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The World Health Organization (WHO) has sought information from China regarding a concerning surge in respiratory illnesses and the emergence of pneumonia clusters among children. The WHO’s China office addressed this issue, labeling the inquiry as a standard procedure.
Chinese authorities, represented by the National Health Commission, conducted a press conference on November 13 to report a notable rise in respiratory ailments. They attributed this surge to several factors, including the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and the consequent resumption of normal activities. Additionally, health authorities pointed to the circulation of well-known pathogens prevalent in respiratory diseases. These included:
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- Influenza: Commonly circulating, especially during colder months, causing respiratory infections.
- Mycoplasma pneumonia: A bacterial infection that tends to affect younger children and can lead to pneumonia.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): A virus responsible for causing respiratory tract infections, particularly in infants and young children.
- COVID-19 Virus: The coronavirus responsible for the ongoing global pandemic, which continues to circulate.
The Chinese health authorities highlighted these pathogens as potential contributors to the increased incidence of respiratory illnesses, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and appropriate measures to manage and curb their spread.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) and China have both encountered scrutiny regarding the transparency of reporting surrounding the initial cases of COVID-19 that surfaced in Wuhan, China, towards the end of 2019.
In a recent development, the WHO acknowledged the reports from various entities, including the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMed), which highlighted clusters of unexplained pneumonia cases among children in northern China. However, the WHO expressed uncertainty regarding the correlation between these newly reported clusters and the previously noted escalation in respiratory infections acknowledged by Chinese health authorities. Active 1: The WHO expressed uncertainty about the correlation between these newly reported clusters and the previously noted escalation in respiratory infections acknowledged by Chinese health authorities.The WHO’s acknowledgment of these reports underlines the importance of a thorough investigation to ascertain the origins, nature, and potential links between these pneumonia clusters and the overall rise in respiratory infections previously reported in China.
WHO has responded proactively to reported outbreaks of undiagnosed pneumonia clusters in Chinese children.The organization has formally requested comprehensive data, including epidemiological and clinical information, as well as laboratory results pertaining to these outbreaks. I have made this request through the International Health Regulations mechanism, a framework designed to facilitate rapid and coordinated international responses to public health risks.
AAs per the regulations, China must respond to the WHO’s inquiries within 24 hours.This requirement ensures swift communication and collaboration between nations and global health authorities in situations where public health concerns arise.
Additionally, the WHO has solicited further details from China regarding the prevailing trends in the circulation of known pathogens, such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the COVID-19 virus. Understanding the burden these pathogens pose on healthcare systems is crucial for devising appropriate strategies to manage and mitigate their impact.
WHO has maintained active engagement with clinicians and scientists in China through established technical partnerships and networks? This ongoing communication facilitates the exchange of critical information, expertise, and insights, enabling a collaborative approach to addressing emerging health issues within the country and globally.
WHO China emphasized that it’s part of routine protocol to seek detailed information from member states, including China, concerning spikes in respiratory illnesses and any reported instances of pneumonia clusters, terming it as a standard practice within the organization.
The decision by the global agency to issue a statement pertaining to China stemmed from the influx of inquiries received from various media outlets. WHO China conveyed in an email statement that they aimed to share available information on the situation as queries continued to pour in.
I derived the alert flagged by ProMed from a report originating from FTV News in Taiwan, which surfaced on Tuesday, triggering an international response and further inquiries into the reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia among children in China.
Interestingly, while the press conference held last week did not specifically mention cases of undiagnosed pneumonia, one of the speakers noted a general perception of an increased incidence of respiratory illnesses during the current year compared to the previous three years. Additionally, the speaker highlighted a cyclical pattern in outbreaks of mycoplasma pneumonia, suggesting a historical recurrence every three to seven years, and noted a recent lull in global monitoring for this specific pathogen.
As China approaches:
Its first full winter season since the relaxation of stringent COVID-19 measures in December, there has been a noticeable surge in respiratory illnesses. This rise in respiratory diseases post-easing of pandemic restrictions echoes similar patterns witnessed in other countries globally.
Ben Cowling, an epidemiologist at Hong Kong University, attributed this surge to what seems to be a relatively substantial seasonal increase. He suggested that this surge might be a result of a combination of chance and an ‘immunity debt’ stemming from fewer winter outbreaks over the past three years.
China’s National Health Commission has yet to respond to requests for comments on the recent developments. However, in a published interview with state media agency Xinhua on Thursday, they offered advice to parents on actions to take amid the surge. Mentioning the high influx of patients and extended waiting times at major hospitals, the commission did not address the WHO’s notice about the pneumonia clusters.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since mid-October, northern China has reported a surge in influenza-like illnesses compared to the same period in the past three years. The WHO also highlighted China’s established systems for tracking illness trends and reporting data to global platforms like the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
Reports from various cities, including Xian in the northwest, have depicted crowded hospitals with parents and children awaiting medical attention. Some social media posts have depicted children doing homework while receiving intravenous drips in hospitals, underscoring the strain on healthcare facilities.
While the WHO continues to seek further information, it has recommended precautionary measures for the people in China to minimize the risk of respiratory illnesses. These measures include vaccinations, maintaining distance from ill individuals, staying home when feeling unwell, timely testing and seeking medical care, appropriate mask-wearing, ensuring proper ventilation, and practicing regular hand hygiene.
Reporting from Deena Beasley in Los Angeles, Andrew Silver in Shanghai, Jennifer Rigby in London, and Emma Farge in Geneva; Edited by Robert Birsel and Miyoung Kim.
