"This variant has multiple mutations in a protein on the surface of the virus called hemagglutinin, making it antigenically different from the variants used in existing vaccines. This allows it to partially evade immunity acquired through previous infection or vaccines, making people more susceptible to infection. Genetic analysis by the UK Health Security Agency has revealed that 87 percent of H3N2 viruses detected since late August 2025 are subclade K."
"The term "super flu" is not necessarily scientifically accurate. The H3N2 strain already caused severe illness in the elderly and children, and the new mutant strain has not made it more deadly. Contrary to the name, the virus's inherent danger is said to be no different from the conventional H3N2 strain. In 2025, the US influenza pandemic peaked in early February, with active epidemics occurring in 87.3 percent of the country."
Influenza intensified this fall in the United States and United Kingdom, with the US CDC calling 2024-25 the most severe season since 2017-18 and the UK seeing the earliest spread since 2003-04. A new H3N2 variant, subclade K, carries multiple hemagglutinin mutations that make it antigenically distinct from vaccine strains and allow partial immune evasion. UK surveillance found subclade K comprised 87 percent of H3N2 detections since late August 2025. The variant has not increased inherent lethality compared with conventional H3N2. The 2025 US epidemic peaked in early February with widespread high activity and increased pediatric deaths, reflecting scale rather than greater virulence. Many regions experienced an earlier than usual seasonal onset.
Read at WIRED
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]