Seasonal Flu Outbreaks Start in Asia: Study

HealthDay, April, 2008 by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter

Content provided
in partnership with

Each year, new strains of virus that produce seasonal flu epidemics start in East Asia and Southeast Asia and then spread around rest of the world, researchers report.

And by focusing on new flu strains emerging in Asia, scientists may be able to improve their forecast of seasonal flu strains and develop better vaccines, the researchers said.

"For over 60 years, the global migration pattern of influenza has been a mystery," lead researcher Colin Russell, of the University of Cambridge in England, said during a Wednesday teleconference.

Conventional wisdom has held that flu viruses migrate between the northern and southern hemispheres after the flu season. Other theories contend that the viruses surface in the tropics and circulate continuously, or start out in China, Russell said.

Most Popular Articles in Health: Fuel your workout: exercisers who eat before they work out have more energy ...; Soothe a dry, itchy scalp: 5 easy expert solutions; Cocktails and calories: Beer, wine and liquor calories can really add up. ...; The sour truth about apple cider vinegar - evaluation of therapeutic use; The, six best supplements you've never heard of: these secret weapons can ...; More »

"We found solid evidence that influenza H3N2 viruses [the most common viruses] have migrated out of what we call the East and Southeast Asian circulation ...

Read the full article with a Free Trial at MyWire.

Seasonal Flu Outbreaks Start in Asia: Study

HealthDay, April, 2008 by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Business

Most Popular Articles in Health

Most Popular Publications in Health