HEALTH authorities are cautioning residents to take extra precautions against the flu virus as its activity intensifies.

The Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has elevated the city’s flu risk level from “low” to “medium,” with the influenza A virus being the predominant strain.

Current surveillance indicates that Shenzhen is experiencing an influenza epidemic, prompting calls for schools, childcare facilities, and elderly care homes to step up flu prevention and control measures to avert outbreaks.

At present, the country has entered its seasonal flu epidemic period, according to the National Health Commission on Sunday. The dominant strain of influenza is H1N1, a subtype of the influenza A virus.

The Chinese National Influenza Center has conducted antigenic analysis on the newly isolated H1N1 virus, confirming its alignment with this year’s vaccine strain, suggesting effective vaccination coverage. Furthermore, drug resistance analysis indicates that the prevalent virus strain is responsive to antiviral treatments, making such treatments effective.

Nationwide, there has been a noticeable uptick in the number of patients visiting fever clinics and emergency departments. Influenza is the primary culprit behind the rise in acute respiratory infection cases. However, overall figures remain lower than during the same period last year, and there is no severe shortage of medical resources.

Experts forecast that flu activity is likely to wane by the middle to late part of this month as primary and secondary schools begin their holidays.

Authorities are particularly concerned about the period before and after Spring Festival, when the risk of flu transmission is heightened due to mass population movements, family visits, and increased social gatherings. It is also the peak season for other respiratory infectious diseases, with various pathogens posing a threat.

Health experts advise the public that while influenza typically resolves within one to two weeks, individuals experiencing persistent high fever, severe coughing, difficulty breathing, altered states of consciousness, severe vomiting, or diarrhea should seek medical attention promptly.

The most effective and cost-efficient method to guard against infectious diseases is vaccination. CDC experts remind everyone aged 6 months and above, with no contraindications to vaccination, to get their annual flu shot to stay protected.

(Zhang Yu)