More Dangerous Flu Virus Predicted
Re-printed without permission.
LAT ARCHIVES
SEP. 27, 1996 12 AM PT
FROM TIMES STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
A more dangerous strain of the flu virus than those seen last year will be circulating this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said. The Type A-Wuhan virus, which can lead to deadly complications in the elderly, is the most dangerous of three viruses expected around the nation. The others are Type A-Texas and Type B. The current flu vaccine counteracts all three. The CDC recommends vaccinations for people 65 and older, people in nursing homes, children with asthma and anyone with a chronic illness. Flu contributes to the deaths of about 20,000 people a year in the United States.