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WHO issues urgent 'pandemic potential' superflu warning as virus sweeps globe
While current activity remains within the usual seasonal range, the WHO notes that “early increases and higher activity” have already been recorded in some countries
The World Health Organization has issued an urgent warning over a rapidly evolving strain of influenza, cautioning that global surveillance systems are detecting changes in the virus that carry “pandemic potential” as cases surge across multiple regions.
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection that circulates worldwide and can lead to severe illness or death. According to the WHO, global flu activity has risen sharply in recent months, driven by a growing proportion of influenza A(H3N2) viruses. The spike coincides with the arrival of winter in the northern hemisphere, a period that typically brings an increase in respiratory infections.
In the northern hemisphere, some nations have reported unusually early starts to the influenza season, while others are seeing steady increases that have not yet reached epidemic levels.
Meanwhile in the southern hemisphere, several countries have experienced flu seasons that have lasted far longer than usual.
While current activity remains within the usual seasonal range, the WHO notes that “early increases and higher activity than typical at this time of year” have already been recorded in some countries.
Since August 2025, a rapid rise of A(H3N2) viruses belonging to the J.2.4.1 alias K subclade has been observed worldwide.
These newly dominant viruses show several genetic changes that distinguish them from other circulating A(H3N2) strains, marking what the WHO described as a notable evolutionary shift.
Despite this evolution, available data do not indicate an increase in disease severity.
Early estimates also suggest that the current influenza vaccine “continues to provide protection against hospital attendance in both children and adults”, although its effectiveness against milder clinical disease remains uncertain.
The WHO stresses that vaccines remain essential, even when circulating strains differ genetically from those included in the jab.
Global monitoring is conducted through the WHO-coordinated Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, which links more than 160 institutions across 131 countries and acts as the world’s alert mechanism for novel influenza viruses “with pandemic potential”.
To strengthen preparedness, the WHO has outlined a 10-point plan that includes: continuous global monitoring of influenza viruses, vaccine composition recommendations, technical guidance for countries, enhanced laboratory capacity, surveillance support, monitoring of antiviral susceptibility, increased vaccine coverage for high-risk groups, and improved communication as the influenza season progresses.
The organisation said it will continue to track global flu trends closely and update its guidance as needed.
Daily Star Sunday
While current activity remains within the usual seasonal range, the WHO notes that “early increases and higher activity” have already been recorded in some countries
The World Health Organization has issued an urgent warning over a rapidly evolving strain of influenza, cautioning that global surveillance systems are detecting changes in the virus that carry “pandemic potential” as cases surge across multiple regions.
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection that circulates worldwide and can lead to severe illness or death. According to the WHO, global flu activity has risen sharply in recent months, driven by a growing proportion of influenza A(H3N2) viruses. The spike coincides with the arrival of winter in the northern hemisphere, a period that typically brings an increase in respiratory infections.
In the northern hemisphere, some nations have reported unusually early starts to the influenza season, while others are seeing steady increases that have not yet reached epidemic levels.
Meanwhile in the southern hemisphere, several countries have experienced flu seasons that have lasted far longer than usual.
While current activity remains within the usual seasonal range, the WHO notes that “early increases and higher activity than typical at this time of year” have already been recorded in some countries.
Since August 2025, a rapid rise of A(H3N2) viruses belonging to the J.2.4.1 alias K subclade has been observed worldwide.
These newly dominant viruses show several genetic changes that distinguish them from other circulating A(H3N2) strains, marking what the WHO described as a notable evolutionary shift.
Despite this evolution, available data do not indicate an increase in disease severity.
Early estimates also suggest that the current influenza vaccine “continues to provide protection against hospital attendance in both children and adults”, although its effectiveness against milder clinical disease remains uncertain.
The WHO stresses that vaccines remain essential, even when circulating strains differ genetically from those included in the jab.
Global monitoring is conducted through the WHO-coordinated Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, which links more than 160 institutions across 131 countries and acts as the world’s alert mechanism for novel influenza viruses “with pandemic potential”.
To strengthen preparedness, the WHO has outlined a 10-point plan that includes: continuous global monitoring of influenza viruses, vaccine composition recommendations, technical guidance for countries, enhanced laboratory capacity, surveillance support, monitoring of antiviral susceptibility, increased vaccine coverage for high-risk groups, and improved communication as the influenza season progresses.
The organisation said it will continue to track global flu trends closely and update its guidance as needed.
Daily Star Sunday