The last time we heard of the H3N2 strain of the flu virus ( a mutated cousin of the H1N1), was in the 1968 global pandemic. Since then, it has entered the regular seasonal flu rotation, showing up in a slightly mutated, albeit dangerous form every 2-3 years.
The H3N2 virus is more harmful to people whose ages are 65 and older. The same group of people were not spared when the H1N1 virus appeared with a vengeance last flu season. The H3N2 does not affect younger children as much, but this is not ruled out in the future as the virus continues its evolution of mutation in the forthcoming years.
This flu season, the vaccination rates are down by 15-20 per cent as people are suffering from "swine-flu fatigue". Unfortunately, this leaves the public more vulnerable to the H1N1, H3N2 and the seasonal flu. many hospitals are full of patients who are ill with the seasonal flu.
