News & Perspective

(CIDRAP News) – Flu activity has taken a notable upswing in some Southern Hemisphere countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Bolivia, and Brazil, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today in its regular update.

Ju1 1, 2011

(CIDRAP News) – With the Southern Hemisphere entering its flu season, the only country to see a dramatic activity spike so far is South Africa, where the 2009 H1N1 virus is dominating and has been linked to an increase in severe infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.

(CIDRAP News) – A review of how the first wave of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic affected Southern Hemisphere countries found many similarities with Northern Hemisphere countries, though many patients had no underlying risk factors for flu complications and pregnant women didn't seem to have severe outcomes.

(CIDRAP News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) today said pandemic and seasonal flu activity across the globe is low, but said activity is increasing in some parts of the Southern Hemisphere, with significant action still occurring in certain tropical areas, such as India.

(CIDRAP News) – Pandemic flu activity remained low in most parts of the world, though some areas such as Caribbean countries continued to see active transmission, with increased activity reported in a few areas, including Colombia and parts of India, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.

(CIDRAP News) – Novel H1N1 influenza outbreaks are starting to wane in the southern hemisphere, and while most cases are still mild, clinicians are reporting some severe cases of viral pneumonia in young, previously healthy people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.