HC Deb 25 February 1975 vol 887 c118W
45. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies have been undertaken by her Department on the relationship between the incidence of influenza and the levels of relative humidity.

Dr. Owen

None at present, but past research has shown some statistical evidence linking an increase in emergency bed bureau admissions for respiratory infections with a fall in relative humidity. Laboratory work has also shown that influenza viruses grow better in low relative humidity than high.