China’s health ministry addressed a recent upswing in respiratory illnesses on Sunday, emphasizing to the World Health Organization (WHO) that it is not attributed to a novel virus but a mix of known pathogens.
The surge includes influenza, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and bacterial infections like mycoplasma pneumoniae. Amidst this surge, National Health Commission spokesperson of China Mi Feng urged proactive measures, stressing the importance of more fever clinics, extended service hours, increased medicine supplies, and targeted preventive actions in crowded areas.
“Efforts should be made to increase the opening of relevant clinics and treatment areas,” Mi Feng stated.
Responding to WHO’s concern, Chinese health officials shared data during a teleconference, revealing a rise in hospital admissions, particularly among children, since October.
Despite the increase, both Chinese authorities and WHO clarified that hospitals were not overwhelmed. The WHO’s formal request for information highlighted worries about the potential emergence of a new virus strain, echoing historical precedents.
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The lifting of COVID-19 restrictions was initially blamed for the rise, prompting concerns about undiagnosed respiratory clusters as precursors to pandemics.