Science Media Centre

Experts are warning of potentially bad influenza season this year and encouraging vaccination. Influenza researchers Prof Lance Jennnings from Canterbury DHB and  Dr Sue Huang of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) have highlighted the severe flu season in the States and cautioned that New Zealand could be next. In media reports both [...]

The number of flu cases recorded in Auckland city are higher than would be expected, according to the latest data from an in depth study of influenza in New Zealand. The Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance (SHIVERS) study started last year, and aims to provide closer monitoring of influenza cases in New [...]

Claims that an influenza epidemic of swine flu proportions are set to overwhelm the country are overblown, according to virologists at the National Influenza Centre.  Media reports that a ‘new strain’ of influenza — H3N2 — causing hallucinations and crippling nausea, is heading north from Canterbury, and that flu admissions are at ‘epidemic’ levels, are [...]

All UK children are to be given the flu vaccination after experts said it could save up to 2,000 lives a year. The scheme, which is expected to be rolled out in 2014, will see all children aged two to 17 given the vaccination through a nasal spray (Fluenz® marketed by AstraZeneca). Younger children will [...]

Why do some people die from the flu and others don’t? New Zealand researchers have been awarded a grant from the US government to find out. Researchers from Environment Science and research (ESR), the University of Auckland the University of Otago have won a $9 million grant from the Unites States Centers for Disease Control [...]

Marsden grant winners revealed next week Next Friday will see the public release of details about the winners of the latest Marsden Fund investment round. Journalists registered with the Royal Society will receive embargoed copies of individual funding announcements from next Tuesday. Contact RSNZ communications manager Philippa Sargent for more details. Marsden is the largest [...]

Kate Newton writes in the Dominion Post about findings in a New Zealand-based study that show that two different flu viruses can infect a person at the same time. Such co-infection, though rare, has raised concerns that it could lead to new, more dangerous forms of flu, for example passing drug resistance from one flu [...]

Sacked drug adviser tours NZ Professor David Nutt grabbed headlines in the UK last year when the chair of the British Government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was sacked for his controversial views on recreational drugs and how they are classified. Professor Nutt, who has gone on to form the Independent Council on [...]

Following the outbreak of a highly infectious virus (now confirmed as swine flu) in the Wairarapa in the last few days, and the deaths of two people nationally from swine flu, medical experts are urging people to take steps to protect themselves. There are still a few swine flu vaccine doses left in the country, [...]

Tanya Katterns writes in the Dominion Post about a highly contagious virus, thought to be H1N1 flu, which is emptying schools of their pupils in the Wairarapa. Thus far, 300 pupils and 20 staff/teachers are at home with the virus, and Wellington Regional Public Health Service is  urging that any children showing symptoms be sent [...]