Health and Me

Ishita Roy

New Aggressive Flu Strain Is Now A Health Threat In US

<span>H3N2</span>'s mutation or the in<span>flu</span>enza A's subclade K is now the new aggressive virus that has swept the United States with flu cases. This is the culprit in rising flu cases, globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) on its website said that K variant marks "a notable evolution in influenza A (H3N2) viruses". Some are also questioning the effectiveness of this season's influenza vaccine against the strain.

<h2>What Are The Common Symptoms This Season For The Flu?</h2>

K variant causes more intense flu symptoms, they include:

<ul><li>Fever</li><li>Chills</li><li>Headache</li><li>Fatigue</li><li>Cough</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Runny nose</li></ul>

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among 216 influenza A (H3N2) viruses collected since September 28, 89.8% belonged to the subclade K. CDC had been releasing weekly influenza surveillance reports and tracked which states have been seeing the most activity for outpatient respiratory illness. 

The highest number of cases were reported from New York. New Jersey, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and Colorado came under 'Very High' category in level 3. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, Idaho, and South Carolina were under 'High' category level 1, New Mexico, under level 2, and Washington D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, and Georgia under level 3. 

The CDC estimates that this flu season has already led to around 4.6 million illnesses, nearly 49,000 hospitalizations and about 1,900 deaths. Health authorities continue to stress that getting the flu vaccine remains the most effective way to protect against the virus.

<h2>Are The Old Vaccines Effective Against This New Variant?</h2>

"The vaccine remains the most effective means to prevent disease. We still want to encourage people to get the vaccine," said Professor Antonia Ho, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the University of Glasgow. Experts have stressed enough on the immunity that one can receive from the vaccine that that these flu jab remain the best defense against the flu, even though the current strain circulated may have drifted away from the strain included in this year's jab.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also show that vaccines is performing as expect, despite the emergence of subclade K.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/will-the-old-flu-vaccine-protect-you-against-the-new-subclade-k-article-153321194" data-type="tilCustomLink">Will The Old Flu Vaccine Protect You Against The New Subclade K?</a>

<h2>Why Is This New Strain Hitting Hard?</h2>

Doctors explain that subclade K enhances the ability of the virus to slip through our immune protection. However, it does not mean that vaccination offers no protection against the flu. In fact, experts and doctors have been emphasizing the need to get yourself vaccinated to help you protect from the worst effects of the virus.

If you look at deaths and severe illness with flu, the vast majority both in adults and in children are unvaccinated. 

Do vaccines give full protection? Doctors have pointed that you may get the flu even if you are vaccinated, it’s that the severity, the chance that you’re going to end up in hospital and worst-case scenario in the ICU or die does seem to be significantly protected against by being vaccinated.

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H3N2's mutation or the influenza A's subclade K is now the new aggressive virus that has swept the United States with flu cases. This is the culprit in rising flu cases, globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) on its website said that K variant marks "a notable evolution in influenza A (H3N2) viruses". Some are also questioning the effectiveness of this season's influenza vaccine against the strain.What Are The Common Symptoms This Season For The Flu?K variant causes more intense flu symptoms, they include:FeverChillsHeadacheFatigueCoughSore throatRunny noseAccording to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among 216 influenza A (H3N2) viruses collected since September 28, 89.8% belonged to the subclade K. CDC had been releasing weekly influenza surveillance reports and tracked which states have been seeing the most activity for outpatient respiratory illness. The highest number of cases were reported from New York. New Jersey, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and Colorado came under 'Very High' category in level 3. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, Idaho, and South Carolina were under 'High' category level 1, New Mexico, under level 2, and Washington D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, and Georgia under level 3. The CDC estimates that this flu season has already led to around 4.6 million illnesses, nearly 49,000 hospitalizations and about 1,900 deaths. Health authorities continue to stress that getting the flu vaccine remains the most effective way to protect against the virus.Are The Old Vaccines Effective Against This New Variant?"The vaccine remains the most effective means to prevent disease. We still want to encourage people to get the vaccine," said Professor Antonia Ho, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the University of Glasgow. Experts have stressed enough on the immunity that one can receive from the vaccine that that these flu jab remain the best defense against the flu, even though the current strain circulated may have drifted away from the strain included in this year's jab.Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also show that vaccines is performing as expect, despite the emergence of subclade K.Also Read: Will The Old Flu Vaccine Protect You Against The New Subclade K?Why Is This New Strain Hitting Hard?Doctors explain that subclade K enhances the ability of the virus to slip through our immune protection. However, it does not mean that vaccination offers no protection against the flu. In fact, experts and doctors have been emphasizing the need to get yourself vaccinated to help you protect from the worst effects of the virus.If you look at deaths and severe illness with flu, the vast majority both in adults and in children are unvaccinated. Do vaccines give full protection? Doctors have pointed that you may get the flu even if you are vaccinated, it’s that the severity, the chance that you’re going to end up in hospital and worst-case scenario in the ICU or die does seem to be significantly protected against by being vaccinated.