Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
25 June 2012 11:05
Scientists have released the findings of a study of the H5N1 bird flu virus.
A controversial study into the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus has finally discovered the route it takes to reach pandemic stage.
Scientists studied the virus in a lab and found that it only needed five mutations before it became airborne.
The release in Science magazine follows eight months of discussions with biosecurity experts on how much information should be released to the public. Those travelling would be wise to ensure their medical travel insurance provides cover in the event of contracting an infectious virus.
The H5N1 virus cannot currently spread between people, but scientists, who infected ferrets to mimic the virus in humans, set out to discover the kind of changes that would make it catchable through coughs and sneezes releasing it into the air.
The team, led by Ron Fouchier, professor of molecular virology in the department of virology at the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, altered the genetics of the virus and found that it spread among the ferrets through physical contact and underwent five mutations before it became transmissable via the tiny droplets that are the result of sneezes and coughs.
15 December 2018
Older people are 50% more likely to take themselves to A&E if they live alone, a new study has revealed.
[more...]
14 December 2018
Over 4.3 million older people in the UK are at risk of not getting the care they need just because of their postcode, new research has revealed.
13 December 2018
Space tourism could move one giant leap closer this week as Virgin Galactic expects to reach "space altitudes" for the first time.
12 December 2018
If you're worried about piling on the pounds this Christmas, regular home weighing could prevent you from excessive festive eating and drinking.
11 December 2018
Airlines that automatically cancel return flights when passengers fail to show for their outbound journeys are being warned they risk breaking consumer law.
08 December 2018
Providing better conditions for disabled passengers is one of the main aims of a proposed new charter for airlines and airports.
07 December 2018
Women who don't attend cervical screenings should be offered testing kits they can use at home, new research suggests.
06 December 2018
Ryanair could be slapped with enforcement action from the airline regulator after it refused compensation for passengers hit by flight disruption caused by staff taking strike action.
05 December 2018
Protein supplements and muscle training could be the most effective ways to delay or reverse the effects of frailty, a new study suggests.
04 December 2018
Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane has helped create a new exhibition to raise awareness of the loneliness felt by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
01 December 2018
A leading charity has praised the actions of Lloyd Russell-Moyle, saying the Labour MP had "done everybody a service" by disclosing his HIV status.
30 November 2018
Sweating out the daily stresses in a sauna could be linked to a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people aged 50 and over, according to a new study.