A new mutated disease is spreading rapidly in the northern hemisphere. Japan, Australia and the UK are already in the grip of the epidemic.
Japan declared an epidemic throughout the country as cases increased and schools were closed. The disease record was broken in Australia.
European health institutions announced that the vaccine was not effective and that the disease had undergone 7 different mutations.
It was emphasized that the virus was spreading rapidly throughout Europe. The transmission of the virus to Türkiye has become inevitable.
England faced an early-onset flu wave. The British press warned that we should be ready for deaths due to the disease.
The influenza virus, which started as a seasonal epidemic, changed rapidly due to anti-vaccine sentiment and global warming. H3N2 virus cases began to increase rapidly in the USA.
ELDERLY PEOPLE AND CHILDREN ARE AT RISK
H3N2 infection occurs with familiar flu symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, weakness, muscle pain and chills.
This disease, which is a mutated type of the flu virus, becomes much more dangerous for children and the elderly.
Doctors state that this virus is destroyed by the immune system more slowly than other viruses due to its new mutations. H3N2 disease is much more painful.
As in the 2017 season, shortness of breath and excessive dehydration after high fever increase the risk of life. Patients have to be hospitalized.
IT HAS BEEN MUTATED MANY TIMES
The reason why the flu season that starts in winter is severe is that the season started earlier and the virus has changed compared to last year.
Speaking to The Independent, Dr Giuseppe Aragona said that the fact that children and the elderly “got sick less in recent years increases the severity of this year’s epidemic.”
He added that students and employees entering hot and closed work areas from cold weather accelerated the spread of the epidemic.
Experts reported that 7 new mutations developed during the summer months. Due to global warming, the weather has become cold enough to reduce immunity, but not cold enough to freeze viruses and microbes, which has increased mutations and epidemics.
HOSPITALS MAY BE UNDER PRESSURE
“Older people and people with other illnesses are at risk. However, increasing flu cases could put a huge strain on hospitals, complicating the situation,” Dr Aragona said.
However, Dr. Aragona also said that there was no need to panic, but caution was needed.
According to him, vaccination and early detection are the most effective means of protection. If these steps are taken, the risk can be greatly reduced despite the epidemic.
Experts also emphasize that healthy nutrition is extremely important. He states that keeping the body healthy greatly reduces the risk of disease.
