WHO inquiring China about surge in pediatric respiratory illnesses

The World Health Organization has reached out to Chinese officials for additional information regarding a rise in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia among children in China. According to a statement released on Wednesday, Chinas National Health Commission announced an uptick in respiratory disease during a news conference last week.

Maria van Kerkhove, the technical lead on the coronavirus pandemic for the World Health Organization, is seen here gesturing during an interview with AFP in Geneva on October 13, 2020. (Photo by Richard Juilliart / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD JUILLIART/AFP via Getty Images)

Richard Juilliart/AFP/Getty Images

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According to the WHO, Chinese authorities have linked this rise to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the presence of well-known pathogens including influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection affecting younger children), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19). The organization also reported clusters of undiagnosed pediatric pneumonia cases in the northern region of the country, although it is uncertain if these are connected to the respiratory infections.

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Join us to receive The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta from the CNN Health team every Tuesday. According to the International Society for Infectious Diseases Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases, there are media reports of a widespread outbreak of an undiagnosed respiratory illness in various areas in China. It is unclear when the outbreak began, but the rapid spread among children suggests potential exposure at schools.

ProMED is currently awaiting more information about the extent of the problem, emphasizing that it is premature to make any predictions or assumptions. The World Health Organization has requested epidemiological and clinical data, laboratory results from these groupings, as well as information on the patterns of pathogen circulation and the impact on healthcare systems from China.

The agency recommends individuals in China to take preventive steps to reduce the likelihood of contracting respiratory illnesses, such as receiving recommended vaccinations, staying home when feeling unwell, wearing masks in the presence of others, and practicing regular hand hygiene.