Rospotrebnadzor intensifies sanitary control measures in some regions over increase of acute respiratory illness rate in China

MOSCOW. Dec 26 (Interfax) - Russia's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has intensified sanitary and quarantine control measures in populated areas that have transport links with China due to an increase in the respiratory infection rate in that country, the agency's head Anna Popova said.

"Territorial bodies of Rospotrebnadzor that have transport links with China have received orders to increase sanitary and quarantine control due to an increase in respiratory infections in China," Popova said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

The Perimeter automatic information system is being used at all crossing points on the Russian state border, including on its Russian-Chinese section, to prevent the import and spread of dangerous infectious diseases on Russian territory, but "there is currently no reason for concern," she said.

China's National Health Commission has noted an increase in the acute respiratory illness rate, including flu, and also an increase in the number of mycoplasma infection cases, she said. At the same time, the number of new Covid-19 cases has decreased.

"In the meantime, Chinese experts say an increase in the Mycoplasma pneumoniae sickness rate has been registered before, every three to seven years. The clinical picture regarding patients, primarily children, is normal. There is no information about the registration in China of a new or unknown acute respiratory infection agent," Popova said.