Why is flu season so bad this year?
Live Science • • general
Key Points:
- The current flu season is dominated by influenza A(H3N2), with over 91% of samples identified as subclade K, a group of viruses with recent mutations that reduce immunity from past infections or vaccinations.
- Despite its spread, subclade K does not cause more severe illness than other flu strains, and symptoms remain consistent with previous seasons, including fever, cough, and fatigue.
- The flu vaccine may be a less perfect match for subclade K but still significantly reduces the risk of serious complications and hospitalizations, as shown by data from the Southern Hemisphere.
- Flu vaccination rates are down this season, especially among children, which poses a risk since most flu-related pediatric deaths occur in unvaccinated children
