A recent announcement by the Vancouver Island Health Authority has revealed that the most prevalent strain of virus this year during the flu season has been the H3N2 strain of the flu virus. It has been suspected that the death of two people because of the flu has been a result of the H3N2 strain.

This strain of the virus is quite different when compared to H1N1 that had rocked almost every nation across the globe in 2009. It had further resulted in the launch of the largest immunization program every carried out in Canada.

Vancouver officials have informed that the H3N2 strain has come out to be the most frequently reported flu of the season. Both the strains are categorized in the influenza-A group. People carrying the virus happen to suffer from symptoms like temperature, cough, cold and body aches.

Meanwhile, VHA has already sent advisories to GPs in the region regarding the current conditions. They have further requested medical practitioners to opt for anti-viral treatments when providing care to high-risk patients.

Authorities have opined that lower rates of H1N1, could possibly be a result of high vaccination rates. Though, the jab for this year did provide protection against H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B.

Medical Health Officer of the VHA, Dee Hoyano, said: "It's always difficult to predict what is the most common strain. Though, it seems H3N2 is the one commonly reported this year".