Flu activity is low, but experts worry about a new strain and vaccination rates

"The U.S. flu season is starting slowly, and it's unclear if it will be as bad as last winter's, but some health experts are worried as U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Friday shows a new version of the virus has emerged. An early analysis suggests current vaccines may still be somewhat effective against the new version of the flu, which has been the main driver of recent infections, CDC data shows."

"Last winter, the overall flu hospitalization rate was the highest seen since the H1N1 flu pandemic 15 years ago. Flu was the underlying or a contributing cause of more than 18,000 deaths, and one seven-day stretch early this year saw more than 1,800 deaths the highest one-week spike in at least a decade. Child flu deaths also were far higher than usual."

"CDC data posted Friday showed low flu activity so far, with only one state Louisiana reporting moderate activity. Most of the reported infections have been in children, said the CDC's Alicia Budd, who tracks flu infections for the Atlanta-based agency. Most also have been a new version of the type A H3N2 virus that historically has caused the most hospitalizations and deaths in older people."

U.S. flu activity is low so far, with only Louisiana reporting moderate activity. Most reported infections have been in children. A new subclade K variant of type A H3N2 has driven more than half of recent infections. H3N2 historically causes the most hospitalizations and deaths in older adults. Early analyses suggest current vaccines may provide at least partial protection against the new variant. Vaccination rates remain disappointing, raising concern for another severe season. Last winter featured the highest overall flu hospitalization rate since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, more than 18,000 deaths, and unusually high child deaths.

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