WHO has received the first data requested from Chinese authorities regarding the increase in respiratory illnesses observed among children in northern China.
[Mise à jour le 24 novembre 2023 à 09h44] Concern from China. In a message posted on Twitter On November 22, the World Health Organization announced that it had sent a formal request to China for detailed information on a increase in respiratory diseases and outbreaks of pneumonia reported among children since mid-October, mainly in the northern China. According to epidemiologist and health economist Eric Feigl-Ding, the situation would be worrying. On Twitterhe brings back “pediatric hospitals in Beijing and Liaoning (700 km separate the two cities, editor’s note) overwhelmed with sick children and of many schools closed. Beijing Children’s Hospital is overflowing.
Causes: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, RSV?
According to data provided by Chinese authorities to the WHO, the increase in outpatient consultations and hospitalizations of children due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia dates back to May, and at VRS (respiratory syncytial virus), adenovirus and the virus flu since October. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacteria, not a virus. “Some of these increases are occurring earlier in the season than has been historically recorded, but they are not unexpected given the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, as has been the case in other countries” explains the WHO on Twitter on November 23, specifying that she remains “in close contact with the Chinese national authorities. Dr Antoine Flahaut confirmed “that, three years after the pandemic, the resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae affects many countries around the world“. The most recent outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae occurred simultaneously in late 2019 and early 2020 in several countries, mainly in Europe and Asia. It came to a sudden halt with the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
What are the symptoms of the sick?
According to the alert launched on the epidemic network ProMed on November 21, sick children would present “unknown” pneumonia without coughbut with high fever and pulmonary nodules. In an article published on the Lanceton November 23, scientists point out that Mycoplasma pneumoniae “presents a distinct presentation of the disease” and talks about “atypical pneumonia”.
What to do for prevention?
WHO recommends to the Chinese of follow barrier measures aimed at reducing the risk of respiratory disease, in particular by being vaccinated according to the recommendations in force; keeping their distance from sick people; staying home when they are sick; by doing test if in doubt and treat if necessary; by wearing masks; by ventilating their homes and washing their hands regularly. It will continue to provide updates based on information it obtains from China. Knowing that the country’s authorities often lack transparency…