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☆ U.S. Life Expectancy Creeps Up as Covid Deaths Fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Emily Anthes | More About Emily Anthes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The rise represents a slow and partial recovery for the country, which tallied more than 1.1 million Covid-19 deaths and lost 2.4 years in life expectancy between 2019 and 2021. In 2022, life expectancy at birth was 77.5 years, compared with 76.4 years in 2021. A fall in Covid-19 deaths accounts for more than 80 percent of that increase. In 2019, before the pandemic, life expectancy at birth was 78.8. Drops in deaths from heart disease, unintentional injuries (a category that includes traffic deaths and drug overdoses), cancer and homicide also contributed to the rise in life expectancy, the C.D.C.

Organizations: Centers for Disease Control Locations: United States, Covid

Average life expectancy in the U.S. rebounded in 2022 by a little over a year following two straight declines, fueled largely by a drop in mortality tied to COVID-19. Still, last year’s increase in life expectancy was not large enough to put the U.S. back at its immediate pre-pandemic levels, instead placing it on par with life expectancy in the early 2000s. By gender, average life expectancy increased 1.3 years among men to 74.8 years in 2022, compared with a 0.9-year increase among women to 80.2 years. The gap in life expectancy between women and men also narrowed in 2022 to 5.4 years compared with 5.8 years in 2021. Life expectancy among Black people increased by 1.6 years from 71.2 in 2021 to 72.8 in 2022, according to the report.

Persons: ”, – Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, CDC Locations: U.S, “, America, COVID, Alaska

☆ How concerning is the spike in respiratory illnesses in China? A doctor explains
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Deblina Chakraborty | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Hospitals in northern China and Beijing have reported a surge in the number of children with respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia. Why might there be a surge in respiratory illnesses? CNN: How concerning is the spike in respiratory illnesses being reported in China? Dr. Leana Wen: Thus far, based on what we know from WHO, I don’t think the spike in respiratory illnesses should cause global concern. It’s very possible that other areas, especially those with previously strict virus mitigation measures, will see a rise in respiratory illnesses this winter.

Persons: Leana Wen, Wen, It’s, ”, it’s Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, WHO, People's, Wen, US Centers for Disease Control Locations: China, Beijing, Fuyang, Covid, United States

☆ 2 reasons China's mysterious respiratory illness outbreak isn't the new COVID, according to the WHO
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Kim Schewitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Parts of northern China have seen a surge in children with respiratory illnesses. The WHO requested more information from Chinese health officials, who said common bugs are the cause. AdvertisementCases of respiratory illness among children in northern China have surged in recent weeks, but it's unlikely this is the start of a new pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO has been monitoring an increase in respiratory illness among children in northern China since mid-October. Advertisement2) The illnesses are not caused by a new virusChinese health officials said that the outbreak of respiratory illness is caused by known pathogens.

Persons: —, Maria Van Kerkhove, COVID, Van Kerkhove, François Balloux, Hilary Brueck, pneumoniae Organizations: WHO, Service, World Health Organization, UCL Genetics Institute Locations: China

☆ Pope to proceed with COP28 trip despite health issues, Vatican says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square, at the Vatican, November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who is recovering from a lung inflammation, will attend the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai as planned, the Vatican said on Tuesday. "The pope is doing well," Bruni said, adding that the Vatican will decide before the trip whether to take any extra precautions for the 86-year-old pope's health. The Vatican announced on Monday that the pope would limit his activities this week in order to conserve his strength. Also on Tuesday, the Vatican released a schedule of papal activities for the Christmas season.

Persons: Pope Francis, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Matteo Bruni, Francis, Bruni, Philip Pullella, Alison Williams, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Vatican, REUTERS, CITY, Thomson Locations: Saint Peter's, Dubai, Argentina, Rome

Suryana has spent more than three decades living in the shadow of the power plant in northern Java, just 60 miles from Jakarta, Indonesia’s most populous city. Emissions from burning coal, which is highly polluting but relatively cheap, contribute up to a third of Indonesia’s air pollution according to Siti Nurbaya, Indonesia’s Environmental and Forestry Minster. The Indonesian government has called on residents to use public transportation and has given regulation and financial incentives to residents who want to shift from using gas or diesel-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles. The government is pushing to have more than 530,000 electric vehicles on the road in Indonesia by 2030. Because industry is contributing 30% to 40% of the air pollution in Jakarta, in addition to emissions from transportation,” Syuhada said.

Persons: Suryana, “ We’ve, ”, Ginanjar Syuhada, —, Siti Nurzanah, ” Nurzanah, Syuhada, “, Siti Nurbaya, Budi Karya, ” Syuhada Organizations: —, United Nations, Associated Press, World Health Organization, Air, Vital, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, WHO, Jakarta Health Agency, Jakarta's Persahabatan, Persahabatan Hospital, Forestry, Transportation Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Java, Jakarta, Indonesia’s, United, Dubai, Swiss, Indonesian, New York

☆ China's respiratory illness surge not as high as pre-pandemic- WHO official
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Andrew Silver | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The spike in respiratory illnesses that China is currently going through is not as high as before the COVID-19 pandemic, a World Health Organisation official said, reiterating that no new or unusual pathogens had been found in the recent cases. And the waves that they’re seeing now, the peak is not as high as what they saw in 2018-2019," Van Kerkhove told health news outlet STAT in an interview on Friday. China's National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said on Sunday the surge in acute respiratory illnesses was linked to the simultaneous circulation of several kinds of pathogens, most prominently influenza. The WHO said on Friday no new or unusual pathogens had been found in the recent illnesses. Reporting by Andrew Silver; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Maria Van Kerkhove, Van Kerkhove, Mi Feng, Andrew Silver, Miyoung Kim Organizations: Health, World Health Organization, China, Program, WHO, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China, Wuhan

BEIJING (AP) — 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. The emergence of new flu strains or other viruses capable of triggering pandemics typically starts with undiagnosed clusters of respiratory illness. Chinese authorities earlier this month blamed the increase in respiratory diseases on the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Other countries also saw a jump in respiratory diseases such as RSV when pandemic restrictions ended. WHO said that there was too little information at the moment to properly assess the risk of these reported cases of respiratory illness in children.

Persons: ”, Mi Feng Organizations: BEIJING, World Health, National Health Commission, WHO Locations: China, Beijing, Wuhan

☆ China ministry seeks more fever clinics to combat respiratory illness surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Parents take their children to see a doctor at the pediatric emergency department of a hospital in Shanghai, China, November 14, 2023. Recently, Shanghai seasonal change, A influenza and mycoplasma pneumonia high incidence. China's health ministry on Sunday urged local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics as the country grapples with a surge in respiratory illnesses in its first full winter since easing COVID-19 restrictions. National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said on Sunday the surge in acute respiratory illnesses was linked to the simultaneous circulation of several kinds of pathogens, most prominently influenza. Cases among children are appearing especially high in northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning province, where hospitals are warning of long waits.

Persons: Mi Feng, Mi Organizations: Sunday, World Health Organization, China, Program, WHO, Health, State Council, State Locations: Shanghai, China, Wuhan, Beijing, Liaoning province

☆ WHO questions China about a mystery illness linked to pneumonia as hospitals fill with sick children
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The World Health Organization has requested more information from China about an illness affecting children. Reports of "undiagnosed pneumonia" in children in northern China circulated on November 21. AdvertisementThe World Health Organization (WHO) asked China for "detailed information" about a respiratory illness that's affecting children in the north of the country. The organization requested "additional epidemiologic and clinical information" following reports of "undiagnosed pneumonia" spreading among children, according to a statement released on Wednesday. Hospitals in northern China appear to be "overwhelmed with sick children," NBC News reported.

Persons: —, GAO Organizations: World Health Organization, Service, Health Organization, WHO, China Morning Post, NBC, Getty Images China, Centers for Disease Control Locations: China, Beijing

☆ Morning Bid: Caution prevails as Gaza truce begins
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, November 13, 2023. Futures indicated European bourses were set for a muted open and with a bare economic calendar, markets are likely to drift as holiday season kicks off. For British consumers though, Black Friday is likely to be about hunting for refurbished and pre-owned bargains to save cash. Israel and Hamas start a four-day truce on Friday morning with the release of a first group of 13 Israeli women and child hostages expected later in the day. Reuters GraphicsKey developments that could influence markets on Friday:Germany's Q3 GDP data, German lfo business climate data for NovemberReporting By Ankur Banerjee; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ankur Banerjee, clawing, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: REUTERS, Staff, Ankur, Bank of Japan, Barclays, Reuters, Hamas, World Health Organization, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Israel, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Tokyo

☆ Northern China hospitals overwhelmed with surge in respiratory illnesses among children
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hospitals in Beijing and northern China are grappling with a surge of children with respiratory illnesses as the country enters its first winter since relaxing stringent Covid-19 controls nearly one year ago. Wait times to see doctors stretch for hours, with hundreds of patients queuing at some children’s hospitals in major cities across northern China, according to CNN reporting and Chinese state and social media. The surge in cases across northern China comes amid a rise in seasonal respiratory infections around the northern hemisphere, including in the United States, where RSV is spreading at “unprecedented” levels among children. Children receive intravenous drips at a children's hospital in Beijing on November 23, 2023. It’s unclear if there’s been an increase in respiratory illnesses or severe cases among children relative to pre-pandemic years because of limited public data released by China.

Persons: “, Jin Dongyan, ” Catherine Bennett, ” Bennett, Jade Gao, drips, ”, there’s, Jin, that’s, Christine Jenkins Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Hospitals, CNN, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Health, World Health Organization, WHO, Wednesday, “, University of Hong Kong’s, of Biomedical Sciences, Deakin University, Getty, Weibo, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, National Health Commission, NHC, ”, China’s, Hong Kong University, UNSW Sydney Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin, United States, Australia, AFP, Beijing’s

☆ China Grapples With Respiratory Illness Spike; WHO Says No Unusual Pathogen Found
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Andrew Silver and Nicoco ChanSHANGHAI (Reuters) - China called for vigilance on Friday as a surge of respiratory illness hit schools and hospitals and the World Health Organization, which has asked the government for disease data, said no unusual or novel pathogens had been detected. "At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it may be a new variant of COVID," he said. "I hope that people will not be biased because of the pandemic ... but look at this from a scientific perspective." "It's not that bad, there are more children falling sick now but it's mainly an issue of protection," she said. (Reporting by Andrew Silver and Nicoco Chan in Shanghai and the Beijing Newsroom; writing by Brenda Goh; editing by Robert Birsel)

Persons: Andrew Silver, Nicoco Chan, Bruce Thompson, Emily Wu, Feng Zixun, Brenda Goh, Robert Birsel Organizations: World Health Organization, State Council, State, WHO, Program, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Beijing Locations: Nicoco Chan SHANGHAI, China, Beijing, Liaoning, Wuhan, Shanghai

☆ China reports no 'unusual or novel pathogens' after WHO seeks data on respiratory illness outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

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 Thursday that Beijing had responded to its request for data following reports of "clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children's hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning and other places in China." Chinese health authorities said no changes in disease presentation had been reported, according to the WHO. China has been facing a surge in respiratory infections such as influenza and clusters of pneumonia among children, with hospitals particularly in northern China reporting that they are "overwhelmed" with patients. It said that local authorities should "strengthen information reporting on infectious diseases to ensure information is reported in a timely and accurate manner."

Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, China's, Reuters Locations: Beijing, Liaoning, China

SHANGHAI, Nov 24 (Reuters) - China called for vigilance on Friday as a surge of respiratory illness hit schools and hospitals and the World Health Organization, which has asked the government for disease data, said no unusual or novel pathogens had been detected. The State Council said influenza would peak this winter and spring and mycoplasma pneumoniae infection would continue to be high in some areas in future. "At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it may be a new variant of COVID," he said. "I hope that people will not be biased because of the pandemic ... but look at this from a scientific perspective." "It's not that bad, there are more children falling sick now but it's mainly an issue of protection," she said.

Persons: Bruce Thompson, Emily Wu, Feng Zixun, Andrew Silver, Nicoco Chan, Brenda Goh, Robert Birsel Organizations: World Health Organization, State Council, State, WHO, Program, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Beijing, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China, Beijing, Liaoning, Wuhan, Shanghai

Children and their parents wait at an outpatient area at a hospital in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Jade Gao/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesChina provided the World Health Organization with data on a pneumonia outbreak among children in the country after the agency made an unusual public request for the information—a gesture that renewed questions about Beijing’s transparency on public health. In a statement issued Wednesday, the WHO cited reports about “clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China,” which prompted the United Nations agency to ask Beijing for “additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results” related to the infections.

Persons: Jade Gao Organizations: Agence France, Getty, World Health Organization, United Nations, Beijing Locations: Beijing, China

Children and their parents wait at an outpatient area at a hospital in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: jade gao/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesThe World Health Organization said it has asked China to provide more information on an outbreak of pneumonia among children in northern parts of the country, an unusual public disclosure that revives questions about Beijing’s transparency on the spread of infectious diseases. In a statement issued Wednesday, the WHO cited reports about “clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China,” which prompted the United Nations agency to ask Beijing for “additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results” related to the infections.

Organizations: Agence France, Health Organization, United Nations, Beijing Locations: Beijing, China

☆ China says seasonal germs, rather than ‘unusual or novel pathogens,’ behind spike in pediatric respiratory illness, WHO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Some of those increases are a little earlier than usual, but WHO said they were “not unexpected.”Similar early surges in respiratory illnesses were seen in other countries after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. At Thursday’s teleconference, WHO said, the Chinese officials reported enhanced surveillance of respiratory illnesses that may be contributing to increases in reported cases of disease. Even with the spike in cases, China also said that its hospitals are not overwhelmed with patients. WHO has been monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems since mid-October, when it initially noted an increase in respiratory illnesses in children in northern China. WHO said it will continue to closely monitor the situation, stay in close contact with national authorities in China and provide updates when appropriate.

Persons: teleconference, ”, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Katherine Dillinger Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, WHO, Chinese Center for Disease Control, Beijing Children’s, Media, International Society for Infectious Diseases, CNN Health Locations: China, Beijing, United States

☆ So many kids are falling sick in China that a children's hospital said it saw 13,000 cases in a single day
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Matthew Loh | Kim Schewitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Northern China is struggling with a wave of respiratory illnesses among its children. Cities like Beijing and Tianjin have been hit hard by cases of flu and pneumonia, hospitals said. Children wait on the stairs at a children hospital in Beijing on November 23, 2023, with some administered with drips. "All the children have respiratory illnesses." Children receive a drip at a children hospital in Beijing on November 23, 2023.

Persons: —, Liu Wei, Liu, imploring, JADE GAO, Mi Feng, they're, It's, JADE GAOJADE, Hu Xijin, Hu, David Heymann, Francois Balloux Organizations: Service, Beijing Aviation General, Management, drips, Getty, Changjiang, Health, Business, Global Times, Health Organization, London School of Hygiene, Tropical Medicine, UCL Genetics Institute Locations: Northern China, Cities, Beijing, Tianjin, China, Tianjian, Wuhan, Hubei, Chongqing, Weibo

☆ China says no unusual pathogens found after WHO queries respiratory outbreaks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The WHO had asked China for more information on Wednesday after groups including the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in north China. No unusual pathogens have been detected in the capital of Beijing and the northeastern province of Liaoning. The U.N. health agency had also asked China for further information about trends in the circulation of known pathogens and the burden on healthcare systems. WHO China said it was "routine" to request information on increases in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children from member states, such as China. The WHO said that while it was seeking additional information, it recommended that people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, pneumoniae, Ben Cowling, Deena Beasley, Andrew Silver, Jennifer Rigby, Emma Farge, Urvi, Robert Birsel, Miyoung Kim, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, World Health Organization, WHO, International, National Health Commission, FTV News, Hong Kong University, Health Commission, Xinhua, Influenza, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Liaoning, Wuhan, WHO China, Taiwan, Los Angeles, Shanghai, London, Geneva, Bengaluru

☆ WHO asks China for details on respiratory illness outbreaks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Parents take their children to see a doctor at the pediatric emergency department of a hospital in Shanghai, China, November 14, 2023. CFOTO | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesThe World Health Organization, or WHO, on Wednesday officially requested that China provide detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children. Chinese authorities stressed the need for enhanced disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and community settings, as well as strengthening the capacity of the health system to manage patients. On Wednesday, WHO said groups including the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. WHO said it is unclear if these are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities, or separate events.

Organizations: Health Organization, Wednesday, National Health Commission, WHO, International Locations: Shanghai, China, Wuhan

☆ W.H.O. Says China Has Shared Data Indicating No Novel Pathogen
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Vivian Wang | More About Vivian Wang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The World Health Organization said that China had shared data about a recent surge in respiratory illnesses in children, one day after the agency said it was seeking information about the possibility of undiagnosed pneumonia cases there. The Chinese data indicated “no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens,” according to a W.H.O. statement on Thursday. The data, which included laboratory results from infected children, indicated that the rise in cases was a result of known viruses and bacteria, such as influenza and mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes usually mild illness. Hospital admissions of children had increased since May, as had outpatient visits, but hospitals were able to handle the increase, China told the global health agency.

Organizations: World Health Organization Locations: China

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Leading scientists urged caution over fears of another pandemic on Thursday after the World Health Organization requested more information from China on a rise of respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters among children. It called for more information about "undiagnosed pneumonia - China (Beijing, Liaoning)". The standard wording of the alert echoed the first-ever notice about what would become COVID-19, sent on Dec. 30 2019: "Undiagnosed pneumonia - China (Hubei)." Both the WHO and China have faced questions over transparency during the early days of COVID. In China itself, there has been a lot of recent coverage of a rise in respiratory illnesses, including among children.

Persons: Marion Koopmans, COVID lockdowns, Brian McCloskey, Virologist Tom Peacock, Jennifer Rigby, Jo Mason, Christina Fincher Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, COVID, International Society for Infectious, FTV News, Reuters, Imperial College London, Thomson Locations: China, Dutch, Beijing, Liaoning, Hubei, Taiwan

☆ W.H.O. Asks China for Details on Surge of Respiratory Illness in Children
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Vivian Wang | Siyi Zhao | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The World Health Organization has formally requested that China share detailed information about a recent increase in respiratory illnesses, citing unconfirmed media reports of undiagnosed pneumonia in children. China has been reporting a jump in respiratory illnesses for months. Chinese media reports have described long lines at pediatric hospitals, and doctors have said that this year’s wave appeared to be more severe than those of previous years. But some news and social media reports have described crowds of children at hospitals with pneumonia, without specifying the exact cause of illness. requested more information from China.

Organizations: World Health Organization Locations: China

GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization says it has made an official request to China for information about a potentially worrying spike in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children. The U.N. health agency cited unspecified media reports and a global infectious disease monitoring service as reporting clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. Political Cartoons View All 1265 ImagesWHO said media reports about a week later reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. WHO said that northern China has reported a jump in influenza-like illnesses since mid-October compared to the previous three years. It is rare for the U.N. health agency to publicly ask for more detailed information from countries, as such requests are typically made internally.

Persons: David Heymann, ” Heymann, Francois Balloux, ” Balloux, China's, ___ Cheng, Wanqing Chen Organizations: GENEVA, World Health Organization, WHO, National Health Commission, London School of Hygiene, Tropical Medicine, University College London, Beijing Children’s Hospital, China National Radio, Health Commission, Xinhua News Agency Locations: China, Beijing, London

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