DOH seeks data from China on respiratory illness

doh seeks data from china on respiratory illness

DOH building DOH thumb DOH logo

The Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB) has reached out to Chinese health authorities to request more information on the upsurge of respiratory illnesses among children in Beijing.

China is grappling with a spike in respiratory illnesses as it enters its first full winter season since it lifted strict COVID-19 restrictions in December, with cases among children appearing especially high in northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning province where hospitals are warning of long waits, according to a Reuters report.

The DOH said it is closely monitoring the event.

“Locally, suspect cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) are reported to the Epidemiology Bureau for continued surveillance,” said the Health Department according to a tweet of GMA Integrated News’ Tina Panganiban-Perez.

“Currently, ILI cases are still on an uptrend but at a slower pace,” it said.

The situation came into the spotlight this week when the World Health Organization (WHO) asked China for more information, citing a report by the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) on clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children.

On Thursday, the WHO said China had responded to its request and the data it provided suggested the cases were linked to the lifting of COVID curbs along with the circulation of known pathogens like mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterial infection that typically affects children, which has circulated since May.

This month, authorities began issuing health advisories and warning the public of long waits at crowded hospitals but they have not imposed measures like the ones during the COVID pandemic, such as masks or closing schools.

There has been no indication of any undue public alarm.

Meanwhile, the DOH last month said ILI cases in the Philippines increased by 45% so far in 2023. At least 151,375 ILI cases have been registered in the country as of October 13. Over the same period in 2022, the country had 104,613.

The DOH earlier confirmed that cases of influenza and COVID-19 have been increasing due to temperature changes over the rainy season.

To prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, the Health Department likewise reminded the public to practice minimum public health standards including observing cough etiquette, wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and staying at home or isolating if sick. —LDF, GMA Integrated News

This article DOH seeks data from China on respiratory illness was originally published in GMA News Online.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Aliw Awards nominations out

ALIW Awards Foundation Inc. President Alice H. Reyes has released the names of finalists for the 2023 Aliw Awards to be presented on Dec. 11, 2023, at the Manila Hotel ... Read more »

WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos

WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos (Photo: Unsplash) The WhatsApp Web, the desktop version of the popular messaging app from Meta, has received an update allowing ... Read more »

Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards

Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards MANILA, Philippines — The future heroes of Philippine sports will be honored during the third Siklab Youth Sports Awards on Dec. 4 ... Read more »

Local exec says 5-10 barangays still isolated in Northern Samar

Graphics by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas A local government official said Monday that five to 10 barangays in Northern Samar are still isolated following the massive flooding in the area last ... Read more »

App made by ex-jeepney driver will let you pay PUV fare, book tricycles

DyipPay app lets you pay jeepney fare, book tricycles “Barya lang po sa umaga.” Everyone who rides jeepneys knows this rule: it may not be an actual law, but it’s ... Read more »

Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale

Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale Tuesday will mark the last day of pool play for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament. From there, six first-place teams and ... Read more »

PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response

PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response MANILA, Philippines — Recent incidents of fishermen lost in the waters off Southern Tagalog have prompted the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to form ... Read more »
Top List in the World