U.S. on Alert as Severe H3N2 Flu Strain Spreads from Canada, U.K.
As the flu season commences, health authorities are on high alert due to a severe H3N2 strain emerging from Canada and the U.K. This strain, which surfaced in June, is causing a notable rise in hospitalizations.
Concerns Over H3N2 Flu Strain
Dr. Wenqing Zhang, who leads the World Health Organization’s Global Respiratory Threats Unit, expressed worries about the rapid spread of H3N2, noting its predominance in certain Northern Hemisphere countries. The new variant has acquired seven mutations over the summer, as highlighted by infectious disease consultant Antonia Ho from the University of Glasgow.
Early Flu Season in the U.K. and Canada
The U.K. faces a particularly severe flu season, with cases reportedly tripling compared to the same period last year, as stated by James Mackey, head of the U.K. National Health Service. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan, indicated that Canada is also witnessing an uptick in flu cases.
Japan’s Unprecedented Flu Season
Japan is experiencing an unusually harsh flu season, with flu cases in Tokyo increasing nearly sixfold compared to last year. As of November 4, the Japanese Ministry of Health noted over 2,300 schools and daycares were partially closed due to the outbreak.
H3N2’s Impact on the U.S.
Concerns are rising regarding the H3N2 strain’s presence in the United States. While there are anecdotal reports of Flu A infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not released comprehensive data since September 26 due to a government shutdown.
Challenges in Flu Data Collection
Experts warn that the CDC’s staff reductions may hinder data collection and analysis. Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University stated that reliance will shift to state and academic laboratories for flu investigations.
Effectiveness of This Year’s Flu Vaccine
This year’s flu vaccine was formulated in February, targeting prevalent strains from the Southern Hemisphere. It includes two types of influenza A and one type of influenza B. Preliminary results from the U.K. suggest that this year’s vaccine is about 40% effective in preventing hospitalizations in adults.
- Seasonal flu vaccines aim to reduce illness severity rather than prevent infection.
- Last year’s vaccine had an effectiveness of up to 55% against hospitalizations.
- Experts recommend vaccination to help reduce severe outcomes.
Dr. Schaffner encourages vaccination, stating that even with mismatched strains, vaccines can significantly lower hospitalizations and mortality rates.
