In this illustration taken on February 11, 2022, a small doll can be seen in front of the displayed World Health Organization logo.Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo Obtaining license rights
Nov 23 (Reuters) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked China for details on a rise in respiratory illnesses and reports of cluster pneumonia in children. The agency’s China office on Thursday called it a “routine” inspection.
China’s National Health Commission officials held a press conference on November 13 and reported that the incidence of respiratory diseases is increasing.
Officials attribute the increase to the lifting of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions and infections such as influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection that usually affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus, and new coronavirus infections. It is caused by the spread of known pathogens, such as the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Both China and the WHO have faced questions about the transparency of their reporting on the earliest coronavirus cases, which occurred in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.
On Wednesday, the WHO announced that groups including the Emerging Disease Surveillance Program reported an outbreak of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. The WHO said it was not clear whether these were linked to the overall increase in respiratory infections reported earlier by Chinese authorities or to another event.
WHO said it had requested additional epidemiological and clinical information and laboratory results regarding the reported outbreak among children through the International Health Regulations mechanism.
It also called on China to provide more information about the distribution trends of known pathogens and the burden on the health care system. WHO said it was in contact with clinicians and scientists through existing technical partnerships and networks in China.
WHO China said it was “routine” to request information on the rise in respiratory illnesses and said clusters of pneumonia in children had been reported by member states, including China.
WHO China said in an emailed statement that the world body decided to issue a statement on China and share the available information after receiving many inquiries about China from the media.
Records show that undiagnosed pneumonia was not mentioned at last week’s press conference, but one speaker said everyone felt there was an increase in respiratory illnesses this year compared to three years ago. Stated.
Speakers said that for the past three years, global surveillance of mycoplasma pneumonia has been at a low level, with outbreaks occurring periodically every three to seven years.
The WHO has announced that an increase in influenza-like illnesses has been reported in northern China since mid-October compared to the same period in the past three years.
The report said China has systems in place to collect information on trends in disease incidence and report that data to platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
In recent days, media outlets in cities such as Xi’an in the northwest have published videos of hospitals crowded with parents and children waiting for tests.
Some social media users posted photos of children doing their homework while receiving IV fluids at the hospital.
The WHO said it was seeking additional information but advised people in China to follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness.
These measures include vaccination, distancing from sick people, staying home when sick, getting tested and treated if needed, wearing a mask when needed, ensuring good ventilation, and regular This includes things like washing your hands.
Reporting by Deena Beasley in Los Angeles and Andrew Silver in Shanghai.Editing: Stephen Coates, Robert Barthel
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