Chinese health authorities have recently stated that it is not a new infectious disease in relation to the respiratory disease that is spreading in China. It is interpreted as an intention to dispel concerns about the new virus.
China’s National Hygiene and Health Commission held a briefing on the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases in winter on the 2nd and said, “The current epidemic of acute respiratory diseases is caused by known pathogens, and there are corresponding means of treatment,” CCTV reported on the 3rd. “No infectious diseases caused by new viruses or bacteria have been found.”
“We are continuing to monitor mutated viruses,” the Wigan Committee said at a briefing. “The current influenza virus has been shown to be sensitive to several anti-influenza virus drugs, which means that the drug is effective against the virus.” Although respiratory diseases are currently spreading, no new virus has appeared, and it is emphasized that all existing drugs can prevent and treat them.
“The recent continuous increase in acute respiratory diseases is related to the overlapping of various respiratory pathogens such as influenza, rhinovirus, mycoprasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus,” the committee said in a briefing a week ago.
The Chinese health authorities’ explanation appears to be a response to some concerns about the spread of respiratory diseases in China. In the U.S., five Republican lawmakers, including Marco Rubio, sent a letter to President Joe Biden on the 1st (local time) demanding that “an unknown respiratory disease is spreading throughout China” and “restrict travel between the U.S. and China.” Republican lawmakers also argued at a hearing before the House Energy Commerce Committee’s oversight and investigation subcommittee that the current situation in China is reminiscent of the early stages of the spread of COVID-19.
In response, Mandy Cohen, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said, “The increase in the number of patients in China is a change in the number of patients that occurs routinely during the season of the respiratory disease virus.”
Experts believe that the spread of respiratory diseases in China is due to the “immune gap” caused by China’s long-term strict lockdown policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is said that immunity has declined as the frequency of infection with respiratory diseases other than COVID-19 has decreased due to strong quarantine and reduced contact. “Many children born during COVID-19 have become more vulnerable (to pathogens) due to less exposure to pathogens,” said Li Tung-jeung, head of the respiratory and infectious diseases department at Beijing Yuan Hospital. “As a result, the rate of respiratory disease infection has increased significantly this year compared to the past three years and has exceeded the level in 2019.”
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) explained that the increase in the number of respiratory diseases in China was “related to the lifting of COVID-19 quarantine measures,” adding, “It is a similar phenomenon in other countries.” The WHO also stated that it does not recommend special measures other than general matters to travelers traveling to and from China.
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
