Recently, the number of respiratory diseases in respiratory outpatient clinics is still at a high level, and the news announced at the press conference of the National Health Commission that the transmission of influenza is the majority, the infection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae has declined, and the incidence of new coronavirus infection is at a low level.
Some people wonder why this wave of respiratory infections in winter has been prevalent for a long time and has been at a high peak. We can explain it from the three elements of infectious diseases, the persistence of infectious agents, the diversity of transmission routes, and the large number of susceptible people. Respiratory infections, as the name suggests, are mostly transmitted through respiratory droplets produced when the patient coughs or sneezes, and invades other susceptible groups, resulting in acute symptoms. In China's winters, most of the climate is cold, and people have to close their doors and windows, resulting in poor fresh air mobility. In addition, most people work, live and study indoors in winter, and the concentration of activities and close contact promote the spread of pathogens. The respiratory defense ability is already tested by the cold climate, not to mention the lack of autoimmunity accumulated by the elderly, children and other people under natural circumstances, which is also one of the reasons for the high incidence of respiratory infections.
Press conferences frequently mentioned the new coronavirus1. It is the Omicron variant of the new coronavirus2.The branch of 86, was first discovered in Luxembourg in August 2023. Since November, jnThe share of the 1 variant in the global circulating strain has increased rapidly, from about 4% in early November to about 30% in early December. As of 10 December, JN has been detected in at least 40 countries and territories around the world1 variant. On December 19 of this year, the WHO put jn1 Separately listed as a variant of concern. jn.The 1 variant has risen rapidly around the world abroad and has become the main epidemic strain.
The main circulating strain in China at this stage is still eg5 and its subclades. The native JN was first discovered in NovemberSince the 1 variant, as of December 10, a total of 7 cases of JN have been monitored in China's local cases1 variant.
In fact, the public does not need to panic too much about the new crown jn1 variant, which is still an Omicron variant, has increased transmissibility and immune evasion, but there is no evidence that it has increased pathogenicity and severe disease. Studies have shown that there is a cross-effect between previous infection and vaccination against XBB to protect them, i.e., we can be vaccinated with XBB containing it1.5-ingredient new coronavirus vaccine against jn1 variant. Even better news is the current COVID testing and ** means of COVID jn1 remains in effect, subject to broad population immunity against the Omicron variant, including vaccination and natural infection1 Variants are relatively transmissible.
Shi Zhaowen (Deputy Chief Physician, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Putuo District Central Hospital).