Multiple pathogens cause flare-up of respiratory infections in Beijing

A mix of pathogens have conspired to incur a premature outbreak of respiratory infectious diseases in China’s capital Beijing. 

According to the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the influenza virus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and mycoplasma pneumonia are the top four pathogens among the affected children. The top three pathogens for the whole population in the city are influenza virus, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. 

The proportion of patients infected with influenza virus has climbed to over 40 percent in the city and the main strain is the influenza A virus subtype H3N2, against which vaccines can provide protection. 

Health authorities have called on residents, the elderly and those with underlying diseases in particular, to get vaccinated. 

In addition, Beijing CDC found through monitoring that the number of cases with mycoplasma pneumonia infection showed a downward trend, and the XBB variant, the main circulating strain of the novel coronavirus, continued to maintain a low prevalence level. 

However, the prevalence of a slew of pathogens is expected to drive up the overall number of infections, according to Beijing CDC.