HIBAPRESS
The World Health Organization has warned of the rapid spread of a new strain of influenza in the Northern Hemisphere, confirming that vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing the disease.
Winchin Zhang, the head of the Global Respiratory Threats Unit at the organization, explained that this year is witnessing the emergence and rapid spread of a new subtype of the influenza virus (AH3N2), dubbed (J.2.4.1) or the subtype (K), which was first detected in Australia and New Zealand last August, before being discovered in more than 30 countries. Zhang confirmed that current data does not indicate an increase in the severity of the disease, although the genetic mutation represents a significant development in the virus, pointing out that influenza viruses are constantly evolving, which necessitates updating the vaccine composition periodically. She added that the new strain was not included in the composition of the latest vaccines produced for the influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere, but initial evidence indicates that current vaccines provide protection against severe cases and reduce the risk of hospitalization. The World Health Organization estimates that there are about one billion cases of seasonal influenza annually, including five million severe cases, while related deaths reach 650,000 annually.
