A new mutant strain of the flu is spreading nationwide, which health officials warn may reduce the vaccine\u2019s efficacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The variant is a more contagious mutation of the influenza A(H3N2) virus, the most predominant version of the flu since September, according to the World Health Organization<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> note this season\u2019s flu vaccine \u201cmay be reduced\u201d but still being effective in reducing the chances of hospitalization and death.<\/p>\n Since Sept. 28, 89% of flu viruses sampled by the CDC have been of the mutated subclade K strain.<\/p>\n Although North Texas hasn\u2019t been hit hard yet, the mutation will certainly have an effect on the Lone Star state, said Dr. David Winter, a physician with Baylor Scott & White Health.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s worse in New York state, New Jersey, Louisiana \u2014 which is close by \u2014 in Colorado,\u201d Winter said. \u201cThat\u2019s where the most cases are now. But it\u2019ll spread throughout the entire country, and you can be sure we\u2019re going to have a lot of cases here in time to come.\u201d<\/p>\n The CDC estimates there have been 2,900,000 cases, 30,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths from flu this season as of Dec. 6.\u00a0<\/p>\n \nWhere can you get the flu vaccine? Check out our previous coverage this year for information.\n<\/p>\n The flu season is a period during the year where the virus sees the highest activity. In the United States, that\u2019s typically from October to May, with the highest number of cases reported December to February.<\/p>\n Based on the flu seasons of other countries, including Great Britain and Australia, Winter said \u201cit should be a pretty bad year this year for influenza\u201d in the United States.<\/p>\n \u201cLast year\u2019s flu season was bad. This one, from experience overseas, may be even worse,\u201d the doctor cautioned. \u201cSo this is not something you want to ignore.\u201d<\/p>\n The CDC recommends everyone over 6 months receive the annual flu vaccine.<\/p>\n Here are actions the CDC recommends to avoid getting the flu:<\/p>\n For those who choose not to receive the vaccine and end up getting the flu, Winter emphasized the need to receive medication to prevent a severe case.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best way to prevent getting the flu is to get a flu vaccination,\u201d he said. \u201cBut if you don\u2019t get one, the second best thing is to get an early diagnosis so we can get some pills to keep you out of the hospital.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n