What is China's 'Walking Pneumonia' that has put India on alert? Check symptoms, prevention and more
China has just recovered after receiving the hit from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now stands in the face of a mysterious pneumonia outbreak, posing serious concerns. The mystery virus has caused an increased number of hospitalisations. A cluster of undiagnosed pneumonia in children was reported in northern China by the media and ProMED on 21 November.
Chinese authorities have previously reported an increase in respiratory infections, but it is unclear whether these are related, according to WHO. WHO, in a statement released on November 23, 2023, disclosed China's National Health Commission's (NHC) update on the increase in respiratory disease incidences addressed at a press conference on 13 November 2023. This increase was attributed to the lifting of restrictions on COVID-19 and the circulation of known pathogens like influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a bacterial infection usually seen in children under the age of five), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).
The health system needs to be strengthened to handle patients and enhance disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and communities. Through the International Health Regulations mechanism, WHO requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, as per WHO's official website. Acting director of the WHO's Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Maria Van Kerkhove, on November 28, said the increase was likely driven by a rise in children contracting pathogens that they had avoided during two years of COVID restrictions, as per a Reuters report.
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