Winter coughs and aches could pack nasty punch in WaikatoAntonio Gravante 123RF Northern hemisphere countries have been hit with a deadly flu season due to the prevalence of a life-threatening flu strain, A (H3N2). Waikato DHB bosses have started contingency plans for this year's flu season and will add 26 new beds to a vacant floor of Waikato Hospital's Menzies building. Northern hemisphere countries have been hit with a deadly flu season due to the prevalence of a life-threatening flu strain, A (H3N2). Best predictions were the influenza A (H3N2) would come to New Zealand as it was here toward the end of last winter, Turner said. New Zealand gets periodic whooping cough every four to five years and right now we are seeing a lot of whooping cough."

Source: Stuff March 18, 2018 00:33 UTC