When does the flu season begin and end?

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Wed 19 Jul   [ozayr_patel_hello-1] The common cold and influenza A and B generally occur in winter. Some thoughts for this happening are that people gather in places with poor ventilation more often and that the cold air makes nasal passages vulnerable to infections. But determining when the flu season in South Africa actually starts, proves to be tough. So a bunch of researchers set out to do this because, if we know when the flu season is, it becomes possible to respond effectively by allocating healthcare resources and administering vaccinations. The researchers found that the flu season is 19 weeks long. But the exact week of onset and conclusion varies considerably across the country and from year to year. Broadly, it starts in May, coinciding with the onset of winter, and lasts until September, with the onset of spring. The weather patterns of winter in South Africa are characterised by cooler temperatures and reduced rainfall in the summer rainfall region (which is most of South Africa), while the Western Cape has a winter rainfall. Some preventative measures you can take are to wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze, dispose of used tissues properly and get vaccinated. In other news, you can find our coverage on liberation struggle military vets pushing on with their reparations claim. About 2 700 of them are claiming R4.2 million each — the R500 000 compensation they were promised in 1994 for their contribution to ending apartheid, plus interest and escalation. As well as a monthly pension of R15 000.. In the Thabo Bester trial, the appeal by his alleged lover and accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana, to declare her arrest in Tanzania and extradition to South Africa unlawful has been dismissed. And the Mail & Guardian has announced a new board chairperson — Hoosain Karjieker, the M&G’s former chief executive. M&G Media Limited director Thembisa Fakude has been seconded as the publication’s acting chief executive Ozayr Patel | Climate & Environment Editor [@Ozayr8]( [flu season]( [It’s flu season, but why does it happen in winter?]( When the season starts varies in different provinces, as do the strains of the viruses Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian This article is for registered members and subscribers. Please register your free account now. Articles with a gold lock next to the title are subscriber exclusive content. Register For your free account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience, please register your free account now. 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[// Read more]( [SAFRICA-POLITICS-MANDELA-CAPTURE-COMMEMORATION]( Premium [Almost 3000 military vets push ahead with reparations claim of R4.2m each]( The claim is based on the R500 000 each veteran was promised in 1994, which they say today works out to be R4.2 million. [// Read more]( [gettyimages-1253574855-594x594]( [Court dismisses Dr Nandipha’s application for leave to appeal]( Magudumana had asked the court to declare her arrest in Tanzania and extradition to South Africa unlawful [// Read more]( Recommended Reads Premium [Ramaphosa: Arresting Putin would be a declaration of war for Russia]( In court papers, the president pleaded that he had a constitutional obligation not to expose South Africa to this risk Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian This article is for registered members and subscribers. Please register your free account now. Articles with a gold lock next to the title are subscriber exclusive content. 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Your subscription plays a vital role in supporting our mission and unlocks: - M&G community membership - access to all articles online, including premium subs-only features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper emailed to you every week - invites to subscriber only events - the opportunity to test new online features, first [Subscribe]( Already registered or a subscriber? login here. [// Read more]( [Corruption at the helm of wildlife crimes, Wildlife Justice Commission report finds]( The international organisation has released a study on the link between corruption and wildlife crimes Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian This article is for registered members and subscribers. Please register your free account now. Articles with a gold lock next to the title are subscriber exclusive content. Register For your free account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience, please register your free account now. 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[// Read more]( [Zandile Khumalo: ‘I could not see who shot Senzo Meyiwa’]( Khumalo, the first witness in the new trial for the footballer’s October 2014 murder, said two intruders entered through the kitchen door and demanded money and phones Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian This article is for registered members and subscribers. Please register your free account now. Articles with a gold lock next to the title are subscriber exclusive content. Register For your free account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience, please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member and unlocks: - registration to the M&G newsletters - notifications so you never miss a beat - helps us give you the best possible experience on the M&G Online Register Subscribe Join the M&G Community The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. By subscribing, you become a valued member of the M&G community, actively championing independent journalism and enabling us to deliver the latest news directly to you. Your subscription plays a vital role in supporting our mission and unlocks: - M&G community membership - access to all articles online, including premium subs-only features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper emailed to you every week - invites to subscriber only events - the opportunity to test new online features, first [Subscribe]( Already registered or a subscriber? login here. [// Read more]( [National Health Insurance appoints two new chief directors]( These two positions will oversee user and service provider management and healthcare benefits and provider payment design [// Read more]( [M&G announces a new board chairperson and an acting chief executive]( M&G Media Limited director Thembisa Fakude has been seconded as the Mail & Guardian’s acting chief executive as Hoosain Karjieker shifts into the job of chairing M&G Media Limited board [// Read more]( Pic of the day [Thembisa Fakude] M&G Media Limited director Thembisa Fakude has been seconded as the Mail & Guardian’s acting chief executive. (Lineo Leteba) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa