A highly contagious "super flu" strain is currently sweeping across the United States, with certain states experiencing more severe outbreaks. Alarmingly, this strain is not included in the flu vaccine for this year, according to health experts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a 14.3% increase in hospitalization rates due to the flu as of last Friday. Public health officials note that the virus is spreading especially quickly in New York, Louisiana, and Colorado. Additionally, states such as New Jersey and Rhode Island are experiencing high rates of flu activity as of December 13. Other states, including Georgia, New Mexico, Idaho, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., are also seeing elevated hospital visits related to flu symptoms.
Experts warn that from now through the end of flu season in February, the virus will continue to spread across all states, albeit at different intensities.
The concerning strain is identified as subclade K. Early data indicates that approximately 90% of influenza A virus cases are linked to this strain. Notably, the current flu vaccine does not cover influenza A, which is responsible for the highest number of deaths among elderly populations. Nonetheless, health officials recommend getting the flu shot, as it can help reduce the severity of symptoms.
Common symptoms of this super flu include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Occasionally vomiting or diarrhea
While most individuals recover within a few days to a couple of weeks, complications such as pneumonia can be life-threatening, particularly for vulnerable groups.
