What to know about China’s respiratory illness surge
China has seen an uptick in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children. Doctors and public health researchers say there is no evidence for international alarm. - REUTERS
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00:00 Hospitals in China are seeing a surge in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children.
00:08 The recent outbreaks in the country, where Covid emerged in late 2019, have attracted
00:14 the global spotlight, after the World Health Organization asked China for more detailed
00:19 information last week.
00:22 Here's what we know about the surge and why health experts are saying there's no evidence
00:27 for international alarm.
00:29 The rise in respiratory illnesses comes as China braces for its first full winter season
00:35 since it lifted strict Covid-19 restrictions.
00:39 Some social media users have posted photos of children receiving intravenous drips in
00:45 hospital, while local media have posted videos of crowded hospitals.
00:50 A Chinese health official said the outbreak is caused by known pathogens and that there
00:55 is no sign of new infectious diseases.
00:58 Data suggests the increase is linked to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, along with
01:04 the circulation of known pathogens such as microplasma pneumoniae.
01:09 That's a common bacterial infection that typically affects younger children.
01:14 Doctors in China and experts abroad are not too worried about the outbreaks, noting many
01:20 other countries saw similar increases in respiratory diseases after easing pandemic measures.
01:26 Chinese authorities say they will open more paediatric outpatient clinics to ensure more
01:31 elderly people and children receive flu vaccines and encourage people to wear masks and wash
01:37 their hands.
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