Fujian Flu

Since the beginning of October, influenza outbreaks in a number of countries in Europe and North America have been attributed to a new variant of the influenza virus called the A/Fujian/411/2002-like strain. The presence of the A-Fujian strain has been confirmed in Canada.  To date, only a very small number of cases have occurred in Ontario. 

 

The A-Fujian strain has drawn a great deal of attention because it is not one of the three strains contained in the vaccines produced for the 2003-2004 flu season.

Experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance Network continually gather and monitor information on flu activity in 83 countries, including Canada. This information is used:

• to predict which strains of influenza are most likely to predominate in the upcoming flu season, and
• to decide on the vaccine composition for that season.

 

The A/Fujian/411/2002-like virus was detected just before the world's influenza experts met to decide on the influenza vaccine composition for the Northern Hemisphere. At that time, a suitable Fujian-like component was not available for vaccine manufacturers to include in this season's vaccine. The decision was made to include the A-Panama strain, which is closely related to the A-Fujian strain.

 

It is expected that the A-Panama component in the vaccine will provide some cross-protection against the A-Fujian-like strain, because the two strains are closely related.   It is also important to remember that the flu shot protects against the A-Panama strain, which is also currently active in Canada. The flu shot is still the most effective means of reducing the risk of serious complications arising from the disease