The Hong Kong flu and new coronavirus strains threaten residents of Nizhny Novgorod this autumn.

      03 November 2025 14:02 Society

      Residents of the Nizhny Novgorod region face several viral infections in the fall of 2025 — influenza A (H3N2), known as the Hong Kong flu, and new coronavirus strains called "Stratus" and "Nimbus." This was reported to the "Zhivem v Nizhnem" portal by Vasily Fedotov, the chief freelance pulmonologist of the regional Ministry of Health.

      According to the specialist, cases of the Hong Kong flu are being increasingly recorded in the region. The illness develops rapidly — within one day. Patients complain of a dry cough and a rise in temperature above 38.5°C. At the same time, regardless of the virus type, influenza poses a serious threat to health.

      Possible complications include acute respiratory failure, kidney pathologies, autoimmune disorders and even myocardial infarction.

      In addition to influenza, new coronavirus variants — "Stratus" and "Nimbus" — have been registered in the region in 2025. Those still at higher risk include elderly people over 65, as well as patients with cardiovascular diseases, bronchopulmonary disorders, diabetes mellitus and cancer. Symptoms of the new COVID-19 strains have remained the same.

      As Vasily Fedotov emphasized, vaccination remains the only proven way to protect against influenza. The vaccine is contraindicated only for people with an allergy to egg protein.

      "The effect of influenza vaccination is such that it increases the activity not only of adaptive immunity but also of innate immunity, which leads to increased resistance not only against influenza but also against other viruses," the specialist noted.

      Earlier it was reported that residents of Nizhny Novgorod had begun to regard the coronavirus with the same level of anxiety as seasonal influenza. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay up to date on major events, exclusive materials and breaking updates.

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