What is the ‘thriller virus’ taking up Chinese hospitals as UK officers situation warning
The H3N2 subtype accounts for more than 95% of confirmed influenza A cases, although small numbers of H1N1 and influenza B cases are also being detected
Hospitals across China are battling a fast-spreading wave of influenza that many on social media have described as a “mystery virus”, as cases surge well beyond typical winter levels.
The outbreak is being driven primarily by the H3N2 strain of influenza A, which is sweeping through major cities including Beijing and Tianjin and spreading across provinces such as Hebei, Henan, Guangdong, Fujian, Shandong and Shanxi. Seventeen provincial-level regions are reporting high levels of flu activity, with the remainder at medium levels.
Reports from Chinese hospitals describe corridors filled with children waiting for treatment, while online pharmacy data shows a 500% surge in purchases of antiviral flu drugs.
Despite the dramatic scenes, researchers say the outbreak is not an entirely new virus but an aggressive and fast-moving wave of H3N2. Patients with flu-like symptoms are currently testing positive for influenza in around 51% of cases, which is lower than the peaks seen over the past three years.
However, infections clustered in schools are rising sharply, with children aged between 5 and fourteen being affected far more than other groups.
The H3N2 subtype accounts for more than 95% of confirmed influenza A cases, although small numbers of H1N1 and influenza B cases are also being detected.
Concerns intensified after Peng Zhibin, a specialist at the China CDC, confirmed that China’s flu infection rate had risen rapidly in late November.
Social media posts show children queueing in packed hospital hallways, contributing to fears of another widespread epidemic.
One Beijing resident wrote online that they visited Beijing Children’s Hospital on the evening of November 23 at around 8pm and did not return home until 1am, adding that the flu situation had become “terrifying”.
Influenza A spreads through airborne droplets and typically causes high temperatures, coughs, loss of appetite and body aches.
In more serious cases it can develop into pneumonia and prove fatal for vulnerable groups, including the elderly or those with weak immune systems. Experts note that the virus mutates easily, leading to seasonal outbreaks each year.
Data from the Alibaba Health platform shows that antiviral flu drug purchases soared between November 10 and 21, fuelling public anxiety about a major surge in infections.
The situation in China has prompted UK health officials to urge people to take up the flu vaccine.
The UK Health Security Agency said vaccinations are offering effective protection this season.
Officials stated that children who receive the jab are around 70 to 75% less likely to attend hospital with flu, and adults are around 30 to 40% less likely to require hospital treatment.
They emphasised that flu vaccines remain the strongest defence and strongly encouraged all eligible people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
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