Photo Credit: My Medicine Advisor
By Aaron Humes: Health officials are sounding the alarm as the H3N2 virus, which some call the “super flu,” continues to spread globally at an alarming rate. Dr Marvin Manzanero, an internist and bioethicist at Loma Luz Adventist Hospital and former Director of Health Services, emphasizes the importance of taking precautions, including frequent handwashing and getting vaccinated, as this virus becomes increasingly prevalent, particularly in colder regions.
“H3N2 is an influenza virus that’s circulating, as we have that virus circulating every year, but you have a mutating virus, so you have a different strain of the virus that’s circulating this year. So, viruses mutate, which is why routinely we recommend you get your flu shots every year because it’s a different strain you are going to be exposed to when you get your flu shot,” Dr Manzanero explained to reporters earlier this week. “The reason why it’s gaining traction in some jurisdictions who are colder temperatures than we are right now is because that virus has had 3 mutations from the previous strains from which it evolved. Those three mutations are giving it the ability to infect much more quickly, so it’s evading immunity that we may have had, defenses that we may have developed to the other strains of the virus.”
While the H3N2 outbreak is not classified to become a pandemic, Dr Manzanero underscored that its higher transmissibility means more individuals are likely to contract the virus. Vulnerable populations, including those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, pregnant women, young children, and the elderly, are at a greater risk of experiencing severe complications.
“I think it’s important for us to understand that because it is more infectious than the previous strain, you can anticipate that more people are going to get ill. So, once you have more people getting ill, you have more susceptible people, people who have chronic diseases, people who are diabetic or hypertensive, older patients, pregnant women, young children, they’re more likely to be developing more complications as a result of an H3N2 infection,” Dr Manzanero added.
In Belize, health experts project that case numbers could surge significantly by the second week of January, following the resumption of school nationwide. The public is advised to be vigilant, practice good hygiene, and ensure vaccinations are up to date to mitigate the impact of this spreading virus.
The post “Super Flu” H3N2 spreading rapidly: health expert urges precautions appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Photo Credit: My Medicine Advisor By Aaron Humes: Health officials are sounding the alarm as the H3N2 virus, which some call the “super flu,” continues to spread globally at an alarming rate. Dr Marvin Manzanero, an internist and bioethicist at Loma Luz Adventist Hospital and former Director of Health Services, emphasizes the importance of taking
The post “Super Flu” H3N2 spreading rapidly: health expert urges precautions appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
