Australian flu, one death in Wellington

A nurse from Wellington, New Zealand, died on 21 July, 10 days after presenting with symptoms consistent with infection with the influenza A subtype H3N2 virus, also known as the ‘Australian strain’. As reported by the local media, the cause of death remains unconfirmed. The preliminary report on the woman’s death did not shed light on the reason for the severe impact of the virus, given that she was described as a person of robust health. The deceased’s husband also contracted the same virus and was admitted for treatment of pneumonia and bacteremia in a medically induced coma in the intensive care unit of the Wellington hospital.