H3N2 Influenza Virus Surges in China, Death Toll Up

Health experts around the globe are now warning of a more aggressive flu season this year. The World Health Organization reports that a new version of H3N2, a type of influenza A virus, has become this season's dominant strain. Backed in October, Chinese state media citing a local CDC warned that this virus would dominate the flu season. And earlier this month, China's CDC warned that 17 out of 23 provinces are seeing high flu prevalence, while the rest report medium levels. Doctors warned that children are among the most affected groups. Take a look. >> According to the latest influenza surveillance data released by the Chinese CDC, severe cases and deaths from influenza A nationwide have increased by 40.2% 2% compared with the same period last year over just the past 3 months. In children, influenza A can easily lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, myocarditis, and acute encphilitis. >> Chinese media reported a critical case of an 11year-old boy in eastern China's Jang province. His symptoms evolved from fever to serious pneumonia in just 24 hours. According to media reports, a CT scan shows half of his lung turned white, indicating heavy infection and impaired function in that area. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia caused by influenza complicated by a bacterial infection. Here's what other Chinese citizens are saying. >> The flu is really bad. Many people around me are getting it. It spreads even faster in schools. At the hospital, you can't even get in line for IV treatment. I got white lung and ended up in the hospital for half a month. There are simply many cases of it. >> There are many many patients in the hospitals. A lot of them still have CO and now the deaths are mostly young people in their 30s and 40s. >> We can't predict it. Even a lot of kids are sick. When I look at the virus tests, they carry several viruses at the same time. So, it's a co- infection issue and it's really serious. That's why people think it's especially severe this year. >> The Chinese Communist Party has a history of covering up the real situation when it comes to public crisis. Many signs are suggesting China's flu season may have started much earlier. In late October, Chinese media, citing the local CDC, warned that H3N2 would be the dominant strain this flu season. The report also said that southern China was already seeing surging flu activity, but it assured the public that this strain is not a new virus, so there's no need to worry. In other words, China's official report drew the conclusion roughly 2 months before the WH. However, it withheld some key information from the public. This new H3N2 strain has seven mutations and could spread quickly and grow stronger. Then around early November, Canada and the UK started reporting H3N2 outbreaks in their countries. Just 2 weeks after those reports became public, the virus broke out across China. A resident from central China's Shani province told us that local hospitals were packed by sick people since the beginning of November. Many people were diagnosed with pneumonia. People started wearing masks again. Many elementary schools suspended classes.