Flu Watch 2008-09
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Primary Care and Population Sciences
Abstract
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Technical Summary
Amended Post Award
Background: Flu Watch was developed by the UCL Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, the MRC General Practice Research Framework, the MRC Human Immunology Unit and the Health Protection Agency. Data collection on nearly 1500 participants is nearing completion. Analysis of the first year‘s data shows novel findings requiring further investigation within this unique epidemiologically, virologically and immunologically well characterised community household cohort. Serologically confirmed influenza levels are an order of magnitude higher then would be expected from GP consultation data with around 15% of our cohort having serologically confirmed H3N2 infection despite low levels of influenza reported through national surveillance. A high proporiton of infections were asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. Risk of infection was highest in children and lowest in the elderly. The baseline serological response protects against infection.
Background: Flu Watch was developed by the UCL Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, the MRC General Practice Research Framework, the MRC Human Immunology Unit and the Health Protection Agency. Data collection on nearly 1500 participants is nearing completion. Analysis of the first year‘s data shows novel findings requiring further investigation within this unique epidemiologically, virologically and immunologically well characterised community household cohort. Serologically confirmed influenza levels are an order of magnitude higher then would be expected from GP consultation data with around 15% of our cohort having serologically confirmed H3N2 infection despite low levels of influenza reported through national surveillance. A high proporiton of infections were asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. Risk of infection was highest in children and lowest in the elderly. The baseline serological response protects against infection.
