The National Collection of Type Cultures: where 100-year-old samples help solve today’s problems

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Scientist using a blow torch to seal an ampule with a bacterial sample inside Within the UK Health Security Agency lies a scientific treasure trove, known as the Culture Collections. Its 4 repositories house thousands of meticulously preserved microorganisms, with some specimens dating back to World War 1 and the late 19th Century. At their heart is … Read more

Changes to health protection notification regulations

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From 6 April 2025, we’re expanding the list of pathogens that Registered Medical Professionals and laboratories in England must notify us about. The changes will strengthen local and national surveillance and support a prompt response to outbreaks of infectious diseases. In this blog post, we will provide more information on the changes and important links. … Read more

Measles Is Back. And a Lot More People Are at Risk

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A friend called recently asking about measles. She’s the mother of four very young kids and wanted to know if she should be worried. She’d heard about the large measles outbreak in northwest Texas. Since January, more than 159 people are known to have been infected, and the outbreak has resulted in two deaths and … Read more