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China - Mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza or COVID-19?: Beijing expert says to confirm before treatment - November 13, 2023

Beijing last week, with influenza ranking first
red star news2023-11-30 10:12Sichuan


On November 30, according to the website of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the epidemic weekly report for the 47th week of 2023 was released:

Epidemic overview

In the 47th week of 2023 (November 20, 2023 to November 26, 2023), a total of 72,475 cases of 16 notifiable infectious diseases were reported in the city.

The top five diseases with the highest number of reported cases are: influenza, new coronavirus infection, hand, foot and mouth disease, other infectious diarrhea diseases and syphilis, accounting for 99.4% of the reported incidences of statutory infectious diseases.

Source: Beijing Daily, Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, Beijing Municipal Health Commission


​source: zhttps://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1783953187404522190
 
Taiwan MOH Statement On Respiratory Outbreak In Mainland China



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#17,790

For several months we've been aware of a rising tide of respiratory illness - primarily reported in children - in Mainland China (see FluTrackers threads here, here, and here) which has officially been attributed to seasonal viruses (flu, RSV, COVID, etc.) along with Mycoplasma Pneumonia (see WHO Nov 24th Risk Analysis ).


While citing `limited detailed information', the WHO wrote (emphasis mine):

In the current outbreak of respiratory illness, the reported symptoms are common to several respiratory diseases and, as of now, at the present time, Chinese surveillance and hospital systems report that the clinical manifestations are caused by known pathogens in circulation. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen and a common cause of paediatric pneumonia, and is readily treated with antibiotics.

This is entirely plausible, given that many other countries (see here, here, and here) have reported unusual upticks in respiratory infections after relaxing or abandoning their COVID restrictions. But the lack of details - and some of the (limited) news coming out of China (see below) - raises concerns.
Some of this could be hyperbole - and none of this means that a new pathogen has emerged - only that China is struggling to deal with their current surge in patients. And that could just as easily be due to the combined impact of seasonal respiratory illnesses.

There are reports on FluTrackers of some children treated for pneumonia `relapsing' 2 or 3 times, which may be more suggestive of antibiotic resistance than a new virus (see Severe problem of macrolides resistance to common pathogens in China).

But of course, China continues to hold information close to the vest - including little or no news on avian flu for months - which means that other countries must take prudent precautions.​

With the Chinese Lunar New Year just over 2 months away, and concerns that China's epidemic could worsen, today Taiwan's Ministry of Health released the following (translated) statement, ordering all departments to be vigilant, and prepare contingency plans, in the event the epidemics on Mainland China threaten the ROC (Republic of China).

Chen Kui: Closely monitor the development of respiratory disease epidemics in China, adjust epidemic prevention measures on a rolling basis, and strengthen the preparation of epidemic prevention medical supplies.


Source: Executive Yuan
Date of creation: 112-11-30
Updated time: 112-11-30

After listening to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Current Situation and Response to Respiratory Disease Epidemics in China" report at the Executive Yuan today (30th), Executive President Chen Jianren said that the epidemic situation of respiratory tract infections in China is expected to show an upward trend.
Considering the frequent exchanges between people across the Taiwan Strait, Our country has strengthened surveillance of epidemic pathogens of related diseases. The director instructs the airport and port quarantine stations to be fully vigilant, and asks the Ministry of Health and Welfare to adjust epidemic prevention measures on a rolling basis based on the development of the epidemic, strengthen health education propaganda, and prepare epidemic prevention medical supplies and capacity; at the same time, relevant ministries and commissions should also prepare for the Lunar New Year holidays. In view of the large number of people returning home, relevant preparation and contingency plans must be planned in advance to protect the health of the Chinese people.

Dean Chen pointed out that the recent outbreak of respiratory infections in China is currently dominated by influenza virus, and there are also other pathogens such as rhinovirus, mycoplasma, adenovirus, and new coronavirus. Based on the available data, this wave of epidemics is presumed to be caused by known pathogens that are highly prevalent in the community. No new pathogens have been detected so far, and there are no special mutations of known pathogens. However, due to current limited information and considering the drop in temperature, it is expected that China will The wave of epidemics will continue to show an upward trend.

Dean Chen further pointed out that the current domestic respiratory infection epidemic has not increased as sharply as in China, and the influenza-like epidemic has been on a downward trend for seven consecutive weeks since mid-September this year (2023). However, people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait have frequent exchanges. In response to China The epidemic of respiratory diseases is on the rise, and China has strengthened surveillance of the epidemic causes of related diseases.

Director Chen instructs the airport and port quarantine stations to be fully vigilant, and also requests the Ministry of Health and Welfare to strengthen management, continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation at home and abroad, adjust epidemic prevention measures according to the development of the epidemic, and strengthen health education propaganda to improve the safety of passengers traveling to and from China, Hong Kong and Macao. Knowledge and capabilities for epidemic prevention, and at the same time, strengthening the preparation and preparation of epidemic prevention medical-related materials and capabilities. In addition, in response to the influx of people returning home during the Lunar New Year holiday, the dean instructed relevant ministries to plan relevant preparation and contingency plans in advance to better protect the health of the Chinese people.




While hopefully what is going on in China is exactly as advertised, prudence demands that nations take their outbreak seriously, and prepare accordingly.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2023/11/taiwan-moh-statement-on-respiratory.html

 
I have had contact with Dr. Cowling and some of his team at University of Hong Kong in the past and they are highly credible.


Surge in children suffering from respiratory illnesses in China

Professor Ben Cowling of the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong explains the uptick in cases of respiratory illnesses among children in China.

"..looks like a typical winter surge..", "flu, rsv, and other viral infections...mycoplasma pneumona ...a bit earlier....", "..we shouldn't be surprised, they were just on hold during the pandemic..", "...everywhere in the world hospitals stuggle with winter surges.."


[video]https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/11/29/exp-china-respiratory-illnesses-fst-112903aseg1-cnni-world.cnn[/video]

 
CIDRAP- Episode 145: The Hospital Capacity Crisis

Copied to this thread from another thread. (s.s.)

My bolding.

The China portion starts at 21:30.

Basically Dr. Osterholm mentions that the current surge of flu, rsv, mycoplasma pneumonia, etc. are a result of "immunity debt" which is the fact that much of the population does not have immunity to the respiratory diseases mentioned above. This has been resulting in surges and "...we would expect this to happen..."


------------------------------------------------------------------------

November 30, 2023

In "The Hospital Capacity Crisis," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the state of the pandemic in the U.S. and around the world, the reclassification of the BA.2.86 variant as a variant of interest, and the surge in pediatric pneumonia hospitalizations in China. Dr. Osterholm also provides an update on influenza and RSV in the U.S. and shares a moment of joy from one of our listeners.
EPISODE145
Episode 145: The Hospital Capacity Crisis

58:47
Back 15secPlayForward 30sec
DOWNLOAD MP3
QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/episode-145-hospital-capacity-crisis
 
Taiwan CDC: Preliminary Airport Surveillance Report On Travelers From Mainland China, Hong Kong & Macau

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#17,793

While the tabloids, social media, and even some mainstream media are having a field day speculating about the uptick of respiratory illnesses in China - using terms like `Mysterious' or `While-Lung Syndrome' - it is worth noting that so far, we've seen no evidence of anything other than an increase in already-known seasonal illnesses.

Seasonal viruses (and other pathogens) can change over time, making it always possible that a mutation has increased the transmissibility, pathogenicity, or antimicrobial resistance (see past examples here, here, here and here) of one of the `usual suspects'.​

But we've also seen similar upticks of respiratory illnesses in many other countries in the months (and years) following their dismantling of pandemic restrictions, with no indication of significant mutations.

For it to happen in China, less than a year after abandoning their strict Zero-COVID policies, is hardly unexpected.​

We've also seen evidence suggesting that Severe COVID-19 Can Alter Long-term Immune System Response, and that may be playing a role as well. Ask again in a few years, and we may have some better answers.

Frankly, we are still trying to figure this newfangled Post-COVID world of ours, and how new, existing, and future pathogens will interact and how they may impact our immune systems.
While a novel virus (or other pathogen) could certainly emerge at anytime, and from any corner of the earth, so far we've seen no evidence of that currently happening in China.​

But as you would expect, some countries outside of China have ramped up their surveillance and testing - particularly of international travelers from Asia - in order to detect anything suspicious as early as possible.

Today we get the first report from Taiwan's CDC on their surveillance and testing of symptomatic travelers entering the country from China, Hong Kong and Macau. While testing appears to be voluntary, so far they have detected no signs of anything `novel'.​

The translated statement follows, after which I'll have a postscript.

Currently, the majority of cases detected are influenza. Influenza is also the most prevalent respiratory infection in domestic communities. Parents are advised to pay attention to the health of young children and the public is encouraged to get vaccinated.


Release date: 2023-12-01

The Department of Disease Control and Prevention (hereinafter referred to as the CDC) stated today (1) that in order to strengthen monitoring of the respiratory disease epidemic in China, the Department has launched a total of 10,000 people in Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung and Kaohsiung starting from November 26, 2023. Four international airports have implemented the "fixed-point monitoring and encouragement of inspection" measures.

This measure is aimed at symptomatic (influenza-like) travelers arriving from China, Hong Kong and Macao, and encourages testing for 17 types of viruses including influenza virus, new coronavirus, rhinovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, adenovirus, human interstitial pneumonia virus and 4 species of bacteria.

Currently, a total of 38 people have been tested in the first four days, of which 13 cases were influenza virus, 3 cases were new coronavirus, 3 cases were adenovirus, 2 cases were rhinovirus, 6 cases were negative, and 11 more cases are being tested.
Based on the current surveillance data and test results, the current risk assessment of the respiratory tract infection epidemic in China remains unchanged. Known pathogens are highly prevalent in the community. In the near future, influenza viruses have become the dominant epidemic. Mycoplasma epidemic has declined. China will continue to closely monitor its epidemic development.

Regarding external concerns about the current epidemic situation of Mycoplasma pneumonia in China, Dr. Huang Yucheng, Professor of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Chang Geng, Linkou, and Chairman of the Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, explained that Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogenic bacteria of respiratory tract infections and pneumonia, and is more common in young people. People and children over 5 years old have cases all year round in Taiwan, especially at the turn of spring and summer and early autumn.

Generally speaking, the symptoms caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae are mild, and most people can recover on their own after infection. Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, and cough that can last for weeks or even months. About 10% of people will develop it. pneumonia, but the symptoms are relatively mild, so it is commonly known as "walking pneumonia." Although data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that mycoplasma pneumonia may have a major epidemic every 3 to 7 years, the proportion of domestic surveillance has been low recently, indicating that it is a low-level epidemic. Please do not worry or worry.

The CDC stated that in response to external concerns about the shortage of related drugs, the Food and Drug Administration has stated that in terms of Mycoplasma pneumonia drugs, the import of original potions for children has increased in October, and domestic generic drugs with the same ingredients will be mass-produced in December; There are currently sufficient stocks of adult medicines and there is no doubt about shortages. Dr. Huang further pointed out that at present, influenza is still the most common respiratory infection, and the peak of influenza epidemic is approaching. Young children are a high-risk group for influenza. Getting vaccinated as soon as possible to gain protection is the most effective prevention method. At the same time, it is also reminded that if danger signs such as dyspnea, shortness of breath, cyanosis (hypoxia) and other danger signs occur, please seek medical treatment as soon as possible and follow the doctor's instructions to take medication to reduce the risk of severe complications.

The CDC emphasized that according to the latest research from Dr. Dayi He's team in the United States, vaccination with XBB vaccine can significantly increase the vaccine's resistance to current COVID-19 epidemic strains (XBB.1.5 and EG.5.1) and emerging mutant strains (such as HV.1, HK. 3. In the immune response of JD.1, JN.1), neutralizing antibodies can increase up to 27 times. It is recommended that the public receive the XBB vaccine to enhance self-protection. People over the age of 65 who receive the COVID-19 vaccine can receive health education supplies and COVID-19 rapid screening reagents worth less than 500 yuan (inclusive) provided by each county and city. In addition, in order to improve the accessibility of vaccination for all, each county and city also provides Come to the vaccination service on demand. For vaccination centers, you can check the vaccination centers on the official website of the CDC in the "Autumn and Winter Vaccine Zone" (https://gov.tw/eU4).


It doesn't take a novel virus to put you or a loved one in the hospital, or for that matter, in the morgue. Seasonal flu, RSV, CAP (Community Acquired Pneumonia), and Norovirus are all quite capable of doing so, as they kill hundreds of thousands of people every year.

Luckily there are vaccines that can offer some protection against many of these illnesses.​

Unfortunately, far too few eligible people elect to get them every year, which puts all of us at risk of seeing overcrowded hospitals and excess winter mortality, even from something as mundane as seasonal flu.


For a look at what a severe `non-pandemic' flu season can look like, you may wish to revisit 2018's:
​https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2023/12/taiwan-cdc-preliminary-airport.html
 
What is mycoplasma pneumonia, the illness driving an outbreak in Ohio?

China and Denmark have also reported outbreaks of mycoplasma pneumonia, a respiratory illness caused by bacteria.​


snip


“It may be, in places like Denmark, that they were due for a cycle,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

Fewer social interactions during the pandemic also meant the bacterium didn’t have many opportunities to spread in recent years. Now that more children are interacting again at school and day care and in other social settings, some countries are experiencing resurgences.

China’s outbreak in particular comes as little surprise, given the country’s stringent lockdown measures, said Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

more...

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heal...break-china-denmark-ohio-what-know-rcna127372
 
I have also had contact with Dr. Osterholm and his team in the past and they are highly credible.

When I say this about people or teams it does not mean they don't make mistakes. It means they rarely make a mistake and they consistently make an earnest effort to be correct. And when they are not correct they issue a retraction and/or clarification.
 
CIDRAP- CDC detects no unusual pediatric pneumonia trends in US

I copied this post to this thread from another thread. (s.s.) My bolding in the text.


https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/pneumonia/cdc-detects-no-unusual-pediatric-pneumonia-trends-us


CDC detects no unusual pediatric pneumonia trends in US



Lisa Schnirring


Today at 3:24 p.m.

Pneumonia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said its latest data on pediatric pneumonia show that levels for the youngest children, those ages 0 to 4, are expected for this time of year but are slightly higher for kids ages 5 and older.

In a December 1 statement, the CDC said it is closely monitoring reports of increased respiratory illness activity around the world, including recent reports of elevated pediatric pneumonia levels in China and some European countries.

Slight rise in school-age kids, akin to before pandemic
In the United States for the week ending November 25, the CDC's National Syndromic Surveillance Program, which covers 78% of the country's emergency departments, showed pneumonia diagnoses for children as old as 1 was 1.7%, and for kids ages 2 to 4, the level was 2.4%. Both are in line with previous years.

For children ages 5 to 17, the level was 1.5%, reflecting a slight increase, but similar to pre–COVID-19 pandemic years.

Last week, Ohio's Warren County reported a rise in pediatric pneumonia cases in children ages 3 to 14 and emphasized that there is no evidence of a novel pathogen or a connection to other outbreaks. Also, Massachusetts health officials have reported a modest rise in pediatric pneumonia cases over the past few weeks, with no sign of a link to Mycoplasma pneumoniae , the Boston Herald reported, citing the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Meanwhile, the CDC said lab analysis suggests that the small rise in pneumonia isn't caused by a new virus or other pathogen. "Instead, these increases are likely caused by viruses and bacteria we expect to see during the respiratory illness season."

Developments in Asia, Europe


In South Korea, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said the number of hospitalization for Mycoplasma pneumonia cases have doubled over the past 4 weeks, mostly involving children ages 12 years and younger, the Korea Biomedical Review reported today. Pediatricians are raising concerns about a possible pediatric care crisis.

Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said it is closely monitoring Mycoplasma hospitalizations in children, which it said are currently stable but are tracking higher than in August. The CHP said its illness trend monitoring shows that rhinovirus and enterovirus are the most commonly detected respiratory viruses.

Meanwhile six countries in the European Union/ European Economic Area have reported recent increases in Mycoplasma pneumoniae detections, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in its latest weekly communicable disease report. Though it didn't name the countries, Denmark and the Netherlands have reported case rises.

Ireland has reported a small rise in Mycoplasma pneumonia cases in children and teens, the Irish Independent reported, citing the country's Health Service Executive. The number of cases remains small, but rates rose in October and November. An official with the National Virus Laboratory said cases are above last year's activity but are following an expected cyclical pattern.

The ECDC said Mycoplasma pneumoniae epidemics typically occur every 1 to 3 years and that the increases this year follow a 3-year period of very limited transmission. It added that though one country reported a rise in severe cases involving intensive care unit admission, there are no reports of atypical strains or evidence of resistance to first-line macrolide antibiotics.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza and other cross-attack pediatric outpatient clinics are experiencing a peak in visits
dahe.com2023-12-05 14:44


At Maple Yang Community Health Service Center, parents take their children for infusion
Top News·Henan Business Daily reporter He Yushuai Trainee reporter Li Jiazi Text/Photo
Recently, many children have become sick due to mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza, etc.
What is the current medical treatment situation in major hospitals? Top News·Henan Business Daily reporter visited.
Parents: Hospital waiting time has shortened
The official account of the National Health Commission "Healthy China" reminds that if older children and children above school age develop high fever with mild respiratory symptoms but no other systemic symptoms, it is recommended that parents keep their children under observation at home and use some symptomatic drugs.
If the child continues to have a high fever for 3 to 5 days or is accompanied by obvious worsening of respiratory symptoms, it is recommended that parents take the child to see a doctor in time.
So, have there been any changes in the waiting time for children in hospitals recently?
Ms. Wang and Ms. Gao, who took their children to the Henan Provincial Children's Hospital for treatment, felt that the waiting time in line had been shortened.
Ms. Wang said that the child's father noticed that there were fewer people in the past two nights, so he deliberately chose this time to see a doctor. "There are obviously more nurses and doctors in these two days."
"I thought there would be a lot of people in the hospital at first, but there weren't and there was no queue," Ms. Gao said.
The reporter came to a community health service center in the High-tech Zone. "At eight or nine o'clock in the morning, people queuing up in the consultation room moved from indoors to the corridor. There are two doctors from Monday to Friday and one doctor on weekends." Ms. Lin, a staff member, said, The medical staff are quite busy.
In the infusion hall on the second floor of another grassroots hospital, the medical staff in charge of hospitalization told reporters that although the number of inpatient beds has been relatively tight recently, they do not work overtime very much. If there is overtime, it is usually within an hour.
Some parents ask for leave to see a doctor for their children
Ms. Yuan’s daughter is 8 years old and currently attends a private school in Jinshui District. “The child has been infused with fluid for seven days, and now she cannot work to take care of her.”
"But there is no way. Although there is still someone in my shop, the shop is semi-closed." Ms. Yuan is the owner of a flower shop. This is the 10th day that her child has been sick.
In the clinic these days, Ms. Yuan has seen many parents with solemn faces. “Parents are quite anxious and basically don’t communicate much during the consultation.”
Another parent, Ms. Zhang, told reporters that she has two children in elementary school who began to fall sick in turns in November, and this state has not stopped.
“Children get sick this season, so it’s relatively faster to go to a community hospital for treatment,” Ms. Zhang said.
Ms. Zhang took leave from work and accompanied her children for check-ups and medicines every day. “I thought I was doing fine before, but because I came to the hospital too many times, I got infected, and I didn’t feel very well.”
What are the symptoms of children who have been sick recently?
A few days ago, Mi Feng, spokesman for the National Health Commission and deputy director of the Publicity Department, said at a press conference of the National Health Commission that monitoring shows that influenza is the main respiratory infectious disease recently.
In addition, there are infections caused by rhinovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, etc. Analysts believe that acute respiratory diseases in my country have continued to rise recently, which is related to the superposition of multiple respiratory pathogens.
Several parents interviewed by the reporter mentioned the phenomenon of cross-infection.
"Some time ago, it was a weak positive result for mycoplasma. I took Cephalosporin and Aqi for 5 days. On the 6th day, I started to have a fever, and the next test showed a weak positive for adenovirus." Ms. Wang's child has been sick for nearly 10 days.
"This time there are more cross-infections, and half of the children in the class have asked for leave." Ms. Yuan said that the child's pneumonia is improving now, but the phlegm problem is more difficult to solve. "I had pneumonia when I was just born, and now It’s never been this serious since I was 8 years old.”
"Check another CT scan to see if the lung shadow has improved. I think it is getting better," Ms. Yuan said.

source: zhttps://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1784423279811323775&wfr=spider&for=pc
 
Translation Google


Transcript of the press conference of the National Health Commission on December 10, 2023
dys.jpg

Release time: 2023-12-10 Source: Publicity Department



Time  : December 10 , 2023
Venue  : Press Conference Hall, Building 2, National Health Commission
Moderator: Mi   Feng, Spokesperson and Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the National Health Commission
Guest  : Li Banghua,    Deputy Director of the Department of Elderly Care Services, Ministry of Civil Affairs
Xia Gang, Director of the Department of Health and Immunization, National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention   
        Peng Zhibin, Director of the Respiratory Infectious Diseases Division, Division of Infectious Disease Management, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   
        Li Honghong, President of Beijing Shijingshan District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital   
Gao Xiang,   President of Eco-City Hospital, Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital   

Mi Feng , spokesperson and deputy director of the Publicity Department of the National Health Commission  :
Dear friends from the media:
good afternoon everyone! Welcome to the press conference held by the National Health Commission.
In response to the current high incidence of respiratory diseases, especially in children, the National Health Commission, together with the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the State Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, continue to strengthen monitoring and judgment, coordinate the supply of medical resources and diagnosis and treatment work in various regions, and guide various regions to conduct inspections within medical institutions and institutions. Coordinate the deployment of medical resources within the space, open relevant clinics and treatment areas according to the number of patients, expand ward resources, guide secondary hospitals, maternal and child health hospitals, traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, and primary medical and health institutions to "open as many pediatrics as possible" and extend the admission hours. , optimize the diagnosis and treatment process, improve service efficiency, and effectively ensure the needs of pediatric diagnosis and treatment.
    At present, the overall volume of diagnosis and treatment of children's respiratory diseases in secondary and above medical institutions across the country is showing a fluctuating downward trend, and the increase in pediatric diagnosis and treatment volume in some large children's specialized hospitals and general hospitals has been alleviated to a certain extent.
Judging from the overall situation of fever clinics and emergency departments, the number of respiratory disease consultations across the country has been relatively stable in recent times, especially as primary medical institutions have diverted some patients. The overall normal medical services nationwide have not been affected.
It is necessary to give full play to the role of medical consortiums, medical communities, medical groups and Internet medical care, establish a mechanism for collaboration between general hospitals and grassroots medical institutions, expert sinking and patient referral, and hierarchical and graded diversion to facilitate patients to make reasonable choices for medical treatment.
    It is necessary to give full play to the characteristics and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine and combine traditional Chinese and Western medicine to improve the prevention and treatment effect.
Key places and crowded places such as primary and secondary schools, childcare institutions, nursing homes, and social welfare homes must implement measures such as ventilation and disinfection, strengthen health science popularization and health monitoring, and implement personal protection to reduce the spread of diseases and reduce the risk of infection.
We should continue to do a good job in vaccination and continuously optimize vaccination services.
The theme of today's press conference is: the prevention and control of respiratory diseases in winter. We invited:
    Mr. Li Banghua, Deputy Director of the Department of Elderly Care Services of the Ministry of Civil Affairs;
Mr. Xia Gang, Director of the Department of Health and Immunization of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention;
Ms. Peng Zhibin, Director of the Respiratory Infectious Diseases Division of the Infectious Disease Management Division of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention;
Mr. Li Honghong, President of Beijing Shijingshan District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital;
Mr. Gao Xiang, Director of Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital Eco-City Hospital.
Ask them to jointly answer questions from the media on issues that everyone is concerned about.
Now, journalists, please raise your hands to ask questions. Please inform your news organization before asking.

CCTV reporter from China Central Radio and Television Station :
What arrangements and arrangements does the country have for influenza vaccination this year? What is the current progress of influenza vaccination across the country? Thanks.

Xia Gang, Director of the Department of Health and Immunization of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention :
Thank you for your question. Influenza vaccination is an effective means to prevent the onset of influenza and reduce influenza-related severe illness and death. In the early stage, the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention has made special arrangements to promote influenza and other vaccinations. This year’s vaccination work has the following characteristics:
First, the supply is early. Relevant departments took joint actions to optimize procedures and buy time to ensure vaccine supply before the epidemic season. Starting in July, vaccination units in various places have successively launched influenza vaccination services, earlier than the influenza season.
Second, there is sufficient vaccine supply. Improved influenza vaccine supply security capabilities. The production and supply of influenza vaccine this year has increased significantly compared with last year, and at this stage, it can meet the vaccination needs of the masses.
The third is to focus on implementation. Multiple deployments have been made to guide various localities to actively promote influenza vaccination in accordance with the principle of informed consent.
In the future, we will continue to guide various localities to assess the demand for influenza and other vaccinations, optimize the reasonable distribution of vaccines, and achieve precise planning and use. We will also actively work with relevant departments to strengthen the connection between vaccine supply and demand to ensure a continuous supply chain of influenza vaccines and that vaccines are available to the public. Vaccination. At the same time, publicity forms will be further enriched, publicity efforts will be intensified, and localities will be guided to provide timely, convenient, and high-quality influenza vaccination services through appointment registration, time-sharing vaccination, extending the vaccination cycle, and increasing service hours. Here I would like to once again call on everyone to be active, active, and get vaccinated as early as possible. This is not only to protect yourself, but also to protect your family around you. Thanks.

Xinhua News Agency reporter:
For key institutions and places, such as schools, child care institutions, public transportation, etc., what measures should be taken to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases? Thanks.

Peng Zhibin, director of the Respiratory Infectious Diseases Division of the Infectious Disease Management Division of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention :
Thank you for your question. Schools, daycare institutions, and public transportation are usually densely populated and relatively closed inside, making them key places and institutions for the prevention and control of respiratory diseases. In view of the particularities of schools, childcare institutions, and public transportation, it is mainly recommended to strengthen the following prevention and control measures:
For schools and child care institutions: First, vaccination should be done as early as possible and in a timely manner. Students, faculty and staff should receive influenza and other vaccinations as early as possible to improve their own immune barrier and reduce the risk of disease. The second is to strengthen environmental cleaning, maintain indoor hygiene, regularly open windows for ventilation, maintain indoor air flow, and improve classroom air quality. However, the outdoor temperature is relatively low in winter and spring, so be careful to keep warm when opening windows for ventilation. Third, it is recommended to strengthen health monitoring, carry out morning and afternoon check-ups, and register absences from classes. Students, faculty and staff are advised to attend class without illness to prevent the introduction of diseases into schools or classrooms.
For public transportation: First, it is necessary to clean and disinfect the interior of the transportation vehicle, maintain the air quality inside the transportation vehicle, and ventilate regularly. Second, it is recommended to wear masks during high-incidence seasons for respiratory diseases to reduce the risk of exposure and disease, and to be the first person responsible for your own health. Thanks.

China Daily reporter :
The elderly are susceptible to respiratory diseases. How can we guide elderly care institutions to prevent and control respiratory diseases in winter? Thanks.

Li Banghua, deputy director of the Department of Elderly Care Services of the Ministry of Civil Affairs :
Thank you for your question. As mentioned earlier, nursing homes are crowded places, and most of the elderly have weak immunity and some underlying diseases. Some elderly people cannot take care of themselves. Therefore, during the winter period when respiratory diseases are most common, prevention and control of respiratory diseases must be done well. It's quite difficult. In accordance with the deployment of the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has made relevant arrangements for the prevention and control of respiratory diseases in nursing homes to strengthen the protection of the elderly in nursing homes.
First, strengthen organization and leadership. Guide civil affairs departments at all levels to pay close attention to the prevention and control trends of winter respiratory diseases in elderly care institutions within their jurisdiction, organize elderly care institutions to actively respond, make preparations for the emergency transformation of prevention and control mechanisms, and maintain smooth green channels for medical treatment in elderly care institutions. Once clusters are discovered in elderly care institutions, The condition can be dealt with quickly and effectively.
The second is to strengthen science popularization. In nursing homes, use special science lectures, daytime activities, service reminders, posters, etc. to disseminate winter respiratory disease prevention and control knowledge and policies to the elderly and staff, and carry out professional training for nursing staff and medical staff. , mobilize the elderly with physical conditions to receive influenza and other vaccines, and improve the hygiene awareness and disease prevention and control capabilities of staff in nursing homes and the elderly.
    The third is to guard the "door" of elderly care institutions. The health status of outsiders for visits, maintenance, express delivery, inspections, etc. will be observed and protective measures such as wearing masks will be required. If outsiders are found to have symptoms of suspected respiratory diseases, they should be promptly discouraged from entering, and non-contact visits or replacement of healthy service personnel should be provided to provide admission services to prevent the introduction of diseases. At the same time, guidance is provided to elderly care institutions that provide combined medical and elderly care services to conduct zoning management of medical services and elderly care services to prevent cross-infection.
The fourth is to do a good job in internal prevention and control of elderly care institutions. Elderly care institutions should strengthen the protection of staff. Staff should wear masks during services, conduct daily health monitoring, and work without illness. Health monitoring of the elderly residents must also be carried out every day. Their homes and public activity areas must be ventilated regularly. Elderly people who are found to have respiratory diseases must be sent to the doctor in time.
At present, civil affairs departments at all levels and elderly care institutions in various places are actively implementing these measures, and the situation of respiratory disease prevention and control in elderly care institutions across the country is generally stable. Thanks!

Reporter from Macau Monthly Macau News Agency :
The elderly are not yet sufficiently aware of voluntary influenza vaccination. In addition, the elderly have limited mobility and are far from home and vaccination clinics. Factors such as this also affect the increase in vaccination coverage. How will we promote and increase vaccination coverage among the elderly? Thanks.

Xia Gang, Director of the Department of Health and Immunization of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention :
Thank you for your question. We have mentioned in many press conferences that high-risk groups such as the elderly are more likely to develop serious complications after being infected with influenza. Influenza vaccination can not only reduce infection, but also effectively reduce the risk of severe illness and death, so the elderly are always Key groups for influenza vaccination.
The state encourages all localities to continue to make efforts based on the characteristics of the elderly population from the dimensions of publicity forms, publicity content, publicity venues, etc., continue to increase vaccination publicity, and popularize vaccination knowledge. In terms of publicity forms, attention should be paid to the joint role of new media and traditional media. For the elderly and their family members who are familiar with network equipment, we mainly popularize science through publicity platforms such as new media and self-media. For the elderly who are not proficient in using network equipment, we mainly use traditional publicity platforms such as radio and television, newspapers, community bulletin boards, etc. to produce health science programs, health bulletin boards, brochures, etc., and hold health lectures to widely publicize science. Judging from the content of the publicity, we focus on the issues that the elderly are most concerned about to carry out targeted science publicity, and do a good job in clearing up doubts and confusions. In terms of publicity venues, we focus on places where the elderly frequently move, such as communities, squares, etc., as well as medical institutions, and organize community volunteers and medical staff to carry out science popularization and face-to-face consultation for the elderly.
In view of the mobility difficulties of the elderly, we have guided all localities to provide convenient and efficient influenza vaccination services for the elderly by setting up green channels for the elderly, opening special vaccination sessions for the elderly, and using mobile vaccination vehicles to set up temporary vaccination sites. Thanks!

Hong Kong Economic Herald reporter :
We have noticed that triage plays a key role in reducing the burden on hospitals. What measures have been taken by secondary hospitals to triage and triage patients within the hospital to ensure that resources are given priority to critically ill patients? Thanks.

Gao Xiang, director of Eco-City Hospital of Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital :
Thank you for your question. Triage and triage work requires grasping several key links. Take our hospital as an example. Our hospital is a secondary hospital.
The first is to improve pre-examination and triage capabilities. Strengthen the power of pre-examination and triage in internal medicine emergency departments and pediatric outpatient and emergency departments, organize training and arrange medical staff with rich work experience and solid professional knowledge to undertake pre-examination and triage work, promote pre-examination and treatment services, strengthen waiting and triage inspections, and timely detect Critical and severe patients will be immediately opened a green channel for timely treatment, effectively ensuring the patient's life safety.
The second is to play the role of three diagnoses in one. It is necessary to coordinate resources among emergency departments, fever clinics, and respiratory clinics. Through real-time data monitoring, dynamic adjustment, and timely triage, we can ensure stable diagnosis and treatment order, avoid gatherings, shorten patient waiting times, and improve patients' medical experience.
The third is to concentrate high-quality medical resources throughout the hospital and give priority to critically ill patients. Pay close attention to the medical treatment of critically ill patients, unblock green channels, implement a multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment model, and continuously improve the comprehensive treatment level of intensive care units. Coordinate critical care resources, coordinate the management of beds in the hospital, and regularly sort out the rescue equipment and rescue drugs in critical care departments to improve the treatment capabilities for critical illness. Properly allocate critical care medical staff, strengthen professional training, set up a special consultation class for medical experts in the hospital, and establish a guidance mechanism for higher-level hospitals to conduct ward rounds and guide diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients to ensure effective treatment of critically ill patients and ensure medical care. Quality and safety. Thanks!

China Youth Daily reporter :
During the peak season of respiratory diseases in winter, how should grassroots TCM medical institutions optimize resource allocation to ensure that patients can receive timely treatment? Thanks.

Li Honghong, President of Beijing Shijingshan District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital :
Thank you for your question. Judging from the actual work of our work, grassroots traditional Chinese medicine hospitals play an important role in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases. Take our hospital as an example. Our hospital is a district-affiliated second-class traditional Chinese medicine hospital. Judging from the medical treatment data in recent weeks, the number of outpatient clinics for respiratory diseases has been rising. In particular, the number of outpatient clinics for pediatrics with traditional Chinese medicine has increased more than usual. This has a significant diversion effect in alleviating the long queues in large hospitals. The advantage of traditional Chinese medicine lies in the holistic concept. Traditional Chinese medicine pays more attention to the "ill person", that is, the overall state reflected by the patient. Even if the patients are infected by different viruses, as long as they have similar syndromes, different diseases can be treated with the same treatment. By observing, smelling, asking, and accurately identifying syndromes, traditional Chinese medicine or appropriate techniques of traditional Chinese medicine can be used for treatment, thereby alleviating symptoms, promoting recovery, and improving human immunity.
The advantage of grassroots care also lies in "comprehensiveness". For geriatric diseases, common diseases, and frequently-occurring diseases, general internal medicine and grassroots doctors are all-rounders and can solve common clinical problems in a comprehensive and "one-stop" way. If the grassroots level gives full play to the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine, this comprehensiveness will have the characteristics of "simplicity, convenience, testing, and low cost" and become an important support for the entire medical service system.
Of course, grassroots doctors must continue to improve their ability to detect difficult and severe diseases in early stages. Primary medical institutions should also open referral channels so that difficult and severe patients can be transferred to large hospitals for more effective treatment in a timely manner. Thanks!

Reporter from China Voice :
If you have flu-like symptoms but have not been diagnosed and have recovered on their own, should you continue to get the flu vaccine? When should I get vaccinated? Thanks.

Xia Gang, Director of the Department of Health and Immunization of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention :
Thank you for your question. If you have already developed flu-like symptoms, it is still recommended to continue to receive the flu vaccine after you have not been diagnosed and recovered on your own. There are two main reasons: First, the symptoms of respiratory infections are not specific, and various pathogenic infections may cause flu-like symptoms such as fever and headache. However, these symptoms are not necessarily caused by influenza virus infection, but may also be caused by other pathogens, the most common of which is the common cold. Second, there are multiple types and subtypes of influenza viruses that can cause epidemics. For example, in terms of types, there are both type A and type B. In type A, there are both H1N1 subtype and H3N2 subtype. After being infected with a certain type or subtype, you may also be at risk of contracting other types or subtypes. The influenza vaccine is a multivalent vaccine that covers many different types and subtypes. This is the trivalent and quadrivalent vaccine we usually use. If you are infected with a certain type of influenza and then receive a vaccine that contains components of other types of influenza, it can still prevent that type of influenza.
In addition, in the same epidemic season, different types and subtypes are usually popular together. For example, the H3N2 subtype of influenza A is currently the main one, followed by influenza B. In the past, there have been cases where the dominant strain of the epidemic gradually transformed from one type to another in the same epidemic season. . Therefore, even if you have recently experienced flu-like symptoms, it is still recommended to receive the influenza vaccine as soon as possible after recovery, especially for key groups such as the elderly. Vaccination can reduce infection and reduce the risk of severe illness and death. Thanks!

Reporter from Hong Kong China Review Press :
    Vaccines play a big role in preventing influenza. Why do so many people still have concerns about getting vaccinated? Thanks.

Peng Zhibin, director of the Respiratory Infectious Diseases Division of the Infectious Disease Management Division of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention :
Thank you for your question. People's understanding of the dangers of diseases and the safety and effectiveness of vaccines will affect everyone's willingness to get vaccinated. I would like to take this opportunity to respond to these three aspects.
The first is the dangers of influenza. We all know that influenza is not a common cold, but an acute respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. People are generally susceptible to influenza viruses, especially infants, young children, the elderly, and patients with chronic underlying diseases. The impact or harm of influenza infection in these groups will be more serious, and serious complications such as pneumonia may occur. The World Health Organization estimates that global seasonal influenza epidemics can cause 3 million to 5 million severe cases and 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory disease-related deaths every year.
The second is about the effectiveness of the vaccine. Our scientific research and our vaccination practice have actually proven that influenza vaccination is effective. For the elderly, a high-risk group who may be at higher risk of severe illness after being infected with influenza, vaccination can effectively reduce the incidence of influenza and also reduce the incidence of influenza-related complications. Researchers once conducted a comprehensive analysis of 95 studies on the protective effects of influenza vaccines around the world. The results showed that during the influenza epidemic season, influenza vaccination in the elderly can reduce influenza-like symptoms by 39%, reduce confirmed influenza cases by 49%, and reduce related illnesses. Complications were 28%. For another key group of our concern, which is children and school students, influenza vaccination can prevent or reduce the occurrence of influenza. Additionally, it can reduce school absences due to influenza. Taking Beijing as an example, Beijing has carried out relevant research and found that large-scale centralized vaccination of primary and secondary school students can reduce the risk of concentrated influenza epidemics by 50% to 89%. Shenzhen has also done some related research and found that high influenza vaccine vaccination rates can effectively reduce the risk of missing school. The preventive effect on absenteeism is about 53%.
Finally, there is the question of vaccine safety. Influenza vaccine has been used around the world and in our country for decades. Long-term vaccination practice shows that it is a relatively mature vaccine and has good safety. Thanks!

China Net reporter :
Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages. What are the effective methods in preventing respiratory diseases? Thanks.

Li Honghong, President of Beijing Shijingshan District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital :
Thank you for your interest in Chinese medicine. Winter is the peak season for respiratory diseases, but these diseases are also common and have mature Chinese and Western medical treatments. Specific measures, in addition to frequent hand washing, frequent ventilation, wearing masks, and moderate physical exercise, Chinese medicine can be said to be rich in content and effective in preventing respiratory diseases. The key to preventing diseases is to comply with the laws of nature and protect Yang Qi. How to protect Yang Qi? There are three key principles:
The first is "Go to bed early and get up late, and you must wait for the sun." It is not advisable to stay up late or get up too early in winter. It is necessary to ensure adequate rest and sleep, and at the same time, the spirit must be kept inward. This is an important concept of "harmony between man and nature" in traditional Chinese medicine, and it is also the key to maintaining human immunity.
The second is to "remove cold and warm the skin without leaking the skin". There are many windy and cooling days in winter. If you don't pay attention to keeping warm and avoiding the cold, it is easy to cause wind and cold attacks. At the same time, winter is also a time for hiding, so you must pay special attention to moderate physical exercise and avoid sweating too much. If you sweat too much, your internal organs will be released and your yang energy will be excessively depleted, which will make it easy for wind and cold to enter, making it difficult to recover from external infections.
Third, "carefully harmonize the five flavors and achieve balanced nutrition." Many places in our country have the tradition of winter tonics. In winter, you can take appropriate warming tonics, but you should not overeat spicy, fatty, sweet, and rich foods. Overeating will cause dampness and heat. Once there is an external sensation, the heat will often break down quickly, forming what Chinese medicine calls the "Hanbao fire" syndrome. Thanks!

Daily Economic News reporter :
We know that winter is a period of high incidence of respiratory diseases. What response plans have the secondary hospitals developed for possible peak patient visits? What preparations are there for deployment in terms of manpower, medicines, etc.? Thanks.

Gao Xiang, director of Eco-City Hospital of Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital :
Thank you for your question. In response to the possible peak number of patients with respiratory diseases in the near future and in the future, at the secondary general hospital, we have mainly taken the following measures:
First, the whole hospital coordinates a game of chess, implements daily scheduling, and grasps the diagnosis and treatment volume, drug allocation, and bed usage in key departments such as fever clinics, emergency departments, and pediatrics in real time.
The second is to give full play to the role of the information system, use data trends as guidance, timely and effective dispatch of hospital resources, set early warning red lines, optimize the disposal process, ensure the supply of medical services, and maintain normal diagnosis and treatment order.
The third is to continue to optimize the existing coordination mechanism of fever clinics, outpatient clinics and emergency departments, and take multiple measures to improve treatment capabilities.
In terms of personnel reserves, arrangements have been made. The first is to replenish medical forces in a timely manner to ensure the treatment capacity of key positions. The second is to carry out training, teaching, and drills on the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory infectious diseases for relevant professionals in the hospital to improve the professional diagnosis and treatment capabilities of the waiting team.
Arrangements have also been made in terms of drug preparation. The first is to continue to ensure the provision of relevant drugs. For respiratory diseases in winter, the allocation list of key drugs will be dynamically adjusted based on the actual medical conditions. The second is to strengthen drug use monitoring, scientifically formulate procurement plans, organize timely scientific assessments, direct reporting of shortage information, rationally select alternative drugs, and effectively ensure clinical treatment needs. The third is to strengthen the standardized use and management of drugs, give full play to the role of clinical pharmacists, strengthen rational drug use reviews, and provide patient medication guidance. Thanks!

China News Service reporter :
At previous press conferences, experts also said that it is not too late to get the flu vaccine. In addition to the flu vaccine, what other vaccines are recommended for this winter and next spring? How long does it take for the vaccine to have a protective effect, and how should we protect ourselves before it takes effect? Thanks.

Xia Gang, Director of the Department of Health and Immunization of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention :
Thank you for your question. In addition to getting the flu vaccine this winter and next spring, it is also recommended that the elderly and people with chronic underlying diseases get the pneumococcal vaccine and the new coronavirus vaccine. For children, it is recommended that in addition to continuing to receive vaccinations in the immunization program, they can also receive non-immunization program vaccines such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type B conjugate vaccine. Whether it is an immunization program vaccine or a non-immunization program vaccine, the requirements of vaccination regulations must be strictly followed during the vaccination process.
Flu vaccine generally provides protection two weeks after vaccination. However, respiratory diseases spread easily, so you should develop good personal hygiene habits and a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of respiratory disease infections. Specifically include:
The first is to wear masks scientifically. If you go to a place with a closed environment and dense crowds, take public transportation or go to the hospital for treatment, it is recommended to wear a mask and change it in time. For details, please refer to the "Guidelines for Public Wearing of Masks to Prevent Respiratory Infectious Diseases (2023 Edition)" issued by the Epidemic Prevention and Control Team of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council on December 8.
The second is to develop good personal hygiene habits. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or towel. Wash your hands or disinfect your hands promptly after touching elevator buttons, door handles and other public facilities, and after coughing or sneezing.
The third is to develop a healthy lifestyle. In daily life, it is necessary to maintain adequate sleep, adequate nutrition, and appropriate physical exercise to enhance physical fitness and improve the body's immunity.
In addition, daily attention should be paid to keeping the environment at home and workplace clean, and windows should be opened regularly for ventilation. Thanks!

Reporter from Guangdong Radio and Television Station :
In the current environment where many pathogens are prevalent, what precautions should be paid attention to when there are both young children and elderly people at home? Thanks.

Peng Zhibin, director of the Respiratory Infectious Diseases Division of the Infectious Disease Management Division of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention :
Thank you for your question. Winter and spring are also the seasons with high incidence of respiratory diseases. The immune systems of young children are usually not yet perfect, and the immune functions of the elderly may be reduced. On the basis of maintaining good personal hygiene habits and keeping the environment clean and hygienic, it is recommended to strengthen the following: Protective measures:
First, carry out vaccination as early as possible. Vaccination can actually reduce infections and reduce the risk of severe illness. It is also the most economical and effective way to prevent respiratory diseases. Young children and the elderly should receive COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal and other vaccinations as early as possible.
Second, during the season of high incidence of respiratory diseases, young children and the elderly should try to avoid going to densely populated and relatively closed places. If they must go, it is recommended to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory disease infection.
Third, it is necessary to strengthen daily health monitoring of the elderly and young children. If symptoms of respiratory infections such as fever and cough occur, they should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. At the same time, they should follow the doctor's advice and use medicine scientifically and safely. In addition, if a family member has a respiratory illness, they should avoid contact with other family members, especially young children and the elderly. When there are children at home who have respiratory symptoms such as cough or fever, they must take personal protection for the children and themselves to avoid cross-infection. Thanks!

Zhejiang Daily Chao News reporter :
As New Year's Day and Spring Festival are approaching, there are more and more outsiders entering nursing homes for visits, purchases, condolences, etc. What visit matters should people pay attention to when entering nursing homes? Thanks.

Li Banghua, deputy director of the Department of Elderly Care Services of the Ministry of Civil Affairs :
Thanks for asking. It is the common responsibility of the whole society to prevent and control respiratory diseases in elderly care institutions and protect the lives and health of the elderly. While we are instructing nursing homes to actively protect themselves, we also hope that external personnel who need to enter the nursing homes for visits, purchases, condolences, etc. will work together to take relevant prevention and control measures.
First, the admission time should be reasonably chosen based on one's own health conditions. Persons with fever, cough and other uncomfortable symptoms are advised to avoid entering the nursing home temporarily and wait until they recover before entering, or to replace other personnel. Those who need to accompany the elderly to the hospital for treatment or who frequently enter nursing homes within a certain period of time must protect themselves to avoid cross-infection.
Second, personnel entering the hospital must take necessary protective measures. Personnel such as express delivery, takeout, maintenance, and outsourcing services who need to temporarily enter the nursing home to provide services must perform protective measures such as hand hygiene, wearing masks, and gloves to avoid direct contact. Reach out to older adults. Visitors are encouraged to meet with the elderly in fixed areas rather than in shared living areas, or visit through contactless methods such as video and phone calls. Visitors should wear masks at all times when entering a nursing home.
Third, elderly people who return home for a short period of time must also protect themselves. Families that take the elderly home for short-term recuperation due to holiday reunions or other reasons must pay attention to the health of the elderly at home every day, because the living environment in an institution is still different from that at home. If an elderly person contracts an infectious respiratory disease at home, it is recommended that they recover before returning to a nursing home. If you really need to return to a nursing home during this period, please contact and communicate with the nursing home in advance so that the nursing home can make appropriate arrangements.
That’s all I’ll answer, thank you!

Mi Feng , spokesperson and deputy director of the Publicity Department of the National Health Commission :
Thank you, two final questions.

Health News reporter :
What is the current status of respiratory disease diagnosis and treatment in our grassroots traditional Chinese medicine hospitals? How do grassroots traditional Chinese medicine hospitals play a role in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases? Thanks.

Li Honghong, President of Beijing Shijingshan District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital :
Thank you for your question. We have realized in actual work that during the winter period when respiratory diseases are most prevalent, optimizing the allocation of medical resources at the grassroots level also requires a combination of measures. Take our hospital as an example: first, prepare for a rainy day, increase the reserves of relevant Chinese and Western medicines, and conduct dynamic monitoring of drug usage on a daily basis to effectively meet clinical drug needs. The second is to increase investment and promptly add medicine decoction machines to shorten patients’ waiting time for medicine decoction. When patients come to TCM hospitals, most of them choose to see TCM doctors and take TCM medicines. TCM decoctions are the main means of treating respiratory diseases. As the number of outpatient clinics increases, the waiting time for Chinese medicine to be cooked will inevitably be extended. We will expand space and increase investment to solve this contradiction between supply and demand. Four new decoction machines have been added, which can produce 500 more bags of traditional Chinese medicine decoction every day, shortening patients’ waiting time and improving their medical experience. The third is to arrange shifts reasonably, extend the service hours of doctors according to the number of patients, and increase triage nurses at the same time to maintain the order of treatment in the respiratory clinic area, reduce the gathering of people, and improve service efficiency. The fourth is to effectively triage, and train all doctors in the hospital on the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases in order to triage patients during peak periods. For example, our hospital has only two doctors in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pediatrics. Once the daily outpatient volume exceeds 80, school-age children will be shared between the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Expert Clinic. Judging from the current diagnosis and treatment data, the diversion volume has exceeded 20%, effectively reducing the diagnosis and treatment pressure of traditional Chinese medicine pediatrics. Thanks!

Reporter from CCTV Chinese International Channel :
How to build a scientific and reasonable winter respiratory disease diagnosis and treatment collaboration mechanism for medical institutions at different levels to optimize the allocation of medical resources? Thanks.

Gao Xiang, director of Eco-City Hospital of Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital :
Thank you for your question. We realize that the coordination of regional medical resources and the collaboration of medical institutions play an important role in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases in winter. Take our hospital as an example. The Binhai New Area where we are located is a pilot project for the construction of a national-level compact urban medical group. Our hospital is a secondary hospital within the five-center city medical group. Through the overall management of the medical group, medical resources are effectively allocated. It has formed a three-level diagnosis and treatment system with five central hospitals and eco-city communities, truly realizing expert sinking, hierarchical diagnosis and treatment, and two-way referral.
For example, during the peak period of pediatric diagnosis and treatment, the Fifth Central Hospital sent pediatric experts to support the outpatient and emergency departments of our hospital, participate in ward rounds, and guide treatment. Critically ill children in our hospital were transferred to the Fifth Central Hospital in a timely manner after being assessed as having the conditions for transfer. treat. The fifth central hospital transfers ordinary and mild patients to our hospital for treatment, which effectively expands the high-quality medical resources of the tertiary hospitals. Through the tertiary medical system, all types of patients at all levels receive timely and effective treatment, and we try our best to May meet patient's medical needs.
At the same time, effective coordination and dynamic deployment of resources are achieved within the hospital. First, human resources follow the diagnosis and treatment tasks. For example, during the peak period of our pediatric diagnosis and treatment, we sorted out the doctors with pediatric diagnosis and treatment qualifications in the hospital to support pediatrics, arranged our business backbones into key positions, and implemented a mix of old and new ward work to make full use of resources, give full play to their respective advantages, and effectively improve our Diagnosis and treatment efficiency. Second, the platform departments have followed the diagnosis and treatment tasks, strengthened manpower, added windows, including testing, radiology, pharmacy, charging, etc., strengthened information maintenance, ensured the normal operation of self-service machines, and improved our diagnosis and treatment efficiency in an all-round way. Third, manpower reserve training follows the diagnosis and treatment tasks. To achieve precise training, we organized special training for all internal medicine departments in the hospital as a reserve for our emergency department. For pediatrics, we have also organized pediatric surgery and traditional Chinese medicine to conduct special training as a reserve for pediatrics. For the fever clinic, we also organized special training for otolaryngology and surgery as a reserve for the fever clinic, thus effectively forming a reserve echelon. Thanks!

Mi Feng , spokesperson and deputy director of the Publicity Department of the National Health Commission :
Thanks. At today's press conference, several guests introduced us to the prevention and control of respiratory diseases in winter. Thank you again. We will continue to hold special press conferences on relevant topics in the future, and everyone is welcome to continue to pay attention.
This concludes today’s press conference, thank you all!

http://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/s3574/2023...46ac308a.shtml
 
How Taiwan’s disease detectives are keeping tabs on China
...
Nicola Smith,
ASIA CORRESPONDENT
12 December 2023 • 2:48pm
...
When worrying footage emerged in November of overwhelmed Chinese hospitals battling a sharp surge of child pneumonia cases and respiratory illness, Taiwan, which lies just 110 miles from China’s coastline, stepped up its surveillance.

Public health officials have resumed the scouring of Chinese social media, medical and press reports and testing passengers at Taiwan’s four main airports for any anomalies, Lo Yi-chun, the deputy head of Taiwan’s CDC, told the Telegraph in an interview.
*
However, this time the data was “more reassuring” that the flu-like outbreak making headlines in China was not due to “unknown or unusual pathogens,” said Dr Lo, an epidemiologist.

“We look at social media posts and we don’t see alarming reports from healthcare providers this time, compared with December 2019,” he said.

“We also don’t see reports about hospital outbreaks among healthcare workers compared to last time. Those two usually indicate two alarming signals that can be related to unusual or unknown pathogens.

Voluntary testing of inbound passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau to airports in the main cities of Taipei, Kaohsiung and Tainan have also put minds at ease for now, he said.
...
Between November 26 and December 6, 88 travellers with fever or flu-like symptoms had agreed to be tested, and of the 68 who came back positive for viruses, some 70 per cent were influenza, and the remainder Covid-19 or other common cold viruses including rhinovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza.

No cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterial infection which was believed to be circulating at particularly high levels among Chinese children, were detected among them.

The samples from airport quarantine stations are sent to the CDC’s central reference laboratory and probed for 17 different viruses and four kinds of bacteria linked to upper respiratory conditions and pneumonia.
...
Available information had led the Taiwanese health authorities to believe the outbreak had “transitioned from previous child pneumonia mainly caused by drug resistant mycoplasma to a winter influenza,” he added.
...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-...disease-detectives-are-keeping-tabs-on-china/
 
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