Unusual Pneumonia Outbreak In China, WHO Requests Detail Report
The Northern China is on the verge of another outbreak as the region witnessed an unusual expansion of reported clusters of respiratory illness and pneumonia in children. China is still recovering from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the health sphere of the country was always on question. The northern provinces of Beijing and Liaoning were on the top of recent outbreak as the hospitals on these areas were overwhelmed by sick children.
The situation is bit frightening, similar to the early days of Covid-19 and the fact that the affected are more children, increases the seriousness. Considering the emergency, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday requested China a detailed report on the increase in respiratory illness and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.
The UN health organization recommended the residents of China to take the precaution measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness. The measures includes “vaccination, keeping distance from people who are ill, staying home when ill, getting tested and medical care as needed, wearing masks as appropriate, ensuring good ventilation, and regular hand-washing”.
As said by the WHO, the Chinese officials associated with the nation’s health commission reported an unusual increase in China’s respiratory illness statistics recently. Beijing projected the reason behind the increase as the dismissal of Covid-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens. Among those mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common bacterial infection which typically affects younger children.
WHO statement on reported clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China
WHO has made an official request to #China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.
At a press conference on 13… pic.twitter.com/Jq8TgZjWNX
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 22, 2023
They were initiating an enhanced disease surveillance in both the healthcare facilities and community settings. The Health Ministry of China is about to strengthen the capacity of the health system. China is also said equipped with surveillance systems to capture information on trends in influenza, influenza-like illnesses, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2.
WHO also stated an obscurity on whether the current outbreak had links to the previously reported infections. The health organisation on November 22 requested “additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism”.
The UN agency is also in contact with clinicians and scientists through their existing technical partnerships and networks in China. According to WHO, the northern China, since mid-October, reported an increase in influenza-like illness compared to the same period in the previous three years.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It is serious and when affected, the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid. Lobar pneumonia affects one or more sections (lobes) of the lungs.
The infection is life threatening to anyone, but affect more serious particularly to infants, children and people over 65.
Symptoms: Cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.
Easy preventions: Antibiotics can treat many forms of pneumonia. Some forms of pneumonia can be prevented by vaccines.
Precautions recommended by WHO: Vaccination, keeping distance from people who are ill, staying home when ill, getting tested and medical care as needed, wearing masks as appropriate, ensuring good ventilation, and regular hand-washing.
