Overview
- UK Health Security Agency reports rising flu metrics in England, with test positivity up to 11.6% and hospital admissions increasing to 4.56 per 100,000, alongside a slight uptick in ICU rates.
- H3N2 subclade K, identified after vaccine strain selection, is spreading internationally and linked to early waves in countries such as Japan and the UK.
- Despite a partial mismatch, current vaccines substantially cut hospitalisation risk, with early UK estimates around 70–75% effectiveness in children and 30–40% in adults.
- California health officials say influenza activity is increasing in the Bay Area and Southern California, hospitalisations remain low for now, and they urge vaccination, testing and timely antivirals.
- Chicago-area clinicians warn of a likely early surge with low local vaccination uptake and advise precautions including masking, hand-washing and early treatment for high-risk patients.