China’s latest virus outbreak calls again for caution
- Rise in respiratory illnesses in mainland China may be driven by known pathogens, but, as with Covid-19, vigilance and transparency are required
Around this time four years ago, an unknown pneumonia-like disease was spreading in mainland China and beyond, and quickly evolved into the most devastating pandemic in modern history. The threat arising from an ongoing wave of respiratory illnesses on the mainland is far from that.
Today, the country is relatively better prepared for public health crises. There is also no indication that infections are getting out of control.
However, caution must be exercised to avert a wider outbreak.
Mainland health authorities have rightly demonstrated transparency and accountability by keeping the World Health Organization informed of the current situation. According to officials, the spike in sickness among children in Beijing and the northeastern province of Liaoning is said to be driven by known pathogens, including the influenza virus, adenovirus, rhinoviruses, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and respiratory syncytial virus.
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Reports of mass respiratory illness over the past few months have understandably renewed worries of a wider outbreak involving a new virus. This is not helped by patchy reports of clinics and hospitals overloaded with patients while officials offer little information.
It is a relief that no unknown or unusual pathogens have been detected so far. But the spiralling caseload must not be taken for granted.
Tianjin Children’s Hospital is reportedly handling more than 13,000 patients daily in its outpatient and emergency departments, which is a record. Last week, the paediatric outpatient clinic of the Civil Aviation General Hospital in Beijing was coping with 550-650 visits each day, up 30 to 50 per cent from the same period last year.
The surge is putting municipal health institutions to the test.
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Hong Kong has also reported increases in infections involving parainfluenza viruses and adenovirus, and put in place contingency measures for an anticipated rise in demand for hospital admissions.
While there is no need to panic at this stage, caution must prevail on both sides of the border. This includes adopting the necessary health precautions and keeping local and international watchdogs informed of developments.
Vigilance and transparency are the key.
