Mendoza province has confirmed its first case of the influenza A H3N2 K subclade, a strain currently circulating widely in the Northern Hemisphere, health officials announced Tuesday. The case, identified in a Spanish tourist hospitalized in Mendoza since december 31st, brings the confirmed total of K subclade cases in Argentina to six, with prior detections in Santa cruz, Buenos Aires, and Neuquén. Public health authorities are closely monitoring the situation as this variant has been associated with increased hospitalizations in other parts of the world.
Mendoza, Argentina – Health officials in Mendoza province have confirmed the first case of influenza A H3N2, specifically the K subclade, a strain currently responsible for a significant number of infections during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. The confirmation came from the provincial Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Department following laboratory analysis, marking the first reported instance of this strain within the region.
The affected individual is a Spanish tourist who arrived in Mendoza to celebrate the New Year. He began experiencing symptoms consistent with an acute respiratory infection within days of his arrival. After an initial consultation at Hospital Central, he was transferred to Hospital Carrillo, where he remains hospitalized due to the severity of his condition. Sources indicate the patient has pre-existing health conditions, including COPD, prostate cancer, and arthritis, which are contributing factors to his illness.
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While initially reported as influenza A H3N2 on December 31, health authorities have now confirmed the case is specifically the K subclade. This is a known mutation of the virus characterized by increased transmissibility. The identification of this strain is important for public health monitoring as it has been linked to increased hospitalizations in Europe and Asia.
With this diagnosis, there are now a total of six confirmed cases of the K subclade in the country, with prior cases identified in Santa Cruz, Buenos Aires, and Neuquén, in addition to Mendoza. The Ministry of Health has activated standard health protocols and sent samples to the ANLIS Malbrán Institute, the national reference body for these types of studies.
Health officials and international organizations like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) continue to emphasize that the seasonal flu vaccine remains effective in reducing complications and hospitalizations. This underscores the importance of vaccination, particularly as influenza viruses continue to evolve.
In addition to vaccination, health authorities recommend reinforcing vaccination efforts among high-risk groups and maintaining basic preventative measures. These include adequate ventilation of indoor spaces, frequent handwashing, and seeking medical attention promptly upon experiencing respiratory symptoms.
