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The flu (influenza) is a subject of public interest and intense scientific research. Much of the research is aimed at preventing disease on the scale of the 1918 influenza pandemic. Current efforts are largely focused on disease surveillance and developing vaccines. The recent outbreaks of bird flu have cause some concerns among scientists that the infection could become transmissible between humans, causing a pandemic similar to the 1918 pandemic. Researchers are studying these strains of influenza to better understand and reduce this risk.

Disease surveillance is used to understand how the flu viruses spread and change. Viruses of both humans and animals are being tracked. Currently, transmission of viruses from animals to people is rare.

Surveillance also allows changes in the genetics of the viruses to occur. This provides data to scientists to predict which flu strains are likely to occur in the next season of outbreaks and allows for vaccines to be developed. In addition, scientists continue to work to develop vaccines that may be administered once instead of annually.