What is happening in China?Beijing responds to World Health Organization’s request on pneumonia and influenza epidemic

As long as the health status at least reminds The beginning of the Covid pandemic, the alarm is on.since National Health Commission In the middle of this month, it warned of a significant rise in respiratory illness rates.The surge was initially attributed to the lifting of restrictions The habitual cycle of pathogens Known viruses—such as influenza, the bacteria that cause pneumonia in children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or SARS-CoV-2 itself—; however, a week after the warning, media outlets and the infectious disease outbreak surveillance system ProMED reported A series of undiagnosed pneumonia in the north of the country.

in this case, The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked the Chinese government Detailed information on the increase in respiratory illness, particularly pneumonia in children.Specifically, it requests epidemiological and clinical information, laboratory results, and related information Recent trends in the spread of these pathogens Already know that.

Beijing responded quickly and arrived within the allowed 24 hours: the health department has not yet discovered No unusual or new pathogensJust like what happened in 2019, when an unexplained pneumonia outbreak was discovered that turned into a global pandemic, paralyzing half the planet for weeks.

Beijing’s response to virus

In a conference call held by WHO authorities with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the health department of Beijing Children’s Hospital, Children’s outpatient and hospitalization statusmainly due to bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae Since last May, RSV, adenovirus and influenza since October.

he The resurgence of some of these diseases It happens in the usual season. However, experts say the rebound in registrations since May is not surprising, given the coronavirus restrictions approved in May. For example, what is happening in China is very similar to what happened in other countries when they lifted mask requirements.

health authority They also found no changes in the presentation of these diseases, there is no change in their manifestations, and in addition, the pathogens are often the ones that cause these respiratory infectious diseases. Of course, increases in these illnesses are causing hospitals to exceed their capacity.

Hospitals flooded with childhood pneumonia cases

An official from Beijing Children’s Hospital explained this week that the current average daily number of patients is more than 7,000. ‘Well exceeded’ the center’s hospital capacity. Tianjin’s main pediatric hospital broke records on Saturday, treating more than 13,000 children in its outpatient centers and emergency departments, according to multiple local media reports.

“We have a lot of children here now,” they told CNN at the Beijing hospital. “The people who came from the emergency room yesterday were not able to see a doctor this morning.Of course, typical seasonal illnesses that contribute to hospital crowding, which often lead to minor infections, are clearly the main cause, they noted.