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Health bosses have issued an alert after a mutated flu strain began driving an early surge in flu cases across England.

Known as a 'drifted' influenza A(H3N2) virus - or subclade K - the latest flu strain is currently dominating cases across the country. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that flu activity has risen much earlier than usual this year, with increases first seen in teenagers and young adults, followed by younger children.

H3N2 is one of three main influenza viruses that cause seasonal flu. These viruses constantly evolve in a process known as antigenic drift, hence why health officials have issued an alert over the 'drifted' H3N2 subtype, which no longer closely resembles the strain used to develop the flu vacccine.

Experts warn this strain h

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