New flu variant hits Southern California, raises concerns among public health experts

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Holiday travel is in full swing and flu cases are ramping up. Some experts are pretty worried about a new flu variant making its way to Southern California.

So now is the time to take the steps to protect you and your loved ones.

Many schools across the nation closed early for winter break because of an onslaught of illness.

Mother of two, Audrey Garrett, says flu-like symptoms hit her family hard.

“We actually are just coming back from being sick. He caught a fever. My daughter had that nasty cough, you know that honking cough at night,” Garrett said.

“Last year was a pretty bad seasonal flu year for Los Angeles, so it is scary to hear that this year might be worse,” Dr. Dawn Tereshita said.

Dr. Tereshita monitors acute communicable disease at L.A. County’s Department of Public Health. She warns of an emerging H3N2 flu variant that’s difficult for our immune systems to recognize.

“This subclade K is new,” Dr. Tereshita said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen yet, but since it is circulating pretty widely, we are watching it very carefully.”

The new variant isn’t a match for this season’s flu vaccine, but experts believe a flu shot will still help reduce the risk of severe illness, including hospitalization and death.

“Any reason to not go to the hospital is, in my mind, very worth it. There are also antivirals, which you can take if you get sick,” Tereshita explained.

These include Tamiflu and the new Xofluza. Talk to your doctor if you have a fever, sore throat, cough and body aches because these meds should be taken near the onset of symptoms.

“The main messages are wash your hands, stay home when you’re sick, and if you have to go out, wear a mask,” Dr. Tereshita said

While we are seeing a lot of respiratory illnesses, Dr. Terashita says flu activity in California remains low.

But, now is the time to get a flu shot if you haven’t because the flu usually peaks in January and February.