BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's current influenza activity level is lower than the same period last year, authorities have said, citing the latest influenza surveillance statistics.

The viruses that have so far been detected this flu season in China were mainly influenza virus A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2, and only in a tiny minority of cases B virus lineages Victoria and Yamagata, data showed.

Most of China's provinces and regions have now entered the flu season that spans from winter 2018 to spring 2019, reporting a continued increase in influenza activity, according to Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Beijing's influenza surveillance data indicate that the peak of the flu season is already here," said Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Diseases Prevention and Control.

On preventing the flu, she noted the importance of washing hands properly and covering up when sneezing or coughing and urged the elderly and children to avoid places that are crowded or poorly ventilated.