The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the “unidentified pneumonia clusters” in Beijing and Liaoning Province are primarily caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
According to a press release received by Labor Newspaper from WHO on November 24, the organization held a meeting with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Beijing Children’s Hospital on November 23.
Meanwhile, the National Health Commission of China and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention provided the data requested by the WHO on November 22.
Health workers guide parents at Beijing Children’s Hospital – (Photo: BEIJING CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL).
Previously, a scientific report from pediatric hospitals in Liaoning and Beijing indicated the presence of “unidentified pneumonia clusters”, which have overwhelmed these hospitals due to a sudden increase in pediatric admissions. This information prompted the WHO to immediately request detailed reports from China.
Simultaneously, China also reported a significant rise in respiratory diseases in general.
The results of the meeting on November 23 confirmed that the increase in outpatient and inpatient cases of pneumonia in children is due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae since May, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the flu virus also contributing since October.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen and a frequent cause of pneumonia cases in children, but it can be easily treated with antibiotics.
For all respiratory diseases in general, data reported to WHO’s FluNet and published by the National Influenza Center of China indicate that the increase is above normal levels this year, primarily due to influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B/Victoria (in Vietnam, these strains are considered seasonal influenza and can be prevented with quadrivalent influenza vaccines – ed.).
Based on these findings, WHO recommends that the Chinese population adhere to available measures to reduce the risk of respiratory diseases, including influenza vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, and vaccines for other respiratory pathogens, staying home when ill, wearing masks, and proper handwashing…
WHO does not recommend any specific measures for travelers to China and advises against implementing any travel or trade restrictions based on the current information regarding this event.
WHO’s Assessment of China’s Concerning Reports Previously, China’s report on “unidentified pneumonia clusters” suggested that the respiratory outbreak among children in the country is spreading, as the two regions experiencing pediatric hospital overload are Beijing and Liaoning Province, which are nearly 800 kilometers apart. “It is unclear when this outbreak began, as the rapid impact on many children is unusual” – stated an article on ProMed by a group of authors from Beijing and Liaoning. However, according to WHO, while this increase occurred earlier than previous respiratory illness seasons, it is not surprising given the recent lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. A similar situation has occurred in other countries. Health reports also indicate that no unusual pathogens or clinical manifestations have been recorded in cases in Beijing, Liaoning, or other localities. |
