Chinese health authorities reaffirmed this Sunday that the high incidence of respiratory illness in recent weeks is due to known pathogens, recent case monitoring data shows.
The country’s National Health Commission stated that it has so far not detected any infections caused by new viruses or bacteria, and assured that it is in direct communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) on the situation.
In November, the WHO asked China for detailed information on the recent increase in cases of respiratory disease and outbreaks of pneumonia in children, with China explaining that the outbreak was due to “known pathogens” such as seasonal flu, but also rhinovirus . , mycoplasma pneumoniaerespiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus.
Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said authorities are actively monitoring and evaluating outbreaks and measures have already been taken to optimize healthcare, improve treatment processes and strengthen the role of traditional Chinese medicine in the fight against these diseases .
Mi Feng also reaffirmed the strengthening of pediatric departments at all levels of healthcare, including in particular the extension of opening hours, the increase in the number of hospital beds and the simplification of registration and consultation processes.
The Commission spokesperson stressed that medical supplies are “guaranteed”, as well as vaccines against influenza and other seasonal viruses, with the aim of early immunization of vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported this week that “there is no reason to be concerned about the increase in respiratory diseases, which are common at this time of year.”
“China is currently in a period of high incidence of respiratory diseases, with coexistence or alternation of various infectious agents,” the institute emphasized, noting that influenza and infection by the bacterium mycoplasma pneumoniae are “in a phase of high transmission”.
The Center has made several recommendations for “closed places with poor air circulation”, such as schools or daycare centers, where “a high incidence of respiratory diseases” is recorded.
Many local health authorities have advised parents to take their children to local clinics early in the disease as these can ease pressure on large hospitals.
For now, authorities have not released figures on infections nationwide, although centers such as the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine have recorded 2,000 daily visits to the pediatric ward, 70% of which are linked to respiratory infections, according to a hospital representative quoted by the local newspaper Global times.
On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin assured that “there is no reason to worry” about the growing outbreak of respiratory infections, and stressed that “travel and business in China is safe” .
Source: DN
