Health authorities issue warning on new flu virus

Health professionals are urging the elderly and the young to be vaccinated after the discovery of a new flu strain.

Health authorities issue warning on new flu virusHealth professionals are urging the elderly and the young to be vaccinated after the discovery of a new flu strain.The Influenza B-Brisbane strain was identified by Queensland scientists who later alerted the World Health Organisation.Queensland Health spokeswoman Margaret Young says being vaccinated is the best protection against the new virus. “The component of the vaccine that’s being offered this year – the Brisbane strain – is not being associated with any specific difference in sorts of disease people can get,” she said. “The influenza vaccine provides about 80 per cent protection to people who have it against the circulating strains of influenza that season.”(Source: ABC Health News, March 2004)