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March 03, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Triple Threat of Killer Flu"

Melbourne Sunday Herald(03/02/03) P. 10; Wilson, David; Riley, Robin

Health officials are warning residents of Victoria, Australia, that the region will be affected by three potentially fatal influenza strains within weeks.  The strains being tracked include the most virulent and deadly, A-Panama; A-New Caledonia; and the least severe strain, B-Hong-Kong virus. Dr. Alan Hampson, deputy director of the World Health Organization's influenza research center, recommended that people get vaccinated during March to allow time for the vaccine to work, and he estimated that this year the infection rate in Victoria could rise from less than 20 percent in the past few years to 30 percent this year.  The Australian Medical Association also reminded people that the flu can be fatal, with at least 400 Victorians dying from the flu or pneumonia each year.

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