Flu & Viruses

  • Flu vaccine failing as winter deaths soar

    This winter’s flu vaccine has proved almost worthless against the most common strain of the virus in circulation in the UK, it was announced last night. Read more

  • Hope for virus breakthrough

    Scientists believe they have made a major breakthrough in the search for treatments for common viruses, including those behind the common cold and HIV. Read more

  • Ebola vaccine new hope

    An Ebola vaccine being tested in the UK has shown signs of effectiveness in trials on volunteers, it was announced last night. Read more

  • WHO pledges reform after Ebola crisis

    The "volatile" world of viruses and bacteria will always deliver surprises to humanity, the head of the World Health Organisation has said, announcing major reforms. Read more

  • Ebola programmed to kill

    The Ebola virus has an "evolutionary goal" to become more lethal, British researchers have warned. Read more

  • Flu jabs could target networkers

    Flu vaccination could be targeted simply at the most gregarious individuals in any community, according to a study of medical students. Read more

  • Cold temperatures better for cold virus

    The common cold virus can reproduce itself better in the cooler temperatures inside the nose than at core body temperature, a study out today reveals. Read more

  • Flu virus that became vaccine resistant

    A vaccine-resistant chicken flu virus may have provided the breeding ground for a disease that has killed hundreds of humans, researchers have revealed. Read more

  • Ebola from fruit bats?

    The Ebola epidemic in West Africa may have been triggered by contact with infected bats, researchers say today. Read more

  • One drug to cure all?

    A single protein could hold the key to treatments for a range of diseases, including Ebola and some other viral and bacterial infections and cancers, researchers claimed last night. Read more