B/Victoria lineage

The B/Victoria lineage refers to a specific group of viruses within the influenza B family, which causes seasonal flu in humans. It was named after a strain first identified in Victoria, Australia, in the 1980s. This lineage coexists with another group, the B/Yamagata lineage. Influenza B viruses are less common than influenza A but can still lead to significant illness. Vaccines are developed to include strains from both lineages, ensuring effective protection as the virus evolves each year. Understanding these lineages helps in flu prevention and management strategies.