Chinese health authority urges enhanced flu prevention

BEIJING - Chinese health authorities at all levels have been required to enhance their flu prevention measures and health education for the upcoming flu season.

A circular issued by China's National Health Commission called for more standardized diagnosis and treatment of influenza, with more focus on children, the elderly and the pregnant.

The circular proposed enhancing the monitoring of influenza cases and training of medical personnel.

It also called on medical and health institutions at primary levels to carry out early identification, diagnosis and treatment of influenza cases and to better implement the tiered diagnosis and treatment model.

Official websites, Weibo and WeChat, as well as major media outlets including television and newspapers, should all serve as channels for the orderly dissemination of important information on influenza prevention and treatment, it said.