China's Surge in Respiratory Illnesses Linked to Known Pathogens, Not New Virus

WHO Requests More Information as China Boosts Clinics and Vaccination Efforts Amid Outbreak

China is experiencing a surge in respiratory illnesses, particularly among children, with the country's health ministry attributing the rise to the flu and other known pathogens, not a novel virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested more information from China about the outbreak, with the data provided so far suggesting the illnesses are linked to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens.
Chinese officials have urged local authorities to open more fever clinics, promote vaccinations among children and the elderly, and focus on preventing the spread of illnesses in crowded places such as schools and nursing homes.
Experts outside of China have suggested that the surge in illnesses is not a sign of a new global outbreak, but the situation continues to be monitored closely.
China's National Health Commission has called for more fever clinics to be opened, for service hours to be extended and more the supply of medicines to be increased.