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'Nastier' Mutant Strain Means UK Could See Worst Flu Season in a Decade
Hospitals in the UK may reach full capacity this winter as the mutated H3N2 virus, linked to over 410,000 flu cases in Australia, spreads early and evades immunity.
- On Thursday, the NHS in England issued a 'flu jab SOS' urging use of over 2.4 million vaccine appointments available next week and warned of a tough season ahead.
- A sudden mutation in June produced seven changes in the H3N2 strain of influenza, enabling rapid spread during the northern hemisphere's summer and triggering early cases by September.
- In Australia, health authorities recorded more than 410,000 lab-confirmed cases this year, while seasonal flu's R number rose to 1.4 and experts warned this season's flu vaccine may be mismatched but still reduces severity.
- Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, urged eligible people to get vaccinated this year, doctors to use early antiviral treatment promptly, and the public to book via 119, pharmacies, or GP practices as clinics are open.
- Prof Nicola Lewis warned `H3 is always a hotter virus, it's a nastier virus, it's more impactful on the population`, while NHS delivered more than 13 million vaccines but child uptake is one in four and a resident doctors' strike this month may strain services.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
Experts are concerned about the emergence of a new strain of H3N2, which the vaccine currently available could not prevent.
·Montreal, Canada
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Canada could face ‘worst kind’ of flu season as experts warn evolving strain may be mismatch for vaccine
With flu cases now rising in Canada, medical experts are bracing for a difficult influenza season linked to the global spread of an evolving H3N2 strain that could be a mismatch for this year’s vaccine.
·Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Left
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
56% Left
L 56%
C 44%
Factuality
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