This H3N2 flu strain is spreading ‘rapidly.’ Why subclade K is hitting hard

Children are especially vulnerable to the new strain of influenza, with most infections being detected in people under 19, according to Health Canada.

A new strain of H3N2 influenza is landing a growing number of Canadians in hospital with cases “increasing rapidly” around the country.

All indicators of influenza activity are increasing quickly, with all regions throughout the country reporting growing influenza activity, Health Canada said.

In the first week of December alone, Canada saw 6,799 cases of the flu detected, with 91 outbreaks across the country. The number of positive tests rose 20.2 per cent compared with the week before.

More Canadians landed in hospital that week, with 3.6 hospitalizations per 100,000 of population.

The dominant strain being observed in Canada and the United States is the influenza A(H3N2) strain, including a subvariant — A(H3N2) subclade K — the World Health Organization said.

Children are among those being hit hard, with most infections being detected in people under 19, according to Health Canada.

In Ottawa, three children between the ages of five and nine have died from influenza A-related complications, with the city’s health officials urging anyone over the age of six months to get vaccinated.

In November, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario saw eight times more children test positive for influenza compared with the same month last year and double the number of children who needed to be hospitalized with the flu.