OBJECTIVETo understand the epidemiological characteristics of influenza outbreaks in China from 2005 to 2013.

METHODSThe data of influenza-like illness outbreaks involving 10 or more cases were collected through Public Health Emergency Management Information System and National Influenza Surveillance Information System in China, and the influenza outbreaks were identified according to the laboratory detection results. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted to understand the type/subtype of influenza virus and outbreak time, area, place and extent.

RESULTSFrom 2005 to 2013, a total of 3 252 influenza-like illness outbreaks were reported in the mainland of China, in which 2 915 influenza outbreaks were laboratory confirmed, and influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus and influenza B virus were predominant. More influenza outbreaks were reported in the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic during 2009-2010. Influenza outbreaks mainly occurred during winter-spring, and less influenza outbreaks occurred in winter and summer vacations of schools. More influenza outbreaks were reported in southern provinces, accounting for 79% of the total. Influenza outbreaks mainly occurred in primary and middle schools, where 2 763 outbreaks were reported, accounting for 85% of the total. Average 30-99 people were involved in an outbreak.

CONCLUSIONA large number of influenza outbreaks occur during influenza season every year in China, the predominant virus type or subtype varies with season. Primary and middle schools are mainly affected by influenza outbreaks.

China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; isolation & purification ; Influenza B virus ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Population Surveillance ; Schools ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo identity the clinical characteristics and severe case risk factors for the adult inpatient cases confirmed of influenza monitored by the sentinel surveillance system for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) inpatient cases in ten provinces in China.

METHODSEpidemiology and clinical information surveys were conducted for adult cases (≥ 15 year old) consistent with SARI case definition, who were monitored by SARI sentinel hospitals in ten cities in China from December 2009 to June 2014, with their respiratory tract specimens collected for influenza RNA detection. Adult SARI cases were classified into influenza inpatient group and outpatient group by the detection outcomes, analyzing their demographic information, clinical and epidemiology characteristics respectively, in addition to risk factors for severe inpatient cases.

RESULTS3 071 adult SARI cases were recruited from ten hospitals, including 240 (7.8%) cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza, most of them being A (H1N1) pdm2009 and A (H3N2) sub-types. Age M of the included influenza cases was 63 year old, 47.1% of them being ≥ 65 seniors. 144 (60.0%) cases of the influenza inpatients suffered from at least one chronic underlying condition, and the proportion of emphysema (7.9%) was higher than non-influenza inpatient cases (3.8%), being statistically significant (χ(2) = 3.963, P = 0.047). 19.4% of the women of childbearing age infected of influenza were in pregnancy, and only 1.1% of the 240 influenza cases had been vaccinated against influenza. The proportion of sore throat and dyspnea found among influenza inpatients was higher than inpatients without influenza. 17.4% of the influenza cases were accepted into ICU for treatment, with no statistical significance with non-influenza inpatient cases (P = 0.160). 23.1% of the influenza inpatients received an antiviral drug therapy, a figure higher than the non-influenza inpatient cases (4.8%) (P < 0.001). 41.5% of the inpatients developed complications, with the proportion of viral pneumonia significantly higher than the non-influenza inpatient cases (P < 0.001). Asthma (RR = 15.200, 95% CI: 1.157-199.633), immunosuppressive diseases (RR = 5.250, 95% CI: 1.255-21.960), pregnancy (RR = 21.000, 95% CI: 1.734-254.275), time interval from onset to admission less 7 days (RR = 1.673, 95% CI: 1.071-2.614) were identified as risk factors of severely-ill influenza cases.

CONCLUSIONIt was found that adult influenza inpatients were mostly ≥ 65 year old seniors. The influenza vaccination rate among the influenza cases was very low, and antivirus drugs were used less than necessary. In this regard, influenza vaccination was recommended for high risk groups of pregnant women, seniors and chronic disease patients on annual basis, while influenza inpatients were advised to use antiviral drugs as early as possible.

Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; Inpatients ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia, Viral ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Risk Factors ; Sentinel Surveillance ; Vaccination