Influenzanet is a system to monitor the activity of influenza-like-illness (ILI) with the aid of volunteers via the internet
Developing the framework for an epidemic forecast infrastructure.
http://www.epiwork.eu/
The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) bundles all research-related EU initiatives.
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3786In contrast with the traditional system of sentinel networks of mainly primary care physicians coordinated by the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS), InfluenzaNet obtains its data directly from the population. This creates a fast and flexible monitoring system whose uniformity allows for direct comparison of ILI rates between countries.
Any resident of a country where InfluenzaNet is implemented can participate by completing an online application form, which contains various medical, geographic and behavioural questions. Participants are reminded weekly to report any symptoms they have experienced since their last visit. The incidence of ILI is determined on the basis of a uniform case definition.
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Flight quarantined over flu outbreak
Passengers on a flight that had arrived from Tokyo were quarantined on board as medical teams in biohazard suits examined them after around 70 passengers had displayed flu-like symptoms. While head of the homestay organisation hosting the Japanese students Stuart Cundy called this an overreaction, New Zealand's prime minister John key has since defended the response.
13/2/2012
British mum develops French accent after bout of flu
The Sun reports on a British woman who developed a French accent after a bout of flu. Speech scientist Nick Miller "believes there is still hope that Debie will get her Brummie accent back".
9/2/2012
Hope for universal flu vaccine
Encouraging news from scientists trying to develop a universal flu vaccine, as a specific type of white blood cell was linked to natural resistance to flu.
31/1/2012
Keep warm, keep well
With the recent cold snap, the government has a number of tips to stay warm in your home.
30/1/2012
Updated: Storm over killer flu
A storm is brewing over the publication of research into the deadly H5N1 bird-flu virus. Scientists in Rotterdam have created a strain that is transmissible (unlike the wild virus), and submitted their findings for publication. Others argue that this poses a secrurity risk and should not be published; indeed should never have been done in the first place. Updates on this story can be found here. Follow the links for new statements of those in favour and against publishing these studies.
26/1/2012
Second death in a month from bird flu in China
The second person in a month has died in China of natural (not lab-created) bird flu; reports claim that he'd had no contact with poultry, but also that none of the people who had close contact with him have developed any symptoms. So, as yet, no sign that bird flu has gained the ability to spread easily between people.
22/1/2012
Climate phenomenon linked to flu pandemics
Researchers have found that the four most recent flu pandemics - 1918, 1957, 1968, and 2009 - were all preceded by so called "La Niña" events (periods of low sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean). While there have been many La Niña periods in the 20th century that were not followed by a flu pandemic, the researchers behind the study offer interesting, if speculative, explanations for the correlation between La Niña events and flu pandemics in terms of migration patterns of birds that might be affected by the lower temperatures.
16/1/2012
Sleeping disorder associated with pandemic flu vaccine
A handful of cases of a rare sleeping disorder have been associated with the use of pandemrix (the vaccine used during the pandemic - not the one used for seasonal flu). At the moment it seems unlikely that there is a true causal relationship, but authorities here and elsewhere in Europe are taking the claims seriously.
12/12/2011
Attention citizens!
The Economist has published a call to arms to join the Flusurvey, as has the Huffington Post.
18/11/2011
Naked flusurvey
Flusurvey made an appearance in the Naked Scientists podcast. Click here to listen.
13/11/2011
Planning for a pandemic
The Government published its updated plans for a flu pandemic yesterday. A nice summary of which is given in the Guardian.
11/11/2011
Flusurvey on the beeb
The launch of Flusurvey and our sister sites across Europe was featured by the BBC World Service. Click here to download.
10/11/2011
Vaccination of health care workers
Vaccine uptake rates in doctors and nurses is surprisingly low. Some of the underlying factors for this are apparent in two recent articles. The Bournmouth Echo reports on a senior doctor who didn't get himself vaccinated and nearly died as a result. Meanwhile, student nurses are being refused the jab due to administrative incompetence according to a study in the Nursing Times.
7/11/2011
New swine flu!
A new strain of swine flu has emerged in the US. So far there have only been a handful of cases, but they may be important as this strain has emerged from a mixing of existing strains - an H3N2 from pigs, and the human "swine flu" H1N1 strain. See here for details.
7/11/2011
Busy morning!
Following a slot on the Today programme at the crack of dawn, we were a little bit overloaded - thank you for visiting, and sorry for any delays you might have experienced. We're up and running again now!
27/10/2011
Registration open
Register now for the new flu season
The next flu season is approaching rapidly, and we are getting ready to restart the flu survey soon. Watch this space for more news as we are simultaneously launching in 10 different European countries this year. In the meantime, why not register now, and we will be in touch once we start.
1/10/2011
