A new epidemic alarm from China. This time it concerns cases of pneumonia.
The World Health Organization has in fact officially asked the Beijing authorities to provide detailed information on the increase in respiratory diseases and pneumonia outbreaks reported in children after the National Health Commission, in a press conference on November 13, reported a growth of the phenomenon in the country.
The UN health agency, in a note, said that the Chinese authorities attributed the rise in cases to the lifting of anti-Covid restrictions and the circulation of pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a bacterial infection common that affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus and the virus that causes Covid-19.
Furthermore, Chinese authorities have highlighted the need to strengthen surveillance in health facilities and communities, as well as strengthen the management capacity of the health system.
Both China and the WHO faced doubts about the transparency of reporting of the first Covid-19 cases that emerged in the city of Wuhan as early as late 2019.
The Geneva-based agency also reported that some agencies, including the Program for the Monitoring of Emerging Diseases, have reported outbreaks of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China and it is unclear whether the cases are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections reported previously by Chinese authorities or at separate events.
For this reason, WHO has requested further epidemiological and clinical information, as well as laboratory results on these reported outbreaks among children, through the mechanism of the International Health Regulations. In particular, since mid-October, the WHO said that northern China has reported an increase in influenza-like illnesses compared to the same period in the previous three years.
While waiting for further information, the agency recommended following the most appropriate measures to reduce the risk of contagion, based on vaccination, distance from sick people, self-isolation in case of infection, testing and medical treatment as needed. Finally, the use of masks as appropriate, good ventilation of the rooms and regular hand washing.
(Unioneonline/lf)