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Drifted H3N2 Subclade K Drives Early U.S. Flu Surge as Hospitalizations Climb

Health officials urge vaccination plus early antiviral treatment given evidence the current shot reduces severe illness.

Young caucasian woman blowing nose with paper tissue wearing a robe sitting on bed suffering from a cold. Cold and sickness concept.
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Overview

  • CDC surveillance finds that 89.8% of recently analyzed H3N2 samples belong to the subclade K lineage.
  • The World Health Organization describes subclade K as a notable evolution of H3N2, spurring questions about the vaccine match.
  • Federal estimates count at least 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations and 1,900 flu deaths so far this season.
  • Vaccination coverage is lagging last year’s pace, with less than half of adults and children immunized nationwide.
  • Louisville hospitals report 14 children and 23 adults currently hospitalized with flu, and very high outpatient respiratory activity is reported in parts of the Northeast, Louisiana, Colorado and Washington, D.C.