Wenqing Zhang, head of the Global Respiratory Threats Department at WHO's Epidemic and Pandemic Management Division, stated that the virus was first identified in August in Australia and New Zealand. Since then, it has been detected in more than 30 countries.
She explained that flu viruses constantly evolve, which is why the composition of vaccines is regularly updated.
WHO closely monitors changes in the viruses, assesses the associated public health risks, and develops vaccine composition recommendations twice a year as part of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), collaborating with global experts.
“This new variant was not included in the vaccines developed for the current flu season in the Northern Hemisphere. However, preliminary data indicate that existing vaccines still provide protection against severe forms of the disease and reduce the risk of hospitalization,” the expert noted.
According to WHO, approximately one billion cases of seasonal flu are reported worldwide each winter, including up to five million cases of severe respiratory illnesses.
Estimates suggest that seasonal flu leads to 650,000 deaths annually due to respiratory complications.
Wenqing Zhang emphasized that vaccination is the best way to protect, especially for high-risk groups and those caring for them.
She also shared preliminary results from a study on the vaccine's effectiveness against the new strain, published a few weeks earlier in the UK.
“These data look promising,” she said, adding that the vaccine shows about 75 percent effectiveness in preventing severe disease and hospitalization in children, while in adults, this figure is around 35 percent.
Wenqing Zhang warned that the upcoming holiday season could trigger a new surge in respiratory illnesses.
“It is recommended to plan ahead and enhance readiness, including encouraging vaccination and improving healthcare systems,” she added.
The WHO expert also urged countries to strengthen laboratory diagnostics and conduct year-round disease surveillance, as well as actively participate in the GISRS network.
