1. Epidemic overview
In December 2023 (from 0:00 on December 1 to 24:00 on December 31), a total of 238,918 cases of 20 notifiable infectious diseases and 25 deaths were reported in Beijing. The reported diseases are mainly Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Pertussis, Syphilis, COVID-19, Influenza, Other Infectious Diarrhea, Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, etc.
Recently, acute respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing have been at a high epidemic level, and the main pathogens are influenza viruses. Influenza will still be in the epidemic period in the next few weeks. The number of reported cases of COVID-19 infection currently remains at a low level, but there is still possibility of an increase in cases of COVID-19 in the near future. The number of reported cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease and Other Infectious Diarrhea has shown a downward trend compared with the previous period and is expected to remain at a low level in the future.
2. Health tips
Winter is the season of high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases such as Influenza. Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Influenza viruses can be divided into four types, namely A, B, C and D. The main causes of seasonal epidemics of Influenza are mainly A and B Influenza viruses. The composition of Influenza A and B viruses will also change alternately in different influenza epidemic seasons or at different periods in the same influenza epidemic season. There is no obvious change in the pathogenicity of different types of influenza viruses. Influenza viruses are mainly spread through respiratory droplets produced by sneezing and coughing of infected persons. Influenza viruses can also be infected through direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, eyes, etc.
As the winter vacation and the season of Spring Festival travel are approaching, students going home from schools or citizens travelling should take personal health protection. When traveling on public transportation, it is recommended to wear masks scientifically, wash hands or disinfect hands in time, and keep monitoring the health after arriving at the destination. It is necessary to maintain good hygiene habits such as wearing masks scientifically, washing hands and ventilating frequently, coughing etiquette, and cleaning and disinfection every day. Citizens who meet the vaccination requirements are recommended to actively take the COVID-19 vaccine containing XBB antigen components.
(Adjustment: Starting from January 2024, the frequency of information releasing on the epidemic situation of notifiable infectious diseases in Beijing will be adjusted from weekly to monthly. Thank you for your concern and support for the epidemic information on the infectious diseases in Beijing.)