Increase in respiratory illnesses caused by influenza and known pathogens in China

A spokesman for the National Health Commission stated that the recent outbreak of respiratory infections is simply caused by the overlap between common viruses such as influenza viruses, rhinoviruses, and adenoviruses and the bacteria that cause pneumonia.

The Ministry of Health has called on local authorities to open more combat clinics and promote vaccinations for children and the elderly in February, the worst period for multiple respiratory diseases in China due to its first unrestricted winter. . covid-19. 19.

Mi Feng, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said: “We must vigorously increase the opening of clinics and related treatment areas, extend nursing hours, and increase the supply of medicines.”

Mi Feng advised people to wear masks and called on local authorities to focus on preventing the spread of the disease in local communities with larger populations, such as schools and children’s homes.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization formally asked China to provide information on a possible increase in respiratory illnesses and pneumonia in children, as publicized by multiple social media channels.

The emergence of new influenza strains or other viruses capable of causing a pandemic often begins with the emergence of a group of undiagnosed respiratory illnesses. Both SARS and Covid-19 were initially classified as common pneumonia.

Earlier this month, Chinese authorities attributed an increase in respiratory illnesses to the lifting of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. When pandemic restrictions ended, our countries also experienced an increase in respiratory illnesses.

The World Health Organization announced on a conference call that Chinese health authorities will provide a fifth round of data that will show an increase in the number of children hospitalized since October for bacterial infections, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and common constipation. Virus. .

According to the World Health Organization, Chinese authorities have confirmed that the increase in the number of teachers will not overburden the country’s hospitals.

The World Health Organization rarely publicly asks countries for detailed information because the requests are usually made at an internal level. The World Health Organization stated that the data requested by China is valid according to international legal mechanisms.

According to reports within China, about two hospitals in the country’s north, including Pequim, have been overloaded with supplies, and authorities will ask people to bring children with mild symptoms to clinics and other medical equipment.

The World Health Organization said there is currently little information to properly assess the risks from two reported cases of respiratory illness in children.

Both Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization have been accused of a lack of transparency in initial reports about the Covid-19 pandemic that began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

SPC // EA