What Conditions Are Needed For The Flu Virus To Thrive?

[sandyRoe]

If a person suffering from flu arrived at a UK airport today could that spark an epidemic?

[murraymints]

only if it were of a new super virulent strain I'd imagine... you know something Sandy ?

[Buenchico]

Some types of flu are (or, more accurately, 'were', since the viruses constantly mutate) highly contagious, with the H1N1 strain ("swine flu") being a prime example. Others, such as H5N1 ("bird flu") have exceptionally low contagion rates among humans.

[sandyRoe]

Our Antipodean cousins have been suffering a virulent strain. With their globe trotting ways it might be soon here.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1063737/Coming-Britain--Australian-flu-virus-killed-hundreds.html

[Mamyalynne]

That article is from 2008.

[sandyRoe]

Doh! We're safe then.

[Baldric]

Taking it's time then!

[Mamyalynne]

Brisbane H3N2 is a known strain but thought you meant it was happening now and hundreds are dying.

[murraymints]

phew !! I can put away the geiger counter and rubber gloves then !

[Buenchico]

That reads like typical Daily Wail alarmist reporting!

The Daily Wail and the Daily Express love to carry stories like that. Then, a short while later, the NHS website will tell the real story but, alas, far more people read the Wail and Express than the NHS website ever receives.

Here's an example from 2011:
https://www.nhs.uk/news/heart-and-lungs/warnings-over-new-super-flu-unfounded/
and another one from just three months ago:
https://www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/is-a-new-flu-pandemic-just-three-mutations-away/

[sandyRoe]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/12/nhs-fears-worst-flu-season-history/

This is the report I was thinking of.

[Mamyalynne]

Get the jab is the best we can overall.

[atalanta]

Apart from getting vaccinated, the best way Not to get flu is not to touch anything a flu victim has touched. Wear gloves. If you must handle doors, touch them as high up as you can reach. Don't use banisters if you can possibly help. Use your elbows to press down on door-handles, not your hands. And if you really must touch stuff, don't then bring your hands to your face.

[Baldric]

Had the Flu Jab for the last 8 years, never had any Flu Symtoms, had proper Flu back in '86, not good.

[DaisyNonna]

Already booked this year's flu jab
Do what I can to break the cycle
Unfortunately more than one strain of flu

[douglas9401]

I too have had a dose of yer actual flu when I was a lot younger and more robust.
Not sure if she'd take it now captain so I get the vaccine every year.
Due in to my health centre on Thursday according to the receptionist today, I'll be near the front of the queue.

[anotheoldgit]

Goody, Goody, Goody, if that is true better put a ban on all immigration until the epidemic is over.

[fiction-factory]

All immigration, AOG? Or just from Australia/NZ? Does that include Brits returning from holidays?

[wolf63]

AOG, trust you to see a silver lining where there isn't one. :-)

[albaqwerty]

oh please AOG.

FF, we can only allow the white British people back in allegedly.

[Sqad]

"What Conditions Are Needed For The Flu Virus To Thrive?"

Simple.....one infected person meets a group of vulnerable people.