China Says Multiple Pathogens Are Behind Respiratory Illnesses

China’s health commission said a combination of pathogens is causing a surge in acute respiratory infections across the country, reiterating previous comments aimed at easing concerns a novel virus may be the source.

Influenza is one of the main causes of the spike in cases, National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said at a press conference on Sunday. Rhinovirus, mycoplasma pneumoniae and respiratory syncytial virus are also circulating, he said. The country should guarantee medicine supply and open more areas for medical treatment, Feng said.

Outbreaks of respiratory diseases have been hitting kids particularly hard and seen anxious parents sometimes ...