China battles rising flu cases, kids advised caution

05 Dec 2025 10:59

1042101
World
Share

China battles rising flu cases, kids advised caution

Photo: VCG

Medical facilities across China are struggling with a sharp rise in influenza cases, driven not by the usual winter flu but by the H3N2 strain.

Reports indicate that the virus is affecting hospitals nationwide, from major cities such as Beijing and Tianjin to provinces including Hebei, Henan, Guangdong, Fujian, Shandong, Shanxi, and others, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Concerns over a potential epidemic have grown after Peng Zhibin, a specialist at China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, warned that flu infection rates sharply escalated in late November.

Concerns over a potential epidemic have intensified after Peng Zhibin, a specialist at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Communist Party of China, declared that China's flu infection rate had reached a phase of sharp escalation in late November.

Chinese social media posts have exposed what seem to be distressing scenes of youngsters queuing for medical attention in hallways as hospital reception areas become packed with patients.

Statistics from the Alibaba Health platform show purchases of flu antiviral medications have rocketed by 500% between November 10-21, sparking worries about a major looming epidemic.

The distressing footage of jam-packed Chinese medical centres comes alongside reports that 17 provinces in China are experiencing elevated flu rates according to China Central Television (CCTV) and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control (China CDC). The Beijing CDC has reported that the city is currently in the midst of a peak period for influenza activity, although the upward trend appears to be slowing down, according to Beijing Daily.

Dr Zhang Datao, director of the institute for infectious and endemic disease control at the Beijing CDC, confirmed that the primary culprit behind the surge in infections across the city is the Influenza A virus, also known as H3N2. The health expert also clarified that no other respiratory infectious diseases have been identified alongside Influenza A as the main cause of the seasonal outbreak.

The report indicates that the virus outbreak has predominantly affected children aged 5-14, with the majority of these outbreaks occurring in educational and childcare settings. Tragically, official sources in China have confirmed that one child has died after contracting influenza A.

Influenza A is an airborne flu-like virus, presenting symptoms such as high temperatures, coughing, loss of appetite, and general aches and pains.

In more severe cases, the virus can lead to pneumonia and can prove fatal for individuals in high-risk demographics or those with compromised immune systems. Dr Zhang noted that the virus is prone to mutation, which triggers annual influenza outbreaks.

However, Dr Zhang reassured that these outbreaks remain a seasonal epidemic and do not suggest progressively stronger evolution. In response to the escalating influenza outbreak, China's National Health Commission has directed local authorities to increase the supply of medical services.

The fresh initiatives encompass increasing outpatient appointment availability and prolonging service hours. Local health bodies have also set up clinics with extended operating hours, including evening and weekend sessions, to cater to the public's healthcare needs.

Despite escalating infection rates throughout China, both the Chinese Center for Disease Control and the Communist Party of China have stated that no significant mutations have been detected in the H3N2 influenza virus so far.

News.Az