DR Hans KlugeHead of the World Health Organization for Europe, explained that this is because the two variants circulating in China are already present in European countries, according to the Chinese authorities.
“We share the current view of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) that the ongoing surge in China is not expected to have a significant impact on the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in the WHO European Region at this time.”
Restrictions “not unreasonable”
the WHO A senior official acknowledged that China had shared virus sequencing information, but called for “more detailed and regular information,” particularly on local epidemiology and variants, “to better assess the evolving situation.”
dr Kluge also said that travel restrictions by European countries for visitors from China “not unreasonable…while we await more specific information which is shared via publicly accessible databases”.
But he said it was important for the precautionary travel measures being put in place by European countries.scientifically based, proportionate and non-discriminatory“.
Visa stopped
The news comes as Chinese embassies on Tuesday suspended issuing new visas to South Koreans and Japanese visitors. The announcement included tourist, business and some other visa categories.
The move appears to be in response to COVID-19 testing requirements recently imposed by those countries on travelers from China.
A notice posted in Seoul reportedly said the ban would remain in place until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory entry measures” against China.
At least 10 countries in Europe, North America and Asia have announced new virus testing requirements for travelers from China, with officials raising concerns about a lack of adequate information about fast-spreading virus outbreaks in China.
A three-year-old child at home in Lyon, France, during a COVID-19 lockdown.
Complacency warning
In two other messages to the WHO European Region, Dr. Kluge warns that countries are greatly reducing their surveillance capacities for COVID-19.
In the first five weeks of 2022, variant information on 1.2 million cases was reported to WHO and ECDC as part of weekly surveillance data.
However, this dropped to about 90,000 cases in the last 5 weeks of the year.
dr Kluge stressed that countries must build on the experience of the past three years and be able to anticipate, detect and respond to SARS-CoV-2 and any emerging health threat in a timely manner.
XBB.1.5 distribution
He commended European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, which have maintained strong genomic surveillance, noting that their most recent data are beginning to indicate the growing presence of the new The recombinant XBB.1.5 virus, derived from the Omicron variant, which has already spread rapidly in the United States.
the new tribe is “taken up in small but increasing numbers, and we are working to assess its potential impact,” he said. “With many countries struggling with overburdened health systems, shortages of essential medicines and an exhausted health workforce – We cannot afford any further pressure on our healthcare systems.”
Finally, Dr. Encourage countries across Europe and Central Asia to step up their efforts to develop effective strategies to combat the spread of COVID-19 and not be complacent.
