What is Super-K flu? Doctors issue warning as 60 people die due to highly mutated strain ahead of flu season; all you need to know

Australia is grappling with a severe flu outbreak, with over 20,000 cases and 60 potential deaths attributed to the highly mutated 'Super-K' strain of influenza A (H3N2). This aggressive variant, first identified in the US, is driving an unusually early and deadly flu season.

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• Australia is grappling with a severe flu outbreak, with over 20,000 cases and 60 potential deaths attributed to the highly mutated 'Super-K' strain of influenza A (H3N2).
• This aggressive variant, first identified in the US, is driving an unusually early and deadly flu season.
• Doctors warn of rising numbers, exacerbated by low vaccination rates, with updated shots now available.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• This aggressive variant, first identified in the US, is driving an unusually early and deadly flu season.
• Doctors warn of rising numbers, exacerbated by low vaccination rates, with updated shots now available.

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• Doctors warn of rising numbers, exacerbated by low vaccination rates, with updated shots now available.
• Australia is grappling with a severe flu outbreak, with over 20,000 cases and 60 potential deaths attributed to the highly mutated 'Super-K' strain of influenza A (H3N2).
• This aggressive variant, first identified in the US, is driving an unusually early and deadly flu season.