Atmospheric scientists found 60 per cent of influenza outbreaks over a 31-year period occurred after an arid spell.

She died in 1927 during the influenza outbreaks of the 1920s.

When influenza outbreaks occur, medications such as amantadine or rimantadine may help prevent the condition.

Their numbers are thought to have declined precipitously following post-contact disease epidemics in the 1940s, and have not rebounded due high infant mortality rates and periodic influenza outbreaks.