No new infectious diseases found, says China amid rise in respiratory illnesses

PTC News Desk: In the midst of a recent increase in respiratory illnesses in China, Mi Feng, an official with China's National Health Commission, stated that "no new infectious diseases have been found so far in investigations." 

As China prepares for its first full winter season since lifting strict COVID-19 restrictions in December last year, the country has seen an increase in respiratory illnesses.

Earlier, to proactively address clusters of respiratory illness in parts of China, the Indian government initiated comprehensive tracking of serious respiratory diseases. Following the Centre's directive to review readiness in light of an increase in respiratory illnesses among children in China, six states Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu have been put in alert mode.

The hospitals and health workers have been directed to be ready to treat patients with respiratory problems

States and Union territories are advised to implement the 'Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19,' emphasising integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens causing ILI and SARI.