China's National Health Commission warns of a potential "twindemic" this winter and it stresses influenza prevention as flu activity in the southern provinces has increased since September with the flu season approaching and the remaining high risk of imported COVID-19 infections.
Autumn and winter are the two seasons with high incidence of respiratory infections such as influenza. The health commission released a notification on Friday to strengthen influenza prevention and control measures during the flu season which is combined with the risk of imported COVID-19 cases of new variants that will bring more uncertainties this winter.
According to the health authority, influenza activity in the southern and northern provinces since March has been higher than the same period in 2020 and the influenza activity in the southern provinces has increased significantly since September.
At present, the global COVID-19 pandemic remains at a high level, and the risk of imported cases continues to exist. The COVID-19 epidemic and the respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza can be combined and bring a potential "twindemic" during this upcoming winter and the next spring.
