The World Health Organization has requested and received additional information from China on the rising number of respiratory illnesses, including clusters of pneumonia, that have been reported in the nation, predominantly among children.
Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission announced at a press conference on November 13 a spike in the number of respiratory illnesses reported across the nation, attributing this increase to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, per a statement from WHO. Since mid-October, northern China, in particular, has reported an increase in “influenza-like” illness compared to the previous three years.
WHO announced on November 22 that it was seeking more information on this increase and urged that persons residing in China take measures to reduce the spread of illness by staying home when sick, keeping up to date with vaccinations, masking as appropriate, ensuring good ventilation, getting tested and obtaining medical care as needed, and practicing frequent hand-washing.
“We have also requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and mycoplasma pneumonia, and the current burden on health care systems,” WHO said in the announcement. “WHO is also in contact with clinicians and scientists through our existing technical partnerships and networks in China.”
The organization issued a subsequent report on November 23, stating that it had received the requested information from Chinese health authorities during a teleconference. The authorities had reported increases in pediatric hospital admissions and consultations for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia since May of this year, as well as for RSV, the flu, and adenovirus since October.
Despite the noted increase, health experts noted that there were no “unusual or novel pathogens or unusual clinical presentations” and that hospitals have not been overwhelmed by cases.
“Some of these increases are earlier in the season than historically experienced, but not unexpected given the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, as similarly experienced in other countries,” said WHO in its report. “No changes in the disease presentation were reported by the Chinese health authorities.”
However, Chinese officials have enhanced both inpatient and outpatient surveillance of respiratory illnesses, including Mycoplasma pneumonia for the first time. These enhanced surveillance measures “may have contributed to the observed increase in detection and reporting of respiratory illness in children,” the WHO noted.
WHO officials are closely monitoring the situation in China and will provide updates as needed.
Respiratory illnesses in the U.S. are also on the rise. Pediatric hospitals across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex recently experienced a wave of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory illnesses, filling local hospitals nearly to capacity, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
