AMID numerous outbreaks of influenza over the past year the strain of concern is A H3N2 which has undergone genetic mutation significantly reducing the effectiveness of vaccines yet fortunately the disease is not more severe nor has the effectiveness of antiviral medications deceased, TV Channel 7 said this morning (Jan. 8).
Dr. Yong Poovorawan, a Royal Academician and member of Clinical Virology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, said on his Facebook page that the Public Health Ministry had recorded the highest number of flu patients last year.
While the outbreak at the beginning of last year was dominated by the A H1N1 2009 strain, towards yearend this changed with A H3N2 being the primary cause.
Influenza B is less common, with only the Victoria strain found while the Yamagata strain has not been seen for five years, so a quadrivalent vaccine is not necessary as the three-strain vaccine works just as well.
It is influenza A H3N2 strain which is circulating widely in the Northern Hemisphere this winter and the concern is that it has genetically mutated in the HA1 immune system at approximately 6-9 points with this allowing it to evade prescribed vaccines.
This strain, designated as K type, is also causing widespread transmission and a large number of cases.
However, despite increased transmission, the severity of the disease has not increased, and the effectiveness of antiviral medications not decreased. The only consequence is a significant increase in cases due to reduced vaccine effectiveness.
Even with reduced effectiveness, vaccination is still recommended. The current inactivated vaccines are safe, have minimal side effects, and are relatively inexpensive.
For Thailand, a new vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere will be available in March this year to help prevent outbreaks during the rainy season.
CAPTIONS:
Top – A representative image flu treatment. Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash
Insert – Dr. Yong Poovorawan. Photo – PPTVHD36
Front Page – A flu patient. Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash
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