Tags: Influenza

In the Wake of Ebola—H7N9 Influenza Has Spread in Secret

In the wake of the Ebola pandemic, researchers in China have identified a virus capable of global infection that has been mutating and brewing on the sidelines. A strain of the avian influenza, the H7N9 flu emerged in eastern China in Feb. 2013 in a small population with a mortality rate of roughly 33%. But over the last year, since it reemerged in October 2013, the virus has been spreading steadily, and mutating along the way. Now public health officials fear that the growing viral infection may soon reach the levels much like the Ebola outbreak, and it is something that researchers are heavily investigating.

Chinese Bird Flu Could Potentially Become a Pandemic

The strain of influenza that has swept across China is the second wave of bird flu to hit the country and has mutated frequently. Scientists now believe that this strain of bird flu "should be considered as a major candidate to emerge as a pandemic strain in humans."

Flu Only Infects Adults Twice a Decade

While the dangers of the flu may make headlines every flu season, researchers have calculated that adults over the age of 30 only catch the flu about once every five years.

Influenza Could Be Lethal to Children This Year

This year's strain of the influenza virus may just prove to be lethal to children this year. And while the annual infection has only just begun, three children in Minnesota have already died of complications from a very potent strain of the influenza virus, health officials say.

Is The Flu Shot Worth It?

This year's flu shot has not been as effective as flu vaccines in the past. But it is still the number one defense against the influenza virus in any form.

Teen’s Death Demonstrates The Dangers of This Year’s Flu

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the death of an otherwise healthy 17-year-old girl only highlights the severity of this year's influenza outbreak. Shannon Zwanziger seemed like a perfectly health teenager. She was active and rarely got sick; in fact, she had not even seen a doctor in more than three years. Then, she came down with the flu. Within only a week of fighting the virus, she was dead.

Why the CDC Says Bay Area Residents are In For the Flu Season of Their Lives

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning that this year's flu season could be one of the worst to date. The CDC issued a warning on Friday that the flu season has started earlier than expected and is spreading rapidly. Already reaching 29 of the 54 states and territories, this year's flu is spreading faster than previously seen. In comparison, at the same time last year, it had only spread to four states.

Flu Season Off to a Usual Slow Start, But Expected to Jump in Early 2015

This time of the year is said to be influenza's season in the U.S., due mainly to the cold weather. However, health officials are saying that the flu season is starting rather slowly, as has usually been the case. The illness will most likely see its peak in January or February, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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