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Iowa health officials identify three influenza strains very early in the season

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Infectious Disease Examiner

In an Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) news release from early December, health officials there say they have identified three different influenza strains already.

Health officials say it is very rare to see three strains this early in the flu season. IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk had the following to say about the unusual occurrence:

“It is very rare for us to see three strains of influenza circulating this early in the season, usually; we’ll see only one or two strains at this point. This means, of course, that it’s possible for an individual to get influenza three times this year. The good news is that this year’s vaccine covers all three strains we’ve identified. Get one shot, dodge three bullets.”

And Dr. Quinlisk is absolutely correct. The 2010-2011 seasonal flu shot provides immunity to the following three strains of influenza: A/California/7/09 (H1N1)-like virus (pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus), A/Perth /16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus and the B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.

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One thing is for sure, flu season is definitely here in many parts of the country.

The seasonal flu vaccine covers three different strains of influenza i
The seasonal flu vaccine covers three different strains of influenza i
Photo credit: 
bbc

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, Infectious Disease Examiner

With over 20 years of experience and education in microbiology and infectious diseases, Robert Herriman, MPH, M (ASCP) will educate and inform about infectious diseases rare and common, those publicized in the media and those found in your own backyard.

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