WHO requests additional data from China regarding surge in respiratory illness

The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally urged China to provide more comprehensive data on a rising respiratory illness in northern regions, emphasizing the need for increased precautions to mitigate infection risks.

Reports indicate an upswing in “influenza-like illness” since mid-October compared to the same period over the past three years.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the WHO disclosed its official request to China for detailed information on the surge in respiratory illnesses, particularly noting clusters of pneumonia in children. The spike is attributed by China’s National Health Commission to the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens, such as influenza and common bacterial infections affecting children, including mycoplasma pneumonia.

The capital city, Beijing, located in the northern part of the country, is currently grappling with a cold snap, with temperatures anticipated to plummet below zero by Friday. State media reports that the city has entered a high incidence season for respiratory infectious diseases, with Wang Quanyi, deputy director and chief epidemiological expert at the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, indicating a trend of multiple pathogens coexisting.

At the Capital Institute of Pediatrics’ Children’s Hospital in Beijing, AFP journalists observed crowds of parents and children seeking medical attention for respiratory issues. Some parents expressed concerns about their children falling ill with pneumonia or mycoplasma pneumonia, attributing the rise in cases to the winter season.

On November 21, ProMED, a media and public disease surveillance system, reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. The WHO is seeking clarification on the relationship between ProMED’s report and the authorities’ press conference.

The WHO, in the absence of clear information, has advised preventive measures, including vaccination, maintaining distance from sick individuals, and wearing masks. Despite the request for more information, there is no indication of China’s response, and the foreign ministry has not commented on the matter.

This request for data follows a history of tension between the WHO and Chinese authorities during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the WHO emphasizing the importance of transparency and cooperation. The origins of Covid-19 remain a contentious issue, and WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stressed that unraveling this mystery is crucial for preventing future pandemics.