Influenza - Imperial in the news
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Imperial has several teams of distinguished scientists working on infectious disease pandemics. Since the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico in February 2009, our epidemiologists have been looking at how the disease might spread through human populations. Our virologists have been researching how respiratory viruses grow and spread, in order to identify better ways of protecting ourselves.
Our scientists have also been heavily involved in giving vital scientific advice to public health policy makers throughout the world.
In addition, Imperial scientists have been working with the media to improve people's awareness and understanding of swine flu and to reinforce important public health messages.
Imperial media mentions
A selection of recent clips about swine flu involving Imperial experts in the media.
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17 August 2009
Experts warned dispersal of Tamiflu would do more harm than good
Professor Peter Openshaw talks to The Guardian about the effectiveness of antiviral treatments for swine flu
14 August 2009
Healthy children and over 65s are not swine flu vaccine priority
Dr Mike Skinner talks to The Daily Telegraph about rolling out the swine flu vaccine
22 July 2009
Should we close our schools to slow swine flu?
The Times reports on a Lancet Infectious Diseases review by Dr Simon Cauchemez and Professor Neil Ferguson, highlighting the costs, as well as the potential benefits, of school closure during a flu pandemic
21 July 2009
Britain Mulls Closing Schools to Curb Swine Flu
Dr Simon Cauchemez tells Voice of America why decision makers should look at the costs, as well as the benefits, of closing schools during a flu pandemic
15 July 2009
Scientists call for more accurate measure of swine flu death rate
Dr Tini Garske talks to The Times about her new British Medical Journal study on measuring influenza mortality rates
15 July 2009
'Better data needed' on swine flu
Dr Tini Garske talks to BBC News Online about her new British Medical Journal study on measuring influenza mortality rates
15 July 2009
Flu Fears
Dr Tini Garske explains her latest British Medical Journal study about calculating flu mortality rates, on Channel 4 News at Noon
14 July 2009
Swine flu death rate estimates 'flawed'
Professor Azra Ghani and Dr Tini Garske tell New Scientist about their new study in the British Medical Journal
12 June 2009
Pandemic status indicates spread of disease, not severity
Rector Sir Roy Anderson talks to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme about how the UK is well prepared for a major outbreak of swine flu.
12 June 2009
Millions of Britons 'could be infected with swine flu'
Professor Neil Ferguson describes how widespread illness could lead to mass school closures in the Daily Telegraph.
12 June 2009
Pandemic: swine flu goes global
Dr Mike Skinner talks to ABC about why the virus seems to be targeting younger people.
11 June 2009
Swine flu spreads
Professor Azra G hani is interviewed for Channel 4 News on how swine flu is different from seasonal flu.
11 June 2009
WHO declares swine flu pandemic
Dr Christophe Fraser speaks to BBC World Service o n the meaning of the change in pandemic alert from phase 5 to 6.
11 June 2009
Latest lowdown on swine flu
Professor Wendy Barclay answers some of the big swine flu questions for Newsround on Children’s BBC.
8 June 2009
Expert: hospitals missing true extent of swine flu infection
Professor Neil Ferguson comments in the Times on hospital surveillance for swine flu virus in patients with respiratory diseases.
15 May 2009
Avian flu beaten by cold noses
Professor Wendy Barclay in the Financial Times on why avian flu viruses rarely infect people.
14 May 2009
Human noses too cold for bird flu
If a human influenza strain were to evolve by mixing with an avian influenza virus, it would still need more changes to become successful at infecting people. Professor Wendy Barclay explains her study to BBC News Online.
12 May 2009
New possible swine flu cases in Scotland to be investigated
Professor Neil Ferguson comments in the Herald on his Science paper.
12 May 2009
Swine flu could be as severe as Asian flu
Dr Christophe Fraser discusses the Science paper on ABC.
12 May 2009
Swine flu virus has true pandemic potential
Professor Neil Ferguson discusses his Science paper on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.
11 May 2009
First analysis of swine flu spread supports pandemic plan
New Scientist discusses the Science paper with quotes from Dr Christophe Fraser and Professor Neil Ferguson.
11 May 2009
Judging the WHO's Reaction to the H1N1 Flu Threat
Dr Christophe Fraser discusses Imperial research published in Science ,which shows that H1N1 is transmitted considerably easier than the regular seasonal flu, with Time.
11 May 2009
British swine flu total rises to 55
Professor Wendy Barclay on how the virus can protect us, in the Daily Express.
10 May 2009
Breakthrough in search for swine flu jab
Professor Wendy Barclay comments in the Times on the sequencing of the European strain of the virus.
3 May 2009
Mutant fears over mild flu
A feature on viral virulence in the Sunday Times, with comments from Professor Neil Ferguson on how the virus might spread, and Professor Wendy Barclay on how swine flu compares with seasonal flu.
3 May 2009
Swine flu jab spells cutback for winter virus vaccine
Professor Peter Openshaw comments in the Observer on the best way of protecting yourself, in an article about vaccine production.
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2 May 2009
Swine flu virus could be mild strain, scientists say
Professor Wendy Barclay on how the swine flu virus works, in the Daily Telegraph.
1 May 2009
Has a pandemic begun?
Sir Roy Anderson, infectious disease epidemiologist and Rector of Imperial College London, discusses what should be believed about the likelihood of a pandemic on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.
29 April 2009
Virus expert explains swine flu
Professor Wendy Barclay talks to Newsround on Children’s BBC about what research is being done and how you can protect yourself.
29 April 2009
Expert analysis: Mexican swine flu – the story so far
Professor Wendy Barclay analyses the background to the outbreak of Mexican swine flu for New Scientist.
28 April 2009
Deadly strain of swine flu gets under radar of the immune system
Professor Wendy Barclay on how the swine flu virus may have evolved, in the Times.
