Why flu cases are surging this season. And, protests erupt in Iran over the economy

"The flu season is off to a rough start this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 7.5 million people have been sickened, and more than 3,100 people have died from the flu this season. The surge in cases appears to be driven primarily by a new strain of the virus known as subclade K of influenza A(H3N2), which emerged over the summer in Australia."

"The new strain doesn't seem to be more severe or dangerous than previous ones, NPR's Gabrielle Emanuel tells Up First. Instead, this year's flu vaccine appears to be mismatched against the virus because it was formulated before the strain emerged. Early data from the U.K. show that the vaccine remains effective at preventing hospitalization. Some health experts, however, have raised concerns that the federal government has failed to launch a strong flu vaccination campaign."

"President Trump's critics say that a strike on a Venezuelan facility is dragging the U.S. even closer to a more dangerous conflict. This week, the president revealed new details about an attack against a Venezuelan dock allegedly used to load drugs onto boats. The latest operation marks the first known U.S. strike inside Venezuela an escalation of Trump's campaign against Nicolas Maduro's government."

Flu season has sickened an estimated 7.5 million people and caused over 3,100 deaths according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A new influenza A(H3N2) subclade K, which emerged in Australia, appears to be driving the surge. The current vaccine was formulated before the strain emerged and appears mismatched, though early U.K. data show continued effectiveness at preventing hospitalization. Some health experts say the federal government has not mounted a strong vaccination campaign. A U.S. strike on a Venezuelan dock marks the first known strike inside Venezuela and raises risks to civilians. Iran is experiencing its largest protests in years amid runaway inflation and a collapsing currency.

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