A new threat looms over China, which is still recovering from the catastrophic impact. COVID-19 pandemic.it’s about a Mysterious pneumonia outbreak The epidemic spread to the northern parts of the country, particularly affecting schools.This worrying situation, similar to the early stages of the coronavirus crisis, has caused Hospitalizations are alarming and rising in the country’s health system.To this end, the World Health Organization has made more demands on Beijing Detailed information on the origins and evolution of the pandemicwhich seems to mostly affect minors.
The Asian giant has apparently seen an unprecedented increase in cases of flu-like illnesses compared with the same period three years ago, when it introduced stringent measures as part of its “zero infection” strategy. ” This controversial policy was abruptly abandoned in December 2022.
China’s National Health Commission said at a press conference earlier this month that there was indeed Increased incidence of respiratory diseasesattributes this to the lifting of measures against the coronavirus and its spread, as well as the spread of pathogens such as influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection that often affects young children) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Earlier this week, online medical community ProMeD raised concerns about late 2019 Unknown disease prevalent in Wuhan What would become devastating COVID-19 highlighted growing media reports of a cluster of undiagnosed pneumonia among children in the North Asian country.
The publicly accessible ProMED surveillance system, which monitors human and animal disease outbreaks around the world, issued an alert on Wednesday, citing reports from Taiwanese outlet FTV News that children’s hospitals in Beijing and Liaoning, which are nearly 800 kilometers apart, “There are sick kids everywhere“schools will also be closed soon.Additionally, an editorial note states that it is recommended that “There are widespread outbreaks of undiagnosed respiratory illnesses in multiple areas across the country.”
They said: “It is not at all clear when this outbreak began, as it is unusual for so many children to be affected so quickly.” Additionally, according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases’ surveillance program, “Reports do not indicate any adults were affected, suggesting there was some exposure within the school.”
The Taiwanese report cited by ProMED also noted a Beijing resident’s statement that many minors hospitalized They don’t have a cough, but they have a high fever and lung nodules. Apparently, Dalian Children’s Hospital in Liaoning is crowded with these little patients on IV drips.
Notably, Covid-19 first came to the attention of doctors and scientists, including senior WHO officials, through an alert from the medical community ProMED in late December 2019.
The World Health Organization pointed out this time that it is unclear whether these “clusters” and reported undiagnosed pneumonia cases are related to the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities, or whether they are independent events.
“On 22 November, WHO requested additional epidemiological and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these clusters of cases reported in children, through the International Health Regulations (IHR) mechanism,” the entity said in Geneva (Switzerland) ) said in a statement.
“We also request more official information on recent transmission trends of known pathogens (such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and Mycoplasma pneumoniae) and the current burden on healthcare systems.” In turn, international organizations themselves ensure that through their Existing associations and technical networks in the country maintain contact with clinics and scientists.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization urges people in China to take steps to reduce the risk of contracting respiratory diseases, such as updating vaccineskeep your distance from others, wear a mask when necessary, and stay home when you are sick. Additionally, it is important to undergo screening tests.
The Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention said influenza, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) accounted for the top three respiratory infectious diseases among minors in the capital, the official China Daily reported on Wednesday. Go to Children’s Hospital.