WHO Requests Further Information from China Regarding Increase in Respiratory Illnesses and Pneumonia Clusters

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Chinese authorities have asserted that there have been no reports of “unusual or novel diseases” within the nation, according to a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday. This comes in response to an official request made by the United Nations health agency for information regarding a potentially concerning rise in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia affecting children.

The WHO’s request for information was prompted by unspecified media reports and data from a global infectious disease monitoring service, both of which indicated the presence of unexplained pneumonia clusters among children in northern China.

While the situation is being closely monitored by scientists outside of China, there is no consensus that the recent surge in respiratory illnesses in China signifies the onset of a new global outbreak. It is noteworthy that the emergence of novel flu strains or other viruses with pandemic potential often commences with unexplained clusters of respiratory ailments. Historical examples include the initial reports of both SARS and COVID-19 as unusual forms of pneumonia.

According to WHO, China’s National Health Commission reported an increase in respiratory diseases on November 13, attributing it to the easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures. This phenomenon was not unique to China, as other countries also experienced upticks in respiratory diseases, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions.

Approximately one week later, media reports surfaced indicating clusters of unexplained pneumonia cases in children in northern China. Following these developments, WHO engaged in a teleconference with Chinese health officials to obtain the requested data. The data revealed an increase in hospital admissions of children due to various diseases, including bacterial infections, RSV, influenza, and common cold viruses since October. Notably, Chinese health authorities did not report any changes in the clinical presentation of these diseases, and they stated that the surge in patients had not overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system.

Experts like Dr. Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, expressed skepticism about the emergence of a new disease, citing the limited number of infections in adults. He suggested that the infections in adults might indicate existing immunity from previous exposure.

Francois Balloux of University College London proposed that China might be experiencing a significant wave of childhood infections, given that this is the first winter since lockdown restrictions were lifted, potentially reducing children’s immunity to common pathogens.

WHO reported that northern China has seen an increase in influenza-like illnesses since mid-October, in contrast to the previous three years. It is unusual for the UN health agency to publicly request more detailed information from countries, as such requests are typically made internally. In this case, WHO invoked an international legal mechanism to seek further data from China.

Reports from within China suggest that some hospitals in the northern region, including Beijing, have been overwhelmed by the outbreaks. Health authorities have advised the public to take children with milder symptoms to primary healthcare facilities or pediatrics departments of general hospitals, as larger hospitals are crowded and have long wait times.

Currently, there is insufficient information to accurately assess the risk posed by these reported cases of respiratory illness in children. WHO has faced challenges in the past when seeking cooperation from countries, particularly China, during the emergence of new viruses. In response to the SARS outbreak in 2002, Chinese officials instructed doctors to conceal patients, even during visits by WHO scientists. This led WHO to threaten to close its office in China.

Nearly two decades later, China faced criticism for not promptly sharing critical information about the coronavirus with the UN health agency when the virus emerged in late 2019. Despite these challenges, WHO continues to recommend that people in China take measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, including vaccination, isolation when feeling unwell, mask-wearing as needed, and seeking medical care as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about China pneumonia clusters

More about China pneumonia clusters

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• China National Health Commission
• SARS outbreak in 2002
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)