In 2009, H1N1 became an international pandemic. While the swine flu was claiming 
thousands of lives, the public was forced to deal with an equally-concerning vaccine shortage. Although the pandemic was officially over in 2010, the world still isn’t free of the flu. Today, there are still several different stands that the public needs to be aware of.
Three Flu Strains to Look Out For:
1) Bird Flu: Since 2003, the bird flu, also known as the avian flu and H1N5, has infected approximately 600 people and claimed over 345 lives worldwide. Data suggests that at least 10 of those lives were lost since December of this year. Currently, the bird flu is most rampant in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia and other Asian Countries. The only good thing about the bird flu is that it is very difficult to transmit between infected birds and people. Still, due to its deadly nature, the bird flu is one strain that people should keep on their radar.
2) Swine Flu: From 2009 to mid-2010, over 17,000 people around the world lost their lives after contracting H1N1. While H1N1 is still circulating, a new strain of the swine flu, known as H3N2v, is the new cause for concern. H3N2v has currently infected at least 12 individuals in the United States. The problem with this strain is that current flu vaccines will not protect against the virus. So far, medical experts believe that H3N2v might be transmissible through close contact, making this strand one to watch out for.
3) Seasonal Flu: As always, the seasonal flu will infect thousands of people this year. In the 2012 flu season, three viruses will account for the great majority of cases. These strains are the influenza B virus, the H1N1 influenza A virus and the H3N2 influenza A virus. While close in name, H3N2v is not the same virus as H3N2. Instead, it is a dangerous variant of H3N2.
Although common, the flu claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year. To protect oneself against these potentially dangerous viruses, children, older adults and other at-risk individuals are encouraged to get a flu vaccination. When combined with knowledge, regular vaccination is one of the best ways to avoid becoming one of the many who get sick with the flu this year.