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As China’s hospitals grapple with a surge in respiratory illnesses and an influx of children with pneumonia-like symptoms, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely monitoring the situation.
The Chinese Health Ministry recently reported a rise in cases among children, attributed to a combination of known pathogens rather than any new viruses, following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Respiratory illnesses such as influenza, rhinoviruses, RSV, adenovirus, and mycoplasma pneumoniae, as well as bacteria, have been identified as causing the spike in cases.
According to WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove, the increase in cases can be linked to children coming into contact with pathogens that were suppressed during the Covid-19 lockdowns. She emphasized that this surge is typical of what many countries experienced prior to the pandemic.
The Chinese Health Ministry has called for the expansion of fever clinics and recommended the use of masks to prevent further spread of illnesses. Hospitals in Beijing and Tianjin have been overwhelmed by the surge, with thousands of patients seeking medical care daily. The spike in illnesses has also prompted the WHO to request detailed disease data and investigate reported pneumonia clusters in children.
Experts have raised concerns and sought further information to determine the cause of the outbreak. They advise that the current situation, while alarming, may not indicate a new novel pathogen and remains under close observation.
Symptoms and Infectious Disease
Health authorities have linked the outbreak to mycoplasma pneumoniae, commonly known as “walking pneumonia”, with symptoms including sore throat, fatigue, and persistent cough. The level of infectivity and the affected demographic raise questions about the origins and spread of the illness. But based on initial assessments, there is no indication of a new variant of Covid.
While scientists and health experts urge caution and recommend adherence to preventive measures such as vaccination and wearing masks, they underscore the importance of understanding the outbreak’s underlying causes. The situation is being closely monitored as part of the WHO’s International Health Regulations system.
