The common cold and cough, and influenza (flu) infections, which are usually considered minor ailments, are now raising new concerns. Last year, several countries, including the US and UK, saw a widespread impact of new flu variants, leading to a rapid increase in the number of patients in hospitals and resulting in several deaths.

Since December, a rapid increase in flu cases has been observed once again in several countries. The flu outbreak across the US and Canada is causing concern among health experts. According to media reports, experts believe a new flu variant is the main reason for this surge in cases.

While data up to January 9th shows a decrease in infection cases in Canada, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu peak is yet to come in the US. Health experts have advised everyone to remain vigilant in light of this growing threat.

Superflu Variant is Causing Concern

In early January, flu cases surged dramatically in New York in just one week. Experts are attributing this rapid increase in flu cases to the "Superflu" or Subclade-K variant.

Health experts say that every year, the subvariants of the influenza virus that spread the most show slight variations. This year, the most prevalent variant is Subclade-K, a subtype of Influenza A3N2. Subclade-K was first discovered in Australia in July 2025. This season, it is believed to be responsible for up to 91.5% of infections in the US. It is also responsible for the increase in cases in Canada.

What problems are being caused by the Subclade-K variant?

Media reports indicate that the rapid increase in flu cases clearly shows that Subclade-K has proven to be a highly contagious variant. Some scientists believe that the H3 influenza virus has circulated at low levels in recent years, leading to reduced immunity in the general population.

Health experts say that in most cases, infected individuals experience high fevers of 104 or 105 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the flu typically causes only a mild fever. While this is not inherently dangerous, it can pose several risks, including dehydration, especially in young children.

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