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New flu deadlier than SARS

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A VIRULENT new strain of influenza is a greater threat to Australians than SARS and could claim 1500 lives this winter, the World Health Organisation has warned.

A VIRULENT new strain of influenza is a greater threat to Australians than SARS and could claim 1500 lives this winter, the World Health Organisation has warned.Alan Hampson, deputy director of the WHO Influenza Centre in Melbourne, said the new A/Moscow strain, which exposes sufferers to greater risk of bacterial infection, had the potential to kill more than the 1500 people who die in an average Australian flu season.Such a toll would be double the 745 people worldwide who have died from severe acute respiratory syndrome.”A/Moscow flu is definitely a greater risk to Australians than SARS unless they are travelling to Asia,” Mr Hampson said. “It is the most serious infectious disease facing the older population.”There have been six confirmed SARS cases in Australia, but no deaths.Ahead of the winter flu season starting on Sunday, Mr Hampson urged Australians to be vaccinated against the new strain, which has hit 29 countries, including western Europe. It has reached epidemic proportions in parts of Africa, with the WHO reporting 1.5 million cases in the Republic of Congo, and 2000 deaths.The Australian vaccine includes special protection against A/Moscow virus, which was first identified in the Russian capital in 1999.Vaccination is 85-90 per cent effective among young people, and reduces the severity of the symptoms in other cases. Medical researchers believe vaccination cuts the number of deaths by 50 per cent.A/Moscow has become the predominant flu strain in Australia. It has sudden onset, accompanied by aching in the bones, fever, sore throat and coughing.The virus is particularly dangerous to people over 65, and chronic sufferers of asthma, diabetes and heart disease. It can lead to serious respiratory tract infections.Only 18 per cent of Australians were vaccinated against influenza last year. “People don’t get upset about influenza, because it’s always there, whereas SARS is new and scary and unknown,” Mr Hampson said.Australian Medical Association Victorian president Sam Lees backed the vaccination of all age groups, and particularly those with chronic illnesses. (Source: The Australian,Richard Yallop, May 30, 2003)


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Dates

Posted On: 30 May, 2003
Modified On: 5 December, 2013


Created by: myVMC