has been awarded an OBE for his services to public health, to epidemiology and to adult social care, particularly during Covid-19, has been awarded an OBE for his for services to the advancement of the science of radiation protection, Professor Paul Klapper has been awarded an OBE for services to viral diagnostic testing, and Professor Paul Howarth has been awarded a CBE for his significant contribution and service to the nuclear industry and to UK research and development (R&D).

The list celebrates individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country - such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life.

Ian Hall is a Professor of Mathematical Epidemiology and Statistics at The University of Manchester. He is a long-standing member of SPI-M (the pandemic disease modelling advisory group) and played a critical role in the operations of this group during the swine flu and Covid-19 pandemics.

During the Covid-19 pandemic he was academic chair of the SAGE working group of Social Care and participated in the SAGE Environmental Modelling Group as well as attending SAGE itself. He was also involved in a number of research projects, including the national core study on transmission () and Project TRACK to understand and control the risks on public transport. He also helped analyse data from a new heat map, providing a national picture of the spread over time.

Since the pandemic, Professor Hall has continued working with UKHSA through an honorary contract, notably with Health Equity Division on vaccination strategies in prison and homeless settings.

His other research interests include the impact of diseases on vulnerable populations and the study of vector-borne infectious diseases and environmental infections, such as Legionnaires Disease.

Richard Wakeford is an Honorary Professor in Epidemiology in the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH), having been Professor in Epidemiology at the Centre before retiring at the end of 2019. He specialises in the epidemiology of exposure to ionising radiation, particularly as related to radiological protection.

Professor Wakeford is a member of various committees, including the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) following the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, and for 25 years was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Radiological Protection.

Richard completed his PhD in high energy physics at the University of Liverpool in 1978 and worked for British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) for nearly 30 years. It was the many challenges faced at BNFL where he developed his skills in radiation epidemiology and radiological protection. He was privileged to work with Sir Richard Doll during this time. After taking early retirement from BNFL, Richard joined the University, initially through an association with Dalton Nuclear Institute and then joining COEH.

Paul Klapper is Professor of Clinical Virology at The University of Manchester. He began his career in virology in 1976 working as a laboratory technician at Booth Hall Children’s Hospital. He completed his PhD while working at 91ֱ�� Royal Infirmary on the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis - a topic he continued to work on for over 20 years and led to the development of a reliable molecular diagnostic test for the condition. He also helped establish independent quality assurance testing in the infancy of viral molecular diagnostic testing. 

Throughout his career, Professor Klapper has been at the forefront of several key developments of viral diagnostic testing. Notably, he worked with the Greater 91ֱ�� Hepatitis C testing strategy, developing community-based testing methods to aid control of the HCV pandemic. In 1981, he became an NHS Clinical Scientist, working in both 91ֱ�� and Leeds as a Consultant Clinical Scientist. Ten years later, in 1991 became a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathology. 

On retiring from the NHS in 2012, Professor Klapper joined The University of Manchester as a Professor of Clinical Virology.  Early in 2020, he volunteered to help with establishment of large scale Covid-19 testing and became the clinical lead for the Alderley Park testing facility. He also served as a Clinical Advisor for testing with the Department of Health.

 Professor Klapper continues to conduct vital research in blood-borne virus infection and in congenital human cytomegalovirus infection.

Paul Howarth is Professor of Nuclear Technology at The University of Manchester and Chief Executive of National Nuclear Laboratory. 

Professor Howarth has had a distinguished career working in and for the nuclear sector, building a reputation as one of the leading figures in the UK nuclear sector and around the global industry. After completing his degree in Physics and Astrophysics and PhD in Nuclear Physics, he started his career working on the European Fusion Programme. Early in his career he was awarded a prestigious Royal Society Fellowship to work in Japan on their nuclear programme. On returning to the UK he continued to work on nuclear fission leading the UK’s advanced reactor programme while working at British Nuclear Fuels, co-founding the at the University  and working closely with UK Government on building the case for new nuclear build.

Professor Howarth was appointed CEO for the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) in 2011 following its creation as a public corporation, having been instrumental in its establishment from British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL). During his tenure as CEO, NNL has been transformed into a successful business and a true national laboratory, delivering profits to reinvest into nuclear science and technology and critical support to nuclear organisations in the public and private sectors. 

The birthday honours are awarded by the King following recommendations by the prime minister, senior government ministers, or members of the public.

The awards recognise active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers who have made significant achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.

To see the full Birthday Honours List 2024, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-kings-birthday-honours-list-2024  

Although now not as prevalent as during its peak in 2016, Zika remains an ongoing threat, with thousands of cases of the mosquito-borne virus reported each year, mainly in countries close to the equator. Pregnant women continue to be the population at highest risk for the infection as the virus can cause severe foetal birth defects.

The vaccine originates from a 2016 Zika Rapid Response grant awarded to Dr Tom Blanchard (Consultant at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool) and colleagues in his former position at the University of Manchester, in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Dr Blanchard has since developed a number of iterations to enhance the vaccine’s effectiveness and manufacturing scale-up.

Liverpool researchers have been driving this project forward since 2017 despite the unanticipated challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The team has used an approach to develop a vaccine based on studies to understand immunity to Zika and other related viruses.

It’s hoped that the vaccine, designed to be suitable for use during pregnancy, will generate highly protective and long-lasting immunity. Having shown promising results in animal studies, the vaccine has now moved into a ‘first in human’ Phase I trial. If successful, the new trial could lead to a major breakthrough in tackling the Zika virus, for which there are still no approved vaccines or treatments available anywhere in the world.

Healthy volunteers recruited to the trial will receive two doses of the new vaccine to evaluate its safety, tolerability and its ability to produce an immune response. The vaccine will be assessed in groups of four volunteers at a time, with numbers increasing as evidence of safety accumulates. Up to 40 volunteers in this phase of work is planned which will be taking place over the next nine months. In addition, the performance of the vaccine will also be assessed in people who have had exposure to other viruses that circulate in the places where Zika virus is found, such as dengue virus, or yellow fever vaccine.

The vaccine work was supported by a £4.7 million Innovate UK SBRI Vaccines for Global Epidemics award and includes collaborators from the University of Manchester, the UKHSA and industry.

Project lead Professor Neil French, Director of the Centre for Global Vaccine Research at the University of Liverpool and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Royal Liverpool University Hospital said: “The development of this Zika vaccine has been achieved through a strong collaborative effort in both Liverpool and our partners. It is important that we turn our excellent science into products that can protect and improve human health. This is the first of several vaccines which are moving from laboratory concept to human use, created by Liverpool researchers and strengthening UK vaccine innovation.”

“Zika should not be forgotten especially since climate change is contributing to the spread of the Aedes mosquitoes (the mosquitoes that can carry the Zika virus) to countries where immunity is not there. Vaccines like ours will enable us to be better prepared for the next Zika outbreak,” says Dr Krishanthi Subramaniam, a tenure-track research fellow who led on the studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the vaccine to lower virus levels in animals.

“The pandemic taught and continues to teach us that infectious diseases are a global issue but with the help of vaccines we can make great strides in keeping everyone safe.”

Pam Vallely, Professor of Medical Virology at The University of Manchester, said: "Congratulations to Dr Tom Blanchard formerly of The University of Manchesternow at Liverpool for progress on producing the first Zika vaccine to go into clinical trials. The work leading to this success was initiated here at UoM as part of an MRC award to Dr Blanchard and co-applicants Prof Pam Vallely and Dr Eddie McKenzie.”

Professor Richard Fitzgerald, Clinical Research Facility Director at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Associate Consultant in Clinical Pharmacology and General Internal Medicine said: “We are pleased to be taking part in this ground-breaking trial working with University of Liverpool, which aims to find a vaccine that will protect current and future generations of people against the devasting effects of the Zika virus.

“The study is taking place in our state-of-the-art NIHR Clinical Research Facility, a new space designed with our participants in mind, giving those on the unit the best environment to take part in life changing research.”

Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Advisor at UKHSA, said: “UKHSA is proud to play a critical role in this milestone moment – carrying out vital work on testing the impact of this novel vaccine in the laboratory using our unique vaccine evaluation capabilities and deploying our recombinant vaccine platform technology to produce the vaccine for testing. UKHSA continues to enhance its work in vaccine discovery, development and evaluation, with the aim of strengthening preparedness for future pandemics and other high consequence infectious diseases.”

This trial is open to healthy individuals aged between 18-59. Those interested in taking part can text ZIKA to 07342065915 for more info or email cru.contact@liverpoolft.nhs.uk. Participants will be reimbursed for their inconvenience plus travel costs.

A team of experts who are looking to combat viruses are to make a plea to the general public to help them in a new research project by becoming garden detectives - and hunt for the humble woodlouse.

Materials and antiviral expert Dr Sam Jones, from The University of Manchester, is on a quest for blue coloured woodlice as they are actually infested with an insect virus called iridovirus - and isopods like woodlice serve as natural hosts. However, iridovirus poses no threat to humans.

The distinctive blue colour is, in fact, caused by a crystal forming within the diseased creature’s tissue – and from this biochemistry Dr Jones believes a new test could be developed to measure the effectiveness of a revolutionary antiviral material.

Dr Jones has helped to create a new antiviral material to help destroy viruses on contact - and this breakthrough treatment may help in the fight against pandemics.

Dr Jones’ project team will include Dr Ahu Parry, from 91ֱ��’s Department of Materials, an expert in structural colour. Louis Nicholls, currently studying for an Entomology MSc at Harper Adams University, is also advising.

To develop the proposed virus tester, Dr Jones and his PhD student Solen Monteil, from the graphene centre for doctoral training (), have prepared a page on the SciStarter citizen science which contains information to help would-be blue woodlice detectives.

Also, volunteers can visit the 91ֱ�� team’s where their finds can be added to a global map of all woodlice found and follow them on .

“The general idea is for people to get out and try and find woodlice. Specifically, we are looking for blue woodlice which are infected with a virus and if people find one they can send it to us and we will study the virus.” said Dr Jones.

“The virus is an iridovirus, of which there are lots of different ones - but this specific virus infects woodlice. There is no risk of humans catching this virus.

“We are interested in it because it forms a crystalline structure within the unfortunate woodlouse, that leads to the blue colour. We can potentially use this blue colour as a sign of effectiveness of our antiviral materials. 

“The colour comes from the structure of the virus and we want to test our antivirals to see if it destroys the virus on contact – if it does, it should get rid of the blue colour.

“Whether this helps the woodlice or not is still unclear - but it could be a quick colourimetric test to check if our antivirals are effective.” 

A major new collaborative project to develop a Zika virus vaccine that is suitable for use in pregnancy has been launched.

Supported by a £4.7million award from Department of Health and Social Care, managed by Innovate UK, the project aims to take two new vaccine candidates through to a clinical trial in humans within the next three years.

It is led by the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with the University of Manchester, Public Health England and industry, 

Pregnant women continue to be the population at highest risk of a Zika virus infection as the virus can cause severe foetal birth defects. However, no approved vaccine or treatment is currently available.

In collaboration with the University of Manchester, Public Health England and industry, the researchers plan to confirm the safety of two new vaccine candidates, based on a safe derivative of a pre-existing smallpox vaccine, before moving into Phase 1a first-in-human studies at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital’s Clinical Research Unit.

The team is taking a ‘twin track’ approach to develop a vaccine that produces both antibody and killer T cell responses in order to generate better and longer lasting immunity.

The candidates have been chosen for their safety record, their known beneficial effects when used in combination, and also their potential to be used as vaccines for more than one disease in the future. Importantly, they should also be safe to use during pregnancy.

The research is being led by Professor Neil French and Dr Lance Turtle at the University of Liverpool, Dr Tom Blanchard at The University of Manchester and Professor Miles Carrol at Public Health England.

Dr Blanchard said: “Making an effective, affordable and safe vaccine for Zika is a priority.

"I’m delighted to have brought about this collaboration of the Universities of Manchester & Liverpool, The Royal Liverpool Hospital and Porton Down to maximise the chances of success”

Professor French, Director of the Centre for Global Vaccine Research at the University of Liverpool and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital said: “Infection research in Liverpool is world leading and we are focused on delivering life changing vaccines and treatments for the most important infectious diseases around the globe.

“Although the current Zika outbreak has slowed, there remains a significant risk of foetal abnormality when pregnant mothers become infected, and the changing climate raises the possibility of major epidemics occurring in previously unaffected parts of the world. A ready to use vaccine would dramatically reduce the threat that we face from Zika.”

Public and Global Health Minister, Steve Brine said: “Britain is a global leader in cutting-edge healthcare research and we should rightly be proud of our scientists and laboratories - this trial has enormous potential to help millions of people.

“Disease transcends lines on a map, so by funding this research we are ensuring British expertise will save and improve lives at home and abroad.”

The work builds upon initial vaccine development research funded through the UK’s Zika Rapid Response Initiative in 2016, which identified the two potential vaccine candidates and immunological studies undertaken at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at the University of Liverpool.

The funding for this project is part of a wider programme of Official Development Assistance spending by the Department of Health and Social Care that aims to support the development of vaccines and associated technologies against diseases with epidemic potential. The Zika virus is one of 12 priority pathogens, identified by the UK Vaccine Network, that this programme targets.

The World Health Organisation set a goal to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030. The NHS recently announced that it will go one better than that: it will eliminate the disease in England by . In theory, the goal is achievable, but there are still significant challenges to overcome.

 is a viral infection that causes chronic liver disease, which can lead to life-threatening complications. Thankfully, a new class of drugs, known as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionised hepatitis C treatment. A three month course of DAAs can clear hepatitis C from the blood.

The drugs aren’t perfect, though. They have a failure rate of . However, the real problem with eliminating the disease lies in the hidden nature of the hepatitis C epidemic in the UK.

For many years it was known that some blood donations, or products made from blood, such as factor VIII used to treat haemophilia, contained an unknown virus that inflammed the liver (hepatitis) in patients who received a transfusion. The identity of this virus remained unknown until the mid-1980s when the development of new technologies allowed the virus to be identified by its gene sequence.

Tests on blood donations soon followed, designed to help prevent the transmission of the virus by transfusion or during surgery. As these tests were applied more widely, though, the real extent of the problem with hepatitis C virus began to emerge.

By the early 1990s, it became clear that many more people were infected than previously thought. Two groups were particularly affected: those who had been infected through medical treatment (including some children who had been infected by their mother either in the womb or during the process of birth), and a second much larger group who had used illegal drugs (injecting or inhaling drugs through the nose). Many of the infected people had not used drugs for years.

Hepatitis C doesn’t usually cause symptoms in the early stages of infection, but the virus remains in the liver, causing a hidden and silent infection in at least 80% of cases. (In 20% of cases, the patient’s immune system manages to clear the virus on its own.) Over decades, the infection causes progressive liver damage. By the time the patient begins to suffer from fatigue as a result of the infection, liver failure and liver cirrhosis has usually set in. This can progress to liver cancer (hepatoma) and premature death. Globally, hepatitis C virus infection is now a leading cause of liver transplantation.

As with many viral infections, at first there were few treatment options. The antiviral drug interferon was tried with limited success. Treatment was improved when interferon was combined with a second antiviral drug, ribavirin. However, some strains of the virus proved very difficult to treat, requiring 12 months of continuous therapy, and even then the infection sometimes returned .

The development of DAAs has revolutionised treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Now, short treatment courses effectively cure the infection in a high percentage of cases. Because of this, transmission of the infection between people can be stopped, leading to the enticing prospect that hepatitis C virus infection could be eliminated.

Elimination should not of course be confused with eradication. So far, only one human virus infection, smallpox, has been eradicated. Others, , are close to global eradication.

A hidden disease

The current problem with hepatitis C infection is not how we should treat it, it is rather how do we identify those who are infected so that they can be guided into treatment and cure. For those who contracted infection through medical interventions and do not know they are infected, they may not yet be suffering the symptoms of long-term infection that would cause them to seek medical help. The biggest problem, however, lies with drug users – a social group that tends to actively avoid the health system for fear of being challenged or stigmatised because of current or former drug use.

In order to reach these two groups of infected people, new approaches to diagnosis outside of conventional healthcare facilities need to be much more widely applied. Simple rapid tests on blood or saliva specimens that can be used anywhere, or even self-collection of blood dried onto filter paper spots (known as “”), offer ways to greatly extend the numbers of people who come forward for diagnosis. The wider application of these tests will be an essential step in persuading people who may be in denial about their risk of infection into a programme that offers a cure.

Hepatitis C virus could be eliminated. The treatment to do this is available, it appears to be  and the technology to provide quick and easy diagnosis is available. However, a concerted and coordinated effort to reach the infected, but untested public, will be necessary if the NHS is to achieve its worthwhile goal of eliminating hepatitis C in England by 2025.

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