New Strain Of Flu Virus Could Make Outbreak Worse

Hospitals around the country just got more bad news from doctors as they struggle to contain the most widespread flu outbreak in decades. According to Bloomberg, doctors are worried that new strains of the flu virus are starting to show up, complicating matters for the beleaguered healthcare system. There is also concern that as people people head back to work and school, the potential for infections will increase. 

Doctor visits from people suffering from the flu continue to rise in the new year, despite the CDC saying the season had peaked a few weeks back . Dan Jernigan, director of the influenza division at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, warned that even after the flu season reaches it's peak "that means there is still a whole lot more flu to go."

The main flu strain this year is H3N2, a potent strain that hits humans harder than other strains. The Atlantic reports that doctors were able to identify the H3N2 strain early and created vaccines, but those vaccines have not been as effective as they had hoped. 

What is concerning doctors are the cases of the H1N1 strain popping up around the country alongside the H3N2 strain. They also worry that there could be another outbreak caused by the influenza B virus later in the season. 

Jernigan pointed out that it was the "first year we've had the entire continental U.S. be the same same color," on a map that shows an estimate of flu activity in each state. Hawaii, Washington D.C. the U.S. Virgin Island and Guam were the only places where the flu did not receive a "widespread" designation. 

Doctors suggest that people worried about getting sick get the flu vaccine. Even though it may not be completely effective against the H3N2 strain the vaccine can still protect against the other strains of the virus. The outbreak has also increased the urgency for scientists to develop a vaccine that can protect against all strains of the flu. While scientists are making progress, Jernigan expects it "will be several years before we will have something like that."

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content