Flu season takes a dark turn as H3N2 mutation makes it harder to predict, experts warn.
The UK and US are bracing for what could be the worst flu season in history. The H3N2 strain, which emerged over the summer, has undergone several mutations, making it harder for scientists to predict its impact. While these changes don't spell an impending pandemic, they may allow the virus to evade the immune system, resulting in a higher number of severe cases and increased pressure on hospitals.
The UK's flu season is off to an early start, with cases beginning around five weeks earlier than usual. The country's health officials are growing increasingly concerned as the majority of cases this year have been caused by influenza A strains, with H3N2 leading the way. In fact, the virus has accounted for over 90 percent of cases that had their flu virus type analyzed in the latest UK data.
"This winter will be one of the toughest our staff have ever faced," warned Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England. "Since stepping into this role, the thought of a long, drawn-out flu season has kept me awake at night. And unfortunately, it looks like that fear is becoming reality."
Experts are also sounding the alarm in the US, where the government shutdown has halted flu surveillance operations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) typically publishes weekly reports on flu activity, but those have gone silent since the shutdown began.
"While mismatched vaccines may still provide protection, enhanced genetic, antigenic and epidemiological monitoring are warranted to inform risk assessment and response," said Danuta Skowronski, the epidemiology lead for influenza and emerging respiratory pathogens at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.
Despite these concerns, flu vaccination rates in both countries remain low. In the UK, only 49 percent of children were vaccinated last season, while in the US, about 47 percent of adults and 49 percent of children received vaccinations at the end of last season.
The situation is particularly dire for young people, who are more likely to be superspreaders of flu. "When more children are protected, it helps stop the spread of flu to others around them," said Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist for immunization at UKHSA.
As flu vaccination rates lag behind, health officials are urging everyone to get vaccinated now. It's a message that may be too little, too late, but one thing is clear: this season could be particularly brutal.
The UK and US are bracing for what could be the worst flu season in history. The H3N2 strain, which emerged over the summer, has undergone several mutations, making it harder for scientists to predict its impact. While these changes don't spell an impending pandemic, they may allow the virus to evade the immune system, resulting in a higher number of severe cases and increased pressure on hospitals.
The UK's flu season is off to an early start, with cases beginning around five weeks earlier than usual. The country's health officials are growing increasingly concerned as the majority of cases this year have been caused by influenza A strains, with H3N2 leading the way. In fact, the virus has accounted for over 90 percent of cases that had their flu virus type analyzed in the latest UK data.
"This winter will be one of the toughest our staff have ever faced," warned Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England. "Since stepping into this role, the thought of a long, drawn-out flu season has kept me awake at night. And unfortunately, it looks like that fear is becoming reality."
Experts are also sounding the alarm in the US, where the government shutdown has halted flu surveillance operations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) typically publishes weekly reports on flu activity, but those have gone silent since the shutdown began.
"While mismatched vaccines may still provide protection, enhanced genetic, antigenic and epidemiological monitoring are warranted to inform risk assessment and response," said Danuta Skowronski, the epidemiology lead for influenza and emerging respiratory pathogens at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.
Despite these concerns, flu vaccination rates in both countries remain low. In the UK, only 49 percent of children were vaccinated last season, while in the US, about 47 percent of adults and 49 percent of children received vaccinations at the end of last season.
The situation is particularly dire for young people, who are more likely to be superspreaders of flu. "When more children are protected, it helps stop the spread of flu to others around them," said Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist for immunization at UKHSA.
As flu vaccination rates lag behind, health officials are urging everyone to get vaccinated now. It's a message that may be too little, too late, but one thing is clear: this season could be particularly brutal.
! Like, the H3N2 strain has mutated like crazy and it's making it super hard for scientists to predict how bad it'll get 
. That means we might see even more severe cases and hospitals getting slammed 
. The UK is already dealing with a crazy early flu season and it's only going to get worse... 5 weeks earlier than usual?! 
We need to GET VACCINATED ASAP! 
49% of kids in the UK weren't vaccinated last season? That's, like, TERRIBLE 
. We gotta take this seriously or we'll be facing a BRUTAL flu season 
. The fact that the H3N2 strain has mutated so much it's making it hard to predict its impact is super concerning. I mean, we can't let our guard down just because we thought it was going to be a normal year. Hospitals are already looking at a tough winter ahead and I don't want to see anyone having to deal with the consequences of not getting vaccinated 
.
.
. We need to take this seriously and start taking precautions now.
. Like, 49% of kids in the UK were even vaccinated last season? That's not a failure, that's just a minor blip on the radar. And don't even get me started on how quickly our immune systems adapt to new strains anyway... it's like we're expecting people to be immune to a cold 
. And what's with all the hand-wringing from experts? Flu season is never going to be perfect, and sometimes things just happen 
. We should focus on improving vaccine accessibility and affordability rather than freaking out about the latest mutation 
.
. And what's with the low flu vaccination rates in both countries? It's not like we're gonna see an outbreak and be all "oh no!" 
.
... it's like the virus is trying to outsmart us with all these mutations 
. The fact that the H3N2 strain has mutated so much makes it super hard to predict how bad it'll get, which is just great. And let's not forget that the UK's already seeing cases popping up five weeks earlier than usual...like, what even is that? 
Not exactly the kind of thing you want to hear just as we're heading into winter. And don't even get me started on how low those flu vaccination rates are...49% in the UK? 47% and up in the US? That's, like, not enough if you ask me 
i feel bad for the nhs staff who have to deal with this it sounds like theyre in for a long winter 
and can we pls talk about why vaccination rates are still so low?? 47% is not a good number for adults lol 
anyway just thought i should vent about this 
& its not just the uk, US is also in trouble w/ flu surveillance ops haltered due 2 govt shutdown 
& vaccination rates r still pretty low 
We can't rely on luck to see us through this one...
. We need to get our act together and vaccinate ASAP or else we're gonna be facing a long, dark winter 
.
