Rapid aging of influenza epidemics in China from 2005/06 to 2016/17: A population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

China is an aging society, and the older population is at a higher risk of influenza infection and influenza-related mortality. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the aging of influenza epidemics, which is crucial for estimating the disease burden.

Methods

We collected weekly influenza surveillance data from 2005/06 to 2016/17, and quantified the aging of influenza-like illness (ILI) and influenza virus-positive cases in China via the mean age of the influenza cases and the proportion of individuals aged 65 and above among the influenza cases.

Results

On average, the mean age of ILI cases and influenza-positive cases increased by 0.52 years and 0.60 years per year, respectively, which is approximately three times the annual increase in the mean a

SUBMITTER: Tang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11869495 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature