China says a surge in respiratory illnesses caused by flu and other known pathogens

BEIJING — A surge in respiratory illnesses across China that has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization is caused by the flu and other known pathogens and not by a novel virus, the country’s health ministry said Sunday. Recent clusters of respiratory infections are caused by an overlap of common viruses such as … Read more

China says no new pathogens detected amid surge in respiratory illnesses

Crowd gathers during China’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Nurphoto | Getty Images Chinese authorities reportedly called for vigilance Friday as a spike in respiratory illness continues to pile pressure on health care facilities in the north of the country, despite assurances that no “unusual or novel pathogens” have been detected. The World Health Organization said … Read more