Infection

“Tremendously exciting” results in malaria combination trial

“Tremendously exciting” results in malaria combination trial

In August 2023 researchers in an international partnership shared the results of a Phase III study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The team comprised the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Institut des Sciences et Techniques and Institut de...

UKHSA meningitis warning: 1 in 8 students unprotected

UKHSA meningitis warning: 1 in 8 students unprotected

In August 2023 as the new academic year looms, the UKHSA and leading meningitis charities are “urging” students to check their vaccination status for meningitis and other diseases. A year ago, a similar warning was issued, and now the UKHSA is suggesting that data...

Moderna’s updated COVID-19 jab fit for variants

Moderna’s updated COVID-19 jab fit for variants

In a statement released in August 2023 Moderna announced that preliminary clinical trial data “confirm” that the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the autumn 2023 vaccination season “showed a significant boost in neutralising antibodies” against EG.5 and FL 1.5.1 variants....

“Eris” variant more infectious: are there vaccines?

“Eris” variant more infectious: are there vaccines?

The EG.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2, identified in February 2023, has been classed as a “variant of interest (VOI) by the WHO. A sub-variant of the Omicron variant, it is nicknamed “Eris” after the Greek goddess of “strife”. However, despite its apparently greater ability...

Nationwide survey finds Nipah virus in Indian bats

Nationwide survey finds Nipah virus in Indian bats

In July 2023 The Indian Express reported that the Pune-based Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) nationwide survey had found evidence of Nipah virus in circulation in the bat population across nine states and one Union...

World Hepatitis Day 2023: “We’re not waiting”

World Hepatitis Day 2023: “We’re not waiting”

Under the call to action “We’re not waiting”, World Hepatitis Day takes place on 28th July 2023. This slogan highlights the need for accelerated elimination efforts, celebrating the communities who are making change happen whilst demanding further action. Some types...

“Unusual increase” in GBS cases in Peru causes alert

“Unusual increase” in GBS cases in Peru causes alert

WHO reported in July 2023 that the National Centre for Epidemiology, Prevention, and Disease Control (CDC) of Peru has issued an epidemiological alert due to an “unusual increase” in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases. Apart from an outbreak in 2019, historica data...