New flu variant 'super' K linked to spike in cases amid holiday gatherings
6abc Philadelphia••health
Key Points:
- Flu cases in the U.S. have surged to nearly five million, with infections spreading rapidly during the holiday season, according to CDC data.
- Illinois is at moderate risk for flu, with 4.5% of ER visits related to flu and 20.5% of respiratory illness tests returning positive, while New York reports high respiratory illness activity.
- This season's flu strain, primarily the H3N2 subclade K variant, is causing more intense symptoms and increased vomiting in children compared to previous years.
- Health officials emphasize the importance of flu vaccination, recommending shots for everyone over six months old, despite lower vaccination rates this year.
- Doctors advise early testing and treatment with antivirals like Tamif
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