Familiar "culprit"?
Since mid-October, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been monitoring data from China's surveillance system, showing an increase in childhood respiratory illnesses in northern China.
At a press conference on November 13, China's National Health Commission announced a nationwide increase in respiratory diseases, mainly affecting children.
Chinese health authorities attributed the increase to the lifting of Covid-19-related restrictions and the arrival of the cold season.
Northern China has reported an increase in "flu-like illnesses" since mid-October compared to the same period three years ago (Photo: AFP).
In addition, known pathogens include influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria (which causes pneumonia), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2.
Among them, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and RSV bacteria are identified to affect children more often than adults.
On November 22, WHO identified information from reports of clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia cases in children's hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning and other locations in China.
Through the International Health Regulations mechanism, WHO has made a formal request to China.
WHO asks China to provide information on respiratory disease outbreak (Photo: Getty).
Accordingly, the country is asked to provide epidemiological and clinical information, test results from reported cases and data on recent trends in respiratory pathogens.
A key goal is to determine whether there are “clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia cases” in Beijing and Liaoning.
And if so, were they isolated events or part of a known general increase in respiratory illness in the community.
WHO also contacted clinical networks for further information.
On November 23, WHO held an online meeting with Chinese health authorities.
The data provided show an increase in outpatient visits and hospital admissions of children due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae since May and due to RSV, adenovirus and influenza virus since October.
Some of these increases occur earlier than usual, but this is not an exception.
The lifting of Covid-19 restrictions may be partly to blame, as has been seen in some other countries.
Chinese health authorities said they had not detected any new or unusual agents in Beijing and Liaoning, but rather a known general increase in respiratory illnesses caused by multiple pathogens.
Chinese health authorities announced that since mid-October, they have been closely monitoring outpatient and inpatient treatment for respiratory diseases, including a range of viruses and bacteria.
This adds to existing respiratory surveillance mechanisms and may have contributed to the increased reporting of respiratory illnesses in children.
Cases are expected to continue to rise.
During this outbreak, symptoms reported were common to many familiar respiratory illnesses.
To date, Chinese surveillance systems and hospitals report that these clinical manifestations are caused by agents known to be in circulation.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen and a common cause of pneumonia in children, and can be easily treated with antibiotics.
China has a surveillance system for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).
Since mid-October, China has deployed enhanced surveillance systems for respiratory illnesses covering a range of viruses and bacteria, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Currently, there is no detailed information to assess the full risk of these reported respiratory illnesses in children.
However, as winter approaches, an increase in respiratory illnesses is expected. The simultaneous increase in respiratory viruses could increase pressure on the healthcare system.
Vietnam monitors information on respiratory disease outbreak in China
The General Department of Preventive Medicine, the national focal point for implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR), said it has contacted and discussed directly with the WHO representative in Vietnam and the Chinese IHR focal point to request coordination and provide information related to the respiratory disease outbreak in China.
Accordingly, on November 23, the Department also sent a letter to the WHO representative and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office in Vietnam, requesting official information regarding the increase in respiratory disease cases in China.
The Department of Preventive Medicine will continue to closely coordinate with WHO, US CDC and international organizations to update information on the respiratory disease situation in China and propose appropriate disease prevention and control measures to report to the Ministry's leaders.
People are not subjective or negligent, but they are not panicked or worried, and proactively implement personal disease prevention measures and recommendations to prevent respiratory diseases.
WHO Recommendations
Based on available information, WHO recommends that people in China take measures to reduce their risk of respiratory illness, including:
- Get recommended vaccinations for influenza, Covid-19, and other respiratory pathogens as needed.
- Keep distance from sick people.
- Stay home when sick.
- Perform testing and medical care as needed.
- Wear a mask when necessary.
- Ensure good ventilation and wash hands regularly.
WHO does not recommend any specific measures for people travelling to China.
In general, people with symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness should avoid travel if possible.
In case of symptoms during or after travel, they are encouraged to seek medical attention and share travel history with their doctor.
WHO recommends against the imposition of any travel or trade restrictions based on current information on this event.
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