China - Influenza outbreaks reported throughout the country significantly higher than in the same period of previous years - December 31, 2017

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Beijing Children's Hospital 丨 flu season, pediatric full, be a "calm mother", you can ...

2017-12-31 00:01Flu

At present, Beijing has entered the high season of seasonal flu and other infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, mainly by air, droplets and contact transmission. According to the monitoring results of Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent influenza activity shows an upward trend, and influenza B virus, influenza A (H3N2) and H1N1 (H1N1) are common. In particular, since December, the number of reported cases of children in medical institutions has increased more obviously, but the fluctuation is still within the normal range. Most of the outbreaks have occurred in the first, second grade and kindergartens of primary schools. Influenza virus nucleic acid positive specimens to A H3N2 subtype, along with Influenza A H1N1 influenza, influenza B strains.
However, there is no need to be alarmed. The number of influenza outbreaks reported throughout the country was significantly higher than in the same period of previous years, most of which were caused by type B influenza. The surveillance system in our country did not find any variation that affected the spread of flu virus, disease severity and drug resistance, and the national influenza prevalence level was still generally (what does "generally" mean? s.s.) within the expected range.
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http://www.sohu.com/a/213776076_634722

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Q & A of Prevalence and Prevention of Seasonal Flu in China in Recent Years

Time: 2018-01-08

First, the current epidemic of flu how? Follow-up trends will be how to develop?

Influenza Surveillance our results suggest that 2018 Year 1 week ( 1 Yue 1-7 days), influenza-like illness sentinel hospitals in the southern provinces of the country report the total number of cases accounted for outpatient and emergency percentage ( ILI% ) was 6.0% , higher than 2015-2017 Year ( 3.0% , 3.2% , 3.3% ). The positive rate of influenza virus was 41.0% , higher than the same period of 2015-2017 ( 13.2% , 15.8% , 20.2% ). Sentinel hospitals in the northern provinces reported ILI% to 5.8% , higher than the 2015 - 2017 same period levels ( 4.1% , 2.9% , 3.8% ); positive for influenza virus detection rate of 48.5% , higher than 2015-2017The same period of the previous year ( 32.2% , 17.5% , 26.5% ). In summary, the proportion of outpatient and emergency diagnosis of influenza-like illness and the positive rate of influenza virus in our country sentinel surveillance hospitals were higher than those in the past three years. The number of reported influenza outbreaks in China was also significantly higher than the same period in previous years. The number of severe cases also increased.

Overall, influenza activity in this winter's popular season is higher than in recent years. At present, the northern and southern provinces of our country are at the peak of the seasonal influenza epidemic. The overall level of influenza activity remains at a high level and the epidemic may still continue for some time. Most areas are still in the high season of influenza epidemic, but there are differences in prevalence and prevalence of endemic areas in all areas, and some areas have shown signs of slowing upward trend in epidemic levels. The seasonal peak is expected to fall in most areas as winter holidays take place in schools and kindergartens.

Second, the severity of the flu? Is there any variation in the transmission of influenza virus, disease severity and drug resistance this year?

Influenza is a common seasonal infectious disease, with the vast majority of cases of mild illness, severe illness and death less common, with a seasonal fatality rate of about 0.01% . According to estimates by the World Health Organization, annual global seasonal influenza epidemics can cause between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths and there are also deaths from influenza infections every year in our country. This year there will be more influenza-related hospitalization, severe illness and death due to more flu infections and more infections than in previous years.

This year, the overall flu prevalence level in our country is obviously higher than in previous years. This is the most serious influenza epidemic in recent years. However, the surveillance results of influenza virus in our country show that there is not any variation that affects the spread of influenza virus, disease severity and drug resistance in this year's popular influenza virus.

Third, the public should be correct, scientific prevention and treatment of influenza? Which vaccines and drugs can effectively prevent the flu?

Vaccination with influenza vaccines is the most effective way to prevent influenza and can significantly reduce the risk of developing flu and serious complications among vaccinates. Influenza viruses are susceptible to variation. The World Health Organization ( WHO ) proposes a recommendation for a global influenza vaccine strain each year based on the prediction of a pandemic influenza strain in the next epidemic season. Vaccine companies from all over the world produce flu vaccines of the current year according to WHO 's predictions , So influenza vaccines against different annual flu strains may vary. In most years, the flu vaccine and influenza epidemic strains match well, with good protection. This winter, the predominant influenza virus in many parts of our country is the Yamagata strain of influenza B , but the vaccine used this year does not contain this type of ingredient and therefore the vaccine is not protective of this type. However, as our country there influenza (including simultaneous H3N2 and H1N1 ) and influenza B Victoria popular lines, for this year's influenza vaccine contains three influenza epidemic strains other type. In order to reduce the risk of morbidity, severe illness and death in special populations, it is recommended that family members and caregivers of flu vaccines, flu infants under 6 months of age, pregnant women and persons with chronic diseases are also recommended for high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, chronic patients and medical personnel Vaccination should be considered.

Children aged < 5 years (especially those aged < 2 years old) are prone to serious complications. In case of persistent high fever with severe cough, dyspnea, mental changes, severe vomiting and diarrhea, they should be promptly treated. Neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir are effective therapies for influenza, and the use of anti-influenza drugs early in the disease, especially within 48 hours of onset, can significantly reduce the incidence of severe and fatal flu. Antiviral drugs should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Fourth, how to prevent flu in daily life? Schools, kindergartens as crowded areas, some schools have been the phenomenon of collective influenza infection, why children are more susceptible to influenza?

Prevention of influenza and other respiratory diseases should first start from the daily routine protection, usually pay attention to good personal hygiene habits, including: wash their hands frequently; in the flu season, the elderly and chronic patients try to avoid crowded places to avoid contact with patients with respiratory tract infections; After developing flu-like symptoms, maintain good respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose with paper towels, towels, etc., and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing when coughing or sneezing. Try to avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. When family members have influenza patients, try to avoid contact with each other, especially when there are elderly people and people with chronic diseases at home. When parents with flu symptoms go to the hospital for treatment, they should also be both children and their own protection (such as wearing a mask), to avoid cross-infection. Kindergartens, schools to implement the morning check system, the event of a collective infection, the school should take measures to isolate the child as soon as possible, it is recommended to rest children with their own homes to avoid contact with uninfected children within the class and reduce the spread of the disease.

Children are more likely to be infected with respiratory diseases such as flu. The reasons for this may include the following: First, schools and kindergartens are collective places where children gather in collective places and are in close contact with each other. If there are flu cases, they can easily lead to illness Second, children naturally infected with influenza virus or vaccination less pre-existing immunity weak, cross-protection against influenza virus is weak; Third, the child's own respiratory tract may be less well-developed than adults, And the autoimmune system is in a developing state, susceptible to respiratory viruses such as influenza and the incidence of symptoms; Fourth, children's personal hygiene habits are not good, can not completely cover the nose and mouth cough, wash their hands, etc., resulting in the spread of the disease Increased risk.

(Source: Infectious Disease Department, China CDC, National Influenza Center)

http://www.chinacdc.cn/jkzt/crb/bl/lxxgm/ymjz/201801/t20180108_158017.html