H3N2 News and Research

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Influenza A virus subtype H3N2 (also H3N2) is a subtype of viruses that cause influenza (flu). H3N2 viruses can infect birds and mammals. In birds, humans, and pigs, the virus has mutated into many strains. H3N2 is increasingly abundant in seasonal influenza, which kills an estimated 36,000 people in the United States each year.

Newly discovered mechanism may be useful target to stop flu virus from infecting cells

There's a hitch in the swing of a protein that delivers the flu virus. Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine researchers believe this mechanism may be a useful target to stop the virus from infecting cells.

24 Jul 2018

New research could pave way for better influenza vaccines

Influenza vaccines that better target the influenza surface protein called neuraminidase (NA) could offer broad protection against various influenza virus strains and lessen the severity of illness, according to new research published in Cell.

6 Apr 2018

Immune history influences person's response to flu vaccine

New research on why the influenza vaccine was only modestly effective in recent years shows that immune history with the flu influences a person's response to the vaccine.

20 Feb 2018

Universal vaccine produces long-lasting immunity against influenza A viruses in mice

Researchers have developed a universal vaccine to combat influenza A viruses that produces long-lasting immunity in mice and protects them against the limitations of seasonal flu vaccines, according to a study led by Georgia State University.

24 Jan 2018

Expert discusses how to stay healthy during flu season

This year's influenza outbreak is already the most widespread on record since health officials began keeping track about a dozen years ago, with millions of Americans being infected by emerging and current strains such as the dominant H3N2.

18 Jan 2018

New universal flu vaccine moves to clinical trial phase and could be a reality soon

Alphabet’s venture arm called Google Ventures earlier is one of the supporters of a mega projects that is developing a vaccine for flu that is safe and effective. Vaccitech from United Kingdom is working towards development of the vaccine and Alphabet has shown its support by contributing $27.6 million in new funding. The funds would be used conduct clinical trials and try the new vaccine.

16 Jan 2018

Early testing for influenza symptoms can limit severe, life-threatening disease

As flu season picks up steam across the country, it's important for people to be tested very early after symptoms that are compatible with influenza start, since there are effective treatments that can limit severe, life-threatening disease and curtail transmission to others.

12 Jan 2018

Dumfries and Galloway reassures people over number of “Aussie flu” cases

NHS Dumfries and Galloway has reassured the public over the number of “Aussie flu” cases seen in the region, saying that the H3N2 flu strain is a standard one that has previously been commonplace in Scotland.

9 Jan 2018

Lactic acid bacteria can offer protection against subtypes of influenza A virus

Lactic acid bacteria, commonly used as probiotics to improve digestive health, can offer protection against different subtypes of influenza A virus, resulting in reduced weight loss after virus infection and lower amounts of virus replication in the lungs, according to a study led by Georgia State University.

13 Dec 2017

Collaborative research identifies broadly cross-protective vaccines for H3N2 influenza

A collaborative research and development partnership between researchers at the University of Georgia and Sanofi Pasteur, the largest influenza vaccine manufacturer in the world, has resulted in the identification of a vaccine candidate that protects against multiple co-circulating strains of H3N2 influenza isolated over five seasons following testing in mouse and ferret models.

2 Nov 2017

Flu season: UAB experts recommend everyone to receive their yearly influenza vaccine

Flu season is here. The contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs can cause mild to severe illness and at times may lead to death. People of every age -; including people in good health -; are at risk for flu.

28 Oct 2017

New flu forecasting tool makes better predictions by factoring evolution of virus

Each year, public health officials monitor the spread of influenza to identify which flu strains need to go into that year's vaccines and where outbreaks will occur. But it can be difficult to predict how bad a particular flu season will be until people actually start getting sick.

25 Oct 2017

Skin-applied microneedle patch boosts immunization to seasonal flu vaccine recipients, study finds

A boosting skin vaccination with a biodegradable microneedle patch and protein constructed from sequences of influenza virus subtypes could improve the effectiveness of conventional influenza vaccines, according to a study led by Georgia State University.

19 Jul 2017

New TSRI study could have implications for development of flu vaccines, drug therapies

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have shown that for the virus that causes the flu, two wrongs can sometimes make a right.

15 Jun 2017

Canines in Florida are hit with a contagious dog flu strain

Hundreds of dogs are hit with dog flu over the last couple of years. In a new development, this flu strain has hit Florida for the first time. At least a dozen dogs have been down with the virus according to a report issued by the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine on the 31st of May 2017.

1 Jun 2017

Research findings pave way for more efficient, protective influenza vaccines

New findings challenge the traditional policy of replacing old strains in existing human influenza vaccines with recent variants with only minimal changes.

21 Apr 2017

High-dose flu vaccine appears to be effective at preventing post-influenza deaths among older adults

The high-dose flu vaccine appeared to be more effective at preventing post-influenza deaths among older adults than the standard-dose vaccine, at least during a more severe flu season, according to a large new study of Medicare beneficiaries published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

2 Mar 2017