Contagion study to beat swine flu spread

Tuesday August 25th, 2009

British researchers want to find out how contagious swine flu is - to pin down ways of preventing its spread.

More than two million pounds is to be pumped into swine flu research in Britain, it was announced yesterday.

The cash will pay for some 14 research projects in seven British cities.

The cash has been allocated by the government-funded National Institute for Health Research.

Although swine flu, H1N1, is known to be highly contagious, spreading rapidly through schools, researchers say more details are needed to help prevent its spread.

Professor Jonathan Nguyen Van-Tam of the University of Nottingham, hopes to find out the "safe distance" that a patient can stand to prevent infection.

He also wants to know how much the virus is spread through the air - and how much through being on hard surfaces.

Professor Van-Tam said: "Very little is currently known about the H1N1 virus which makes it very hard to predict the numbers of people likely to catch it and how best to treat them.

"For example, we do not know how long the virus is excreted by infected humans and how much virus is spread to surfaces and carried in the air."

Other researchers will study the impacts of face masks and school closures.

There will also be work to help doctors decide priorities for critical care of seriously ill patients.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, head of Research and Development at the UK Department of Health said: "We are rapidly learning about the emerging swine flu risk profile - solid clinical and scientific evidence must be at the heart of this.

"The research projects announced today will ensure the UK remains well armed to respond to swine flu, help prevent infection, and save lives."

Tags: Child Health | Flu & Viruses | Respiratory | UK News

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