Most parts of India are in the grip of swine flu with western and southern states of the country the worst hit. India had 8,648 cases and 345 swine flu deaths till May 7 this year, compared to 1,786 cases and 265 deaths in 2016, reveals data from the ministry of health and family welfare. Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus has been the predominant seasonal flu strain worldwide over the past seven years. In the 2017 vaccine, the A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 virus has been replaced with an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09 virus, while the other two viruses -- the A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2) virus; and B/Brisbane/60/2008 – remain the same as last year. The quadrivalent vaccine against four flu viruses includes the B/Phuket/3073/2013 virus.

Source: Hindustan Times May 12, 2017 01:52 UTC