WHO calls for information on pneumonia in northern China
The World Health Organization (WHO) has demanded information from China on the increased incidence of pneumonia in children in northern China. China should provide additional information on the diseases and their spread as well as laboratory results, the WHO said in a statement on Thursday night.
The media had reported an increase in undiagnosed pneumonia among children in the region. According to the WHO, it is still unclear whether this is related to the general increase in respiratory diseases - such as coronavirus and influenza - in China.
WHO statement on reported clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China
WHO has made an official request to #China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.
At a press conference on 13… pic.twitter.com/Jq8TgZjWNX
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 22, 2023
China's National Health Commission attributes the increase in such illnesses in the country to the spread of the pathogens after the coronavirus measures were lifted. Other countries, such as Germany, also experienced particularly strong waves of colds afterwards.
Older people should also protect themselves well
Reports and pictures of full children's hospitals have been circulating on China's social media for days. Teachers have called on parents not to send children to school with symptoms. As the state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday, influenza in particular is experiencing a "steep upward trend" in Beijing.
Respiratory pathogens such as rhinoviruses and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are also widespread. Mycoplasma infections have also increased recently, but have already peaked in the capital. Mycoplasmas are bacteria that can cause pneumonia, especially in children, adolescents and young adults.
The National Health Commission has called on all affected regions to improve diagnosis and treatment capacities for infections, Xinhua reported on Thursday. It also urged the elderly and key groups with pre-existing conditions to protect themselves well and get vaccinated.
China had imposed extremely strict restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. While the rest of the world had long been trying to live with the virus, China pursued a zero-Covid strategy with lockdowns, daily mass testing, strict controls, contact tracing and compulsory quarantine until the beginning of December.
However, as the virus spread faster and faster, the economy was severely affected and protests broke out, Beijing finally abruptly lifted the rules. Since then, as in other countries, there have been significant catch-up effects, i.e. severe waves of infection - not only for coronavirus, but also for other respiratory diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the surge in pneumonia cases in children in northern China and has requested comprehensive data from China on the diseases and their causative agents to better understand the situation. To effectively combat these respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia caused by Mycoplasmas, the Chinese National Health Commission has urged improved diagnosis and treatment capacities and strong immunization initiatives for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Source: www.dpa.com
