Objective To understand the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of influenza in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (Ningxia) from 2013 to 2023, and provide evidence for the effective prevention and control of influenza.

Methods The incidence data of influenza-like illness (ILI) and etiological surveillance in Ningxia from 2013 to 2023 were collected from China Influenza Surveillance Information System for a descriptive epidemiological analysis. The statistics of the data were completed by Excel 2016 and SPSS 26.0.

Results In surveillance during 2013-2023, a total of 250 172 ILI cases were reported by national influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Ningxia, the total number of outpatient and emergency visits was 19 296 540, and the proportion of influenza-like cases in total outpatient and emergency department visits (ILI%) was 1.30%. A total of 61 014 samples were collected from ILI cases in 9 national sentinel surveillance hospitals in Ningxia, in which 7 053 were positive for influenza virus (11.56%). Influenza A (H3N2) virus was predominant, which was detected in 2 512 ILI cases (35.62%), followed by influenza A (H1N1) virus (1 924 cases, 27.28%), influenza B virus Victoria lineage (1 796 cases, 25.46%) and influenza B virus Yamagata lineage (627 cases, 8.89%).The incidence peak of influenza was during December-February. The positive rates of influenza virus in ILI cases in men and women were 11.63% and 11.47%, respectively. In different age groups, the positive rate was highest in age group 5-<15 years (18.60%). Influenza virus was detected in all five counties in Ningxia, with the highest detection rate in Shizuishan (14.09%).

Conclusion The incidence of influenza showed a seasonal pattern with the incidence peak in winter in Ningxia. Different types of influenza viruses spread alternately in different years with different predominant strains. Children aged 5-<15 years was the population affected mostly. It is necessary to strengthen influenza prevention and control in child care settings and schools, improve influenza vaccination and conduct non-pharmacological intervention to effectively reduce the intensity of influenza epidemic.