Images have emerged of busy hospital waiting rooms as China experiences a wave of flu sweeping the country. The same H3N2 strain currently causing a spike in UK cases is thought to account for 95% of cases there, with 17 provinces reporting high flu rates.
Dr Wang Dayan, director of the Chinese National Influenza Center, said: “It is estimated that the flu season in China will likely peak around early to mid-December. It will take some time for influenza activity to fall to a low level, so prevention and control measures must not be relaxed over the next six to eight weeks.”
A number of schools across the country have temporarily suspended classes following outbreaks, The Straits Times reported.
Experts urged action to strengthen health monitoring, environmental cleaning and ventilation in facilities such as schools, nurseries and care homes.
Social media users in China shared images of packed hospitals, including the Beijing Children’s Hospital.
Health officials in Beijing reported an early start to the flu season this year, as has been seen in Australia and the UK.
It comes as the NHS is bracing for what could be the worst year on record for flu admissions.
Almost 2,000 people were on wards last week with the virus and cases have risen sharply in recent days.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national medical director for urgent and emergency care, said flu cases are now “incredibly high” and the latest figures “confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter”.
He added: “With just a couple of weeks left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I urge anyone eligible to come forward to get their jab.”
