2023-11-24 00:15:00
What is happening now?
“For almost two months, in China, there seems to be an increase in cases of respiratory infections, especially pneumonia, and this seems to be a problem especially among children,” indicates the Dr Donald Vinh, infectious disease specialist and microbiologist at the McGill University Health Center.
Chinese authorities attributed the increase to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of various pathogens, including the influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniaerespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2.
On Tuesday, cluster cases of undiagnosed pneumonia were reported in children’s hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning and other places in China, by the international infectious diseases society ProMED.
The announcement caught the attention of international experts. Some expressed their concerns on social media, while others urged caution before drawing conclusions.
Do we have more details?
Faced with the little information available, the WHO formally called on China to produce more data on Wednesday. In response to his request, WHO met with Chinese health authorities and officials at Beijing Children’s Hospital on Thursday.
Data from China reveals an increase in pediatric consultations and hospitalizations due to pneumonia Mycoplasma pneumoniae since May, and to RSV, adenovirus and influenza virus since October.
“Some of these increases come earlier in the season than in the past, but they are not unexpected given the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, as has been the case in other countries,” the WHO in a press release.
Chinese authorities have not reported any new pathogens or unusual symptoms.
What is Mycoplasma pneumoniae ?
“It’s a bacteria. It is already a well-known pathogen. This leads to fairly mild pneumonia,” says the D.r Vinh. This bacteria is the cause of 50% of upper respiratory tract infections, indicates the Government of Canada on its website.
On Thursday, at the Beijing Institute of Pediatrics Hospital, journalists from Agence France-Presse saw a crowd of parents and children. Among them, Zhou Yedong, a father, carried his 4-year-old daughter on his shoulders. “My daughter has pneumonia Mycoplasma pneumoniae. We are no longer sending him to nursery school for the moment,” he explained. “A lot of his classmates are sick of this right now. »
Is it possible that this increase in cases is due solely to the respiratory virus season?
It’s possible, replies the Dr Vinh. “In winter, we see an increase in cases of respiratory infections here in Quebec, which is mainly due to COVID, RSV and the increase in influenza. So, it’s not impossible that China will experience the same thing,” he says.
How many children are affected by these respiratory diseases in China?
“Unfortunately, no data is available,” says Dr.r Vinh. Some data circulates on the Internet. “But these are assumptions, without scientific debate,” he said. He claims to have found no reliable scientific data.
What to do now ?
The WHO recommends that people in China take steps to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, including getting vaccinated once morest influenza and COVID-19. The organization also reminds you to keep your distance from sick people, to stay home if you are sick, to wear a mask if appropriate, to get tested, to ensure good ventilation of spaces and to wash yourself. hands regularly.
WHO does not recommend specific measures for travelers to China and advises once morest the application of any travel or trade restrictions.
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