How is California handling the flu season? What to know about the new strain
The flu season is here in full swing with thousands of confirmed flu cases in California.
But how bad is it this season? Should you be concerned about the new “super flu” strain?
Here’s what to know:
What is the flu?
Influenza, otherwise known as the “flu”, is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs, throat, nose and mouth, according to the California Department of Public Health.
There are two types of flu that circulate in the fall and winter: Influenza A and Influenza B.
Influenza A viruses are particularly unique because they can mutate to cause novel viruses meaning viruses that have not infected humans before, according to CDPH.
Humans have no immunity to novel viruses, making them harder to fight off, and these viruses have the potential to cause flu pandemics with “severe disease,” per CDPH.
Influenza B is the most common form of the flu. It is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and can vary in severity from mild to serious and at times can lead to serious complications including pneumonia and bronchitis, according to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
What is the new ‘super flu’ strain?
Seasonal influenza activity is elevated in California due to the new flu strain H3N2, subclade K, according to a Friday, Jan. 9 news release from the California Department of Public Health.
This new strain of influenza has resulted in higher positivity rates in children with hospital admission rates and emergency department visits rising, according to CDPH.
Seasonal influenza activity has increased globally in recent months, with an increased proportion of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) viruses detected, according to the World Health Organization.
“Although global activity remains within expected seasonal ranges, early increases and higher activity than typical at this time of year have been observed in some regions. Seasonal influenza viruses, including A(H3N2) viruses, continually evolve over time.” said the WHO website.
How many flu cases are there in California? Sacramento region?
CDPH reported more than 13,000 positive flu tests for the week ending Saturday, Jan. 3. It also reported an additional flu death from the week.
It reported nearly 1,500 hospital admissions in the state due to the flu.
There were nearly 1,200 positive flu cases and no recorded flu deaths in the Greater Sierra-Sacramento region, per the CDPH.
How to protect yourself from the flu
People are advised to schedule a flu vaccine and practice good hygiene.
Stanford University’s Dr. Yvonne Maldonado said it’s not too late to get a flu shot this season.
“The vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related medical visits every year. We know that most people hospitalized for flu are unvaccinated,” Maldonado said in a news release.
She said some groups are at higher risk than others, including seniors 65 years and older, children younger than 2, pregnant people, and people living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Additional prevention practices include avoiding close contact with people who are sick and to cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People are encouraged to clean their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer and to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, per CDC guidelines.
