Flu milder this year, but shouldn't be taken lightly

China is having a milder flu season than last winter, but the peak won't fade until late January.

The latest report released by the Chinese National Influenza Center logged an increase of flu outbreaks and samples testing positive for the flu virus since mid-December, with the H1N1 strain of influenza as the dominant type, followed by the H3N2 strain.

"Large parts of the country have entered the flu season, flu viruses are trending upward," according to the report, which was released on Friday.