What is now known about the “mysterious” pneumonia outbreak in China

The World Health Organization publicly requested China for additional information in response to media reports of a “mystery” respiratory disease outbreak, even as the rest of the world continues to be alarmed by the possibility of another health emergency originating from the nation that saw the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, which subsequently turned into a massive pandemic that killed millions of people worldwide.

According to local media reports, there has been a noticeable increase in pneumonia cases, particularly among youngsters, with hospitals almost full. In order to determine if the ailment was caused by an uncommon or novel infection, the WHO formally requested “additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported cases” from Chinese officials on Wednesday.

The WHO’s inquiry so far
Since mid-October, there has been a rise in pediatric respiratory illnesses in northern China, a scenario that WHO is keeping an eye on.

In a news conference on November 13, Chinese officials reported a spike in respiratory diseases throughout the country, most of which affected youngsters. They linked the rise to the end of COVID-19 restrictions and the start of the cold season.

WHO received information from ProMED and the media on November 22 about “clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia” patients in Beijing. A worldwide electronic reporting system for emerging infectious disease outbreaks is called ProMED (Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases). It aids in the detection and mitigation of global health concerns by providing early alerts and updates on a range of infectious illnesses.

When COVID-19 was still in its early phases, on December 30, 2019, the same system sent an alert titled “Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (Hubei)”.

In response to the latest claims, on November 22, WHO formally requested comprehensive data from China.

Beijing Children’s Hospital, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and WHO participated in a virtual conference on November 23. The National Health Commission and the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention organized the teleconference. The required data was sent, and it revealed a rise in pediatric hospital admissions and outpatient consultations since May that were related to the well-known disease Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Since October, other viruses such the influenza virus, adenovirus, and RSV have also been the cause of disease.

“As similarly experienced in other countries, some of these increases are earlier in the season than historically experienced, but not unexpected given the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions,” the WHO statement said.

What is being said by the Chinese authorities?
The WHO statement states that Chinese officials think no unexpected or new infections or atypical clinical presentations have been detected.

“The aforementioned general increase in respiratory illnesses due to multiple known pathogens” is the only experience that China has had.

They said that China has expanded respiratory disease surveillance since mid-October and implemented new viral and bacterial control methods. This involves doing a first-time Mycoplasma pneumoniae test.

According to their statement, “the observed increase in detection and reporting of respiratory illness in children may have been contributed to” by the enhanced monitoring.

What do experts say?
“There is a plausible hypothesis that this could be what we have seen in other parts of the world when (COVID-19) restrictions were lifted,” renowned Dutch virologist Marie Koopmans told Reuters on Thursday.

“China is likely experiencing a major wave of childhood respiratory infections now as this is the first winter after their lengthy lockdown, which must have drastically reduced the circulation of respiratory bugs, and hence decreased immunity to endemic bugs,” stated Prof. Francis Balloux of the University College of London Genetics Institute in a statement posted on X.

“During their first winter after pandemic restrictions had been lifted, other countries, including the UK, experienced big waves of respiratory infections and hospitalizations in children,” he said.

According to PTI, the Indian Union Health Ministry said on Friday that it is carefully monitoring the H9N2 epidemic and clusters of respiratory illnesses among youngsters in northern China.

It said that there is no danger to India from the respiratory ailment clusters and the avian influenza case that was reported in China. The ministry said in a statement that India is equipped to handle any emergency that may arise from the present influenza crisis in that nation.

Advice on public health
As of November 23, according to WHO, there are no particular travel restrictions or recommendations for those traveling to and from China.

The statement said, “In general, persons should avoid travel if they have symptoms suggestive of a respiratory illness; travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share travel history with their health care provider in case of symptoms during or after travel.”

The health agency advises Chinese citizens to stay away from sick individuals, wear masks, wash their hands, and make sure they are in well-ventilated settings.

What is a case of pneumonia?
One kind of illness that affects the lungs is pneumonia. It results in an inflammation of the air sacs, which may fill with pus or liquid. In congested settings such as military training zones, schools, universities, and dorms, pneumonia infections are rather prevalent.

The germs are produced in small droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Others who inhale these droplets may get infected. Antibiotics are the main therapy for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.