The Latest Breaking News from Influenza

Doctors have documented a rare case of a health worker catching H3N2 flu and then COVID-19 11 days later, just as H3N2 becomes the dominant strain this winter. Here's what that 'double hit' really means — and why experts say flu and COVID vaccines still matter.

Every winter, respiratory viruses, especially influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, put huge pressure on healthcare systems throughout Europe. In a typical season, flu causes up to 50 million symptomatic cases, and anywhere from 15,000 to 70,000 deaths per year on the continent.

Twice a year, 40 scientists gather together for five days to decide what strains of influenza to vaccinate against for the next flu season. It takes around six months to prepare the vaccine – which usually includes protection against three different strains of flu. So in February, the group’s decision…

H5N1 bird flu has infected growing numbers of people worldwide in recent years, but this week saw something new: the first recorded human case of an H5N5 avian influenza virus. What is this virus and how concerned about it should we be?

Dozens of cases of avian influenza have been reported in the last two months, with free range and organic farms particularly affected

A Phase 3 study funded by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) suggests that a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA influenza vaccine could offer stronger protection than traditional flu shots, marking a potential shift in how seasonal influenza is prevented.

Immunisation rates were far below target levels in the last flu season, new data shows.

Health officials urge at-risk people to get vaccinated against influenza ‘without delay’.

On November 13, Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food imposed the confinement of all free-range poultry farms to curb the spread of avian influenza – more commonly known as “bird flu” – caused by the H5N1 virus. This drastic, though not unprecedented, measure was justified by climbing numbers of…