It's the peak season for respiratory diseases again. What is the current situation of respiratory infectious diseases in China? What are the prevalent pathogens? Will we still face difficulties in seeking medical treatment for respiratory diseases this winter?
Peng Zhibin, Associate Researcher at the Infectious Disease Management Department of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention: According to the monitoring data from the 45th week, the number of influenza cases and acute respiratory infection hospitalizations in children under 14 years old in the outpatient department has shown an upward trend. From the perspective of pathogens, the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in most northern provinces is currently on the rise, while in southern provinces it is at a relatively low level. The main pathogens in children under 14 years old are Mycoplasma pneumoniae and rhinovirus.
At present, China has established acute respiratory infectious disease sentinel monitoring for 15 common respiratory pathogens such as influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, etc., to timely grasp the epidemic trend and pathogen spectrum composition of infectious diseases, promote clinical treatment and epidemic prevention and control. In order to better cope with the high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases in winter and spring, various regions have strengthened multi-channel routine epidemic monitoring and early warning, guided schools, kindergartens and other key places and institutions to strengthen epidemic monitoring and disposal, and medical institutions in various regions have increased the supply of pediatric emergency services at night, optimized medical service processes, and made preparations in advance.
