WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
We are one of five WHO Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza that analyse specimens and virus isolates from influenza patients around the globe. Throughout the year we collect and analyse human influenza viruses for epidemiological, antigenic (immune response) and genetic characteristics. Data from all five Collaborating Centres are reviewed to determine which circulating influenza strains are predominant in the community and therefore would be appropriate components of seasonal vaccines.
Sheena G. Sullivan, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza and Kanta Subbarao, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Decades of experience with influenza offers insights into how we should handle new SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the threat they pose to vaccine effectiveness.
Sheena G. Sullivan, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza and Jennifer MacLachlan, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
A man in the Northern Territory recently received a “weak positive” test result for COVID-19. Understanding how coronavirus tests work shows us why this can happen from time to time.
The impact of the flu on a population can be measured by looking at figures including cases, hospitalisations and deaths.
From shutterstock.com
Ian Barr, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
Headlines about this year’s flu season have been alarming. It’s true, we are having a serious season – but the data doesn’t indicate it’s the worst one we’ve ever had.
The flu comes on rapidly and symptoms get worse over the first few days.
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Sheena G. Sullivan, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza and Rob Moss, The University of Melbourne
The 2018 flu season was mild, while 2017 was a particularly bad year. It’s impossible to predict what the 2019 flu season has in store, but we’ve seen more cases so far this year than usual.
What goes up must come down, and that includes the protection the flu vaccine offers against influenza.
Irina Bg/Shutterstock
Ian Barr, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
Protection wanes after four or five months, so for most people, it makes sense to get a flu shot in mid to late May or early June so you’re protected when the flu season peaks in August or September.
For certain members of the community, catching flu can lead to severe illness or death.
Piotr Marcinski
Aeron Hurt, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
It’s that time of year again when scientists and doctors make predictions about the impending flu season and we must decide whether to go out and get the flu vaccine.
A new oral drug could help reduce the spread of measles.
Destinys Agent/Flickr
A new oral antiviral drug may be a future tool in the global fight against measles, according to a new international study. The research, published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine…
Antivirals Tamiflu and Relenza were stockpiled by governments across the world in response to the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
Andrew Wales/Flickr
Antiviral drugs are largely ineffective for reducing hospital admissions and complications from influenza, and come with serious side-effects, according to a research review published by the Cochrane Collaboration…
There’s still much confusion about the use of flu vaccines and their effectiveness.
Lance McCord
Ian Barr, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
Facts about Flu - Today, Ian Barr considers advice about who should get a flu shot. Questions about who should be vaccinated against influenza are asked each year as the winter (and influenza) season approaches…
Authors of a new paper suggest a detergent used by CSL in making its flu vaccine could be the cause of the problem.
AAP
Anne Kelso, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
A paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia today provides a possible reason for CSL’s 2010 flu vaccine causing febrile convulsions in children. The authors hypothesise that suboptimal use of…
Mutations of the flu virus render drugs ineffective for treating infected patients.
Leonid Mamchenkov
Aeron Hurt, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
The United Nations Food and Agricultute Organisation is warning authorities to be on high alert after a mutant strain of bird flu was found to be spreading across Asia. While bird flu hasn’t traditionally…
We’re still a while away from a vaccine for the type of flu virus that causes pandemics such as swine flu.
TreintagenariO -Serie B/Flickr
Ian Barr, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
Have you ever wondered why you need to get an influenza vaccination each year to protect yourself? Or even why it seems like another pandemic threat is announced before every flu season? Well, it’s all…
Virus surveillance in domestic pigs and poultry must improve.
Mark Pilgrin/flickr
Anne Kelso, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
It’s almost exactly two years since the emergence of the swine flu virus was announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This was the first flu pandemic in 41 years and the start of another flu season…