2023-11-23 00:50:56
Children have unusual symptoms that include lung inflammation and high fever, but not cough or other symptoms usually associated with the flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and other respiratory illnesses.
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Given the number of cases, the Emerging Diseases Monitoring Program (ProMED) -a program of the International Society of Infectious Diseases (ISID)– established a large publicly available global surveillance system that monitors infectious diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement in this regard where it “officially requests from China detailed information on an increase in respiratory diseases and pneumonia clusters reported in children.”
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One hypothesis is that the outbreak is linked to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, known as “walking pneumonia,” following the first winter without strict COVID-19 confinement measures.
In that sense, the writing recalled that “in a press conference held on November 13, 2023, the Chinese authorities of the National Health Commission reported an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases in China.”
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“Chinese authorities attributed this increase to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection that usually affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV ) and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)”, they recall from the highest international health entity.
Thus, they add that “the authorities stressed the need to improve surveillance of the disease in health centers and community settings, as well as to strengthen the capacity of the health system to manage patients” and detail that 24 hours ago “the media Communication and ProMED reported outbreaks of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China,” a situation that “is unclear whether they are related to the general increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities, or whether they are independent episodes ”.
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“On November 22, the WHO requested, through the mechanism of the International Health Regulations, additional epidemiological and clinical information, as well as laboratory results of these clusters of children. “We have also requested more information on recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae, and on the current burden on healthcare systems,” continues the release.
Regarding the role of the WHO, the document indicated that the highest international health entity “is in contact with doctors and scientists through our existing associations and technical networks in China,” since since mid-October, the North Chinese “has reported an increase in flu-like illnesses compared to the same period in the previous three years.”
“China has systems in place to collect information on trends in influenza, influenza-like illnesses, RSV and SARS-CoV-2, and send reports to platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System,” they assure in the writing.
And concludes: “WHO seeks this additional information, we recommend that people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory diseases, including recommended vaccination; keeping distance from sick people; staying home when sick; Get tested and receive medical care as needed; wear masks as appropriate; ensure good ventilation; and wash hands regularly.”
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