"What is cause for some concern this season, though, is a new mutated strain of influenza A called H3N2 subclade K, which was detected in the U.S. this September after spreading globally. The new strain was dubbed the "super flu" by U.K. health officials, who warned it could push their health care system into a "worst case scenario." In the U.S., nearly 90% of H3N2 flu viruses tested since September were found to be this new mutated strain."
"Tobolowsky said this time of year is a prime time for flu to spread as people travel for the holidays. This year, a record 122 million people in the U.S. are expected to travel between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, according to AAA. The best way to avoid getting the "super flu" is still to get a regular flu shot, even though the mutated flu strain means the vaccine may be a little less successful at preventing illness,"
Wastewater data from the California Department of Public Health shows the Bay Area has the highest levels of influenza A in the state, and regional flu test positivity has doubled since late November while remaining relatively low. California flu activity is currently classified as "moderate" by the CDC. A mutated influenza A strain, H3N2 subclade K, spread globally and was detected in the U.S. in September, accounting for nearly 90% of recent H3N2 tests. San Francisco health officials report low but increasing test positivity and wastewater signals, with hospitalizations still low but likely to lag. Holiday travel of a record 122 million people raises transmission risk, and a regular flu shot remains the recommended prevention despite potentially reduced vaccine effectiveness against the mutated strain.
Read at SFGATE
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