Three flu bugs expected

Press, 26 May 1981, Page 13

Three flu bugs expected

PA Wellington Three strains of flu are expected to hit New Zealand this winter, according to the director of health promotion, Dr R. Campbell Begg. The bugs, A/Bangkbk, A/ Brazil and B/Singapore had not proved particularly virulent during the northern winter. he said. The Brazilian flu is similar to the Russian strain which hit New Zealand two years ago. .’7/ The first case of Bangkok flu was isolated in Northland about six weeks ago and the Singapore flu was expected to be fairly prevalent, Dr Begg said. These three types were expected by the Health Department and requested in this winter’s influenza vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organisation. Only people with chronic illnesses required flu vaccinations, he said.

“We find most people throw the flu off quite easily by themselves." Dr Begg said there would be wide-spread natural immunisation against the strains as they had been in New Zealand before.

“But it will be only partial, as flu immunisation doesn’t last that long,” he said. He advised people to keep their flu bugs at home and avoid stuffy, overcrowded conditions.