Recently, the positive rate of influenza virus has continued to rise. Urgent reminder from multiple disease control departments to take personal protective measures and pay attention to preventing respiratory and intestinal infectious diseases.
In October 2024, 7354 cases of influenza were reported, and by November it had even dropped to 6919 cases. Although it still ranks first among Class C infectious diseases in the province, compared to the recent peak of influenza mainly caused by H1N1 in several sister provinces and cities in the north, the warm and humid Guangdong flu cases are relatively stable. Is this year's Guangdong flu really the so-called 'little year'?
During the peak season of winter flu, the south often appears slightly later than the north, and the flu peak in Guangdong may occur during the winter season in some years, while in other years it is mainly during the summer flu peak. "Several public health experts interviewed by Southern Metropolis Daily reporters said that it is still important to respond to the flu peak season in advance through vaccination and personal protection.
hospital
The number of patients with H1N1 influenza has not significantly increased compared to previous years and has not yet exceeded the warning line
Guangdong has set a flu like case ratio of 5% in outpatient clinics as the flu epidemic alert line. Several hospitals in Guangzhou visited by Southern Metropolis Daily reporters have stated that the proportion of flu like cases in hospitals has increased, but it has not yet exceeded the alert line.
Dr. Liu Siqi, attending physician of the Emergency Department at Sun Yat sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat sen University, stated that winter itself is the season of influenza growth, and currently there has not been a significant increase in the number of patients with H1N1 influenza in the hospital compared to previous years.
Liu Siqi introduced that in the emergency department of the hospital, the number of people seeking medical treatment for upper respiratory tract infections has increased by about one-third compared to last month. Among them, about 1-2 out of every 8 upper respiratory tract infection patients are positive for H1N1 influenza. The most obvious symptom of H1N1 patients is sudden high fever, which can reach up to 40 ℃. At the same time, there may be systemic symptoms such as fatigue, headache, muscle soreness, and bone pain. Some patients may also experience coughing, sore throat, nasal congestion, and runny nose, but compared to the systemic symptoms mentioned above, these respiratory symptoms are relatively mild. In addition, some patients may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Liu Siqi said that due to the fact that emergency patients usually hope to receive results more quickly, the hospital's emergency department mainly diagnoses H1N1 through antigen testing, which takes about an hour from testing to the results being released, while more sensitive nucleic acid testing methods may take 4-6 hours. Although antigen testing takes a short time, it also has its drawbacks: 1/3-1/2 of patients with H1N1 influenza may not be able to detect a positive result. In response to this situation, doctors will analyze the patient's condition specifically and prescribe some antiviral drugs if they meet the symptoms of H1N1 influenza.
patient
Severe illness and low mortality rate, but high vigilance is required. Seek medical attention immediately after these situations occur
The influenza A, which is currently prevalent in northern provinces of China, is the most common type of influenza and the most harmful to human health. Although the risk of severe illness and death caused by H1N1 influenza is low, high vigilance is still needed.
Generally speaking, elderly people over 65 years old and children under 5 years old are high-risk groups, especially young children in the children's group. "Hu Dandan, Chairman of the Children's Health Committee of the Guangdong Preventive Medicine Association and Director of the Children's Health Department of the Women and Children's Medical Center affiliated with Guangzhou Medical University, said in an interview with Southern Metropolis Daily reporters that complications of influenza can include respiratory problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and worsening asthma; Cardiovascular diseases such as myocarditis and pericarditis; Neurological disorders such as encephalitis, meningitis, and Guillain Barr é syndrome. Especially for the elderly, pregnant women, children, and patients with chronic diseases, the risk of complications is higher. Although influenza can mostly self heal, vaccination can prevent the disease and greatly reduce the risk of severe illness mentioned above
According to the guidelines provided by the national, Guangdong province, and Guangzhou city centers for disease control and prevention, if the body temperature exceeds 39 degrees Celsius and the systemic symptoms are severe, such as fever, body aches and discomfort, and even coughing, shortness of breath, etc., after being infected with H1N1 influenza, medical attention should be sought in a timely manner; Children, especially infants, infected with H1N1 influenza need to be highly valued by parents. If a child has a fever for more than 3 days, a body temperature exceeding 40 ℃, difficulty breathing, pale complexion, convulsions, mental fatigue, or dehydration symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, reduced urine output, and no tears when crying, they should seek medical attention promptly.
At present, many residents make appointments for home rapid testing, and many of them also use antigen testing as the main method. Liu Siqi reminds that when patients experience significant discomfort symptoms such as persistent high fever, worsening cough, difficulty breathing, increased fatigue, and changes in consciousness, even if the rapid test result is negative, they should seek medical attention promptly and ask doctors to treat them according to their condition.
According to Liu Siqi's observation, most of the middle-aged and young patients who come for treatment are suffering from the common cold, and relatively few are actually suffering from H1N1 influenza. Some elderly patients with underlying cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases are more likely to transition to severe conditions. She reminds patients with rheumatic and immune system diseases, as well as blood system diseases, to avoid crowded places as much as possible and wear masks when going out due to long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs and poor resistance.
vaccines
The flu vaccine on the market covers two major strains of H1N1 virus, and the vaccination rate in Guangdong this year is slightly lower than last year
Influenza is an infectious disease that spreads throughout the year and is concentrated during peak seasons, but the risk of infection is higher during peak seasons. The best time to get vaccinated against influenza is one month before the peak season. However, getting vaccinated against influenza at any time can provide protection for vaccinated individuals. "Relevant public health experts told Southern Metropolis Daily reporters that unlike the single high incidence in winter and spring in the north, Guangdong, located in Lingnan, often has two peak outbreaks in winter, spring, and summer, and the peak of influenza in winter and spring is somewhat delayed compared to the north. At present, it seems that the epidemic in the north is surging while Guangdong is relatively calm, but we cannot take the prevention of influenza lightly, especially in the context of the large flow of people from the north and south who are about to enter the winter vacation and Spring Festival holiday
Getting vaccinated is the most economical and effective preventive measure. It is based on this point that the World Health Organization (WHO) monitors the dominant strains of influenza in the northern and southern hemispheres every year according to the trend of influenza outbreaks, and produces influenza vaccines based on this. At present, both trivalent and quadrivalent influenza vaccines on the domestic market cover the two dominant strains of H1N1 and H3N2. The mainstream strains monitored in the north and across the country are within the protection range of the marketed vaccines. As long as timely vaccination is administered, it can provide sufficient immune protection for key populations. The key is to receive timely vaccination to ensure sufficient immune protection before the peak season of influenza arrives.
However, Southern Metropolis Daily reporters learned from several mainstream domestic influenza vaccine manufacturers such as Sinovac and Hualan Biotech that compared to the 5 million influenza vaccines administered in Guangdong Province in 2023, the total number of influenza vaccines administered throughout the province has remained at over 3 million since 2024. We have shipped 1.6 million doses of vaccines to Guangdong, but the current quantity is only over 1 million. The market supply of influenza vaccines is relatively sufficient. Citizens can go to nearby vaccination sites to inquire about vaccination, or make appointments for vaccination through mobile appointment channels
Quick inspection
The positive rate of rapid testing products for H1N1 influenza in Guangzhou is currently lower than that in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou
Winter flu has entered a period of growth, and Southern Metropolis Daily reporters have learned from multiple online medical platforms that around January 5th, anti influenza drugs have experienced a significant increase in search volume and order volume, especially Mabaloxavir. The rapid growth of H1N1 influenza is also reflected in the positive rate of rapid testing products. The positive rate of rapid testing H1N1 influenza varies greatly in different regions, and the current positive rate of H1N1 influenza in Guangzhou is lower than that in Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and other places.
At present, Meituan Maiyao has opened home rapid testing services in some areas of seven cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Nanjing, which can perform nucleic acid testing for more than ten common respiratory viruses and bacteria.
Meituan Maiyao has calculated the home rapid testing detection rate in different cities. In the past week of early January, the positive detection rate of COVID-19 in Guangzhou was 18%. Meanwhile, the positive detection rates of H1N1 influenza in Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou are relatively high, at 49%, 40%, and 35%, respectively.
At present, JD.com has launched home rapid inspection services in some areas of 10 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Shijiazhuang, Shenyang, Jinan, Qingdao, and Xi'an.
Compared to Meituan Buy Medicine, JD's fast testing services are more concentrated in northern cities. According to JD Home Rapid Testing, the number of orders for respiratory pathogen testing has doubled in late December, with "data showing that the detection rate of H1N1 virus exceeds 60%".
drugs
The demand for new anti influenza drugs has surged, and they are in high demand
During the flu season, Mabaloshawei became popular on the internet due to its "only one oral dose for the entire process". Compared to the traditional medication oseltamivir, the new anti influenza drug Mabaloxavir has recently been reported to be out of stock and experiencing price increases in multiple pharmacies.
On the morning of January 7, the reporter from Nandu called several chain drugstores located in Jiangnan Avenue and the Pearl River New Town of Guangzhou respectively, and the staff of many chain drugstores said, "At present, mabaloxavir has been sold out, and it is uncertain whether it will arrive in the afternoon. At present, there is also oseltamivir in the store."
When asked about the reason, one of the store clerks said, "During the flu season, most of the people came to buy and stock up these two days." Another staff member from a chain pharmacy in Foshan responded to the supply situation of Mabaloxavir, "We haven't received any goods in a long time, and for some reason, we're out of stock
Despite the tight supply on offline platforms, drugs such as Mabaloxavir have been shown to be in stock on online platforms. On the Taobao platform, the price of 20mg x 2 tablets of Mabaloxavir per box ranges from 225 yuan to 339 yuan, with prices in Alibaba Health Pharmacy ranging from 225 yuan/box to 285 yuan/box.
As the manufacturer of Mabaloxavir, Roche stated in a media interview that the company attaches great importance to ensuring the supply of Sufuda (the trade name of Mabaloxavir) this year, and the market supply is very sufficient.
According to the Liberation Daily, in October 2024, the innovative anti influenza drug Mabaloxavir 20mg x 2 tablets were packaged and produced locally in Shanghai. The localized production of Mabaloxavir in China means that the Mabaloxavir production supply chain will be effectively shortened.
In addition to Mabaloxavir, the available antiviral drugs for influenza in China mainly include oseltamivir, abidol, zanamivir, and paramivir. A staff member from the People's Pharmacy revealed to reporters, "This wave of influenza has suddenly surged, and the sales of four types of cold medicines are showing an increasing trend, especially Oseltamivir and Safida (Mabaroxavir tablets), which have exceeded last year's peak level of sales
With the increasing number of influenza infections, the search volume and sales of anti influenza drugs on online platforms continue to grow.
On January 5th, the order volume of influenza medication purchased by JD.com increased by 2.2 times compared to the previous week, among which the order volume of Sufuda Mabaroxavir increased by 4 times compared to the previous week; The order volume of Kewei Oseltamivir and Daffy Oseltamivir increased by 1.3 times and 1.2 times respectively compared to the previous period.
On January 6th, the demand for Mabaloshawei skyrocketed on Taobao's hot search list. According to Alibaba Health Pharmacy, in the past two weeks, the search and demand for related drugs such as Mabaloxavir and Oseltamivir have continued to increase. On January 5th, the search and demand for related products increased by over 200% month on month.
On January 5th, the search demand for oseltamivir on the Meituan drug buying platform nearly doubled weekly, while the search demand for Sufuda (the product name of Mabaloxavir) increased more than three times weekly. Among them, the regions with significant increases are mainly concentrated in South China and East China.
Doctor's reminder
Lactose intolerant individuals should use Mabaloxavir with caution
Compared to the traditional medication oseltamivir, what are the differences in the target population for Mabaroxavir? Mo Xiaolan, Deputy Director and Chief Pharmacist of the Pharmacy Department at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, introduced that firstly, oseltamivir is suitable for all age groups, while Mabaloxavir is currently approved for ages 5 and above. In addition, oseltamivir can be used for preventive purposes. For example, if there are family members or many classmates who have been diagnosed with influenza, taking oseltamivir can be considered to prevent infection; However, the domestic instructions for Mabaloxavir are only approved for the treatment of influenza.
How to choose between these two drugs in clinical use at present?
Mo Xiaolan explained that oseltamivir is a drug that has been on the market for a long time, with a wide range of users, rich experience in medication, and few reports of adverse reactions. It can be used as a first-line medication for the treatment and prevention of influenza A and B. If it is for the general pediatric population, both drugs are suitable, but it is important to carefully read the instructions and pay attention to certain precautions. If a child has some special circumstances, such as poor medication compliance and may not be able to take oseltamivir for the full course of treatment, they can also choose Mabaroxavir because it can be taken in a single dose. Currently, Mabaroxavir is more expensive, while oseltamivir has a variety of centralized procurement products that are relatively cheap and can be selected according to economic conditions
Mo Xiaolan reminds lactose intolerant individuals to use Mabaloxavir with caution and prioritize oseltamivir. During the period of taking Mabaloxavir, it is important to avoid consuming dairy products and calcium products at the same time. Children may consume more dairy products and calcium fortified beverages, so it is important to avoid taking Mabaloxavir together and to maintain a minimum of two to three hours of separation.