Winter Is Coming And So Is The Flu

Influenza A H3N2 remains the dominant strain around the world
(Precision Vaccinations News)

In the World Health Organization (WHO) November 13, 2017 update, the flu has slightly increased slightly in the Northern Hemisphere.

And, influenza A H3N2 remains the dominant strain.

Of flu samples collected and tested during October 2017, 72.3% were influenza A and 27.7% as influenza B.

Of the sub-typed influenza A viruses, 13.8% were H1N1 and 86.2% were H3N2.

This WHO report found:

  • In Europe, influenza activity remained low, with detections of predominantly influenza A(H3N2) and B viruses.
  • In Western Asia, influenza activity was low in general. In Qatar, influenza activity remained high with all seasonal subtypes co-circulating.
  • In Central Asia, influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) indicators appeared to increase in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
  • In East Asia, influenza activity remained low in general. In Northern China, influenza A(H3N2) detections increased slightly in recent weeks.
  • In South East Asia, influenza activity continued to decrease, with influenza A(H3N2) and B viruses most frequently detected.
  • In Southern Asia, influenza activity remained low in general. In India, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) detections decreased in recent weeks.
  • In Northern Africa, there were no reports during the reporting period.
  • In Western and Middle Africa, influenza detections continued to be reported, with all seasonal influenza subtypes present in the region. In Eastern Africa, little to no influenza activity was reported.
  • In the Caribbean and Central American countries, respiratory illness indicators and influenza activity remained low in general but respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remained high in several countries.
  • In the tropical countries of South America, influenza and RSV activity remained at low levels.

Separately, Israeli researchers found the 2016 influenza vaccine effectiveness of 29.0% against influenza H3N2.

Moreover, H3N2 caused 98% of infections.

This Israeli research team reported its findings in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

In the USA, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the annual flu vaccine can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

Most pharmacies in the USA offer several FDA approved flu vaccines.

The flu shot cost varies depending upon your insurance and which state you live.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector vaccine prices for general information.

Flu vaccine discounts can be found here.

For further information on influenza in the USA, please visit the CDC website.

 

 

Our Trust Standards: Medical Advisory Committee

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