Key Highlights
- A new form of the flu, which is highly contagious and aggressive, is sweeping the nation this season.
- A mutation of influenza A H3N2, called subclade K, has been detected as the culprit in rising global cases, including in the U. S. The World Health Organization stated on its website that the K variant marks "a notable evolution in influenza A (H3N2) viruses," which some say calls into question the effectiveness of this season's influenza vaccine against the strain.
- ‘AGGRESSIVE’ NEW FLU VARIANT SWEEPS GLOBE AS DOCTORS WARN OF SEVERE SYMPTOMS The K variant causes more intense flu symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat and runny nose, according to experts.
- Multiple states in the northeast are reporting high rates of respiratory illness this month.
- (iStock) Among 216 influenza A(H3N2) viruses collected since Sept.
