Concerns Raised , Over Increased Number of , Respiratory Illnesses in China.
'Newsweek' reports that a rising number of respiratory
infections in China has prompted global health authorities
to estimate the scale and severity of the health threat. .
On November 13, China's National Health Commission stressed the need for surveillance to monitor the situation.
Earlier this week, Chinese state media reported that
the cases mainly consisted of influenza,
mycoplasma pneumonia, rhinovirus and other illnesses. .
According to experts, stringent zero-COVID
measures, which were lifted less than a year ago,
rendered children's immune systems vulnerable. .
According to experts, stringent zero-COVID
measures, which were lifted less than a year ago,
rendered children's immune systems vulnerable. .
This is why, experts believe, that a
large number of the cases reported
in China have been among children. .
Whilst we can't make a definitive
diagnosis at this stage the presence
of pulmonary nodules tend to suggest
a bacterial rather than a viral cause, Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the U.K.'s
University of East Anglia, via the Science Media Centre.
Pulmonary nodules in children are
seen in pneumococcal pneumonia
and cough may be absent. Influenza
can catch patchy changes on chest X-ray,
often due to secondary bacterial infections
so [that] could also be in the frame, Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the U.K.'s
University of East Anglia, via the Science Media Centre.
Chinese health experts told various state media outlets that
cases are expected to peak in the next two to three weeks,
while lingering infections could last into next spring.
According to Dr. Leana Wen, professor of health
policy and management at the Milken Institute
School of Public Health, .
the spikes are "not unexpected given the lifting
of COVID-19 restrictions, as similarly
experienced in other countries.".
Importantly, no new pathogen has
been detected. There has also been
no unusual clinical presentation with
children appearing much sicker than normal, Dr. Leana Wen, professor of health policy and
management at the George Washington University
Milken Institute School of Public Health, via CNN
