• Rise in influenza cases
• H3N2 variant hard to control

Experts expect an increase in disease severity this winter due to the spread of a mutated influenza strain.

Britain has experienced an unprecedented crisis since 2010, with unusually high numbers of influenza patients in hospitals, prompting national health services to describe the situation as the "worst-case scenario."

Cases are concentrated among children aged 5 to 14, followed by the 15 to 24 age group.

The sharp rise in cases has led to the closure of some schools, while authorities have encouraged people to wear masks in offices and public transport, similar to measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Nisa Aslam, a physician at the National Health Service and head of the medical team at a medical testing company, explained that clinic waiting rooms are crowded with patients.

This season is dominated by influenza A virus of the H3N2 type, one of the influenza strains that has undergone slight genetic changes compared to previous years, allowing partial evasion of immunity from prior infection or vaccination.

This infectious strain is referred to as "superflu" due to its mutations compared to traditional influenza types.

Experts note that H3N2 spreads less than some other influenza strains, and the population has reduced immunity against it. It is also more transmissible and prone to mutations, making control through vaccines more difficult.