China Admits Flu Surge Involving Three Strains but Questions Remain Over Possible Fourth Reassortant Strain
Influenza infections are climbing across China, with health authorities confirming the simultaneous circulation of three major flu strains after
Thailand Medical News posted an article about severe flu infections in four provinces in China. However, concerns remain about reports of a possible fourth reassortant strain and increasing hospitalizations in several provinces.
China faces rising influenza infections involving three confirmed strains amid unresolved concerns about a possible
fourth reassortant virus.
China CDC Confirms Rising Influenza Activity
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) has acknowledged increasing influenza activity nationwide, identifying influenza A(H3N2), influenza A(H1N1), and influenza B as the three circulating strains.
According to surveillance findings published Thursday, H1N1 infections are accounting for a growing proportion of detected influenza cases.
Northern China currently reports moderate influenza activity, although infections are increasing rapidly. Southern provinces are experiencing a higher influenza transmission, indicating broader seasonal circulation.
Children aged 5 to 14 have recorded higher influenza positivity rates than other age groups, highlighting substantial transmission among school-aged populations.
Influenza Dominates Respiratory Disease Surveillance
During November 2–8, influenza recorded the highest positivity rate among respiratory pathogens tested in patients with influenza-like illnesses at sentinel hospitals.
Rhinoviruses ranked second, demonstrating that multiple respiratory viruses are circulating simultaneously.
These findings suggest influenza is becoming an increasingly important contributor to respiratory illnesses as China enters its winter transmission season.
Questions Surround Possible Fourth Reassortant Strain
However, this
Thailand Medical News report highlights unresolved questions surrounding claims of a possible reassortant influenza virus involving avian H9N2 and swine-origin H1N2v genetic material.
The latest official surveillance summary does not mention such a strain although local virologists and doctors in China claim that such a new strain have emerged.
Its absence from the report raises concerns whether Chinese authorities are concealing the emergence of such a strain.
Reports concerning Liaoning, Guangxi, Jiangxi, and Hubei have also raised concerns about increasing respiratory hospitalizations, particularly in the first three provinces.
Health Officials Urge Immediate Vaccination
China CDC researcher Wang Dayan warned that respiratory infection activity typically peaks between November and March.
She urged prompt influenza vaccination among children, older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, and personnel working in schools, ch
ildcare facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Vaccination remains particularly important as multiple established influenza strains circulate concurrently.
Continued Surveillance Essential as Winter Approaches
China's confirmed influenza resurgence underscores the importance of expanded laboratory surveillance, transparent reporting, and monitoring of severe respiratory infections. Although three established influenza strains are circulating, claims concerning a fourth reassortant virus require genetic confirmation before its presence or clinical impact can be established.
References:
https://www.chinacdc.cn/jksj/jksj04_14249/202611/t20261111_1842933.html
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202611/13/WS6af700c7e4b03ebf8519c4e6.html
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-flu-strain-may-have-emerged-in-china-following-zoonotic-spillover 
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