France is experiencing an earlier-than-usual flu epidemic, with the K variant, a subgroup of the H3N2 strain, spreading rapidly across most of its metropolitan regions since early December.Sweden also reports a rapidly escalating flu season driven by the K variant, leading to increased cases, deaths, and ICU admissions, particularly among those under 30.While the current flu vaccine is less effective against the
K variant, it is still recommended for vulnerable groups in
France, and epidemiologist
AnnaSara Carnahan expects it to protect against severe illness.