Swine flu research on children and pregnant women fast tracked

Urgent research providing information on swine flu is to be fast tracked by the Department of Health.

The research, to be launched this week, will help the government to respond to the virus in the forthcoming months.

Research centres in Leicester, Nottingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Manchester and London will be covering fourteen projects costing a total of £2.25 million

Research will be carried out on children as well as adults as children so far appear to hold onto the virus for longer.

School closure as an effective method of halting the spread of swine flu is one avenue that will be researched, as will the management and treatment of swine flu in pregnant women.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Director General of Research and Development at the Department of Health said: “We are rapidly learning about the emerging swine flu risk profile – solid clinical and scientific evidence must be at the heart of this.

“The research projects announced today will ensure the UK remains well armed to respond to swine flu, help prevent infection, and save lives.”