As families gather for Thanksgiving, here's what to know to protect your family from the new subclade K flu strain.
What is the new flu strain subclade K?, is a variant of the H3N2 virus that has been circulating since the summer in other countries. Experts point to the new variant as a main driver of a spike in flu cases in Canada, Japan, and the U.
K. Of nearly 150 test samples that were registered as the H3 lineage, over 50% were subclade K, according to theAlthough the current flu vaccine may not be a perfect match for the new subclade K strain,"Vaccination key," ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Tara Narula said onMonday. "It's not too late now. It takes about two weeks to develop antibodies that will decrease the rate of serious hospitalizations and illnesses and even death, even though it may not be a perfect match for ." A child wears a Paw Patrol Band-Aid after receiving a flu shot vaccine in the Panorama City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on October 24, 2025.International reports show that subclade K may have more severe symptoms in older adults and children, andnotes that those who are most vulnerable to the flu overall include older adults over 65, children under the age of 5, anyone who is immunocompromised, pregnant people, and also people with underlying chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.Doctors warn that flu infections aren't the same as the common cold and can increase the risk of complications such as ear infections and sinus infections, as well as more serious complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death, if left untreated or not treated early enough. Cases of H3N2 viruses tend to cause slightly more severe symptoms than other strains such as the H1N1 virus, according to"You'll usually develop about one to four days after being exposed, and it feels like being hit by a truck," said Narula. "It's different from a cold, so you're going to have fever, muscle aches, headaches, chills, sore throat, cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, maybe even vomiting and diarrhea."
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