Health officials in B.C. are warning of a new strain of influenza circulating in the province.
A statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry Thursday (Dec. 11) said that the latest data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control shows influenza levels continuing to increase throughout B.C.
She added that data also indicates that the dominant strain in B.C. is the H3N2 subtype of influenza A, “which can cause more severe illness compared to other strains, particularly for older adults.”
“Even though we are seeing a new strain of H3N2 called subclade K that is not as well-matched to the H3N2 strain in the vaccine as expected, we know from studies in other parts of the world that the vaccine still provides good protection from severe illness and hospitalization,” Henry said.
The provincial health officer added that the vaccine still protects well against H1N1 and influenza B, which is still circulating in the province.
Henry recommended people get immunized for the holiday season. She also reminded people of other preventative measures, including: wearing a mask if you’re feeling sick and can’t stay away from others; cleaning your hands regularly; sneezing or coughing into your elbow instead of your hand; and staying away from others if you’re feeling sick.
Fraser Health chief medical officer Dr. Ingrid Tyler said that because of the new variant showing up this flu season, people have asked if it’s worth it to get the vaccine this year.
“The answer is unequivocally yes as the vaccine likely provides some cross-protection against the H3N2 variant, and most of all helps protect you against more severe health outcomes if you do get sick,” Tyler said.
“Vaccination remains your best defense against any version of flu this season.