WHO asked China for more information on Wednesday after groups including the Programme for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China.
Many children in northern China have suffered from respiratory diseases recently. Photo: AFP
China is required to respond to WHO within 24 hours, according to regulations. WHO has sought epidemiological and clinical information as well as laboratory results through the International Health Regulations mechanism.
Data suggests the increase is linked to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, along with the spread of known pathogens such as mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterial infection that typically affects young children.
WHO said it was “routine” to request information about increases in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia reported in children from member states, such as China.
The rise in respiratory illnesses comes as China prepares to enter winter since it lifted strict COVID-19 restrictions in December 2022. Many other countries have seen similar increases in respiratory illnesses after easing pandemic containment measures.
“This is just a relatively large seasonal surge, probably partly by chance and partly because there is a bit of ‘immune debt’ from smaller winter surges over the past three years,” said Ben Cowling, an epidemiologist at the University of Hong Kong.
In recent days, media in cities such as Xi'an in the northwest have carried videos of hospitals packed with parents and children waiting to be tested for the respiratory disease.
WHO recommends that people follow measures to reduce their risk of respiratory illness. These include getting vaccinated, keeping a distance from sick people, staying home when sick, getting tested and medical care when needed, wearing a mask that fits well, ensuring good ventilation, and washing hands frequently.
Hoang Anh (according to Xinhua News Agency, WHO, Reuters)
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