This document provides an overview of information gained from influenza surveillance in New Zealand in 2016. The New Zealand influenza surveillance system compiles information from a variety of sources on disease burden, epidemiology, viral aetiology, risk factors, clinical presentation and outcomes, and vaccine effectiveness.

The threat of a new pandemic remains a key global risk. The Australian Government invested around $194 million between 2006 and 2015 through the aid program to help countries in Asia and the Pacific combat emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), such as avian influenza. Investments were guided by two strategies that aimed to strengthen human and...

Purpose / Context - The aim of this study is to clarify an estimation method of humidification for infection control in residences. In Japan indoor humidity is very low in winter especially in recent insulated houses without unvented stoves. Dwellers know that it is necessary to keep humidity ade-quate for infection control, but most of...

This paper addresses the question of whether Australia and the near region are ready for the next attack of influenza. It notes that new pathogens are constantly emerging and also rapidly changing, developing better-tuned defences that resist human efforts to contain and control them.

The 1918-19 influenza pandemic represents one of the worst human pandemics in recorded history. Given the severity of this pandemic, it could be described as a worst case scenario for guiding future population-based pandemic planning.