H3N2 Influenza Strain Prevalent in Shanxi with Students as Primary High-Risk Group
According to a CCTV News report, acute respiratory infectious diseases in Shanxi Province are following the national trend, showing an overall upward trajectory as the region enters the flu season. Influenza activity has increased significantly over the past three weeks, with the majority of reported cases occurring among students. Cases are expected to continue rising in the coming period.
Chen Jing, Deputy Director of the Shanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the Influenza A (H3N2) subtype is the dominant strain this season in Shanxi, accounting for 99% of cases. It is circulating alongside a small number of Influenza A (H1N1) and Influenza B viruses. The H3N2 subtype is not a new strain. As a subtype of Influenza A virus, its typical symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some patients may experience diarrhea and vomiting, while severe cases can lead to secondary pneumonia or respiratory failure. Compared to the H1N1 subtype, H3N2 exhibits minor variations but shows no significant changes in transmission routes or infectiousness, which is a normal phenomenon in viral evolution.