8 May 2009 11:30:18 +0100

Posts on H1N1 from the Effect Measure blog, edited by senior public health scientists and practitioners.

H1N1 flu wiki

Fri, 8 May 2009 11:30:18 +0100

A wiki for H1N1 flu.

DIUS issues swine flu information and advice for HE and FE institutions

Wed, 6 May 2009 12:19:34 +0100

DIUS has issued the first guidance notes, these will be periodically updated

Second death from H1N1 flu in USA confirmed

Wed, 6 May 2009 10:34:37 +0100

Reuters reports that a woman from Texas who died earlier this week has been confirmed as due to the novel virus.

Standard practical advice for investigating individuals with possible swine influenza infection

Fri, 8 May 2009 08:51:17 +0100

HPA advice. Standard practical advice for investigating individuals with possible swine influenza infection

WHO update 17 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 6 May 2009 10:18:40 +0100

WHO released latest figures at 06:00 GMT on 6th May

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) - 6th May

Wed, 6 May 2009 10:23:21 +0100

Latest figures issued at 8:00 CEST

EU Statement from the Standing Committee on the food chain and animal health - 5th May

Wed, 6 May 2009 10:28:03 +0100

Pig farmers are advised to rigorously apply biosecurity and hygiene rules to reduce any risk of human to pig transmission.

WHO update 16 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Wed, 6 May 2009 10:05:24 +0100

WHO released latest figures at 16:00 GMT on 5th May

Liam Donaldson warns against complacency

Tue, 5 May 2009 17:00:58 +0100

It is too early to assume the swine flu outbreak is a mild infection just because no-one in the UK has died, England's chief medical officer says.

ECDC press briefing on pandemics

Tue, 5 May 2009 14:47:58 +0100

ECDC press briefing - Pandemics: Known facts and known unknowns. By Angus Nicholl.

Updated algorithm for management of suspected cases (returning travellers and visitors from countries

Tue, 5 May 2009 14:45:47 +0100

Algorithm S5 – for the management of suspected cases (returning travellers and visitors from countries affected by swine influenza A/H1N1 or contacts) for phase 5 (PDF, 245 KB)

GSK to increase production of Relenza

Tue, 5 May 2009 14:43:47 +0100

GlaxoSmithKline says it will increase production of the antiviral treatment relenza to five million packs a month, although it will take 12 to 14 weeks to get production up to that level.

WHO update 15 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 5 May 2009 10:51:16 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 5 May 2009, 21 countries have officially reported 1124 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Statement by Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO

Tue, 5 May 2009 10:48:49 +0100

Statement made by the WHO Director General at the Secretary-General’s briefing to the United Nations General Assembly on the H1N1 influenza situation

US Inst of Medicine IOM Releases Guide to Recent Studies

Tue, 5 May 2009 09:15:19 +0100

The USA Institute of Medicine has released a guide to recent studies, and Workshops on Pandemic Flu.

Personal protective measures for reducing the risk of acquiring or transmitting human influenza

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:54:04 +0100

Advice from ECDC

First images of H1N1

Tue, 5 May 2009 09:11:02 +0100

Images of the newly identified H1N1 influenza virus were taken in the CDC Influenza Laboratory.

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A(H1N1) (5 May)

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:36:25 +0100

Influenza A(H1N1) infection. Update 5 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST

ECDC advice - how to protect yourself

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:53:15 +0100

ECDC Health information. Influenza A(H1N1) virus:how to protect yourself

Yi Guan, SARS Sleuth, Tracks Swine Flu

Tue, 5 May 2009 09:08:02 +0100

Interview with Yi Guan, the virologist at Hong Kong University (HKU) who isolated the SARS virus.

WHO update 14 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:51:54 +0100

As of 18:00 GMT, 4 May 2009, 21 countries have officially reported 1085 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:33:39 +0100

Nine further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 27.

First Pig Cases of H1N1 found

Tue, 5 May 2009 09:09:49 +0100

The first pigs infected with the H1N1 influenza sweeping the globe have been found, in Canada.

Countries able to perform PCR to diagnose influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in humans

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:32:11 +0100

Guidance from WHO

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A(H1N1) (4 May)

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:35:25 +0100

Influenza A(H1N1) infection. Update 4 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST

WHO update 13 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:29:23 +0100

As of 06:00 GMT, 4 May 2009, 20 countries have officially reported 985 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

WHO update 12 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Tue, 5 May 2009 08:29:22 +0100

As of 1600 GMT, 3 May 2009, 18 countries have officially reported 898 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Influenza A(H1N1) and the safety of pork

Sun, 3 May 2009 16:25:41 +0100

Joint FAO/WHO/OIE/WTO Statement on influenza A(H1N1) and the safety of pork

WHO FAQ on H1N1 vaccines

Sun, 3 May 2009 16:22:42 +0100

Questions and answers related to vaccines for the new influenza A(H1N1)

ECDC situation report on outbreak of influenza A(H1N1)

Sun, 3 May 2009 16:05:16 +0100

Influenza A(H1N1) infection. Update 3 May 2009, 10:30 hours CEST

Advice on the use of masks in the community setting in Influenza A (H1N1) outbreaks

Sun, 3 May 2009 16:02:02 +0100

Advisory document from WHO

WHO update 11 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Sun, 3 May 2009 15:54:16 +0100

As of 0600 GMT, 3 May 2009, 17 countries have officially reported 787 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Instruction on how to obtain CDC realtime RT-PCR kits for detection of influenza A(H1N1)

Sun, 3 May 2009 16:01:20 +0100

Advisory document from WHO

Countries with PCR capacity in place to diagnose influenza A(H1N1) virus infection in humans

Sun, 3 May 2009 16:00:33 +0100

Advisory document from WHO

WHO update 10 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Sun, 3 May 2009 15:54:15 +0100

The situation continues to evolve. As of 18:00 GMT+1, 2 May 2009, 16 countries have officially reported 658 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

WHO update 9 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Sat, 2 May 2009 15:53:06 +0100

The situation continues to evolve. As of 06:00 GMT, 2 May 2009, 15 countries have officially reported 615 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

ECDC situation report

Sat, 2 May 2009 15:58:14 +0100

The ECDC report gives an update of confirmed cases as of today, 2 May, 08:00 hours CEST.

The International Cochrane Collaboration reviews on the prevention and treatment of flu

Sat, 2 May 2009 16:05:39 +0100

There are several International Cochrane Collaboration Reviews of the evidence relevant to different aspects of the prevention and treatment of influenza.

NIHR reviews evidence base for influenza intervention

Sat, 2 May 2009 16:04:09 +0100

The National Institute for Health Research collates the most up to date evidence on prevention and treatment from the internationally renowned CRD Databases. This review focuses on the effectiveness of two drugs used to prevent and treat influenza - oseltamivir (tamiflu) and zanamivir (relenza).

Pandemic influenza prevention and mitigation in low resource communities

Sat, 2 May 2009 15:55:16 +0100

This summary guidance is derived from the WHO document Pandemic influenza preparedness and mitigation in refugee and displaced populations: WHO guidelines for humanitarian agencies, Second edition, 2008

Closest Look Yet at Outbreaks in Mexico and a N.Y.C. School

Sat, 2 May 2009 16:09:22 +0100

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) has posted two dispatches that offer the most detailed looks yet at two outbreaks of what's now being called swine-associated H1N1 influenza.

Interview With Head of Mexico's Top Swine Flu Lab

Sat, 2 May 2009 16:11:07 +0100

Microbiologist Celia Alpuche heads the laboratory in Mexico that has become ground zero for the country's outbreak of swine flu. Alpuche spoke to Science yesterday from her office at the Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos (InDRE) in Mexico City.

Considerations of influenza A(H1N1) and HIV infection

Sat, 2 May 2009 15:54:21 +0100

Considering the potential impact of emerging influenza A(H1N1) virus infection, HIV/AIDS programmes and services need to be aware of relevant risks and have plans for prevention and treatment.

WHO update 8.1 on Influenza A(H1N1)

Sat, 2 May 2009 15:52:02 +0100

The situation continues to evolve. As of 23:30 GMT, 1 May 2009, 13 countries have officially reported 367 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

WHO advice on the use of masks in the community

Sat, 2 May 2009 15:56:39 +0100

WHO has highlighted its advice on the use of masks.

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases in England

Fri, 1 May 2009 17:51:07 +0100

One further patient under investigation in England has today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to nine.

H1N1 Influenza Virus Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratory Workers

Fri, 1 May 2009 14:48:54 +0100

This guidance from the US CDC is for laboratory workers who may be processing or performing diagnostic testing on clinical specimens from patients with suspected H1N1 influenza virus infection, or performing viral isolation.

Hong Kong reports 1st confirmed swine flu in Asia

Fri, 1 May 2009 14:17:29 +0100

Hong Kong reports 1st confirmed swine flu in Asia.

European Council conclusions on Influenza A/H1N1 infection

Fri, 1 May 2009 12:24:34 +0100

An extraordinary meeting of the Council of EU health ministers convened in Luxemburg on Thursday 30 April to discuss the EU's collective response to the rapidly evolving situation of the influenza A(H1N1) and to coordinate European efforts.

EU novel flu virus definition

Fri, 1 May 2009 12:08:29 +0100

European Commission Decision of 30 April 2009 amending Decision 2002/253/EC laying down case definitions for reporting communicable diseases to the Community network under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

WHO update 7 on swine influenza

Fri, 1 May 2009 09:39:40 +0100

The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 06:00 GMT, 1 May 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 331 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

First case of UK human transmission suspected

Fri, 1 May 2009 09:36:31 +0100

Health officials fear they have discovered the first case of someone catching swine flu within the UK, it emerged last night, as the number of confirmed cases in this country reached eight., reprots The Guardian newspaper, 1st may 2009.

ECDC situation report - 1st May

Fri, 1 May 2009 09:24:40 +0100

The ECDC report gives an update on the number of confirmed cases as of today, 1 May 2009, 08:00 hours CEST.

Review of the outbreak, in Science magazine

Fri, 1 May 2009 09:15:23 +0100

Feature in Science, Vol. 324. no. 5927, pp. 572 - 573, says "As Swine Flu Circles Globe, Scientists Grapple With Basic Questions".

HPA update on confirmed swine flu cases in England

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:05:57 +0100

Three further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to eight.

WHO update 6 on swine influenza

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:02:20 +0100

The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 17:00 GMT, 30 April 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 257 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Leader and feature articles in The Economist

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:42:34 +0100

Leader and feature articles on swine flu, in The Economist

Swine flu outbreak - BEAST analysis

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:31:51 +0100

Analysis to estimate the rate of evolution and time of most recent common ancestor of currently sequences strains using BEAST

Swine flu evolutionary analysis website

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:29:58 +0100

Website established to allow the rapid dissemination of results and analysis of genetic data from the ongoing Influenza A/H1N1 outbreak attributed to swine flu.

UK Dept of Health issues swine flu information leaflet

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:46:29 +0100

Households across the UK will soon be receiving a Swine Flu Information leaflet. This leaflet includes information about what swine flu is and how it could spread, what UK governments have done to prepare for a wider outbreak of flu, how you can protect yourself against flu and what to do if you have flu symptoms.

EU agrees common case definition on novel flu virus

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:33:13 +0100

The European Commission has adopted a common European definition for the novel flu virus. This will allow for an amendment to Decision 2002/253/EC, which lays down case definitions for reporting communicable diseases across the European Union. This is a key step taken by the Commission in response to the novel flu virus in view of the rapidly changing situation.

Swine Flu case definition from HPA

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:01:21 +0100

The Health Protection Agency is using the following case definition for swine flu.

New HHS head takes on swine flu

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:57:46 +0100

The US Senate confirmed Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius's appointment to head the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and she got right to work voicing the government's response to the potential pandemic.

Mapping flu outbreak data

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:55:14 +0100

A number of maps have cropped up plotting reported cases of swine flu, but they vary in quality.

As Swine Flu Spreads, Its Chances to Mutate Increase

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:54:11 +0100

Virologist Kennedy Shortridge says that the farther the virus spreads, the more chance it will mix, or reassort, with other flu viruses in circulation and turn into something more lethal.

ECDC situation report

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:52:41 +0100

The ECDC report gives an update on the number of confirmed cases as of today, 30 April 2009, 08:00 hours CEST.

Exclusive Interview: US CDC Head Virus Sleuth

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:48:26 +0100

Virologist Ruben Donis, chief of the molecular virology and vaccines branch at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spoke with ScienceInsider blog about the swine flu virus.

EU steps up action on novel flu virus

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:34:27 +0100

The Commission is leading EU Member States' coordination efforts to exchange information on surveillance, case definition and measures taken by EU countries to respond to this novel flu virus.

Swine flu overview in Nature

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:10:13 +0100

New influenza virus tests pandemic emergency preparedness, says Nature News.

First US death from swine flu

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:49:37 +0100

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services says a 23-month-old child from Texas died Monday night from swine flu.

Commissioner Vassiliou's meeting with the European Vaccine Manufacturers

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:48:31 +0100

Commissioner Vassiliou met today with pharmaceutical industry representatives, in particular with the European Vaccine Manufacturers.

Three cases of swine flu confirmed in Germany

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:25:54 +0100

Swine flu has reached Germany after health authorities revealed there were three confirmed cases of the virus.

ECDC press briefings

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:10:29 +0100

ECDC give a daily press briefing on latest updates on the novel influenza virus developments. The webcasts are available.

Swine flu cases confirmed in England

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:04:18 +0100

Three patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu, bringing the current total number of confirmed UK cases to five, says the Health Protection Agency

Infection control in swine flu

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:02:50 +0100

Infection prevention and control in health care in providing care for confirmed or suspected A(H1N1) swine influenza patients

Protocol for antiviral susceptibility testing by pyrosequencing

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:02:28 +0100

Protocol for antiviral susceptibility testing by pyrosequencing from WHO

Guidance for the surveillance of human swine flu

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:01:46 +0100

Interim WHO guidance for the surveillance of human infection with swine influenza A(H1N1) virus

WHO update 5 on swine influenza

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:00:38 +0100

Swine influenza - update 5 from the WHO, 29 April 2009

Swine fllu pandemic alert raised to level 5

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:59:17 +0100

Based on assessment of all available information, and following several expert consultations, the WHO has raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5.

Origins of the swine flu

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:18:03 +0100

Eric Michael Johnson writes on his blog about the possible origin of the swine flu epidemic.

HPA information on face masks

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:13:38 +0100

The UK Health Protection Agency has produced information about the use of face masks.

Swine flu latest from NHS

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:10:43 +0100

Information on the swine flu outbreak from the NHS Knowledge Service.

WHO Scientific Review on the current outbreaks of human infections with swine influenza to be held on 29 April

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:22:37 +0100

WHO is convening a Scientific Review on 29 April in response to requests from the scientific community for more detailed scientific information on swine influenza. Experts from the affected countries will provide an update on the current situation and discuss what is known about the disease from a virological, epidemiological and clinical perspective.

Leading NIMR scientists join in global fight against swine flu

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:08:22 +0100

Scientists at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research, which houses the WHO World Influenza Centre in Mill Hill, are working as part of a concerted international effort to get to the bottom of the epidemic.

Swine Flu Genes From Pigs Only?

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:07:40 +0100

The H1N1 influenza virus that’s fueling fears of a global pandemic appears to be a hybrid of two common pig flu strains, scientists who have studied the disease told Wired.com.

WHO update 4 on swine influenza

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:09:08 +0100

The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 19:15 GMT, 28 April 2009, seven countries have officially reported cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection.

FDA authorizes unapproved diagnostic test, new drug uses

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:05:59 +0100

The US Food & Drug Administration responded to the emerging threat by authorizing the emergency use of certain antiviral drugs and an unapproved laboratory test to help treat and detect the virus.

Swine flu report from 1976 made freely available

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:02:58 +0100

A new electronic edition of the report of the 1976 swine flu outbreak in USA has been released.

Swine flu special from Nature news

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:01:45 +0100

Nature reports on the latest developments and examines what might be done in the event of a pandemic.

Science magazine blog on swine flu

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:00:32 +0100

The Science Insider blog from Science magazine has several items on swine flu.

Swine Flu: What You Need to Know

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:06:34 +0100

Wired Science reports on swine flu

Suspected Cases in Scotland Test Positive for Swine Influenza

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:32:28 +0100

HPA statement confirming the diagnosis.

WHO Director-General raises influenza pandemic alert to phase 4

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:22:38 +0100

Statement issued by the Director-General at 9.30pm (BST) 27th April

EU Health Commissioner's statement on the flu outbreak in Mexico

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:17:36 +0100

Androulla Vassiliou's statement issued in Brussels on 27th April

Swine Influenza - a collection of links

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:35:40 +0100

Leicester University has extended its avian and pandemic flu resource to include swine influenza

Tracking Internet Chatter Helps Spot Swine Flu Outbreak

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:26:32 +0100

Monitoring and analyzing the flow of social media traffic has been used to spot the swine flu outbreak

Dataset of the Day: Following the Swine Flu Outbreak

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:33:24 +0100

Examples of data mash-up to track the outbreak

No confirmed UK cases of swine flu but hospitals on alert

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:36:33 +0100

The British government's chief medical officer, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, has sent an alert out to all UK hospitals.
Guardian, April 27.

CDC swine flu info

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:34:15 +0100

The current U.S. case count is provided by the US Centers for Disease Control.

Health Protection Agency on swine flu

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:33:17 +0100

The Health Protection Agency is monitoring this situation closely and is working with the UK government to review the current incident and any threat it poses to UK public health. Further information is available below and will be updated regularly.

Statement to Parliament on Swine Flu/AH1N1 by Alan Johnson

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:58:20 +0100

Secretary of State Alan Johnson delivered an update to Parliament on swine flu and outlined measures being taken in the UK.

Statement from Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:00:12 +0100

Update from Sir Liam Donaldson on swine flu.

WHO swine flu news

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:30:07 +0100

WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic.

CDC update - Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Infections --- California and Texas

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:21:05 +0100

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published new details about swine flu cases in the United States.

Navy Researchers Helped Spot Swine Flu in the United States

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:18:16 +0100

Navy Researchers Helped Spot Swine Flu in the United States

Swine Flu Spreads, But Severity and Genetics Remain Murky

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:17:18 +0100

Although the spread of swine flu appears to be accelerating—and the virus is beginning to dominate global headlines—the World Health Organization (WHO) stopped short of ratcheting up the pandemic alert level this weekend.

New bird flu cases suggest the danger of pandemic is rising

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:18:51 +0100

Infections in Egypt raise scientists' fears that virus will be spread by humans, according to an article in Independent on Sunday 12 Apr 2009

Company quiet on details of flu virus mishap

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:21:50 +0000

The details of a potentially dangerous virus contamination that affected research labs in four European countries may remain shrouded in mystery.

Health Officials Try to Calm China Flu Fears

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:23:09 +0000

International health officials today sought to reassure antsy staff of foreign embassies here that the recent spate of fatalities in China from the H5N1 strain of avian influenza is no cause for alarm.

Pandemic flu drug stockpiles are set to double

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:35:48 +0000

The UK has awarded contracts to double emergency supplies of flu drugs to treat everyone who is predicted to fall ill in a pandemic, making the UK one of the most prepared countries in the world.

Researchers unlock secrets of 1918 flu pandemic

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:46:00 +0000

Researchers have discovered 3 genes which allowed 1918 flu to invade the lungs and cause pneumonia

Addressing ethical issues in pandemic influenza planning

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:12:15 +0000

Discussion papers from the World Health Organisation on ethical pandemic planning.

Fresh bird flu outbreak in India

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:52:46 +0000

Authorities in India's West Bengal state identify the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in thousands of dead chickens.

Sharing influenza viruses

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:12:04 +0000

WHO Director General speech on sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits.

Tracking Flu Trends

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:48:47 +0000

Google have found a very close relationship between the frequency of search queries on flu and the number of people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms each week. Based on this discovery, they have launched Google Flu Trends,

UK officially free from avian influenza

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:57:10 +0000

DEFRA announced that the UK is officially free from Avian Influenza (AI) from today (20 November), according to the rules laid down by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Web data predict flu

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:53:05 +0000

Search engines provide information about epidemics

Interactive feature on 1918 influenza

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:54:03 +0000

An interactive feature about the 1918 influenza pandemic, from the Guardian.

Changes to GB wild bird survey for Avian Influenza

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 09:58:44 +0100

Defra has announced changes to the way it identifies wild birds that may be carrying avian influenza.

Universal flu vaccine tests start

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 09:29:01 +0100

A universal flu vaccine which could mean an end to the annual jab is being tested on UK volunteers.

UK vaccine capacity

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 09:04:32 +0100

This POSTnote gives an overview of the vaccine position in the UK and how public health interests are reconciled with those of industry.

Wellcome Trust funds project to monitor for 'pandemic' mutations

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 09:29:56 +0100

Scientists funded by the Wellcome Trust are to examine what is preventing the H5N1 avian influenza virus from causing a human pandemic and what mutations are required to realise its deadly potential.

Infection control recommendations for avian influenza in health-care facilities

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:53:46 +0100

Infection control recommendations for avian influenza in health-care facilities from WHO.

UK risk register identifies flu as gravest risk

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 15:33:33 +0100

A flu pandemic is the gravest threat to UK security as it could claim up to 750,000 lives, according to a new National Risk Register.

House of Lords report on global infectious disease prevention

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:32:08 +0100

Diseases Know No Frontiers: How effective are Intergovernmental Organisations in controlling their spread? First report of the House of Lords Intergovernmental Organisations Committee.

Crowdsourcing the Flu Vaccine

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:35:11 +0100

A bit of data sharing and networking could prevent a repeat of last winter's catastrophic flu vaccine failure, reports Wired Science.

Remaining UK restrictions lifted

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:17:16 +0100

Defra has announced that the Surveillance Zone and remaining disease control area restrictions put in place following the outbreak of H7N7 avian influenza in Oxfordshire will lift at 00.01 on Tuesday 8 July.

Protection zone lifted

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 09:17:45 +0100

Defra has confirmed that the Protection Zone put in place as part of control measures for the H7N7 avian influenza outbreak in Oxfordshire will lift at 00.01 Sunday 29 June provided that no new suspect cases are identified before then.

VaxInnate to discuss seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:58:19 +0100

VaxInnate Corporation announced today that it will discuss its novel proprietary technology for producing seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines.

Avian Influenza epidemiology report published

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:47:43 +0100

Defra has published an epidemiology report into the Avian Influenza outbreak confirmed in Oxfordshire on 4 June.

European businesses not properly advised on how to prepare for flu pandemic

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:10:34 +0100

A new report entitled Business Continuity Planning and Pandemic Influenza in Europe, published by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, has found huge gaps and differences across Europe in the level of advice given to businesses to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.

Update on Avian Influenza in Oxfordshire: H7 strain confirmed as highly pathogenic

Thu, 5 Jun 2008 09:12:23 +0100

Following further laboratory results, the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that the strain of H7 Avian Influenza present in laying hens at the farm in Banbury is highly pathogenic.

Avian influenza H7 confirmed in Oxfordshire

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 08:02:08 +0100

The UK's Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, has confirmed Avian Influenza in chickens on premises near Banbury in Oxfordshire after preliminary tests were positive for the H7 strain. All birds on the premises will be slaughtered as a precautionary measure.

New centre to tackle respiratory infections

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 09:25:19 +0100

The new Centre for Respiratory Infection at Imperial College London will bring together more than 200 scientists to work on a range of problems. The centre will also be ready to spring into action if there is a new outbreak of pandemic flu such as a mutated form of bird flu, or SARS.

Options for the use of human H5N1 influenza vaccines and the WHO H5N1 vaccine stockpile

Wed, 21 May 2008 09:05:06 +0100

WHO publishes report on Options for the use of human H5N1 influenza vaccines and the WHO H5N1 vaccine stockpile.

Brussels gives green light to Glaxo's bird flu vaccine

Tue, 20 May 2008 09:11:33 +0100

European commission approves pre-pandemic vaccine in all 27 EU member states

Experts review influenza pandemic preparedness guidance

Fri, 9 May 2008 09:33:22 +0100

Influenza and planning experts from WHO Member States, research institutions and UN agencies are meeting in Geneva this week to review the current WHO pandemic preparedness guidance. The new guidance will be released later this year.

US report on Antiviral Drug Distribution During a Flu Pandemic

Thu, 1 May 2008 10:00:06 +0100

Uncertainties about the availability and effectiveness of antiviral drugs during a flu pandemic require federal and state officials to begin a national discussion about the difficult choices they may be forced to make about the drugs' distribution, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

UN warns of bird flu pandemic risk

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:45:19 +0000

The UN has issued a grim warning on the “critical” bird flu situation in Indonesia.

Fresh bird flu outbreak in India

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:30:11 +0000

Veterinary workers in India have begun culling tens of thousands of chickens in an attempt to combat a fresh outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal.

Jakarta ends stand-off on bird flu vaccines

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:52:53 +0000

After receiving an assurance that Jakarta would have access to affordable vaccines, Indonesia finally sent 12 bird flu virus samples to a World Health Organisation (WHO) laboratory.

EMEA recommends authorisation of first pre-pandemic influenza vaccine

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:07:16 +0000

The European Medicines Agency has recommended the authorisation of the first "pre-pandemic vaccine" for humans against influenza caused by the H5N1 virus. This is an avian influenza ("bird flu") virus strain that has the potential to evolve into a pandemic influenza virus affecting humans.

Profile of Sir Gordon Duff

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 15:40:14 +0000

Profile of newly appointed external chair of the Department of Health's Scientific Advisory Group on Pandemic Flu, Sir Gordon Duff.
Times Higher, 7th Feb 2008

Joining forces against bird flu

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 09:00:32 +0000

Australia and China have jointly launched a $3 million research centre in Canberra to developing treatment for avian flu.

Bird flu outbreak nears Calcutta

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:08:12 +0000

The bird flu epidemic in the Indian state of West Bengal has inched closer to the capital, Calcutta, with an outbreak reported close to the city.
BBC website

Further swan positive for H5N1

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:12:16 +0000

Following confirmation on Thursday 10th January of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in three swans in Dorset, Defra has today confirmed that another mute swan collected on 11 January as part of wild bird surveillance from the same area has tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza.

Seasonal flu levels trigger use of antiviral drugs

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:55:26 +0000

The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that the rate at which influenza viruses are now circulating in England has reached the point which triggers the use of antiviral drugs.

EU endorses measures for Poland and Germany

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:35:28 +0000

Following recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Poland and Germany, the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today voted in favour of a Decision confirming the eradication and control measures taken by those two Member States.

Avian Influenza H5N1 confirmed in Dorset

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:26:05 +0000

Defra has confirmed Avian Influenza in three dead wild mute swans in the Chesil Beach area in Dorset, following positive test results from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for the highly pathogenic strain of H5N1.

Ethical considerations in developing a public health response to pandemic influenza

Wed, 2 Jan 2008 09:50:34 +0000

Ethical considerations in developing a public health response to pandemic influenza, from WHO.