Pope Francis to miss COP28 event in Dubai due to health concerns

Concerns Raised , Over Increased Number of , Respiratory Illnesses in China. 'Newsweek' reports that a rising number of respiratory infections in China has prompted global health authorities to estimate the scale and severity of the health threat. . On November 13, China's National Health Commission stressed the need for surveillance to monitor the situation. Earlier this week, Chinese state media reported that the cases mainly consisted of influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, rhinovirus and other illnesses. . According to experts, stringent zero-COVID measures, which were lifted less than a year ago, rendered children's immune systems vulnerable. . According to experts, stringent zero-COVID measures, which were lifted less than a year ago, rendered children's immune systems vulnerable. . This is why, experts believe, that a large number of the cases reported in China have been among children. . Whilst we can't make a definitive diagnosis at this stage the presence of pulmonary nodules tend to suggest a bacterial rather than a viral cause, Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the U.K.'s University of East Anglia, via the Science Media Centre. Pulmonary nodules in children are seen in pneumococcal pneumonia and cough may be absent. Influenza can catch patchy changes on chest X-ray, often due to secondary bacterial infections so [that] could also be in the frame, Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the U.K.'s University of East Anglia, via the Science Media Centre. Chinese health experts told various state media outlets that cases are expected to peak in the next two to three weeks, while lingering infections could last into next spring. According to Dr. Leana Wen, professor of health policy and management at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, . the spikes are "not unexpected given the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, as similarly experienced in other countries.". Importantly, no new pathogen has been detected. There has also been no unusual clinical presentation with children appearing much sicker than normal, Dr. Leana Wen, professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, via CNN