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NHS<\/a>\u00a0bosses have reported a record number of patients in hospitals after an \u2018unprecedented flu wave\u2019 this winter \u2013 but the UK is not alone in this.<\/p>\n Every year, respiratory viruses, especially\u00a0influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, put enormous pressure on healthcare systems\u00a0throughout Europe.<\/p>\n And this year, some countries reported cases as early as October. In\u00a0Spain<\/a>, for example, the threshold for an epidemic was reached several weeks earlier than expected.<\/p>\n The majority of cases detected in the UK are of the A\/H3N2 strain \u2013 the K variant \u2013 which is known to constantly mutate in a process known as \u2018shift and drift\u2019.<\/p>\n Influenza is split into two types, A and B, the former of which now accounts for all seasonal varieties of flu, including the 2009 pandemic H1N1.<\/p>\n H3N2 has actually been circulating since around 1968 with annual genetic changes designed to evade our immune systems.<\/p>\n Its latest version \u2013 the K variant \u2013 is thought to be behind the sudden surge of cases in several countries in Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n And while subclade K has attracted some concern over the speed of its dominance, medics say there is no sign it causes a more severe or virulent illness.<\/p>\n However because flu season in the UK is usually dominated by variant A\/H1N1, immunity against the H3N2 strain may be lower in the population.<\/p>\n It also means that vaccines, usually designed to protect against the most prevalent variants, may be less effective.<\/p>\n Vaccines are usually prepared based on a mix of the variants that were circulating the previous year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Health<\/a>\u00a0bosses have reiterated that jabs are still an important tool which can protect against severe illness and are urging people to still get immunised ahead of the winter peak.<\/p>\n While the risk to the general population remains moderate, the K subclade is thought to present the greatest threat to those from clinically vulnerable sections of society.<\/p>\n These include pregnant women, over 65s and people with underlying health conditions.<\/p>\n Although all age groups are affected, with around 20 per cent of the population thought to be infected each year, children have the highest rates.<\/p>\n Around 90 per cent of new flu cases in the UK are thought to be from the new variant of H3N2.<\/p>\n The new variant has also struck hard in Asia, including in\u00a0Japan<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0China<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 the latter reporting that it accounted for up to 95 per cent of new positive tests for flu.<\/p>\n Dr Wang Dayan, the head of the National Influenza Centre, said that a total of 17 provinces nationwide were reporting high numbers of flu cases, with all other provinces reporting moderate figures.<\/p>\n He said: \u2018Based on the latest monitoring, it is highly likely that the national peak will be reached in early to mid-December. The number of influenza outbreaks this season is significantly higher than the previous season.\u2019<\/p>\n Concerns remain that British hospitals could become overwhelmed, as NHS officials say the latest surge in cases has confirmed fears for an \u2018unprecedented flu wave this winter\u2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Professor Julian Redhead, the national medical director for urgent and emergency care, said that cases were \u2018incredibly high\u2019 even for this time of year.<\/p>\nWhat is A\/H3N2 variant K?<\/h2>\n
Are there vaccines?<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nWho is most affected by the H3N2 strain?<\/h2>\n
Where is H3N2 spreading?<\/h2>\n
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