China is facing a surge in acute respiratory infections, with multiple pathogens being blamed for the increase, according to China’s health commission. Officials are trying to alleviate concerns that a novel virus may be the cause of the outbreak. Influenza is identified as one of the main factors contributing to the spike in cases, along with rhinovirus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and respiratory syncytial virus. The commission has called for the guarantee of medicine supply and the opening of more areas for medical treatment in response to the situation.
Children have been particularly affected by the outbreaks of respiratory diseases, leading to anxious parents waiting for hours to seek medical attention for their children. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Beijing Children’s Hospital have reported increases in outpatient visits and hospitalizations, but the sources of these illnesses are known germs.
Following a report on undiagnosed pneumonia in children’s hospitals, the World Health Organization (WHO) requested more information from China. The WHO stated that while the current level of illness is high for this time of year, it is not uncommon for winter to bring respiratory diseases. They advised people to take basic precautions to reduce their risk and stated that there is no need for travel restrictions based on the current situation.
Doctors have been warning about an expected increase in cases of “walking pneumonia” for weeks. Local Chinese media have also reported a steady rise in mycoplasma infections among kindergarten and primary school children. While this germ usually only causes mild colds in older children and adults, younger children are more susceptible to developing pneumonia with symptoms lasting for weeks.
