China Pneumonia: After Corona, mysterious disease spreading again in China, WHO becomes strict

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially requested China for more information on the possible increase in respiratory diseases and pneumonia clusters in children. However, China says it has not detected any “unusual or new disease”. The U.N. health agency said in a statement that it was monitoring data from the Chinese surveillance system showing a worrying increase in respiratory diseases among children in northern China. It formally requested data on undiagnosed pneumonia earlier this week and held a teleconference on November 23.

Scientists said the situation requires close monitoring, but the recent increase in respiratory illnesses does not signal the beginning of another global outbreak. This comes amid concerns that unknown clusters of respiratory illnesses could give rise to new flu strains and viruses that ultimately lead to pandemics like SARS and COVID-19. WHO said in a statement that no changes in the presentation of the disease were reported by Chinese health authorities. Chinese authorities advised that no unusual or new pathogens or unusual clinical presentations had been detected, but only above-normal increases in respiratory illnesses caused by several known pathogens, including in Beijing and Liaoning.

Chinese health officials further said that the number of patients has not exceeded hospital capacity due to the increase in respiratory diseases. It said outpatient and inpatient surveillance for respiratory diseases has been enhanced, leading to a significant increase in detection and reporting of diseases. Chinese officials noted that the increase in respiratory illnesses is a result of the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which was also common in other countries. Chinese data showed that hospital admissions of children due to bacterial infections, influenza, the common cold and other illnesses have increased since October.