In Elmhurst, Illinois, health professionals are sounding the alarm about a novel flu variant known as subclade K. This strain has shown resistance to the current flu vaccine, raising concerns just as families prepare to gather for holiday celebrations.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the traditional mingling over food and conversation could also facilitate the rapid transmission of the flu. Experts recall last year’s severe flu season and warn that this year might be equally challenging, if not worse.

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Dr. Kevin Emmerich from Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital notes, “Following Thanksgiving last year, we saw a sudden influx of flu patients, nearly everyone seemed to be affected.”

This season, subclade K has already led to significant outbreaks abroad, affecting countries like Canada, the UK, and Japan, where it has reached epidemic levels.

Medical experts suggest that trends observed in other nations often serve as a reliable forecast for what might unfold domestically, and the outlook isn’t promising.

“The flu can feel like a car hit you. Your body hurts. You could need hospitalization or ICU,” said Dr. Shivanjali Shankaran, with Rush.

Doctors say young children and older adults are especially at risk. And while doctors say the flu vaccine in the U.S. can help protect against more severe symptoms, only about one in five people in Chicago have been vaccinated.

“It does offer some protection, especially to people who are high-risk. So kids under 6 months and adults over 65 and people with cancer, transplants,” Emmerich said.

Experts say flu activity remains low in the U.S. so far, but it’s on the rise. So they recommend protecting yourself.

“Try to wear a mask, very helpful in preventing the viruses. Hand-washing, we always underestimate the importance of that,” Shankaran said.

It’s too soon to predict the flu season in the U.S., but experts say it’s more difficult because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was unable to track flu activity during the 44-day government shutdown.