Media

HKU Discovers a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Controlling Influenza Infections

28 Jun 2011

 

Influenza is an acute respiratory virus infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality that continues to threaten global public health. Vaccines may not be available in time for a novel pandemic strain, e.g. pandemic H1N1 virus and antivirals are the important front-line for defense against such threats. Some strains of influenza are resistant to currently available antiviral agents. Furthermore, the response of severe H5N1 influenza disease to currently available antivirals is sub-optimal. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop alternative strategies for treating influenza. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine discover a novel therapeutic strategy for controlling influenza infections by boosting human immune defense which significantly reduces the chance for the virus to resist the current available antiviral agents. The result is just published in the prestigious scientific journal- Journal of Experimental Medicine.

A press conference will be held to introduce the research results , details are listed as follows:

Date:      June 29, 2011 (Wednesday)
Time:      10:30 am - 11:30 am
Venue:    Mrs Chen Yang Foo Oi Telemedicine Centre,
                 2/F, William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Speakers:  Professor LAU Yu-lung
                     Doris Zimmern Professor in Community Child Health
                    Chair Professor of Paediatrics and Head
                    Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
                    The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

                    Professor Malik PEIRIS
                   Tam Wah-Ching Professor in Medical Science
                   Chair Professor
                   Department of Microbiology
                   The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

                   Dr. TU Wen-wei
                  Associate Professor
                  Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
                  The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

A shuttle bus is arranged to pick up the press from Admiralty for the press conference. Members of the press please wait at the bus stop near Café de Coral of Admiralty Centre (Exit A of the Admiralty MTR Station). The bus will leave at 10:00 am sharp.