April 2008  

Scientists found the most common type of influenza virus strain, A (H3N2), are seeded by viruses that originate in East and Southeast Asia and migrate around the world. This new discovery may help to further improve influenza vaccines and make the evolution of the virus more predictable.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with scientists from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance Network, found that each year since 2002 influenza A (H3N2) viruses have migrated out of what the authors call the "East and Southeast Asian ciculation network" (which includes tropical, subtropical, and temperate countries) and spread throughout the world. Their findings are reported in the April edition of Science.  

Content Updated (Monday, 19 May 2008)