Flu and Older Adults | National Institute on Aging

Each year, millions of people suffer from seasonal influenza, which is often called the flu. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. 

Flu can be a mild illness for some people. For older people, especially those who have other health problems, the flu can be very serious and even life-threatening. Getting a flu vaccine every year can help prevent the flu. The vaccine is safe, effective, and available for little to no cost to you.

How serious is the flu?

Most people who get the flu feel better after a few days to two weeks. However, the flu can be serious, and some people will develop other health issues, called complications, because of the flu. Complications can be mild, such as a sinus or ear infection, or more serious, like pneumonia.

Anyone can get sick from the flu, but some people are more likely to have complications. You are more at risk for flu and its complications if you:

• Are age 65 or older
• Have certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease
• Have heart disease or have had a stroke
• Live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility

Pregnant women and children younger than five years old are also more likely to get very sick from the flu. Learn more about people at increased risk for flu and its complications.

Why is the flu more dangerous for older adults?

The flu is more dangerous for older adults for a few reasons. One reason is that the immune system — which helps your body fight infections — weakens as you age. For example, because your body is busy fighting off the flu, you might pick up a second infection such as pneumonia. A second reason is that older adults are also more likely to have other health conditions, like diabetes, that increase their risk for complications from the flu. 

The good news is the flu vaccination reduces your risk of getting the flu and of getting seriously ill if you do get sick with the flu. Flu vaccination is especially helpful for people with chronic health conditions. For example, it has been linked to lower rates of heart problems (cardiac events) among people with heart disease and fewer hospitalizations among people who have chronic lung disease or diabetes. Learn more about the benefits of flu vaccination.

How does the flu spread?

The flu is contagious, which means it spreads from person to person. It mostly spreads through droplets in the air when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. It can spread from up to six feet away. Although it isn’t as common, the flu can also spread from surfaces, for example, if you touch something the virus is on and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes.

It’s possible to spread the flu before you feel sick and when you have symptoms. Typically, people with the flu can spread it a day before, and up to a week after feeling sick. Young children and people with weakened immune systems may be able to spread the flu for even longer. If you or someone you know is sick with the flu, take steps to help prevent spreading the disease.

Is it the flu, a cold, or COVID-19?

The common cold, flu, and COVID-19 can all cause similar symptoms. If you have symptoms, talk with your health care provider. Your provider can help determine the cause of your illness and help you take steps to feel better.

A cold is often milder than the flu. The flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, but COVID-19 spreads more easily and symptoms tend to be more severe. It’s also more common to have a change in your sense of smell or taste with COVID-19.

People with the flu can have fever, chills, dry cough, general aches and pains, and a headache. They feel very tired. Sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, or stomach problems are less common. What some people call “stomach flu” is not influenza. Learn more about the differences between the flu and a cold and flu and COVID-19.

Common symptoms of a cold, the flu, and COVID-19

The chart below shows common symptoms. Not everyone will have these symptoms. Your symptoms may be more or less severe, or you may only have a few. If you feel sick, stay home and call your doctor 

How can you prevent the flu?

The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Getting your flu vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu. It also reduces your chances of being hospitalized or dying if you do get sick with the flu.

In addition to getting your flu vaccine, you can help stop the spread of flu by:

• Washing your hands
• Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Staying home when you are sick
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick

Who should you get a flu vaccine and which one should you choose?

Flu typically spreads in the fall and winter. It usually starts to spread in October and peaks between December and February. That’s why this time is called the flu season.

It takes at least two weeks for your flu vaccine to start working, so try to get vaccinated by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated after October can still help protect you from the flu. Because older adults may lose immunity from a flu vaccine more quickly, try to avoid getting vaccinated too early (before September).

Several flu vaccines are available. There are also two types of high-dose vaccinations specifically for people 65 years and older that create a stronger immune response after vaccination. Talk with your health care provider or pharmacist about which vaccine is best for you.

Where can you get a flu vaccine?

You can get your flu vaccine at your doctor’s office or from your local health department. Many grocery and drug stores also offer flu vaccines. Visit Vaccines.gov to find a location near you.

Why do you need a flu vaccine every year?

You need a flu vaccine every year for two reasons. First, flu viruses change and the flu vaccine is updated each year to target the flu viruses that are anticipated to spread that year. Second, the protection you get from a flu vaccine lessens with time, especially in older people. Getting your flu vaccine every fall gives you the best protection from that year’s flu viruses.

What are the side effects of flu vaccines?

The flu vaccine is safe and cannot give you the flu. Most people have no problem with a flu vaccine.

The most common side effects are soreness, redness, or swelling where you were vaccinated. Some people also get a headache, fever, nausea, or muscle aches. These side effects may start shortly after getting the vaccine and can last up to two days. They typically do not get in the way of daily activities.

Even people with mild egg allergies can safely get most flu vaccines. Egg-free flu vaccines are also available. You should not get vaccinated if you have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past. Talk with your health care provider about your options for flu vaccines and side effects.

How much does getting a flu vaccine cost?

Most people can get a flu vaccine for little to no out-of-pocket cost. Medicare and most private health insurance plans will cover the cost of your flu vaccine. However, some insurance plans require that you receive your vaccine at a specific location. Check with your insurance company. If you do not have health insurance, contact your local or state health department.

What can you do if you get the flu?

If you get the flu, there are steps you can take to feel better. Act fast! First, talk with your health care provider. The flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, so you may need to get tested for an accurate diagnosis. This will also help determine which medications might make you feel better.

There are prescription drugs, called antivirals, that are used to treat people with the flu. If you take them within 48 hours after the flu begins, these drugs can make you feel better more quickly. Antivirals can also help reduce your risk of complications from flu. Antibiotics do not help you recover from the flu. Still, they are sometimes prescribed to help you recover from a secondary infection if it is caused by bacteria. Bacteria are a different type of germ than viruses.

If you are sick, rest and drink plenty of fluids like juice and water, but not alcohol. Medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can bring down your fever and might help with the aches and pains. It is important not to smoke if you are sick with the flu. It is a respiratory illness that can infect your lungs as well as your nasal passages. These same areas are also affected by smoking. Take it easy as much as you can until you are well.

Monitor your symptoms and talk with your doctor if your symptoms worsen or become severe. For example, if you:

• Have a fever that goes away and then comes back. That may be a sign of another infection.
• Start having breathing or heart problems or your other health problems worsen.
• Feel ongoing pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen .
• Continue to feel sick and you are not getting better.
• Have a cough that brings up thick mucus.

For more information about the flu

This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

Content reviewed:
December 01, 2021

COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences?

COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences?

COVID-19, the common cold, seasonal allergies and the flu have many similar signs and symptoms. Find out about some of the important differences between these illnesses.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

If you have signs or symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it’s important that you contact your doctor or clinic right away for medical advice. But COVID-19, the common cold, seasonal allergies and the flu (influenza) cause many similar symptoms. So how can you tell if you have COVID-19? Understand the differences in symptoms that these illnesses cause, as well as how these illnesses spread, are treated and can be prevented.

What is COVID-19 (coronavirus), how does it spread, and how is it treated?

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. It usually spreads between people who are in close contact (within 6 feet, or 2 meters). The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. The virus can also spread if a person touches a surface or object with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes, although this isn’t considered to be a main way it spreads.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are a fever, cough and tiredness. But there are many other possible signs and symptoms.

Currently, only one antiviral drug, called remdesivir, is approved to treat COVID-19. Some drugs may help reduce the severity of COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given emergency use authorization for three COVID-19 vaccines.

What’s the difference between COVID-19 and the common cold?

Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, while the common cold is most often caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses spread in similar ways and cause many of the same signs and symptoms. However, there are a few differences.

While COVID-19 symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.

There’s no cure for the common cold. Treatment may include pain relievers and over-the-counter cold remedies, such as decongestants. Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually harmless. Most people recover from a common cold in three to 10 days, although some colds may last as long as two or three weeks.

What’s the difference between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies?

Unlike COVID-19, seasonal allergies aren’t caused by a virus. Seasonal allergies are immune system responses triggered by exposure to allergens, such as seasonal tree or grass pollens.

COVID-19 and seasonal allergies cause many of the same signs and symptoms. However, there are some differences.

Also, while COVID-19 can cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, seasonal allergies don’t usually cause these symptoms unless you have a respiratory condition such as asthma that can be triggered by pollen exposure.

Treatment of seasonal allergies may include over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants, and avoidance of exposure to allergens where possible. Seasonal allergies may last several weeks.

What’s the difference between COVID-19 and the flu?

COVID-19 and the flu are both contagious respiratory diseases caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while the flu is caused by influenza A and B viruses. These viruses spread in similar ways.

COVID-19 and the flu cause similar symptoms. The diseases can also cause no symptoms or mild or severe symptoms. Because of the similarities, it can be hard to diagnose which condition you have based on symptoms alone. Testing may be done to see if you have COVID-19 or the flu. You can also have both diseases at the same time. However, there are some differences.

COVID-19 symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Flu symptoms usually appear about one to four days after exposure to an influenza virus.

COVID-19 can cause more-serious illnesses in some people than the flu. Also, COVID-19 can cause different complications than the flu, such as blood clots and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

While there is only one antiviral treatment for COVID-19, there are several antiviral drugs that can be used to treat the flu. Also, you can get an annual flu vaccine to help reduce your risk of the flu. The flu vaccine can also reduce the severity of the flu and the risk of serious complications. The vaccine can be given as a shot or as a nasal spray.

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How can you avoid getting COVID-19, a cold and the flu?

When possible, get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re fully vaccinated, you can return to doing activities you might not have been able to do because of the pandemic, including not wearing a mask or social distancing in any setting — except where required by a rule or law.

If you haven’t had a COVID-19 vaccine, you can reduce your risk of infection from the viruses that cause COVID-19, colds and the flu by following several standard precautions. Research suggests that following these measures, such as social distancing and wearing a face mask, might have helped shorten the length of the flu season and lessened the number of people affected in the 2019-2020 flu season.

Standard precautions to reduce your risk of COVID-19, colds and the flu include:

• Avoiding close contact (within 6 feet, or 2 meters) with anyone outside your household, especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness
• Wearing a face mask in indoor public spaces and outdoors where there is a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as at a crowded event or large gathering
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Avoiding crowded indoor spaces
• Covering your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters, daily

Also, get an annual flu vaccine.

How can you prevent allergies?

The best way to prevent seasonal allergies is to avoid your known triggers. If you’re allergic to pollen, stay inside with windows and doors closed when pollen is high.

Wearing a cloth face mask also might provide some protection against seasonal allergies. Masks can prevent you from inhaling some larger pollen particles. However, smaller pollen particles will still be able to get through a mask. It’s also important to wash your mask after each use since a mask might carry pollen particles.

If you think you might have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, talk to your doctor. Remember, taking preventive measures can help you stay healthy.

May 18, 2021

Show references

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2. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): How COVID-19 spreads. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020.
3. Noh JY, et al. Social distancing against COVID-19: Implication for the control of influenza. Journal of Korean Medical Science. 2020; doi:10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e182.
4. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Frequently asked questions. People with seasonal allergies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#People-with-Seasonal-Allergies. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020.
5. Frequently asked influenza (flu) questions: 2020-2021 season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2020-2021.htm#Flu-and-COVID-19. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020.
6. AskMayoExpert. COVID-19: Adult. Mayo Clinic; 2020.
7. Key facts about influenza (flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm. Accessed Nov. 19, 2020.
8. DeShazo RD, et al. Allergic rhinitis: Clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, 2020.
9. DeShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, 2020.
10. Similarities and differences between flu and COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm. Accessed Nov. 19, 2020.
11. Sexton DJ, et al. The common cold in adults: Diagnosis and clinical features. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, 2020.
12. Sexton DJ, et al. The common cold in adults: Treatment and prevention. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, 2020.
13. Marshall WF III (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 20, 2020.
14. Butowt R, et al. Anosmia in COVID-19: Underlying mechanisms and assessment of an olfactory route to brain infection. Neuroscientist. doi: 10.1177/1073858420956905.
15. DeSimone DC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Dec. 8, 2020.
16. Choosing safer activities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/participate-in-activities.html. Accessed April 27, 2021.
17. When you’ve been fully vaccinated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html. Accessed May 14, 2021.

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Flu – Pima County

Influenza (Flu) can be unpleasant for anyone, but it can also be deadly. Get the latest on flu cases in Pima County from the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Get Your Flu Shot Today!

Most insurance companies provide a flu shot at no cost to you.

Most retail pharmacies and clinics have the flu shot. You can also contact your doctor or a community health center. Call ahead to make sure the location accepts your insurance.

Most people can also be vaccinated at our East, Theresa Lee, and North Office clinics.

Community Health Department Vaccine Events

2021 – 2022 flu season events TBA

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine? Everybody.

Everyone older than 6 months should get a flu shot every year.

People over the age of 65, women who will be pregnant during flu season, and those with pre-existing conditions are at higher risk and should really get a flu shot. There are some, like those with a deadly egg allergy or a few health conditions, who are not able to get a flu shot, so it’s important that those who can, do. Talk to your doctor or the Health Department if you have questions. 

When should I get a flu shot? Now.

According to the CDC, the best time to get a flu shot is before the flu starts spreading in your community, usually before the end of October. Antibodies to fight flu take about two weeks after immunization to develop.

Everyday steps to stay healthy:

There are steps anyone can take to prevent or lessen the impact of Influenza.

• Wash hands often and thoroughly 
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or shirt sleeve, or use a tissue, throw it away and then wash your hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Practice physical distancing
• Flu viruses can spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, by touching something with flu viruses on it, and, in some cases through, the air

Steps to take if you or someone in your family gets the flu:

• STAY HOME – if you’re sick, stay home 
• CALL FIRST – call your medical practitioner or clinic and tell them you may have the flu BEFORE you leave the house
• MAKE A PLAN – consider actions to take care of you and your family:
  • What you and your family are going to do if the babysitter/childcare is ill
  • If your child becomes ill
  • If you have to stay home to take care of someone who is ill

Flu can cause mild to severe illness, including: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and chills. 

Health Department clinics do not provide primary care. If you’re ill, call your primary care provider (family doctor) before going to the office and discuss what your symptoms are so the staff there can respond appropriately.

Flu FAQs

What viruses will the 2021-2022 flu vaccines protect against?

There are many different flu viruses, and they are constantly changing. The composition of U.S. flu shots is reviewed every year and updated as needed to match circulating flu viruses. This season, all flu vaccines will be designed to protect against the four viruses that research indicates will be most common. Each year, the Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) makes the recommendation for the flu vaccine composition for US flu vaccines.

For 2021-2022, recommendations were made for egg-based, cell-based, and recombinant flu vaccines as listed below:

Egg-based vaccine composition recommendations:

• an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (h2N1) pdm09-like virus
• an A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (h4N2)-like virus
• a B/Washington/02/2019-like virus (B/Victoria lineage)
• a B/Phuket/3073-2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage)

Cell- or recombinant-based vaccine composition recommendations:

• an A/Wisconsin/588/209 (h2N1)pdm09-like virus
• an A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (h4N2)-like virus
• a B/Washington/02/2019-like virus (B/Victoria lineage)
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage)

I don’t have a doctor. Where can I get my flu shot?

You can find a flu shot at many places, including retail pharmacies and Pima County Health Department clinics.

There isn’t much flu in my area. Should I wait to get a flu shot?

No. You should not wait for flu activity to be rising or high before getting your flu shot. September and October are generally ideal times to get your flu shot. It takes about two weeks after your flu shot for your body to have the antibodies it will need if you are exposed to flu.

Will the flu shot protect me against COVID-19? Will the COVID-19 vaccine protect me against the flu?

No. Flu vaccines are not designed to protect against COVID-19. Flu shots reduce the risk of getting sick, going to the hospital, and dying due to flu.

COVID-19 vaccines are not designed to work against flu. The virus that causes flu is different than the one that causes COVID-19, therefore, the vaccines for each illness are different. Both are very effective against the virus they are designed for.

What is the difference between flu and COVID-19?

Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and seasonal flu (most often just called “flu”) is caused by infection with one of many influenza viruses that spread annually among people.

Because some symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, people may need to be tested to tell what virus is causing their illness. People can be infected with both a flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time.

In general, COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. Compared with people who have flu infections, people who have COVID-19 can take longer to show symptoms and be contagious for longer. 

Will there be flu along with COVID-19 this fall and winter?

While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading at that time. Relaxed COVID-19 mitigation measures (such as stay-at-home orders, or mask mandates) may result in an increase in flu activity during the upcoming 2021–2022 flu season.

Common respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human coronaviruses (not SARS-CoV-2) did not spread as much as usual during the 2020-2021 flu season as in past seasons. This information is summarized in a CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Changes in Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Activity During the Pandemic.

Can I get my flu shot the same day as my COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. If a patient is eligible, they can get both a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit, as recommended by CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP). If a patient is due for both vaccines, providers are encouraged to offer both vaccines at the same visit.

Can I get sick with flu and COVID-19 at the same time?

Yes. It is possible to have flu and other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this is. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Diagnostic testing can help determine if you are sick with flu or COVID-19.

If I get sick with flu, am I at higher risk of contracting COVID-19?

Because COVID-19 is still a relatively new illness, we have little information about how flu illness might affect a person’s risk of getting COVID-19. We do know that people can be infected with flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time. Getting a flu vaccine is the best protection against flu and its potentially serious complications, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection against COVID-19.

Flu symptoms are very similar to COVID-19 symptoms. How do I know which virus I have?

Your doctor can order laboratory tests to confirm whether you have COVID-19, flu, or some other illness. No matter the cause, if you feel sick, stay home and rest.

Flu Season in Florida Shows Symptoms of an Increase in Outbreaks and Later Arrival

Flu season in Florida is nothing to sneeze at this year. Medical experts warn of a recent increase in outbreaks of the flu in Florida. While flu season typically peaks in late January and February, it has come later this year. Up until now, there has been low influenza activity in the state, but a sudden increase in outbreaks shows that flu season in Florida is just now getting underway.

The Chilling Increase of Flu in East and Southeast Florida

While 40 Florida counties reported a rise in influenza activity this week the largest increase of the flu in Florida was seen in the east and southeast regions. In this area, there was a major jump in visits to emergency rooms and urgent care centers like MD Now for treatment of flu and flu-like symptoms, especially among children from newborn to age nine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the main symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches or body aches

Don’t Give a Flu Shot the Cold Shoulder

With flu season in Florida just starting to strike, all Florida residents need to take every possible precaution to protect themselves from the flu. And residents of east and southeast Florida must be especially vigilant about staying healthy, given the recent increase of outbreaks in these areas. For maximum protection from the flu in Florida, medical experts strongly advise getting your entire family vaccinated against the flu.

If You Already Have Symptoms of the Flu…

If possible, it’s best to treat flu symptoms with an anti-viral medication within the first 72 hours to decrease their severity and shorten their duration. 

If You Have Diabetes…

It is extremely important to seek immediate treatment because diabetes makes it more difficult for your body to fight the flu. Influenza can put excessive stress on your body that can seriously impact your blood sugar levels and increase your risk of major health complications. 

If You Don’t Seek Treatment for Flu Symptoms…

The flu can become extremely dangerous for anyone who doesn’t get proper treatment. Untreated influenza can lead to a number of serious consequences such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, neurological disorders, Reye’s syndrome, and even death. 

To protect yourself and your family from the flu and its complications, come straight to your nearest MD Now at the first sign of symptoms. Our physicians can prescribe the proper medications to ease all of your symptoms and prevent a mild case of the flu from becoming a major health crisis. By seeking treatment at MD Now, you can avoid the long waits and high bills at the emergency room or your doctor’s office, while getting the immediate treatment you need.

MD Now is Your Source for the Highest-Quality Care

Discover the caring, convenient, and cost-efficient treatment that can always be found at MD Now. All of our locations are open seven days a week, 365 days a year, and operate on a walk-in, no-appointment basis to conveniently suit your schedule. With over 55 locations throughout Indian River, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Lee and Manatee counties, quality care is always within your reach. For the Florida locations nearest you, visit mdnow.com/locations.

To learn more about our urgent care centers, call 888-MDNow-911 or visit www.MDNow.com. 

Flu in Austin (Influenza) | AustinTexas.gov

Flu Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone six months of age and older should be vaccinated for the flu every flu season. High-risk individuals include:

• Adults over 65
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic medical conditions
• Health care workers
• Individuals who live with an/or care for high-risk individuals

Where to Get Vaccinated

Flu shots are available at Shots for Tots/Big Shots clinics. For an appointment, please call 512-972-5520.

You can also visit Vaccines.gov to find a location with flu vaccine near you.

Download a flyer on flu vaccines in English | Español | Tiếng Việt | 中文 (简体).

Additional Flu Prevention

In addition to the flu vaccine, there are certain preventative measures an individual can take to prevent the flu:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is unavailable
• Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or into a tissue
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes
• Avoid others who are sick
• Stay home if you are sick

Flu Symptoms

You may be contagious from one day before and up to seven days after becoming sick. Influenza may present the following symptoms:

• Sudden onset
• Fever or chills
• Cough, sore throat
• Runny or congested nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Severe fatigue

Use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or cough syrup to relieve symptoms. Rest in bed and drink lots of fluids. If you contact your doctor within 48 hours of symptom onset, you may be able to take an antiviral drug, which will reduce the severity of symptoms and length of the illness.

Seek immediate medical attention if a child has trouble breathing, has bluish skin color, is not waking up or interacting. Seek immediate medical attention if an adult has difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness or confusion, is severely or persistently vomiting, or improves but then gets worse.

Austin-Travis County Influenza Surveillance

The official flu season began on October 3, 2021. The information below contains data through November 27th, 2021:

Weekly Report

• Flu activity in Texas is considered low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports seasonal influenza activity in the United States remains low, but the number of influenza virus detections reported by clinical and public health laboratories and the percent of patient visits for influenza-like illness has increased in recent weeks.
• Influenza A is the most common circulating strain in Travis County.
• No adult influenza-associated deaths have been reported in Travis County
• No influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported in Texas
• No influenza-associated outbreaks have been reported so far this season in Travis County
• Please note, some aspects of influenza surveillance may be affected by current COVID-19 response activities

 

Austin/Travis County influenza surveillance does not capture all cases of influenza or influenza-like illness. Reporting of seasonal influenza is voluntary. These data should be used for trending purposes over time and for identifying types/strains of influenza that are occurring in the Austin area rather than for estimating the total number of cases.

Additional Resources

For more information about flu at the state level, please visit www.dshs.texas.gov/IDCU/disease/influenza/surveillance/2019-2020.aspx

For more information about flu at the national level, please visit www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm 

Washington State Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) collects data on flu activity (PDF) in Washington state all year. DOH publishes flu activity reports every week from the fall through the spring.

Flu activity is currently low in Washington.

Don’t forget a flu vaccine this season

Flu activity was kept low last season because of vaccination, social distancing, masking, school closures and limited travel. Now that pandemic restrictions are lifting, flu has a much higher chance of spreading. We can all do our part to prevent illness and hospitalizations caused by flu by getting vaccinated.

The flu vaccine is your best protection against flu

• DOH recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six-months and older, including pregnant and nursing people. If you are 65 or older, talk to your provider about flu vaccine and other important vaccines for your age group.
• It takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to protect you from flu. The flu vaccine does NOT protect against coronavirus, colds, or other viruses that cause respiratory illness.
• The flu vaccine keeps many people from getting the flu. Some people who get the flu vaccine may still get sick. If you do get the flu, the vaccine will help reduce the severity of your illness. It will also lower your chance of needing to go to the hospital.
• When you get the flu vaccine you will also protect your family and community.
• You may also stop flu by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, and staying home when you’re sick. Cloth face coverings (masks) help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the flu.

What’s new for flu for 2021-2022

It’s best to get your family vaccinated for flu by October, but flu vaccine is still available through winter. You may visit your local doctor’s office, pharmacy or clinic event in your area. See www.vaccinefinder.org or call the Help Me Grow Washington hotline at 1-800-322-2588 (language assistance available) to find a flu vaccine location near you.

• In Washington, all children under age 19 get flu vaccines and other recommended vaccines at no cost.
• The provider may charge an administration fee to give the vaccine. You can ask them to waive this fee if you cannot afford it.
• Most insurance plans, including Medicare part B, cover the cost of flu vaccine for adults.
• Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can both be received in the same day, or even the same visit for convenience.
• Talk to your local health department for information about other no-cost flu vaccine options that may be available in your community.

If you do feel sick with flu, it’s important to know when to stay home and when to get emergency medical care.

Other Resources

About the Vaccine

Flu season 2021 may be severe. Here’s why

The coming flu season may be a doozy.

Even as coronavirus was devastating populations around the world, killing 3.7 million people globally, doctors and public health officials noticed something else was missing: There was almost no flu.

One child died from flu this year in the US. In 2019-2020, there were 199 flu-related deaths in children and 144 the season before that. Flu cases, usually counted in the tens of millions, only accounted for a few thousand this year in the US.

“Flu hasn’t been anywhere, with the exception of some reasonable activity in western Africa,” said Richard Webby, an influenza specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

“No one has seen it. That includes countries that have done lockdown. It includes countries that haven’t done any lockdown. It includes countries that have done a good job controlling the pandemic. It includes countries that haven’t done a good job,” Webby told CNN.

It’s not entirely clear why. Many experts believe that measures taken to help control coronavirus also prevented the spread of influenza. It’s also possible that coronavirus somehow outcompeted or interfered with flu.

Either way, Webby and other experts think the lull in flu activity is only temporary. They worry that when influenza returns, likely this fall, it will be with a vengeance.

“The worst flu season we ever had may be coming,” Webby said.

“When it comes back, it is going to be a doozy of a season,” agreed Aubree Gordon, an epidemiologist who studies flu at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

One reason the coming influenza season is likely to be a bad one can be explained by human behavior. People tired of lockdowns, of wearing masks, of staying away from other people, will want to celebrate the freedom offered by vaccines that protect them from coronavirus and the waning of the pandemic.

They may overdo it.

Travel is already on the increase, restaurants are filling back up, and schools are planning to re-open with in-person classes.

But while people flocking to resorts, bars and family gatherings may be much safer from coronavirus, they’re not any safer from flu or other respiratory viruses that are spread in the same ways that coronavirus is: in the air, in droplets and on surfaces.

“I do think with a greater number of individuals not wearing masks and not as much social distancing, there is definitely going to be an uptick in the common respiratory infections that we see seasonally,” Allison Aiello, who studies the spread of infectious diseases at the University of North Carolina’s school of public health, told CNN.

Aiello says North Carolina is already seeing an increase in respiratory diseases.

“We should expect there to be some increases, especially in the fall as children go back to school,” she said.

Spreading viruses in school

“It’s not just flu. It’s all the other respiratory viruses,” Webby said. These include not only influenza, but respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, adenoviruses, the coronavirus strains that cause the common cold, rhinoviruses and others.

“I certainly think as the mitigation measures as we have in place for Covid come down and kids go back to school in person and we all start traveling again, particularly internationally, we know all sorts of respiratory viruses are going to have much more opportunities to spread,” Lynette Brammer, who leads the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Domestic Influenza Surveillance Team, told CNN.

“And we certainly expect that flu and all the other respiratory viruses that have been low over the last year will come back,” she added.

“In certain ways, we have returned back to normal. You start putting kids together and you will get viruses.”

However, Brammer is cautious about making predictions.

“Flu is always unpredictable, and I feel like right now it’s more true than ever,” Brammer said.

There’s a second reason to think the 2021-2022 influenza season might be a bad one. There’s a theory, not well documented, that the human body’s immune response is naturally boosted by repeated, annual exposures to viruses such as flu. These exposures might not be enough to make people sick, but they’re enough to remind the immune system to keep up its defenses.

“The longer you go without exposure, the more likely you are to be symptomatic and more likely to be sicker,” Gordon said.

“We do know the longer you go without being exposed to influenza, the more symptomatic you are. Sicker individuals lead to more severe cases. We absolutely know that.”

The same goes for RSV, non-Covid-19 coronaviruses and other infections. “I would kind of generally be worried about all of them. All of them can cause severe disease. All of them can cause pneumonia,” Gordon added.

RSV, especially, takes a toll on babies and very young children. It kills an estimated 100 to 500 children every year, and 14,000 adults, mostly over the age of 65.

Many of the 4 million or so infants born during the pandemic will be getting their first exposures to RSV and other viruses as they go into daycare for the first time ever. “We don’t know what effects will be of all these young children delaying their first exposure of RSV,” Gordon said.

“There probably are going to be very large RSV epidemics.”

Aiello is less certain about the possible effect of avoiding germs for a year or so. “This is a short period of time,” she said. Several years of avoiding exposure may be expected to have an effect, but the 15 months or so most people have been social distancing, working from home or staying out of classrooms may not have been long enough to affect immune systems.

Two years’ worth of viruses packed into one

But the fall respiratory flu season may feel worse, even if it actually isn’t, Aiello said. If nothing else, many children will be packing two years’ worth of exposure to a range of viruses into a single season.

“When an individual hasn’t been sick for a while, it may seem like you are experiencing more robust symptoms,” she said.

Flu will be the one virus that get measured. Doctors do not test people for most of the other respiratory viruses — mostly because there’s no specific treatment for them — but the CDC tracks influenza.

Flu kills between 12,000 and 61,000 people a year, depending on the season, the CDC says.

It says the 2019-2020 season was a moderate one in which 38 million people in the US got sick with flu, 18 million saw a health care provider for treatment, 400,000 were sick enough to be hospitalized and an estimated 22,000 died.

About 8% of the US population gets sick from flu each season, with a range of between 3% and 11%, depending on the season, the CDC says.

Much will depend on how many Americans get vaccinated. Each year, just under half the population gets a flu vaccine, even though the CDC recommends an annual flu shot for almost everyone over the age of 6 months.

One thing the CDC knows for sure: Flu activity is impossible to predict.

“I don’t know what to expect. I don’t know,” Brammer said. “We are just going to have to wait and see.”

Brammer has seen every flu season for decades, and each one is unique.

“Every time you think you know what will happen, it will do something totally different,” she said.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

90,000 45 mobile flu vaccination points were opened in the city

On September 20, mobile flu vaccination points began to work. You can also get vaccinated in all city clinics.

“From today, mobile units for influenza vaccination have been launched in the capital. As in previous years, they are located at points with the highest traffic – near metro stations, the Moscow Central Circle, Moscow Central Diameters and railway stations.Experience shows that this format is best suited for residents of the capital. In total, we have opened 45 outlets, they will work every day, ”said Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

Mobile points are open daily: on weekdays they work from 08:00 to 20:00, on Saturdays – from 09:00 to 18:00, on Sundays – from 09:00 to 16:00. You can find out where they are and learn more about influenza vaccination on the website of the Moscow Department of Health.

Anyone over 18 years of age can be vaccinated, regardless of the place of registration. You only need a Russian passport and written consent, which is issued on the spot. Before vaccination, the doctor conducts a medical examination and determines possible contraindications. After vaccination, the person receives a certificate and oral advice from a specialist. The whole procedure takes 10-15 minutes.

Pregnant women are vaccinated in polyclinics. Children and adolescents can also be vaccinated in clinics or in educational institutions – kindergartens, schools and colleges.

Domestic vaccines developed according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization are used for vaccination. All of them are inactivated, that is, they do not contain a live virus and cannot lead to disease. Vaccines that are used in Russia have passed mandatory state registration, have a certificate of conformity, and their safety has been confirmed by numerous studies.

In addition, mass free vaccination against COVID-19 continues in Moscow. On the basis of polyclinics, you can get vaccinated by appointment, and in popular public places where mobile medical teams work, they are accepted without an appointment.

In one of the districts of Bashkiria, an emergency regime was introduced due to bird flu

https://ria.ru/20211009/bashkiriya-1753812000.html

In one of the districts of Bashkiria, an emergency regime was introduced due to bird flu

In one of the districts of Bashkiria, an emergency regime was introduced due to bird flu – RIA Novosti, 10/09/2021

In one of the districts of Bashkiria, an emergency regime was introduced due to bird flu

The regional administration in Bashkiria introduced an emergency regime due to the spread of bird flu , said in the GUMChS in the region.RIA Novosti, 09.10.2021

2021-10-09T15: 16

2021-10-09T15: 16

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incidents

The spread of bird flu in Russia

health – society

Republic of Bashkortostan

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UFA, October 9 – RIA Novosti. The regional administration in Bashkiria introduced an emergency regime due to the spread of bird flu, the regional department of emergency medical services said earlier. It was noted that birds could become infected from migratory birds on the lake. “An emergency regime was introduced by the order of the head of the district. At all the entrances and exits of the quarantine zone, reinforced sanitary posts have been set up for inspection and sanitization of all entering and leaving vehicles,” Bashkiria.It is emphasized that experts remove birds from households in four villages, and doctors vaccinate residents against bird flu. “The seized birds have been destroyed. In order to reduce social tension with the population, explanatory work has been carried out. in the department.

https://ria.ru/20211006/ptichiy_gripp-1753296845.html

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accidents, the spread of “bird flu” in Russia, health is society, the republic of Bashkortostan

An emergency regime was introduced in one of the regions of Bashkiria due to bird flu

UFA, October 9 – RIA Novosti. The regional administration in Bashkiria has introduced an emergency regime due to the spread of bird flu, the GUMChS in the region said.

Earlier, the regional veterinary department reported that bird flu was detected in geese in one of the farms in the Tuimazinsky district. It was noted that birds could be infected from migratory birds on the lake.

“By the order of the head of the district, an emergency regime was introduced. At all the entrances and exits of the quarantine zone, reinforced sanitary posts have been set up for inspection and sanitization of all entering and exiting vehicles,” the GUMChS in Bashkiria said in a statement.

It is emphasized that experts are removing birds from households in four villages, and doctors are vaccinating residents against bird flu.

“The seized birds were destroyed. In order to reduce social tension with the population, explanatory work was carried out. The district administration is deciding the issue of compensation for the losses incurred by citizens,” the department said.

6 October, 11:24

A case of bird flu was first detected in Bashkiria 90,000 A case of bird flu was first detected in Bashkiria

https://ria.ru/20211006/ptichiy_gripp-1753296845.html

A case of bird flu was first detected in Bashkiria

A case of bird flu was first identified in Bashkiria – RIA Novosti, 06.10.2021

A case of avian influenza was detected for the first time in Bashkiria

Avian influenza was first detected in Bashkiria, an epizootic investigation is underway, the republic’s veterinary department reported. RIA Novosti, 06.10.2021

2021-10-06T11: 24

2021-10-06T11: 24

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incidents

Tuymazinsky district

health – society

Republic of Bashkortostan

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UFA, October 6 – RIA Novosti. Avian influenza was first detected in Bashkiria, an epizootic investigation is underway, the veterinary department of the republic said. “Despite the measures taken to prevent the introduction of especially dangerous diseases, for the first time avian influenza entered the territory of the republic,” the message says. The Altyn-kaz peasant farm in the Bishkurai village of the Tuimazinsky district was kept near the lake, where both birds of the farm and migratory birds could easily get there.Wild bird is the main vector of this virus. “It is possible that there was contact between migratory birds and domesticated birds on the pond … An epizootic investigation is being carried out on this case. This farm contains more than 5 thousand geese … in a no-range mode to exclude contact with wild birds. Do not release birds into water bodies. Do not buy food and birds from unknown producers, “the department added.

https: // ria.ru / 20210723 / gripp-1742618538.html

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accidents, Tuymazinsky district, health – society, the republic of Bashkortostan

A case of bird flu was first detected in Bashkiria

90,000 A poultry farm in Zelenodolsk region of the Republic of Tatarstan introduced quarantine due to bird flu

9 November 2020 13:32

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was found in the agricultural firm “Zalesny”.

(Kazan, November 9, “Tatar-inform”). On the territory of the agricultural firm “Zalesny” in the Zelenodolsk region of Tatarstan, quarantine was introduced due to bird flu. The corresponding decree was signed by the President of the Republic Rustam Minnikhanov.

“To establish restrictive measures (quarantine) for highly pathogenic avian influenza on the territory of a poultry enterprise owned by the limited liability company Agrofirma Zalesny, located in the village of Bolshiye Klyuchi,” the text of the document says.

The document approved a list of restrictions on the circulation of poultry, poultry products, feed and feed additives in a separate territory of the republic “for the period until they are canceled.”

A threatened zone was also identified within a radius of 5 km from the borders of the unfavorable point, including the villages of Bolshiye Klyuchi, Bolshie Yaki, Bolshiye Kurguzi, the village of Svetloye Ozero, the villages of Ivanovskoye, Solovyovka, Karatmen, Malye Kurguzi and Krasny Karmysh of the Zelenodolsk region.

In addition, the villages of Bishnya, Bolshoy Kulbash, Urazla, Malye Klyuchi, Belo-Bezvodnoye, the villages of Sadovy and the Town of Raifa, as well as the villages of Sentyak, Chiryuchi, Nikolskoye, Maevka, fell into the observation zone within a radius of 10 km from the borders of the unfavorable territory and Utyangush of Zelenodolsk region.

The Main Veterinary Directorate of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan must develop and approve an action plan to eliminate the outbreak of avian influenza and prevent the spread of the disease on the territory of Tatarstan.

Earlier IA “Tatar-inform” reported that bird flu was detected on the territory of a private farmstead in the village of Cherki-Grishino and in a peasant farm “Khairullov Mudarris Munirovich” in Buinsky district, in two peasant farms in Muslyumovsky and Drozhzhanovsky districts of the republic.

90,000 Bird flu detected in the Izhevsk microdistrict VIDEO

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Scene from the news release from 22.10.2021

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On the eve of one of the residents of the Lully neighborhood complained to veterinarians about the death of birds. In the courtyard, 33 layers were kept and in just two days all the hens died out. Laboratory research showed the birds died from the bird flu virus.

Stanislav Yavkin, head of the Izhevsk city station for combating animal diseases:

The owner of the bird reacted irresponsibly, she put the bird corpses in bags – 4 bags – and threw them into the troughs, which is strictly prohibited. Such an action can have a detrimental effect on the epizootic situation. Avian influenza is dangerous because, firstly, there is a colossal economic damage because the whole bird dies, and secondly, in this case there is a risk that people can get sick.

Sacks with poultry were found, troughs were disinfected. The courtyard where the infected chickens were kept was treated. According to preliminary data, the infection could have been caused by a migratory waterfowl.

Roman Gabdrakhmanov, Head of the Main Directorate of Veterinary Medicine of Udmurtia:

In the outbreak, removal and alienation and destruction of all susceptible birds will be carried out, in the threatened zone, measures will be taken to vaccinate all susceptible livestock of poultry, in the threatened zone, systemic monitoring studies will be carried out for the presence of the causative agent of avian influenza.

More than 20 farmsteads got into the focus of infection. Quarantine was announced in the entire Lyully microdistrict, Kostina mill and the nearest 8 settlements of the Zavyalovsky district, including the regional center.

Doctors ask poultry owners in case of death to immediately report it to the veterinary office. Chickens are also monitored at two industrial poultry farms located in the immediate vicinity of the threatened zone.

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90,000 Due to the outbreak of bird flu in the region of Bashkiria, an emergency regime was introduced – RBK

Photo: State Committee for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus

An outbreak of bird flu was registered in two farms in the Blagovarsky district of Bashkiria.An emergency regime has been introduced on the territory of the municipality. This was reported in the regional State Committee for Emergency Situations.

The mass death of domestic geese and ducks on Thursday, November 18, occurred at the Blagovarsky breeding farm in the village of Yazykovo and on the farm of an individual entrepreneur in the village of Kob-Pokrovka. The infected bird is currently being destroyed. At all the entrances and exits of the quarantine zone, reinforced sanitary posts are set up for the inspection and sanitization of all entering and exiting vehicles.Restrictions were introduced in the focus of infection and in the five-kilometer buffer zone, the Veterinary Directorate told RBC Ufa.

“Even if the diagnosis is preliminary, measures are taken in the outbreak: the outbreak is closed, posts are set up, the dead bird is disposed of. If the death continues, the commission decides on the spot to eliminate the entire livestock. If a bird is infected, shows clinical signs, it must be disposed of in order to prevent further spread [of the infection], ”said Linar Ziganshin, head of the department of state supervision in the field of animal management of the veterinary department, to RBC Ufa.

“Blagovarsky breeding farm”, where one of the foci of infection is registered, is a selection and genetic center that produces breeding eggs and young animals. On its basis, the All-Russian Scientific and Production System operates, uniting poultry farms in more than 30 regions of Russia.

“The cause of the outbreak will be established as part of a special investigation. We will destroy our hybrid ducks, 80 thousand, and be left with nothing. All 45 years of breeding work for nothing.There will be nothing to restore [the livestock], ”Ilnur Zinatullin, deputy director for commercial issues of the enterprise, told RBC Ufa.

Large outbreak of avian influenza in China

In China, bird flu has been added to the coronavirus – an outbreak of a highly pathogenic disease was noticed in Hunan province. According to local authorities, more than 4,000 broiler chickens on one of the local farms became infected and died. Almost 18,000 birds were slaughtered to avoid spreading the contamination.Rospotrebnadzor had previously warned Russians about the threat of bird flu, although it was of a different strain.

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has broken out in China’s Hunan province, which borders Hubei province in the south, the epicenter of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak. As reported by RIA Novosti, no cases of human infection with this strain of bird flu have yet been identified.

However, more than 4.5 thousand broiler chickens have already died from the flu at a poultry farm in the Shuangqing district of Shaoyang city.To prevent further spread of the virus, local authorities have eliminated more than 17.8 thousand poultry.

Avian flu is a regular threat to humans and animals. Earlier, Rospotrebnadzor issued a warning about the danger of the H5N8 strain – migratory birds from European countries can bring it to Russia. The southwestern regions of Russia are under the greatest threat.

An outbreak has now been reported in Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. At the end of December in Poland, due to an outbreak of bird flu on a farm near Lublin, more than 12 thousand were killed.turkeys. After some time, outbreaks occurred on five more farms – in total, more than 90 thousand birds were kept there.

Another outbreak of bird flu occurred in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship, where more than 36 thousand laying hens could be infected.

People have not yet become infected with the H5N8 influenza virus, but its pathogen mutates extremely quickly.

The last time an outbreak of bird flu was recorded in various Russian regions in 2018. According to the Rosselkhoznadzor, since the beginning of 2019, an outbreak of bird flu has been only in the Rostov region.

Earlier, Russian scientists, in cooperation with foreign colleagues, found out how the bird flu virus spreads. After analyzing 1,652 samples of biological materials taken from different species of wild birds migrating by three different routes, the researchers isolated 69 strains of the influenza virus, six of which turned out to be new for Northern Eurasia.

This subtype of the h22 virus, discovered for the first time in Russia, is rather rare and poorly understood, so the scientific group carried out a full analysis of the genome sequences and some other biological characteristics and compared the data obtained with the available information on the evolution and ecology of the avian influenza virus.Using computer algorithms, the researchers obtained the “pedigree” of avian influenza pathogens, determined their place of origin and established relationships between them, linking them to bird habitats and migration routes. At the same time, genes from North American viruses were first discovered in Siberia.

Avian influenza outbreaks are reported in the press almost every year. In 2017, the deputy head of the Rosselkhoznadzor, Nikolai Vlasov, warned that the avian influenza virus, which is life-threatening to humans, threatens the Russian Far East.

“The avian influenza virus was born in Southeast Asia, and there are already the first deaths from it. This virus threatens our Far Eastern District, if there is a drift (of the avian influenza virus), it is not predetermined, but highly probable, ”Vlasov said.

Much more attention of the world media was attracted by the 2019-nCoV coronavirus epidemic, unknown to medicine before the beginning of January. Nearly 15,000 people have been infected in Hubei province in central China, and the number of infections continues to rise.331 patients recovered from coronavirus, and 304 people died.

Russia restricts rail links with China due to the outbreak of coronavirus. “By the decision of the operational headquarters, from zero hours from Thursday to Friday, January 31, we restrict the railway traffic. Trains will move along the Moscow – Beijing – Moscow route, ”said Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.

The decision on the mode of air communication with China will be made no later than Friday, January 31st. The Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Transport must assess the situation – how many Russians will return home from China, the Deputy Prime Minister added.In addition, universities and institutes will be asked to extend their holidays for Chinese students. Finally, until March 1, five regions of Russia will immediately extend the closure of checkpoints on the border with China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the relevant departments to reduce human losses to a minimum if a new type of coronavirus enters Russia from China.

“We know very well that practically in all countries of the world, including in our country, every year we lose people from pneumonia and from influenza, so here we have a common task – to minimize these losses, to do everything so that we have nothing of the kind was not, ”the Russian leader said.

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