For a spam-free, real-time breaking news portal, sign up for our FREE newsletter China’s hospitals have been overwhelmed with respiratory illnesses and children with pneumonia-like symptoms. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely monitoring the situation and the Chinese Health Ministry has confirmed that the rise in cases is due to known pathogens, not any new viruses.
In a statement, the Health Ministry highlighted an increase in cases linked to influenza, rhinoviruses, RSV, adenoviruses, and mycoplasma pneumoniae. This surge is attributed to the fact that children have been exposed to pathogens after two years of Covid-19 restrictions, according to acting WHO director Maria Van Kerkhove.
Wang Huaqing, an expert from China’s CDC, has noted an increase in mycoplasma pneumoniae infections among children aged five to 14. This is not surprising, given that children have been sheltered from these common pathogens during the lockdown period.
The WHO has requested data on these respiratory illnesses and reported pneumonia clusters in children, while China’s National Health Commission has warned of a potential major outbreak in the upcoming winter and spring.
The symptoms appear to be linked to “walking pneumonia” caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae. While experts have noted unusual atypical symptoms, including a fever and pulmonary nodules in children, they have not yet identified any new variants of Covid in the cases. The WHO has recommended people in China take precautionary measures such as getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and seeking medical care when needed.
Amid speculations about the cause of the outbreaks, virologists are calling for more information and caution before jumping to conclusions. While it is unclear as of now what exactly caused this surge in respiratory illnesses, public health experts are monitoring the situation closely. It will be interesting to see what the WHO’s response to China and what the WHO’s assessment following that will be. Resonpse_to_Follow.
