What is causing the severe flu season in Massachusetts?

A mutated strain of influenza A H3N2, subclade K, is largely responsible for the severe flu season, as it can partially evade immunity.

How effective are flu vaccines against the current strain?

Current flu vaccines show good effectiveness against pediatric hospitalizations and moderate effectiveness against adult hospitalizations, despite the mutated strain.

Which age groups are most at risk during this flu season?

Children under five and adults aged 65 and older are most susceptible to severe complications from the flu.

Home / Health / Flu Surge: Deaths Double, Hospitals Overwhelmed

Flu Surge: Deaths Double, Hospitals Overwhelmed

14 Jan

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Summary

Flu deaths have reached 66, doubling last year's toll by this time.
A mutated H3N2 strain may evade immunity from vaccines and prior infections.
Vaccination rates are lower than last year, exacerbating the severe season.

Flu Surge: Deaths Double, Hospitals Overwhelmed

Massachusetts is experiencing a significantly worse flu season than last year, marked by a doubling of deaths to 66, including four pediatric fatalities. This surge is partly attributed to a new, immune-evading subclade of influenza A H3N2, known as subclade K.

This mutated strain contains eight amino acid changes, potentially reducing the effectiveness of existing antibodies from vaccines or prior infections. Despite being well into the season, experts strongly recommend vaccination, noting current vaccines show significant effectiveness against hospitalizations, particularly for children.

Massachusetts hospitals are reporting a substantial increase in flu-related emergency department visits, with some seeing nearly 20 percent of cases linked to influenza. Lower vaccination rates this year compared to last year further contribute to the crisis. Health officials are emphasizing preventive measures and early treatment for high-risk individuals.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.

Flu Surge: Deaths Double, Hospitals Overwhelmed

14 Jan

•

Summary

Flu deaths have reached 66, doubling last year's toll by this time.
A mutated H3N2 strain may evade immunity from vaccines and prior infections.
Vaccination rates are lower than last year, exacerbating the severe season.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.