Japan Times A new influenza variant spreading across Japan may be behind the increase in early outbreaks this year, the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) has said.
The new strain, called “Subclade K” is a variant of the type A flu virus, which typically spreads around the beginning of the flu season, while type B tends to spread later on.
Of the influenza patients JIHS examined since September, they found that 22 out of 23 samples — around 96% — were infected with the new strain.
The risk of developing severe symptoms from Subclade K is no higher than other strains, according to JIHS. The institute also added that the new strain is not necessarily more contagious.
As the flu becomes more widespread, infecting more people, it would mean more people would experience severe symptoms, resulting in more patients being hospitalized. Considering when cases have peaked in previous years, it is very likely that the high levels of infections seen now will continue in the nation, making it necessary for preventative measures to be taken, the JIHS said.