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Health in China
ChinaPolitics

China says respiratory disease surge driven by mix of pathogens, calls to ‘minimise personnel movement and visits’

  • National Health Commission urges schools, childcare institutions and nursing homes to adopt epidemic prevention and control measures
  • Mycoplasma pneumonia mainly detected in five-14 age group, with the rest affected by different types of viruses, disease control expert says

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A packed outpatient area at a children’s hospital in Beijing, as paediatric wards across China grapple with the caseload. Photo: AFP
Luna Sunin Beijing
Various pathogens are responsible for a surge in acute respiratory illnesses among children, Chinese health authorities said on Sunday as paediatric departments across the country grappled with the caseload.

National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said the growth in cases was being driven by the influenza virus as well as rhinoviruses, mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus.

He urged medical facilities to provide timely and up-to-date information about demand for paediatric and fever outpatient services, and for schools to take adequate preventive measures.

“Efforts should be made to implement effective epidemic prevention and control measures in key locations with dense populations, such as schools, childcare institutions and nursing homes,” Mi said.

“This includes minimising personnel movement and visits.”

Hospitals have also been told to improve their ability to grade patients according to the severity of infection, for better identification of the seriously ill.

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