The curious case of influenza in the Southern Hemisphere

Comic by Dr Ciléin Kearns

In a letter published in The Lancet last week, we noted that this Winter there was no epidemic of influenza (the flu) in the southern hemisphere - the first time this has happened since records began! We think this is due to the community measures to prevent COVID-19 spread, such as social distancing, mask use, and travel restrictions. Could influenza epidemics be prevented every year with some of these precautions?

You can read the full letter here: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32166-8