China: Breathing Infection Cases Increase During Winter, But Controlled

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing on Friday (3/1/2025) (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government recognizes a tendency to increase respiratory infections during winter, but the spread is under control.

"The disease does not appear to be too severe and spread on a smaller scale than the previous year," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a news conference in Beijing on Friday (3/1).

Earlier officials from China's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week said the spread of a winter breathing pathogen is expected to continue to circulate simultaneously until next spring.

These infections include influenza, phinovirus, "human metapneumovirus" and mycoplasma pneumonia, which are currently most commonly found on hospital visits.

"I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners in China. Traveling in China is safe," said Mao Ning.

However, he acknowledged respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter in northern China.

The respiratory infection, according to the CDC, has decreased for children aged 5 to 14, but the positive rate of infection with the virus in infants and children under the age of 4 is increasing, as well as the rate of "human metapneumovirus" infection in children under the age of 14.

Meanwhile, the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases is now at a low level.

Regarding the spread of the norovirus, a stomach infection that can cause vomiting and diarrhea has also increased since September 2024. The disease is in peak season and is expected to remain high for another two months.