News

First NIHR-funded swine flu project publishes in The Lancet

22 January 2010

One of fourteen projects funded by the NIHR into swine flu has published mid-term results in The Lancet today.

Researchers, led by Professor Elizabeth Miller at the Health Protection Agency, conducted a seroepidemiological survey in England to see how many people in different age groups had antibodies to H1N1 influenza before and after the first wave of the pandemic. This was in order to provide a direct measure of the incidence of infection in the population.

The study showed that infection rates in the first wave varied with age and with region, with London and the West Midlands being the most affected. It highlighted that children were more likely to be infected. Alongside this it showed a substantial number of older adults had pre-existing immunity to H1N1, potentially due to prior exposure to related H1N1 influenza viruses circulating in previous decades.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Director General of Research and Development at the Department of Health, commented, “These results have been reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and have been taken into account by the Department of Health as part of its modelling work to predict the development of the pandemic in the UK. The results of this study and those expected from the other projects will continue to add to our knowledge and understanding of the virus helping to ensure the UK remains well armed to respond to swine flu.”

The full results of this project are due to publish on the NETSCC website in September. The remaining projects are also expected to provide results over the next six months. To view a full list of projects visit www.netscc.ac.uk/supporting_research/project_portfolio.asp

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Notes to Editors:
1. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

2. NETSCC manages five research programmes on behalf of the National Institute for Health Research: The Efficacy Mechanism and evaluation (EME) programmes, the Health Services Research (HSR) programme, the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme, the Public Health Research (PHR) programme, and the Service Delivery and Organisation (SDO) programme.

Further information:
Naomi Stockley, Programme Manager (Communications), NETSCC, HTA Tel. 02380 595646, email ns5@southampton.ac.uk
Kelly Waterman, Assistant Programme Manager (Communications) NETSCC, HTA Tel: 02380 597 376, email: k.waterman@southampton.ac.uk