TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – A new mutation of the influenza A(H3N2) strain, known as subclade K, is causing an increase in flu cases and hospitalizations in Texas and across the country early in this year’s flu season.
The new variant allows for the virus to resist the effectiveness of this year’s flu vaccine, as subclade K has several differences compared to the sample of the influenza A(H3N2) used in making the vaccine as a result of the mutation. Specifically, the parts of the virus that are recognized by the immune system to fight the virus changed enough over time that the antibodies produced with the help of this year’s vaccine may not work for some people’s immune systems. For others, it may not recognize the virus altogether. That mutation change is known as antigenic drift, according to the CDC
An uptick in flu cases across Texas has been reported by Texas Health Human Services(KLTV)
In Texas, the number of hospital/clinic visits relating to have passed 5,000 weekly cases for three weeks in a row for the weeks with an end date of Nov. 22, Nov, 29, and Dec. 6, according to Texas Health and Human Services. Compared to the same time last year, that’s more than double the number of weekly cases. In East Texas, those numbers reach around 250 hospital/clinic visits per week.
Meanwhile, the number of hospitalizations in Texas relating to influenza have begun to raise, especially for those 65 years old or older. On the week ending on Dec. 6, 7.4 people in Texas aged 65+ out of every 100,000 were hospitalized in Texas. One month ago, only 2.2 out of every 100,000 people aged 65 or older were hospitalized.
Despite the challenges presented by subclade K, the CDC recommends to get the vaccine, as it can provide “protection against severe influenza illness, hospitalization, and death” while also protecting “against other circulating influenza viruses represented in the influenza vaccines.”
Right now, the flu season is still in its early stages, with the number of infections rising during holiday travel and during the later winter months. That means now is a good time to get a vaccine before the infection rate increases.
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