Abstract:Objective To carry out pathogen detection of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in Xianning City, to analyze the epidemic trends and pathogenic characteristics of influenza, and to provide a scientific basis for influenza prevention and control. Methods The monitoring data concerning ILI cases in Xianning Central Hospital during 2013-2017 were collected from the National Influenza Network Surveillance System. Influenza-like throat swab specimens were collected, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect nucleic acids of influenza viruses. Results A total of 5,259 ILI specimens were detected during 2013-2017, and the positive rate of nucleic acids of influenza viruses was 11.31% (595/5,259). The positive rate increased year by year(χ2=102.733, P=0.000), reaching the highest in 2017 (17.88%). The peak timing of incidence of influenza was mainly in winter and spring, but the summer peak appeared at intervals. New influenza A subtype H1 virus, seasonal influenza A subtype H3 virus and influenza B virus were the prevalent types. New influenza A subtype H1 virus was predominant in 2013, influenza B virus in 2016, and seasonal influenza A subtype H3 virus in 2014-2015 and 2017. No statistically significant difference was found in the positive rate of influenza virus between males and females. The positive rate of nucleic acids of influenza viruses was found to be the highest in the age group of 5- years, and there were statistically significant differences in the positive rate of nucleic acids of influenza viruses among different age groups (χ2=61.624, P=0.000). Conclusions Influenza epidemics in Xianning City in 2013-2017 occurred mainly in winter, spring and summer. The positive rate of nucleic acids of influenza viruses showed an upward trend year by year. Three dominant strains, new influenza A subtype H1 virus, seasonal influenza A subtype H3 virus and influenza B virus, appeared alternately. Children in the age group of 5- years were the high-risk population of influenza.