A new variant of the influenza virus, which emerged after this year’s vaccine was formulated, has brought an unexpected twist to flu season, according to infectious disease experts.

Subclade K, a variant of the influenza A strain H3N2, is being detected in the United States. This is the same variant that experts say is responsible for a rough flu season in Japan and the United Kingdom.

Although state Health Department data does not specify whether flu cases on Long Island are subclade K, experts said it's only a matter of time and suspect it might already be here.

Dr. Asif Noor, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at NYU Langone Hospital — Long Island, said it's "highly likely" the subvariant is in the New York region.

"We’re hearing more bad news," said Dr. Bruce Farber, chief publ

See Full Page