Influenza pandemics bring not only sickness to individuals, but on a population level thereˇs significant social disruption and economic loss. In the 20th century, the world has been exposed to three major influenza pandemics, in 1918/1919, 1957/1958 and 1968/1969. The Asian connection of these pandemics is far too obvious. The World Health Organisation predicted that ¨the world will face up to several hundred million outpatient visits, more than 25 million hospital admissions and several million deaths globally, within a very short period〃(www.who.int).

The current Avian Influenza outbreaks in poultry and the reported human infections serves as a wake-up call to the human population on the need for effective preparedness. Understandably, interdisciplinary research plays a key role in helping us understand the natural course of the infection, evaluate treatment responses, identify opportunities for intervention, and assess impacts in a public health context. Itˇs against this background that an Influenza Research Group has been established by the Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEID) towards the end of 2005.

At the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Public Health, the CEID Influenza Research Group brings together researchers from different fields to build a coordinated effort in supporting the development of effective clinical and public health responses to influenza. The primary aim of the Group is to enhance influenza preparedness in Hong Kong and the region. Specifically the Groupˇs objectives are, to:

stimulate, promote and support collaborative inter-disciplinary research on influenza
coordinate research activities and provide connections with clinical and public health services

The Influenza Research Group is both a focal point for effective coordination, as well as a forum for supporting the generation of research activities on all aspects of influenza. The main programme areas of the Group are:

diagnostics, prophylaxis & clinical management
infection control
public health impacts and response
basic science studies

Research activities are conducted as projects led by the respective investigators who are academic staff of CEID or are affiliated with the Centre as researchers. A coordinator provides the oversight for the operation of the Group.

DIAGNOSTICS, PROPHYMAXIS & CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Cohort study on clinical profile and treatment responses
Rapid diagnosis and quantitative assay of avian influenza
Screening of new antiviral compounds
The role of TCM in influenza

INFECTION CONTROL

Fever surveillance in hospital setting
Risk of oxygen therapy and NPPV

PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS & RESPONSES

Excess mortality due to influenza in Hong Kong
Community perception and responses
Responses to influenza vaccines
Responses of health care workers
Risk communication of avian influenza

BASIC SCIENCE STUDIES

Pathogenesis of avian influenza
Development of novel anti-flu agents

		Background			Projects
		Objectives			Coordinator
		Portfolio			Investigators

Background

Influenza pandemics bring not only sickness to individuals, but on a population level thereˇs significant social disruption and economic loss. In the 20th century, the world has been exposed to three major influenza pandemics, in 1918/1919, 1957/1958 and 1968/1969. The Asian connection of these pandemics is far too obvious. The World Health Organisation predicted that ¨the world will face up to several hundred million outpatient visits, more than 25 million hospital admissions and several million deaths globally, within a very short period〃(www.who.int). The current Avian Influenza outbreaks in poultry and the reported human infections serves as a wake-up call to the human population on the need for effective preparedness. Understandably, interdisciplinary research plays a key role in helping us understand the natural course of the infection, evaluate treatment responses, identify opportunities for intervention, and assess impacts in a public health context. Itˇs against this background that an Influenza Research Group has been established by the Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEID) towards the end of 2005.
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Objectives

At the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Public Health, the CEID Influenza Research Group brings together researchers from different fields to build a coordinated effort in supporting the development of effective clinical and public health responses to influenza. The primary aim of the Group is to enhance influenza preparedness in Hong Kong and the region. Specifically the Groupˇs objectives are, to: stimulate, promote and support collaborative inter-disciplinary research on influenza coordinate research activities and provide connections with clinical and public health services
Top
Portfolio

The Influenza Research Group is both a focal point for effective coordination, as well as a forum for supporting the generation of research activities on all aspects of influenza. The main programme areas of the Group are: diagnostics, prophylaxis & clinical management infection control public health impacts and response basic science studies Research activities are conducted as projects led by the respective investigators who are academic staff of CEID or are affiliated with the Centre as researchers. A coordinator provides the oversight for the operation of the Group. DIAGNOSTICS, PROPHYMAXIS & CLINICAL MANAGEMENT Cohort study on clinical profile and treatment responses Rapid diagnosis and quantitative assay of avian influenza Screening of new antiviral compounds The role of TCM in influenza INFECTION CONTROL Fever surveillance in hospital setting Risk of oxygen therapy and NPPV PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS & RESPONSES Excess mortality due to influenza in Hong Kong Community perception and responses Responses to influenza vaccines Responses of health care workers Risk communication of avian influenza BASIC SCIENCE STUDIES Pathogenesis of avian influenza Development of novel anti-flu agents
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Projects

Role of cytokines and chemokines in severe and complicated influenza infections A pilot study on the feasibility of fever surveillance in the hospital setting
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Coordinator

Professor Joseph Sung Influenza Research Group Coordinator Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases School of Public Health The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, Hong Kong Tel: 2252 8812 Fax: 2635 4977 Email: joesung@cuhk.edu.hk
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Investigators

Professor Paul Chan, CEID & Department of Microbiology Professor KW Choi, CEID & Tai Po Nethersole Hospital Professor Sian Griffiths, School of Public Health Professor ML He, CEID Professor David Hui, CEID & Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Professor HF Kung, CEID Professor Joseph Lau, CEID & Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Professor Nelson Lee, CEID & Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Professor SS Lee, CEID Professor Joseph Sung, CEID & Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Professor MD Zhang, CEID The list would be updated from time to time


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