Your current location:HOME >opinions >Spread of flu more prevalent than COVID 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 22:21:10 Source: Internet compilationEdit:opinions
By Li Hongyang (China Daily) 09:57, January 15, 2024Since the start of this year, the number of visi
Since the start of this year, the number of visits to fever clinics across China has fluctuated but has overall trended downward, the nation's health authority said on Sunday.
Medical services are being provided in a stable and well-organized way, said Mi Feng, spokesperson for the National Health Commission.
Currently, among respiratory diseases, influenza remains predominant, while the infection levels of the novel coronavirus are at a relatively low level, Mi said.
"As the Spring Festival holiday approaches, the potential for large-scale population movement and gatherings poses an increased risk of respiratory disease transmission," he said.
He called for effective monitoring, early warning systems and better management at key locations.
Timely health consultations and guidance will be provided to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with chronic existing health conditions, he said.
Convenient access to vaccines will also be ensured for these populations, he said.
Over the past few weeks, the influenza B virus surpassed the influenza A virus in prevalence in some regions, so individuals at high risk should consider getting vaccinated, said Wang Dayan, director of the Chinese National Influenza Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, at the news conference.
She said that southern provinces entered the flu season in early October, followed by northern provinces later in the month.
Over the past five weeks, northern provinces have seen the influenza B virus surge to 57.7 percent of all the infected cases, while southern provinces recorded a 36.8 percent increase over the past three weeks, Wang said.
Distinguishing between influenza A and B viruses is challenging based solely on clinical symptoms. To identify the virus type, nucleic acid and antigen detection are necessary, she said.
It's crucial to note that immunity developed after contracting one type of influenza virus does not protect against others, and vaccination is necessary, she added.
Meanwhile, China's COVID-19 situation has remained at a low level since New Year's Day, Wang said.
Various monitoring systems indicated that the positivity rate for COVID-19 testing in specific hospitals is below 1 percent, she said, adding that the JN.1 variant of the coronavirus, known for its rapid global spread, is on the rise.
In the short term, the dominant factor is expected to be the influenza virus. Factors such as the influx of the JN.1 variant and a decline in population immunity could contribute to a potential resurgence of COVID-19 infections this month, she said.
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue2024-05-21 22:19
Funding shortfall halts Taranaki Cathedral project2024-05-21 22:08
Colon cancer blood test offers new screening option2024-05-21 22:05
New study finds no brain injuries among 'Havana syndrome' patients2024-05-21 21:38
DR MARTIN SCURR: How losing your hearing may cause dementia2024-05-21 21:20
Federal data does not show a soaring number of unauthorized migrants registering to vote2024-05-21 20:48
Hong Kong jails Portuguese national for overseas social media posts — Radio Free Asia2024-05-21 20:23
Posts share synthetic image of Ukrainian drone attack as real2024-05-21 20:10
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS2024-05-21 20:05
Tennessee fisherman reeled in a big one. It turned out to be an alligator2024-05-21 19:45
Julian Assange's five2024-05-21 22:16
No joke: UK comedian told to remove hot dog from subway poster over junk food ban2024-05-21 21:17
A Danish hippie oasis has fought drug sales for years. Now, locals want to tear up the whole street2024-05-21 20:48
Video from 2022 misrepresented as footage of Baltimore bridge collapse2024-05-21 20:44
These hilarious notices will make you do a double take2024-05-21 20:27
Smokescreen: Expert rubbishes govt claim of black market over smokefree legislation2024-05-21 20:08
No, OJ Simpson did not admit on X to the 1994 killings of his ex2024-05-21 20:03
Easter weekend road toll worst since 20212024-05-21 19:56
Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry2024-05-21 19:49
Walgreens books hefty charge as the drugstore chain adjusts the value of struggling clinics2024-05-21 19:43