New flu strain spreads worldwide, doctors concerned

A new and potentially more dangerous strain of influenza, the H3N2 “K subclade,” has triggered a wave of infections across dozens of countries, BBC Russian Service reports.

The variant was first detected in Australia and New Zealand, followed by outbreaks in Japan and the UK, and is now confirmed in more than 30 countries. Because this version of the virus has circulated rarely in recent years, population immunity is low.

Derek Smith, director of the Centre for Pathogen Evolution at the University of Cambridge, said H3N2 has undergone seven mutations and is “almost certain to sweep across the globe.”

Symptoms resemble typical flu — sudden fever, muscle aches and fatigue — but health officials warn that the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions face higher risks.

Vaccination remains the best protection, though current vaccines may be less effective against the new variant. Several countries, including Japan and the UK, have closed schools and tightened mask requirements to slow transmission.