Isaac Florence
@isaac-florence.bsky.social
Head of Health Protection Intelligence, Systems, and Data @ UK Health Security Agency.
Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, Civil Servant, Global health person
https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacflorence
Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, Civil Servant, Global health person
https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacflorence
Pinned
Our new team is now two years old and reflecting on that time we have a lot to be proud of. This next chapter is going to unlock some serious opportunities to do more good, impactful work, and so as a little commitment to myself, I am going to share more about it here on bluesky going forward 🦋
Reposted by Isaac Florence
We do not talk enough about how much vaccines have transformed Ebola outbreaks. The country stock pile of 2000 vaccines was immediately deployed to respond to the outbreak in the DRC and 45,000 additional doses have been approved for shipment to the DRC.
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
Ebola vaccination begins in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Vaccination of frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus disease has begun in Bulape health zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province where an outbr...
www.afro.who.int
September 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM
We do not talk enough about how much vaccines have transformed Ebola outbreaks. The country stock pile of 2000 vaccines was immediately deployed to respond to the outbreak in the DRC and 45,000 additional doses have been approved for shipment to the DRC.
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
I’ll ping you some Confluence pages 📃
September 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I’ll ping you some Confluence pages 📃
Reposted by Isaac Florence
New paper: we argue that a promising approach for studying mpox vaccine effectiveness in Central Africa to incorporate mpox vaccination + testing data into existing cohort studies, especially those for HIV/STIs.
www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...
www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...
Clade I mpox vaccination: strategies for deployment and evaluation
Clade I mpox continues to spread in Central Africa with no sign of abating,1 however
very few doses of vaccine have been deployed. Mpox vaccination strategies using either
of the licenced vaccines, MV...
www.thelancet.com
August 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
New paper: we argue that a promising approach for studying mpox vaccine effectiveness in Central Africa to incorporate mpox vaccination + testing data into existing cohort studies, especially those for HIV/STIs.
www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...
www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...
Less formally, those who know me will know how excited I am to begin working internationally and on Global Health, applying the work I’ve been doing at PHE/UKHSA for the past almost six years!
More updates to follow
More updates to follow
August 24, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Less formally, those who know me will know how excited I am to begin working internationally and on Global Health, applying the work I’ve been doing at PHE/UKHSA for the past almost six years!
More updates to follow
More updates to follow
For more on @ukhsa.bsky.social’s IHR-SP, see this blog governmentscienceandengineering.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/17/u.... And for more about how this work fits into broader government Overseas Development Aid spend, see devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/programme/GB...
UKHSA: International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project
The UKHSA International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project is a UKAid funded project, to improve global health security through increased compliance with the WHO IHR (2005). The project wo...
governmentscienceandengineering.blog.gov.uk
August 24, 2025 at 11:23 AM
For more on @ukhsa.bsky.social’s IHR-SP, see this blog governmentscienceandengineering.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/17/u.... And for more about how this work fits into broader government Overseas Development Aid spend, see devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/programme/GB...
In this role I’ll be working for my mentor, hero, and friend, @paulcleary.net on supporting the Pakistani Federal National Institute of Health and provincial departments of health on improving disease surveillance, particularly on the digital and data components that will underpin this.
August 24, 2025 at 11:23 AM
In this role I’ll be working for my mentor, hero, and friend, @paulcleary.net on supporting the Pakistani Federal National Institute of Health and provincial departments of health on improving disease surveillance, particularly on the digital and data components that will underpin this.
A little bit of personal career news (1/3) 🙋🏻♂️
With great excitement, I’ve recently started a new part-time role as a Technical Advisor for UKHSA’s Global Health Protection Directorate, focusing on the International Health Regulations Strengthening Programme (IHR-SP) in Pakistan.
With great excitement, I’ve recently started a new part-time role as a Technical Advisor for UKHSA’s Global Health Protection Directorate, focusing on the International Health Regulations Strengthening Programme (IHR-SP) in Pakistan.
August 24, 2025 at 11:23 AM
A little bit of personal career news (1/3) 🙋🏻♂️
With great excitement, I’ve recently started a new part-time role as a Technical Advisor for UKHSA’s Global Health Protection Directorate, focusing on the International Health Regulations Strengthening Programme (IHR-SP) in Pakistan.
With great excitement, I’ve recently started a new part-time role as a Technical Advisor for UKHSA’s Global Health Protection Directorate, focusing on the International Health Regulations Strengthening Programme (IHR-SP) in Pakistan.
Reposted by Isaac Florence
Just announced - @smhopkins.bsky.social will be the new chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social. Starting in September.
August 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Just announced - @smhopkins.bsky.social will be the new chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social. Starting in September.
Reposted by Isaac Florence
The Health Protection Research Units have been hiring a lot recently for roles across public health, but this one is a little different:
Drones for public health emergency logistics!
Part of the @ukhsa.bsky.social and Uni Birmingham joint HPRU
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Drones for public health emergency logistics!
Part of the @ukhsa.bsky.social and Uni Birmingham joint HPRU
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Coordinated Aerial Logistics for Emergency Response and National Resilience at University of Birmingham on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Coordinated Aerial Logistics for Emergency Response and National Resilience at University of Birmingham, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The Health Protection Research Units have been hiring a lot recently for roles across public health, but this one is a little different:
Drones for public health emergency logistics!
Part of the @ukhsa.bsky.social and Uni Birmingham joint HPRU
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Drones for public health emergency logistics!
Part of the @ukhsa.bsky.social and Uni Birmingham joint HPRU
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
For more on advice on staying safe from infectious diseases whilst travelling see NaTHNaC's travelhealthpro.org.uk/index.php
NaTHNaC - Home
travelhealthpro.org.uk
July 21, 2025 at 6:16 PM
For more on advice on staying safe from infectious diseases whilst travelling see NaTHNaC's travelhealthpro.org.uk/index.php
The report goes on to look at Hepatitis A, Measles, and other infections, including pointing to specialist epidemiology and surveillance reports on solely travel-associated infections like Malaria and other vector-borne diseases (Dengue, Zika, and others).
July 21, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The report goes on to look at Hepatitis A, Measles, and other infections, including pointing to specialist epidemiology and surveillance reports on solely travel-associated infections like Malaria and other vector-borne diseases (Dengue, Zika, and others).
Enteric fever (AKA Typhoid and Paratyphoid infections) cases follow a disimilar epidemiology to gastro-intestinal infections, where most cases are 21-30 and 65% are male.
82% of cases returned from India (46%), Pakistan (27%), and Bangladesh (9%).
82% of cases returned from India (46%), Pakistan (27%), and Bangladesh (9%).
July 21, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Enteric fever (AKA Typhoid and Paratyphoid infections) cases follow a disimilar epidemiology to gastro-intestinal infections, where most cases are 21-30 and 65% are male.
82% of cases returned from India (46%), Pakistan (27%), and Bangladesh (9%).
82% of cases returned from India (46%), Pakistan (27%), and Bangladesh (9%).
In thir report, for gastro-intestinal infections, the most commonly reported country from which cases have returned from overseas travel are Turkey (16%), Spain (10%), India (8%), & Egypt (6%).
The report incorporates guidance for travellers going abroad on how to avoid gastro-intestinal infections
The report incorporates guidance for travellers going abroad on how to avoid gastro-intestinal infections
July 21, 2025 at 6:16 PM
In thir report, for gastro-intestinal infections, the most commonly reported country from which cases have returned from overseas travel are Turkey (16%), Spain (10%), India (8%), & Egypt (6%).
The report incorporates guidance for travellers going abroad on how to avoid gastro-intestinal infections
The report incorporates guidance for travellers going abroad on how to avoid gastro-intestinal infections
For gastro-intestinal infections (mostly Cryptosporidium and Giardia), the most cases were indentified in children under 10 years old, and 59% of cases were Women. From an interpretation perspective, this is very likely to be a reporting bias where case ascertainment of infections is higher.
July 21, 2025 at 6:16 PM
For gastro-intestinal infections (mostly Cryptosporidium and Giardia), the most cases were indentified in children under 10 years old, and 59% of cases were Women. From an interpretation perspective, this is very likely to be a reporting bias where case ascertainment of infections is higher.
Over the last three years, overseas travel-associated infections have risen from winter through to a late Summer and Autumn peak. These are mostly gastro-intestinal infections and enteric fevers.
July 21, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Over the last three years, overseas travel-associated infections have risen from winter through to a late Summer and Autumn peak. These are mostly gastro-intestinal infections and enteric fevers.
Newly published @ukhsa.bsky.social report prepared by Field Epidemiology Service colleagues and my team on Travel-Associated infections, as we approach peak infection season in late Summer and Autumn
www.gov.uk/government/p... #EpiSky
www.gov.uk/government/p... #EpiSky
Travel-associated infections in England: 2022, 2023 and 2024 (Regional analysis)
www.gov.uk
July 21, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Newly published @ukhsa.bsky.social report prepared by Field Epidemiology Service colleagues and my team on Travel-Associated infections, as we approach peak infection season in late Summer and Autumn
www.gov.uk/government/p... #EpiSky
www.gov.uk/government/p... #EpiSky
Reposted by Isaac Florence
We’re pleased to welcome Professor Robin May as UKHSA’s Interim Chief Scientific Officer from September.
Robin joins us from @foodgov.bsky.social, bringing expertise in public health threats, and continues as Professor of Infectious Disease at @unibirmingham.bsky.social.
Robin joins us from @foodgov.bsky.social, bringing expertise in public health threats, and continues as Professor of Infectious Disease at @unibirmingham.bsky.social.
July 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
We’re pleased to welcome Professor Robin May as UKHSA’s Interim Chief Scientific Officer from September.
Robin joins us from @foodgov.bsky.social, bringing expertise in public health threats, and continues as Professor of Infectious Disease at @unibirmingham.bsky.social.
Robin joins us from @foodgov.bsky.social, bringing expertise in public health threats, and continues as Professor of Infectious Disease at @unibirmingham.bsky.social.
The National Biosecurity Centre will "strengthen and formalise existing collaborations between UKHSA, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to bolster the UK’s resilience to deliberate, accidental or naturally occurring biological incidents"
The government has announced plans for our new headquarters in Harlow, Essex. The National Biosecurity Centre will be operational from the mid-2030s.
This will create one of the world's largest health protection science centres, replacing facilities at Porton & Colindale
www.gov.uk/government/n...
This will create one of the world's largest health protection science centres, replacing facilities at Porton & Colindale
www.gov.uk/government/n...
July 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The National Biosecurity Centre will "strengthen and formalise existing collaborations between UKHSA, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to bolster the UK’s resilience to deliberate, accidental or naturally occurring biological incidents"
Reposted by Isaac Florence
The government has announced plans for our new headquarters in Harlow, Essex. The National Biosecurity Centre will be operational from the mid-2030s.
This will create one of the world's largest health protection science centres, replacing facilities at Porton & Colindale
www.gov.uk/government/n...
This will create one of the world's largest health protection science centres, replacing facilities at Porton & Colindale
www.gov.uk/government/n...
July 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The government has announced plans for our new headquarters in Harlow, Essex. The National Biosecurity Centre will be operational from the mid-2030s.
This will create one of the world's largest health protection science centres, replacing facilities at Porton & Colindale
www.gov.uk/government/n...
This will create one of the world's largest health protection science centres, replacing facilities at Porton & Colindale
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Isaac Florence
🦟"Vertical transmission in field-caught #mosquitoes identifies a mechanism for the establishment of #Usutu #virus in a temperate country" by Mirjam Schilling et al. at APHA, ZSL, @ukhsa.bsky.social in Scientific Reports @natureportfolio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
July 15, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🦟"Vertical transmission in field-caught #mosquitoes identifies a mechanism for the establishment of #Usutu #virus in a temperate country" by Mirjam Schilling et al. at APHA, ZSL, @ukhsa.bsky.social in Scientific Reports @natureportfolio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Isaac Florence
This death is really tragic and sadly avoidable. We have a safe and effective vaccine. High vaccination coverage protects not just the vaccinated but also the vulnerable in our communities. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Measles: Child dies at Alder Hey Children's hospital as cases surge
Seventeen children have been treated at the Liverpool hospital for the virus since June.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 13, 2025 at 1:02 PM
This death is really tragic and sadly avoidable. We have a safe and effective vaccine. High vaccination coverage protects not just the vaccinated but also the vulnerable in our communities. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
“The MI5 of disease prevention” - £1bn invested in new animal biosecurity centre as part of the National Security Strategy.
Set up as part of the National Biosecurity Centre Network coordinated by the Cabinet Office, for making relationships with UKHSA, APHA, and Dstl
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Set up as part of the National Biosecurity Centre Network coordinated by the Cabinet Office, for making relationships with UKHSA, APHA, and Dstl
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Greater security delivered for the British people with record billion-pound investment in new national biosecurity centre
Huge investment in new National Biosecurity Centre to protect the British public and the economy from future pandemics.
www.gov.uk
June 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
“The MI5 of disease prevention” - £1bn invested in new animal biosecurity centre as part of the National Security Strategy.
Set up as part of the National Biosecurity Centre Network coordinated by the Cabinet Office, for making relationships with UKHSA, APHA, and Dstl
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Set up as part of the National Biosecurity Centre Network coordinated by the Cabinet Office, for making relationships with UKHSA, APHA, and Dstl
www.gov.uk/government/n...
6 - This is also worth viewing in the context of the recent changes to the legislation that underpins this process. The updates to the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations added more notifiable diseases and we're expecting to resume reporting of notification statistics for these soon. Fin.
June 20, 2025 at 10:37 AM
6 - This is also worth viewing in the context of the recent changes to the legislation that underpins this process. The updates to the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations added more notifiable diseases and we're expecting to resume reporting of notification statistics for these soon. Fin.
5 - Whilst the above is driven by the epidemiology at the time, this demonstrates the value of the service for surveillance and improving the routine reporting pathway for notifiable diseases. With better data, we are better able to track and respond to changes in incidence of these diseases.
June 20, 2025 at 10:37 AM
5 - Whilst the above is driven by the epidemiology at the time, this demonstrates the value of the service for surveillance and improving the routine reporting pathway for notifiable diseases. With better data, we are better able to track and respond to changes in incidence of these diseases.