The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested additional information from Beijing regarding a mysterious outbreak of pneumonia in northern China, which appears to primarily affect children.
In a statement released on November 22, WHO indicated that the agency has “officially requested specific information regarding the increase in respiratory diseases and clusters of pneumonia in children.”
In a laboratory in China. (Photo: Reuters)
China is experiencing a rise in flu-like illness cases, coinciding with the COVID-19 outbreak that occurred three years ago. The zero-COVID policy was lifted in December 2022.
The National Health Commission of China stated at a press conference earlier this month that there is an increase in respiratory illnesses, which may be attributed to the lifting of COVID control measures, as well as the spread of several other diseases, including seasonal flu and mycoplasma pneumonia (a common bacterial infection that often affects children) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Earlier this week, ProMED, an online medical community that raised questions about the unusual disease in Wuhan at the end of 2019, emphasized that there are increasing reports of pneumonia clusters among children living in northern China.
FTV News, a Taiwanese news channel, reported that hospitals for children in Beijing, Liaoning, and other northern provinces and cities are “overwhelmed with many sick children.”
ProMED stated that more definitive information is needed regarding the current outbreak situation.
According to WHO, it is unclear whether the current outbreak in northern China and the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities are related. WHO has requested that Beijing provide more detailed information about the situation.
“WHO has requested further epidemiological and clinical information, as well as test results from the reported clusters of cases in children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism. We have also requested more information on recent trends as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and mycoplasma pneumonia pathogens are circulating. WHO is also in contact with clinical doctors and scientists through our existing networks and technical partnerships in China,” WHO stated.
Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, a participant in WHO’s emergency program, noted that many countries have experienced respiratory disease outbreaks after lifting lockdowns.
WHO urges the public in China to take steps to reduce the risk of respiratory infections, such as vaccination, maintaining distance from others, wearing masks when necessary, and staying home when feeling ill.
