China Health Crisis: Spike in Childhood Respiratory Illnesses - Latest News and Updates

Verda Nano, CNBC Indonesia

Lifestyle

Sunday, 11/26/2023 22:00 WIB

Photo: Chinese citizens wear masks during working hours (REUTERS/TINGSHU WANG)

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – China’s Ministry of Health on Sunday (26/11/2023) urged local governments to increase the number of fever screening clinics. This follows the emergence of a spike in cases of respiratory diseases affecting children.

The spike in respiratory diseases became a serious problem at the global level last week. Especially when the World Health Organization (WHO) asked China for more information regarding undiagnosed pneumonia cases in children. Pneumonia itself is inflammation of the lungs due to infection, one of the symptoms of which is shortness of breath.

National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said on Sunday that the surge in acute respiratory illnesses was triggered by the simultaneous circulation of several types of pathogens, the most prominent of which was influenza.

“Efforts should be made to increase the number of relevant clinics and treatment areas, appropriately extend service hours and strengthen medicine supply guarantees,” Mi said at a press conference quoted from ReutersSunday (26/11/2023).

“It is important to do a good job in epidemic prevention and control in crowded places such as schools, child care institutions and nursing homes, and to reduce the flow of people and visits,” he added.

Cases of respiratory illnesses among children appear particularly high in northern regions such as Beijing and Liaoning province, where hospitals warn of long waiting times.

China’s State Council said on Friday that influenza will peak this winter and spring. Meanwhile, mycoplasma pneumonia infections will remain high in several areas. The report also warns of the risk of a return of Covid infections.

“All regions should strengthen information reporting regarding infectious diseases to ensure information is reported timely and accurately,” the State Council said in an official statement.

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