02/24/2012

Mild Winter May Be Keeping Flu Bugs At Bay

A micrograph of the H5N1 avian influenza virion. CDC photo, Cynthia Goldsmith/Jackie Katz.

Flu season usually peaks around February. But this year it’s missing in action, with the CDC reporting the slowest start to the flu season on record. Peter Palese, a microbiologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center, discusses whether unseasonably warm winter weather may be to thank.

Meet the Producer

About Christopher Intagliata

Christopher Intagliata was Science Friday’s senior producer. He once served as a prop in an optical illusion and speaks passable Ira Flatowese.