Beijing enters peak respiratory infection season

Beijing has entered the peak season for respiratory infection diseases, with multiple pathogens co-circulating and the number of influenza cases rapidly increasing, according to a report from Beijing Daily on Tuesday.

The Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminded the public to take protective measures and get vaccinated to avoid infection.

Wang Quanyi, deputy director of the Beijing CDC and chief epidemiologist, said that influenza, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus rank the top three among respiratory infectious diseases in children based on outpatient visits to children’s hospitals.

“The top three reported cases of respiratory infectious diseases in the general population in the city are influenza, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus,” he added.

Beijing has established the world’s most comprehensive influenza monitoring system, with all primary and public hospitals reporting influenza-like cases. According to monitoring data, influenza cases are currently on a rapid rise. The positive rate of influenza virus nucleic acid in influenza-like cases in outpatient clinics has reached 40.75 percent, according to Beijing Daily.

“Currently, influenza is in the epidemic phase and is occurring earlier than in previous years,” said Wang. “It means that this year’s peak period of influenza will arrive earlier than usual.”

A cold wave is expected to arrive in Beijing from Wednesday afternoon to Friday. During this period, the lowest temperature in the plain areas of the city will drop to around – 8 C, a decrease of more than 10 degrees, according to the meteorological observatory in Beijing on Tuesday.