Bahia Blanca residents are beginning to watch developments in Europe with concern as a highly contagious strain of influenza, H3N2, rapidly spreads across the continent. Cases are currently double those recorded last year in several European nations, putting significant strain on healthcare systems [[2]]. Health officials are preparing for the virus to eventually circulate in Argentina, and are emphasizing the importance of vaccination and preventative measures as the Southern Hemisphere approaches its winter season. Local pulmonologist Dr. Fernando Piumatti details how the region can prepare, and what residents should know about this evolving health situation.
Received in 1993, with 28 years of experience in local journalism. Former head of the Sports and City sections and current Secretary of the Editorial Board of La Nueva. Former professor at both of the city’s Journalism institutes. Specialist in sports, social, and union issues.
As news emerges from Europe, the term H3N2 is beginning to gain traction and raise concerns among residents of Bahia Blanca.
The influenza strain causing significant disruption and high contagiousness in several European countries – where cases are estimated to be double those recorded last year – is expected to eventually reach Argentina, and inevitably, Bahia Blanca as well.
Currently, Europe is experiencing a record outbreak of H3N2 influenza driven by the K variant of influenza A. Understanding the spread of influenza strains is crucial for public health preparedness and response.
This early and accelerated spread during the winter season has placed unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems, particularly in the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy.
The outbreak began three to six weeks earlier than in previous seasons, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“It will arrive here due to seasonal viral circulation. First the northern hemisphere, and then, during the winter season, it will be our turn. The impact will depend on how much is known about the behavior of this variant and the availability of vaccination,” said Dr. Fernando Piumatti, Head of Pulmonology at the Penna Interzonal Hospital in Bahia Blanca.
The physician differentiated H3N2 from SARS-CoV-2 (or COVID-19).
“Actually, H3N2 is a variant of the Influenza A virus, which is already known. So far, it has proven to be a little more severe in terms of symptoms, meaning they are more persistent and with high fever,” he stated.
Several symptoms are prevalent with this variant.
“Reported symptoms include high fever (over 38°C / 100.4°F) and chills, significant fatigue and tiredness, generalized muscle and body aches. This shares many similarities with any seasonal flu, even with COVID-19. It also presents with dry cough and sore throat, with nasal drip or congestion, and headache. However, it has not yet demonstrated severe respiratory forms,” Piumatti explained.
One of the advantages of living in this hemisphere is the ability to analyze what is happening in Europe to anticipate measures.
“That is a great opportunity to anticipate and prepare for what will happen. Therefore, we will have time to act and learn from the Northern Hemisphere’s experience, see how they act, and, based on that, take appropriate and timely measures.”
Basic prevention measures include avoiding contact with people who are symptomatic, handwashing, and wearing masks. And, crucially, vaccination.
“Vaccination is fundamental. It prevents severe forms of the disease, as well as reducing the time of contagion, thereby cutting that epidemiological chain,” he added.
Piumatti explained that the current seasonal flu vaccine (southern hemisphere 2025) contains protection against the H3N2 virus.
“It should also be clarified that, although new variants (such as the ‘K’ variant) of H3N2 have emerged, the WHO states that the current vaccine still provides cross-protection and is effective in preventing severe cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, which are the main complications of the flu.”
–Does the low percentage of vaccination registered in this year’s campaign affect or complicate the outlook?
–“That is actually the big problem and the potential risk we could face. We need to raise awareness among the population that vaccination is a fundamental and primary aspect to avoid greater problems. It is not only a personal matter, but one that concerns the entire population. The higher the percentage of vaccination, the lower the possibility of the situation becoming complicated. More vaccinated people mean less severe illness, fewer days of potential contagion, and a shorter duration of viral circulation.”
“Fortunately, currently, there is no completely new H3N2 virus that requires a separate and specific vaccine outside of the annual flu vaccination program,” he added.
The pulmonology specialist reminded that the vaccine is safe and its efficacy in protecting against severe forms has been demonstrated.
“It is even more important for that subpopulation at risk, with comorbidities; those people with respiratory diseases, heart conditions, diabetics. Patients undergoing oncological diseases, transplant recipients.”
Despite its high contagiousness, it was ruled out that isolation measures should be implemented as a preventative measure.
“Not to the level of strict isolation as happened with COVID-19. But avoiding contact with symptomatic people is recommended. That has been shown to reduce viral circulation.”
A particularity of the flu vaccine that is usually offered to the at-risk population starting in March, or rather, in each pre-winter season, is that the compound changes every year because it is known that the virus is much more prone to mutation than SARS-CoV-2.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends two formulas per year. One towards February, which will be used by the northern hemisphere when they vaccinate their population between September and October; and the other is designed in September. This is the one we will use here, in the campaign of the next austral autumn.
Several things can be deduced from this. One is that the doses distributed in 2025 in Argentina were designed based on the particularities of the virus that circulated in 2023-2024, taking into account the cold months of the boreal winter, since it is believed that the type of flu that dominates in the north will eventually come to the south, and vice versa.
Now, are these vaccines useful, both the one distributed this year in Argentina and the one recently received by the European population?
According to official information from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the 2025/26 vaccine has an effectiveness of 70% to 75% in preventing hospital care in children aged 2 to 17 years, and 30% to 40% in adults.
“It is possible that some imported cases will arrive in Argentina from tourists or people traveling abroad, but an epidemic outbreak is not expected until autumn. It is estimated that the arrival could occur in March, similar to what happened in Australia and Europe. For this reason, it is advisable to prepare for vaccination in March, not April,” the specialists pointed out.
