Herbosa: Nothing to worry about rising respiratory illnesses in China

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday allayed the concerns of the public regarding the reported surge of respiratory illness in China, saying it is not caused by a new virus and is related to the cold season. 

In an ambush interview, Herbosa explained that the rising respiratory illnesses in China is part of their "seasonal endemic respiratory illnesses," considering that it is currently winter there. 

“We’re monitoring the rise of respiratory illnesses in China, and they’ve given their reports to the WHO International Health Regulations. Hindi naman siya new virus, it’s the common diseases like mycoplasma, pneumonia, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus,” he said. 

Herbosa thus said that Filipinos should not worry about the situation in China. 

“I want to tell the people — don’t be worried. We’re doing our own surveillance and we will make sure sa Philippines, wala pa tayong nare-report na [we have not yet reported a] rise of the respiratory illnesses,” he said. 

Since the weather conditions in China are different from the Philippines, Herbosa said the respiratory illnesses reported in China have not yet entered the country. 

“Hindi pa [nakakapasok]. Tsaka iba ang weather nila doon, winter sila ngayon doon so you have to understand this is common in all the temperate countries,” he said. 

(It’s not here yet. Besides, their weather is different, it's winter there now so you have to understand that influenza-like illnesses during the cold weather is common in all the temperate countries.) 

The Department of Health (DOH), in a statement, also noted that “there is no evidence of novel pathogens or atypical clinical presentations” regarding reported pneumonia clusters. 

The DOH Epidemiology Bureau has also reached out to Chinese health authorities to request more information on the upsurge of respiratory illnesses among children in Beijing. 

Herbosa advised the public to continue observing cough etiquette and stay at home if they experience any symptoms. 

He also said that hospitals are prepared should there also be a rise in respiratory illnesses in the Philippines. 

“Our hospitals are now ready after our experience with COVID-19, of course we’d be able to feel as soon as there are rise of cases going to our emergency department. Sanay na ‘yan [they are used to it]. We can activate immediately the same way we activated during COVID-19,” Herbosa said. 

Based on a Reuters report, China is grappling with a spike in respiratory illnesses as it enters its first full winter season since it lifted strict COVID-19 restrictions, with cases among children appearing especially high in northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning province. —KBK, GMA Integrated News