There’s a new kid on the block this cold and flu season — and it could prove worse than your average winter sniffles.
The flu strain known as subclade K is ringing alarm bells due to its potential severity and resistance to current vaccines, public health experts warn.
The strain is rapidly spreading internationally, with cases rising across the UK and Canada. And Japan declared a nationwide influenza epidemic unusually early, reporting over 6,000 cases and several hospitalizations of children.
A variant of the H3N2 influenza A virus that dominates flu seasons, subclade K is already responsible for over half of US flu cases as of Nov. 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Compared to H1N1 viruses (respiratory infections known as swine flu), H3N2 viruses are often associated with more severe symptoms.
These can include high fever, fatigue, severe body aches, sore throat, chills, runny or congested nose and possible vomiting or diarrhea.
And with flu hospitalizations the highest since 2010, experts worry that subclade K could lead to more cases and even deaths.
“It’s not necessarily showing any signs of being more severe,” Cameron Wolfe, a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at Duke University, told The Hill.
“I think it does look as if it has sort of escaped some of our prior immunity, and therefore we’d expect more cases, and maybe that’s why we’re seeing them more early in the season than what we would usually see.”
Adding to the concern is that vaccinations are down this year, CDC data shows.
While public distrust for vaccinations has grown — especially under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — experts still highly recommend them.
“We don’t claim the vaccine to be perfect,” William Schaffner, a doctor who teaches infectious disease at Vanderbilt University, told The Hill.
“It’s not, [but] it works better at keeping you out of the hospital, the intensive care unit and helping keep you out of the cemetery.”
Flu viruses can constantly change and mutate, meaning current vaccines could be less effective against newer strains like subclade K.
While the most recent flu vaccine may not be a perfect match against subclade K, doctors and the CDC say it’s still worth getting.
Left untreated, subclade K can lead to serious complications like ear and sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia and even death.
Those who may be most vulnerable to the new strain include adults over 65, children under the age of 5, pregnant people and those with underlying chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart or lung disease.
If you contract subclade K or other wintertime illnesses, you should stay home to prevent the spread to others.
A doctor may prescribe antiviral medication to reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu.
