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ESR scient
say with July normally the time for influenza infections to peak,
the number of reported cases is still pretty
However, ESR Strategic Health Intelligence Manager Dr.
Lisa Oakley says that could change quickly.
It is at this time of the year that we begin to see cases of influenza
peak. Although the numbers we see are still low
compared to previous years, our monitoring tells us
that they can start getting up soon. "Says Dr. Oakley.
New Year flu season in New Zealand comes on the heels of
a flu season in the northern hemisphere that has been associated
with an increase in hospitalization and the number of
death.
Dr. Oakley says countries like the UK have reported
moderate to high levels of influenza and flu-like illnesses
during its 2017/2018 season.
"The WHO has recommended
change in our seasonal flu vaccine from the southern hemisphere that
better covers some strains of the flu known in the
Northern hemisphere. It's not too late to have your
flu vaccine this year. This is the best protection for you
and your family against the flu "
The vaccine covers four
viruses circulating globally, including the one that
we currently see most of the time in New Zealand.
ESR
who runs the national influenza surveillance program
on behalf of the Ministry of Health, and has developed a
dashboard to assist the health sector management of the
flu and provide a guide for people looking for
information about the flu.
To follow the flu season in
New Zealand, visit the Influenza Surveillance ESR website: https://www.esr.cri.nz/our-services/consultancy/flu-surveillance-and-research/
ENDS
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