China reaffirms that respiratory outbreaks are due to known pathogens

The health authorities of China reaffirmed, based on recent data obtained from case monitoring, that the high incidence of respiratory diseases in recent weeks it is due to known pathogens.

The National Health Commission of the Asian country indicated in a press conference that it has not detected any infection due to new viruses or bacteria so far and assured that it maintains direct communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the situation. .

In November, the WHO requested detailed information from the Asian country about the recent increase in cases of respiratory diseases and outbreaks of childhood pneumonia, a request to which China responded that the outbreak is due to “known pathogens” such as seasonal flu, in addition rhinovirus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus.

Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said authorities are actively monitoring and evaluating the outbreaks and that measures have already been put in place to optimize health resources, improve treatment processes and increase the role of traditional Chinese medicine in confronting these diseases.

Mi also reiterated the reinforcement of pediatric units at all levels of health care, which includes extending hours, increasing hospital beds and streamlining registration and consultation processes.

In addition, the spokesperson highlighted that medical supplies are “guaranteed”, including vaccines against influenza and other seasonal viruses with the aim of achieving early immunization of vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention had already insisted this week that “There is no need to be alarmed by the increase in respiratory diseases, which are common at this time of year”.

China meets “currently in a period of high incidence of respiratory diseases, with a coexistence or alternation of several infectious agents”said the institution, which also highlighted that influenza and mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are “in a phase of high transmission.”

The center issued a series of recommendations to “closed places with little air circulation” such as schools or daycare centers, which have “a high incidence of respiratory diseases.”

In addition, many local health authorities have advised parents to take their children to local clinics at an early stage of the illness, as these can take pressure off large hospitals.

At the moment the authorities have not released infection figures at the national level, although centers such as the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (center) have reported 2,000 daily visits to their pediatric department, of which 70% They have to do with respiratory infections, according to a hospital representative cited by the local newspaper Global Times.

For its part, the Chinese Foreign Ministry assured that “there are no reasons to worry” due to the growing outbreak of respiratory infections and that “traveling and doing business in China is safe”according to its spokesman Wang Wenbin.