Flu
Flu cases low for this time of year
The number of flu cases are at very low levels for July, when flu infection normally peak. There have been extensive promotions for the flu vaccine this year. Audio
Tracking flu around New Zealand
ESR has developed a new way of tracking the spread of flu in real time. The Flu dashboard feeds in information from hospitals, doctors, Healthline and laboratories around the country, testing which… Audio
Flu vaccine delayed by improvements for NZ winter
The public is being reassured that this year's flu vaccine will be effective. The Director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre Nikki Turner tells Guyon Espiner there's been a slight delay this year… Audio
Are we in for bad flu season like North America?
Will the bad strain of the flu in North America reach New Zealand? Audio
Ryan McLane: lessons from the 1918 killer flu
This year marks 100 years since the most deadly epidemic in NZ's history claimed nearly 10,000 lives. The influenza pandemic of 1918, at the end of WW1, hit hard and fast killing four times as many… Audio
New Zealand's flu pandemic of 1918
This year in November marks 100 years since the country's most deadly pandemic claimed 9000 lives. To mark the centenery and raise awareness about the worst publice health disaster in New Zealand's… Audio
Australia's killer flu strain
Australia is in the grip of its worst flu season in over a decade, due to the H3N2 strain of Influenza A, which is mutating fast and has killed at least 73 people so far this year. Audio
Wellingtonians hard hit by winter ills
Experts say while the flu is definitely circulating this winter, there's significantly less than average for the time of year. Audio
Hospitalisations ease off in 'below average' flu season
Flu rates are still well below average for winter and doctors say the worst is over, despite hospitals being hit with a particularly harsh strain and other illnesses.
Social media posts could help to contain flu outbreaks
The Ministry of Health's director of public health, Caroline McElnay, says it's currently working out how useful it is to collect data from people's social media. Audio
Ministry of Health responds to hospitals struggling to cope
Dr Stewart Jessamine from the Ministry of Health says this is a prety average year for flu cases. He says people should see their GP and say home and only call an ambulance if it is a serious… Audio
Anti-virus: could computers kill real life viruses?
We know that computers can defeat virtual viruses with antivirus software, but could they also be used to kill the viruses that affect our bodies? Some scientists are doing just that, says biochemist… Audio
Science news: Fighting flu with frogs
Dr Chris Smith of The Naked Scientists looks at a way to fight the flu virus using a colourful Indian frog and a super bandage that encourages wounds to heal way faster. Audio
Flu study prompts call for wider access to free vaccine
A flu expert is calling for health authorities to consider funding wider access to the free flu vaccine to ensure more people are protected. It follows the release of new research showing many people… Audio
Pacific free flu vaccine delivery stopped
United Airlines has discontinued the service of shipping free flu vaccines to the Pacific Islands.
Fighting zika and other viruses
World-renowned New Zealand virologist Professor Robert Webster is a pioneering virologist who helped identify the avian strain of influenza. Based at St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis… Audio
Flu season may be carrying a sting in its tail
Influenza rates on course to be the lowest in 16 years - a mild winter and new vaccines are being credited. Audio
Non-immunised visitors asked to wear masks to hospital
As soon as the flu season hits Waikato DHB will be asking all hospital visitors who aren't immunised to wear a Audio
History - Grant Morris
Grant Morris discusses the history of influenza in New Zealand. Audio
Govt supports mask policy for health workers
The Ministry of Health is supporting a contentious policy of forcing health workers who don't get flu jabs to wear a face mask. Audio