WHO requests additional info from China about increase in respiratory illnesses, pneumonia

This follows the WHO's formal request for information from China concerning a potential increase in respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters in children.

The WHO cited media reports and a global infectious disease monitoring service regarding undiagnosed pneumonia clusters in northern China. While outside scientists emphasized the need for close monitoring, they were cautious about interpreting the recent surge in respiratory illnesses as the onset of a new global outbreak.

Instances of new flu strains or viruses triggering pandemics typically begin with unexplained clusters of respiratory illness, as seen with SARS and COVID-19.

The Chinese National Health Commission reported an uptick in respiratory diseases on Nov. 13, attributing it to the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

WHO acknowledged that similar increases in respiratory diseases occurred in other countries when pandemic restrictions ended.

Following a teleconference with Chinese health officials, WHO received data showing a rise in hospital admissions of children due to various diseases, including bacterial infections, RSV, influenza, and common cold viruses since October.

“No changes in the disease presentation were reported by the Chinese health authorities,” WHO said.

The WHO mentioned that Chinese officials reported that the surge in patients had not overwhelmed the nation's hospitals.

WHO said that northern China has reported a jump in influenza-like illnesses since mid-October compared to the previous three years. It is rare for the U.N. health agency to publicly ask for more detailed information from countries, as such requests are typically made internally. WHO said it requested further data from China via an international legal mechanism.

According to internal accounts in China, the outbreaks have swamped some hospitals in northern China, including in Beijing, and health authorities have asked the public to take children with less severe symptoms to clinics and other facilities.

The average number of patients in the internal medicine department at Beijing Children’s Hospital topped 7,000 per day, exceeding the hospital’s capacity, state-owned China National Radio said in an online article earlier this week.

Francois Balloux from University College London suggested that China is likely experiencing a notable surge in childhood infections, as this is the first winter since the lifting of lockdown restrictions, potentially reducing children's immunity to common illnesses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) mentioned that northern China has witnessed an increase in influenza-like illnesses since mid-October compared to the previous three years. It is uncommon for the WHO to publicly request more detailed information from countries, as such inquiries are typically made internally. WHO stated that it sought additional data from China through an international legal mechanism.

Reports from within China indicate that the outbreaks have overwhelmed some hospitals in northern regions, including Beijing, prompting health authorities to advise the public to seek treatment for children with less severe symptoms at clinics and other facilities.

An online article from state-owned China National Radio this week mentioned that the internal medicine department at Beijing Children’s Hospital was receiving an average of over 7,000 patients per day, surpassing the hospital’s capacity.