According to medical sources, the situation with hospitalizations in the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries continues to worsen. Each new report confirms that the number of cases is rising, and health authorities are strongly recommending taking precautions.
As of today, the superflu strain, belonging to subclass K of the influenza A virus (H3N2), is becoming dominant. For example, in the United States, it accounts for nearly 90% of all reported cases, while in Canada, this figure exceeds 70%. In the past week, the number of hospitalizations in Canada has doubled.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. reports that the number of patients in hospitals exceeds normal levels for this time of year, and forecasts indicate that the healthcare system will face serious challenges in the coming weeks. Overall, more than 4.6 million cases have already been reported in the U.S., with 49,000 hospitalizations and about 2,000 fatalities.
The flu season 2025/2026 began 2-4 weeks earlier than usual. Subclass K is currently actively spreading in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, as well as in other countries in Europe, Australia, Japan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Russia is also facing the spread of subclass K of the influenza A virus, known as Hong Kong flu.
The virus has undergone several amino acid changes in the hemagglutinin protein, leading to genetic differences from the vaccine strain. Nevertheless, experts recommend getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of illness.
"If there is a year when it is worth getting vaccinated against the flu, it is this one," noted microbiologist and vaccine specialist Scott Hensley from the University of Pennsylvania.
In light of the ongoing rise in hospitalizations in various countries, health authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination and the use of personal protective equipment.
