China’s Ministry of Education urges nationwide schools to intensify disease monitoring as the country experiences a surge in winter respiratory illnesses. In a newly issued notice, the ministry introduces six key measures to address winter epidemics, emphasizing the importance of maintaining teachers’ and students’ health while ensuring uninterrupted education.
The ministry cautions about potential overlapping disease outbreaks, signaling the need for scientific and effective responses. Schools are urged to communicate closely with local health departments to manage disease spread effectively.
Multiple regions report a rise in acute respiratory diseases, dominated by influenza, according to the National Health Commission (NHC). Pathogens like rhinovirus, mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus contribute to infections, with distinct patterns across age groups.
Amid increasing cases, schools are advised to adopt preventive measures, including daily classroom ventilation and the maintenance of detailed records for temperature monitoring, ventilation, disinfection, and overall student health during sick leave.
In case of a cluster infection, the local health department may recommend a four-day class suspension. Students can return after recovery, symptom-free for 48 hours, and providing proof of recovery from a community hospital.
While there are calls for online classes, Zeng Mei, a deputy director of the infectious disease department with the Pediatric Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, suggests no mass suspensions are necessary. Zeng attributes the rise in respiratory diseases to student interactions and expects a decline around January during the winter holiday.
The National Health Commission calls on institutions to enhance pediatric service capacity and stock up on pediatric medication to address the surge. Wang Guangfa, a respiratory expert, reassures the public, stating there’s no reason for exaggerated worry.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advocates influenza vaccination as a cost-effective preventive measure to reduce severe illness, death risks, and alleviate pressure on medical institutions.