The Flu Outbreak: What You Need to Know

TL;DR

The 2018 flu outbreak has been particularly severe, with the H3N2 strain being dominant. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine has been low this year but it still provides some protection. Improved surveillance, better vaccines, and funding for research are needed to address the challenges posed by the flu.

Transcript

good afternoon thanks for joining us and welcome to the forum at the Harvard th Chan School of Public Health my name is Peter Thompson I'm the livable planet editor at the Public Radio International daily news program the world and I'm today's moderator I'm also a recipient of a belated flu shot which I got just the other day after I was invited to... Read More

Key Insights

• 😳 The 2018 flu season has been more severe than usual, with a high number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths attributed to influenza-like illness.
• 😣 The dominant strain this year is H3N2, which is associated with more severe infections and poses greater challenges for vaccination.
• 😘 The flu vaccine, while showing low effectiveness this year, still provides some protection and is recommended for high-risk individuals.
• 😳 Improved surveillance efforts are crucial for understanding the impact of the flu and guiding prevention strategies.
• 😳 Research is needed to develop better flu vaccines, enhance predictions of circulating strains, and improve the immune response to vaccination.
• 😳 Increased funding for research and public health efforts is necessary to address the challenges posed by the flu and improve global flu surveillance.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why has the 2018 flu season been particularly severe?

The 2018 flu season has been severe due to the dominance of the H3N2 strain, which is associated with more severe infections. In addition, a higher percentage of outpatient visits and deaths have been attributed to influenza-like illness.

Q: Why is the flu vaccine less effective this year?

The flu vaccine effectiveness is lower this year, particularly against the H3N2 strain, due to the challenge of predicting the circulating strains and the virus's ability to mutate. However, the vaccine still provides some protection and is recommended for high-risk individuals.

Q: What are the key benefits of getting vaccinated against the flu?

The flu vaccine helps prevent influenza infections and can reduce the severity of symptoms for those who still get the flu. It also helps protect high-risk populations such as pregnant women and young children who are more susceptible to severe complications.

Q: How can surveillance efforts help in managing the flu outbreak?

Surveillance allows for tracking flu activity, identifying circulating viral strains, and monitoring the impact of the flu on hospitalizations and deaths. This information helps inform public health measures, including vaccination campaigns and outbreak response strategies.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The 2018 flu season has been worse than usual, with high rates of flu-like illnesses and deaths reported. The H3N2 strain has been dominant and associated with severe infections.

• The flu vaccine this year has shown low effectiveness, particularly against the H3N2 strain. However, it still provides some protection and is recommended for high-risk individuals such as pregnant women and young children.

• Surveillance efforts, including monitoring influenza-like illnesses, hospitalizations, and viral strains, are crucial for understanding the severity and impact of the flu and informing prevention strategies.

• Research is needed to develop better vaccines, improve predictions of circulating flu strains, and enhance the immune response to vaccination.