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Hong Kong flu

noun

variants also Hong Kong influenza
: influenza that is caused by a subtype (H3N2) of the orthomyxovirus (Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae) causing influenza A and that was responsible for about 34,000 deaths in the United States in the influenza pandemic of 1968–1969 compare asian flu, spanish flu

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Cite this Entry

“Hong Kong flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/Hong%20Kong%20flu. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

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