The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked China for more information on “clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia” reportedly spreading among children in the north of the country.
In a statement, the UN health agency says it wants more information on reports in the media and from ProMed - a global outbreak surveillance system - of “clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China”.
After the WHO statement was released, state-run Xinhua news agency published an article on Thursday which quoted officials of China’s National Health Commission as saying they were paying close attention to the diagnosis and care of children with respiratory illnesses.
While mentions of China and a wave of infection can get people jittery as it brings memories of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s good practice for the WHO to ask for clarity.
Since October, northern China has reported an “increase in influenza-like illness” compared to the same period over the past three years, the WHO adds.
“China is likely experiencing a major wave of childhood respiratory infections now as this is the first winter after their lengthy lockdown, which must have drastically reduced the circulation of respiratory bugs, and hence decreased immunity to endemic bugs,” said Prof Francois Balloux of the University College of London Genetics Institute.
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