INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28450, 3 December 1957, Page 10

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

New Attacks Forecast (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, December 2. Australia was likely to have another epidemic of Asian influenza next winter, according to Sir Macfarlanc Burnett, a world virus expert. Fifty per cent, of Australians caught Asian influenza last winter and a further 30 to 40 per cent, could be expected to catch it next winter, he said. Although it was unusual for the same type of influenza to strike in the same place in successive years, special circumstances made it likely in the case of Asian influenza, he said. Japan, where the influenza started, has entered its winter and was now having a second extensive epidemic, he said. “Most virologists agree that it is highly likely that Asian-type influenza will persist for another 10 years.” Sir Macfarlane Burnett said that an improved vaccine was being pushed ahead rapidly in the United States, where an epidemic was now raging. Sixty million people had been vaccinated against this influenza in the United States, but indications were that it had been effective in only 40 to 60 per cent, of cases he said. The vaccine was basically the same as that used in Australia last winter.