Recently, rumors of the prevalence of the so-called "EB virus influenza" have flooded the internet. However, according to Beijing Center for Diseases Prevention and Control (BCDPC), the "EB virus influenza" does not exist in medical science, since the flu and the EB virus cannot be associated.

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"EB virus is short for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of herpesvirus types in the herpes family. Infection with EBV occurs by the transfer of saliva, mostly in sporadic cases," said Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of BCDPC, adding that EBV is the causative agent for infectious mononucleosis.

80 to 90 percent of adults worldwide have been infected with this virus. The primary infections always happen before patients are 10 years old, and these infections usually cause no symptoms.

However, if the primary infections occur on adults, 50 to 75 percent of them lead to typical infectious mononucleosis. So far Beijing authorities have not received any reports on the increase of EBV infections.

Influenza, or flu, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza viruses that mainly include influenza A virus subtype H1N1, influenza A virus subtype H3N2, influenza B virus lineages Yamagata and influenza B virus lineages Victoria.

Now the flu outbreak in Beijing has entered its peak, albeit not as serious as last year.

By season's end, the prevalence of the flu is expected to maintain its course, and flu cases are expected to rise till the end of the month.

In this regard, BCDPC has given a few tips to avoid infection by influenza. It suggested that citizens timely wash their hands, wear masks, stop working and studying when ill, and avoid going to crowded places.

The organization said that schools and kindergartens should keep monitoring attendance, and faculties and students who have symptoms of influenza should stop working and studying.

In addition, schools and kindergartens must implement class suspension measures according to related policies during the epidemic, and reduce or avoid unnecessary group activities, the BCDPC said.

(Compiled by Sun Wenyu)