The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked China for more information about “a cluster of undiagnosed pneumonia” spreading among children in northern China.
According to non-state media, children’s hospitals in some areas of the country are full of sick children.
Chinese authorities have linked the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions to an increase in flu-like illnesses this winter.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged Chinese citizens to take measures to reduce the spread of the virus.
The UN health agency said in a statement it wanted more information about media reports and the global outbreak surveillance system ProMed about “a cluster of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China“.
Following the World Health Organization (WHO) announcement, state-run Xinhua News Agency published an article on Thursday quoting a National Health Commission official as saying the country is focusing on diagnosing and treating children with respiratory illnesses.
China and the rise in infections may worry people as they bring back memories of the coronavirus pandemic, but it is good practice for the WHO to ask for clarification. But it’s impossible to know why the rise in infections is happening until Beijing responds.
The WHO added that since October, northern China has reported “an increase in flu-like illnesses” compared to the past three years.
Last week, China’s National Health Commission said there had been an increase in several respiratory diseases, including influenza, Covid, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection affecting young children) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Officials explained that this turnout was due to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
Other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have seen similar increases in flu-like illnesses after pandemic restrictions were lifted.
Professor François said: “There is a high possibility that respiratory infections will become widespread in children in China.
This is because the circulation of respiratory infections dropped sharply for the first time after the long period of isolation, and the immunity against endemic insects was reduced.
He graduated from the Institute of Genetics, University College London.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was unclear whether the reported pneumonia outbreak was linked to the overall increase in respiratory infections reported by Beijing and formally requested further information.
He urged Chinese citizens to take basic precautions, including getting vaccinated, wearing masks and washing hands.