Russia Warns of Incoming Flu Variants
Russia's chief epidemiologist Anna Popova warned that new variants of Hong Kong and swine flu are likely to arrive from the Southern Hemisphere, urging the public to get vaccinated due to lack of immunity.
Consensus
- New variants of Hong Kong and swine flu (A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)) are likely to arrive in Russia from the Southern Hemisphere.
- Russians likely lack immunity to these new flu variants.
- Vaccination against influenza is recommended.
- Rosпотребнадзор has updated the composition of all three components of the Russian flu vaccine this year.
- This update is described as a rare occurrence.
Points of divergence
- The update to the flu vaccine composition is a rare case, as reported by RIA Novosti. — vm
- Autumn and winter are traditionally periods of increased respiratory infection and flu incidence, and distinguishing between common cold and flu can be difficult. — vm
- Therapist Nadежda Chernyshova provided recommendations on how to differentiate a common cold from actual flu and what to do in each case. — vm
Coverage (2 sources)
- Popova stated the need for Russian vaccination against new flu variants — Вечерняя Москва
- New strains of Hong Kong and swine flu, likely to arrive in Russia from the Southern Hemisphere, stated head of Rosпотребнадзор... — РИА Новости (Telegram)