New flu strain sweeping across Europe is putting pressure on healthcare, says WHO

"An intense surge in flu cases driven by a newly dominant virus strain is sweeping across Europe, placing healthcare systems in several countries under severe pressure, the World Health Organization has said. The WHO said on Wednesday that at least 27 of the 38 countries in its European region were reporting high or very high influenza activity, with more than half of patients with flu-like symptoms testing positive in six countries including Ireland, Serbia, Slovenia and the UK."

"The WHO said the new seasonal flu variant A(H3N2) sub-clade K was driving the infections, accounting for up to 90% of all confirmed flu cases in the European region, but added that there was no evidence it was causing more severe disease. Hans Henri Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, said: Flu comes around every winter, but this year is a little different. It shows how just a small genetic variation in the flu virus can place enormous pressure on our health systems."

At least 27 of 38 European countries are reporting high or very high influenza activity, with over half of patients with flu-like symptoms testing positive in six countries including Ireland, Serbia, Slovenia and the UK. The season began roughly four weeks earlier than previous years. The A(H3N2) sub-clade K variant is driving infections, accounting for up to 90% of confirmed cases, without evidence of increased severity. Early UK data indicate vaccination reduces risk of severe illness though it may not prevent infection. Vaccination, staying home when unwell, masking if symptomatic, and protecting high-risk groups are recommended.

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