China is currently recuperating from the catastrophic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, an unexplained pneumonia outbreak has spread throughout schools, overwhelming hospitals with ill children. This presents a potential new health emergency. This has worried specialists in global health.
Uncharted Territory
Beijing and the province of Liaoning are the epicentres of this outbreak, with paediatric hospitals dealing with an unprecedented volume of sick children. Due to the severity of the situation, which is reminiscent of the early stages of Covid-19, both students and teachers have become ill, causing some schools to suspend classes.
Pulmonary Nodules Develop
The children who are impacted are displaying symptoms such as a high fever and inflammation of the lungs, but they do not have a cough, which is typical when someone has the flu or a respiratory virus illness like RSV. A citizen from Beijing told Taiwanese news website FTV News, “Many, many (children) are hospitalised. They don’t cough and have no symptoms. They just have a high temperature and many develop pulmonary nodules.”
Global Platform Raises Alarm on Undiagnosed Pediatric Pneumonia
On Tuesday, the global disease surveillance platform ProMed released a warning regarding children’s undiagnosed pneumonia. Although the current outbreak has not been reported to impact adults, its rapid spread among children raises the possibility that school environments may be linked to it. The outbreak’s onset is unclear. A video of people in China donning face masks in the wake of the pneumonia outbreak was shared by US epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding.
Common Bacterial Infection Raises Concern in China
Medical professionals speculate that “walking pneumonia,” or mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterial infection that usually affects younger children, could be the cause. Although this pathogen usually results in mild infections, it can also cause more serious illnesses that need to be hospitalised. Undiagnosed pneumonia cases have increased, according to Chinese hospitals, especially since the National Day holiday in early October. Even though the outbreak is severe, no fatalities have been reported as of yet.
WHO’s Formal Request
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has formally requested comprehensive data from China regarding a rise in respiratory ailments and documented paediatric pneumonia clusters. “It is unclear if these are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities or separate events,” it said. The global health organisation said in a statement that Chinese officials from the National Health Commission announced during a press conference on November 13 that the country’s respiratory disease incidence has increased.
Chinese Authorities’ Explanation
According to the WHO, the increase was ascribed by the Chinese authorities to the removal of Covid-19 restrictions and the spread of known pathogens, including the Covid-19 virus, influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and respiratory syncytial virus. According to the report, Chinese authorities emphasised the necessity of improving disease surveillance in hospitals and community settings and bolstering the ability of the healthcare system to handle patients.
Preventive Measures Urged
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that people in China take certain steps to lower their risk of respiratory illnesses. These steps include getting vaccinated, avoiding sick people, staying at home when sick, getting tested and receiving medical attention when necessary, wearing masks when necessary, making sure there is adequate ventilation, and regularly washing your hands.
Global Health Agency’s Inquiry
Through the International Health Regulations mechanism, the global health agency requested additional laboratory results, along with additional epidemiologic and clinical information from these reported clusters among children, on November 22. “We have also requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the current burden on healthcare systems,” it further said. WHO said that through our current technical partnerships and networks in China, it was in contact with physicians and scientists. The organisation added that it will keep sending out updates.
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