Early & Evolving: Why Experts Fear This Could Be teh Worst Flu Season in a Decade
By drmichaellee, World-Today-News.com – November 5, 2023
(World-Today-News.com) – Every winter,the flu makes its predictable return. But this year, something feels distinctly different.A concerning mutation in a seasonal flu virus this summer, coupled wiht an unusually early start to the flu season, is raising alarms among health experts. The fear? This could be the most severe flu season we’ve seen in a decade.
The National Health Service (NHS) has already issued an urgent call for increased flu vaccinations,signaling the growing concern. While uncertainty remains, leading flu specialists are bracing for a possibly brutal winter.
“We haven’t seen a virus like this for a while; these dynamics are unusual,” explains Professor Nicola Lewis, Director of the World Influenza Center at the Francis Crick Institute. “It does concern me, absolutely. I’m not panicking,but I am worried.”
What’s Driving the Concern?
the key lies in the constant evolution of influenza viruses. Scientists meticulously track these changes, as the annual flu vaccine must be updated to remain effective. This evolution typically follows a pattern of “shift and drift.”
“Drift” refers to minor, gradual changes in the virus. However, occasionally, a more significant “shift” occurs – a significant mutation. This happened in June
