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July 5, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Warning: Hong Kong Flu on the Way"

Canberra Times (canberra.yourguide.com.au/home.asp) (07/05/02) P. A2; Boogs, Monika

The B-Hong Kong virus is expected to appear in Australia this winter for the first time in more than a decade, according to the World Health Organization.  However, Australian Capital Territory chief health officer Paul Dugdale believes the virus will not cause an epidemic in the area, even though this year's flu vaccines do not protect against it.  The current vaccine protects against the A-New Caledonia strain, the A-Moscow strain, and the B-Sichuan strain, which health authorities believed would be the most common strains this winter in Australia.  So far, Australia is seeing a normal number of flu cases, with three consultations out of every 100 consultations relating to the flu, according to Communicable Disease Surveillance director Louise Carter.

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