Chinese expert calls for urgent action to protect infants from virus that attacks respiratory tract

A major expert consensus on the prevention and control of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was released in Guangzhou in early December. The initiative aligns with China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which prioritizes strengthening national public health capabilities.

Led by the National Center for Respiratory Medicine, the consensus aims to close gaps in current RSV prevention and treatment by promoting a coordinated medical prevention model. RSV is a highly contagious virus and remains the leading cause of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infections among infants in China.

The document lays out clear guidelines, including tailored immunoprophylaxis strategies using long-acting monoclonal antibodies, adjusted for regional epidemic patterns across the country. Experts say it could become a global standard for RSV management while offering a scalable framework for addressing other respiratory infectious diseases.

CGTN spoke to respiratory disease specialist Zhong Nanshan, an academic at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and also chief advisor of the consensus. Click on the video for more.