Pakistan confirms H3N2 ‘super flu’ cases, issues winter surge advisory

Pakistan’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday warned of a surge in seasonal influenza cases driven by a fast-spreading H3N2 strain, often referred to as “super flu,” as health authorities confirmed the virus is circulating nationwide but stressed it remains manageable with standard treatment and vaccination. The warning comes amid a global rise in seasonal influenza activity, with the World Health Organization reporting a growing proportion of influenza A(H3N2) cases, particularly across parts of Europe including the United Kingdom. In Pakistan, the NIH said it had recorded 340,856 suspected influenza-like illness cases between epidemiological weeks 44 and 49, with 12 percent of tested samples positive for H3N2, driven by a new genetic sub-clade known as Sub-clade K.