Doctors in the Chicago area are sounding the alarm over a new flu strain known as subclade K, which appears to be resistant to the current vaccine. With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, health professionals are concerned that family gatherings could facilitate the rapid spread of this virus.
While many have taken the preventive step of getting vaccinated, local experts emphasize that subclade K poses a significant threat. Last year’s flu season was particularly severe, prompting fears that this year might follow a similar trajectory. Dr. Kevin Emmerich from Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital recounts a surge of cases following Thanksgiving last year, noting, “Last year, just after Thanksgiving, we went from seeing no patients to everyone and their grandma had the flu.”
The subclade K strain has already led to serious outbreaks internationally, with countries like Canada, the UK, and Japan experiencing substantial cases, prompting warnings of an epidemic status. This pattern raises concerns for the United States, as experts often look to these countries as precursors for what may occur domestically.
“This flu can feel like a car hit you. Your body hurts. You could need hospitalization or ICU,” warns Dr. Shivanjali Shankaran from Rush. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to severe illness from this strain. Although the flu vaccine can provide some protection, particularly to high-risk groups, only about 20% of Chicago residents have received their flu shots this year.
Current flu activity in the U.S. remains low but is gradually increasing. Experts recommend continuing precautions such as mask-wearing and hand hygiene to mitigate the risks. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experienced challenges tracking flu activity due to the recent government shutdown, predicting the flu season’s behavior is more complex than usual.
As families prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, health officials urge everyone to remain vigilant and take preventive measures seriously to ensure a safe gathering season.