The World Health Organization has requested China to provide more information on undiagnosed pneumonia in children and the increase in respiratory illnesses, POLITICO reports.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) formal request to China for epidemiological and clinical information, as well as laboratory results, comes in the wake of reports from Chinese authorities, media and disease surveillance systems indicating an increase in these influenza-like illnesses in the country.
The WHO statement will cause concern given accusations that China has been slow to notify the world of COVID-19 cases in 2019, although the cases may well be related to China lifting COVID-19 restrictions later than other countries and to the normal circulation of winter respiratory viruses.
WHO reported an increase in cases in northern China in mid-October. On 13 November, China’s National Health Commission reported an increase in respiratory disease cases. Authorities attributed this to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of pathogens such as influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2 and mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterial infection commonly affecting children.
Then on 21 November, the WHO said the media and ProMED, a public surveillance system, “reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China.” WHO stated:
It is unclear if these are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities, or separate events.
Pending information from China, the health organisation is advising residents to take steps to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, such as wearing masks “as needed”, ensuring good ventilation and keeping a distance from those who fall ill.
