Now, Canadian health officials are sounding the alarm as influenza activity begins to increase steeply nationwide. Medical authorities are growing concern over the sudden appearance of a new mutated variant known as subclade K👁. Most importantly, they deeply fear what it would mean for public health. Emergency departments are flooding with flu patients showing up with textbook pictures of what influenza looks like. Other symptoms are a sudden onset of high fever and a dry, persistent cough.
Even as the 2023-2024 flu season hasn’t reached its halfway mark yet, the rate of flu-related hospitalizations is rising at an alarming speed. Adults 65 and older, in addition to children four and younger, have the highest hospitalization rates. Federal and state authorities are encouraging the public to get vaccinated. With new strains constantly on the rise, they stress the importance of flu shots now more than ever.
Rising Hospitalization Rates
Emergency departments in Canada are already overwhelmed with flu cases. Public health advocates have recently raised alarms over reports that hospitals were “rampacked with flu patients,” a mayary sign of serious flu-related hospitalizations.
The rate of weekly flu-related hospitalizations has surged over recent weeks, prompting health officials to take action. In particular, vulnerable populations like seniors and young children have been hit the hardest. In Quebec and Ontario, the test positivity rate is over 6%. Consequently, school-aged children are the most affected, with a 60 percent positivity rate.
Matthew Miller, a leading flu researcher, shared his anxiety about this year’s flu season.
“I think this year has posed some unique challenges.” – Matthew Miller
The unprecedented speed by which influenza has spread across Australia this year highlights the importance of ongoing vigilance and public education towards vaccination and in other preventative actions.
Emergence of Subclade K
Canadian researchers were the first to signal an emerging variant with “immune escape potential.” They found this unusual phenomenon at the end of the Southern Hemisphere flu season. This mutated strain of influenza A H3N2, known as subclade K, is significantly distinct from its forerunner.
Health officials are concerned because when H3N2 is predominate, those years have been associated with more serious illnesses and heightened hospitalizations. This year seems to be no different, as increasing case counts are sounding alarm bells for healthcare providers.
With this new realization, the ability to specifically diagnose strains grows more important. Right now, rapid response tests can only tell you if a person has influenza A or B. These tests cannot distinguish between the subtypes.
Miller acknowledged the importance of improved diagnostics in making sense of the current and continuing outbreak.
“Oddly enough, as someone who has spent their whole life studying flu, this was the first time that I know for sure it was a flu infection by virtue of a diagnostic test.” – Matthew Miller
Vaccination Efforts and Effectiveness
While this unparalleled increase in flu activity is frightening, public health leaders are still encouraging vaccination as the first line of defense against flu. This year’s flu shot has had mixed effectiveness. According to the latest reports, it decreases the likelihood that a child will visit an emergency department or be hospitalized by 60 to 70 percent.
The vaccine’s efficacy in adults is only 30-40 percent. These numbers might appear small at first blush. Experts emphasize that vaccination is tremendously effective at preventing the worst outcomes from these viruses, including hospitalizations and deaths.
Miller highlighted the importance of vaccination in mitigating severe illness:
“There is a big reduction in what we would consider severe outcomes, things like hospitalizations or ICU admissions or death in cases where people still get infected even after getting the flu shot.” – Matthew Miller
Jesse Papenburg, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, reinforced the message about vaccination, affirming that it remains beneficial even at this stage in the flu season.
“Absolutely it’s worth it, and it’s not too late.” – Jesse Papenburg
As vaccination efforts continue, health officials are closely monitoring the situation and urging individuals to protect themselves and their communities through immunization.
