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03 September 2012 09:51
Evidence flu can be caught before symptoms appear is mounting
New research suggests flu viruses may be transmitted before any symptoms appear. A study of ferrets carried out by scientists at Imperial College London supports previous studies showing viral particles carried in mucus droplets can be expelled into the air not only via coughing and sneezing but also as a result of normal breathing.
People who have seen holidays blighted by a bout of the flu will be interested in the findings, however those suffering other health problems too should still arrange pre-existing medical travel insurance. The study published in online journal PLoS ONE, is the first of its kind to explore non-symptomatic flu transmission in an animal. Ferrets with flu were put near healthy ferrets for short periods of time at various stages post-infection and even before the flu carriers began to display fever symptoms the virus was transmitted. The animals - which show similar symptoms to humans and are susceptible to similar virus strains - are often used in flu research.
Professor Wendy Barclay, lead researcher at Imperial College, said: "This result has important implications for pandemic planning strategies. It means that the spread of flu is very difficult to control, even with self-diagnosis and measures such as temperature screens at airports. It also means that doctors and nurses who don't get the flu jab are putting their patients at risk because they might pass on an infection when they don't know they're infected."
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
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22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.
13 September 2016
Travellers are to be charged to use fast lanes to get through passport checks in an attempt to cut queues.
09 September 2016
People travelling to regions affected by the Zika virus outbreak should practise safe sex for at least half a year upon their return, health leaders say.
08 September 2016
British Airways is apologising to passengers for delays after an IT glitch hit check-in systems.
07 September 2016
Tiny particles that are breathed in and taken into the brain through air pollution could trigger Alzheimer's disease, research finds.