Biotech
Friday, November 24th, 2023 3:38 pm EDT
Key Points
- Respiratory Illness Surge in China: Chinese authorities are urging vigilance amid a spike in respiratory illnesses, including clusters of pneumonia among children, putting pressure on healthcare facilities in northern China. Despite assurances of no unusual or novel pathogens, concerns have risen.
- WHO Response and Possible Link to COVID-19 Restrictions: The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Beijing responded to requests for data after noting clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children’s hospitals. The surge is believed to be linked to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions as China enters its first full winter season post-pandemic declaration in December.
- Call for Reinforced Measures and Global Monitoring: The WHO emphasized that while current pathogens seem treatable with existing antibiotics, China should reinforce measures, including vaccinations and mask-wearing, to limit disease spread. The State Council in China noted a likely peak in influenza cases this winter and spring, while pneumonia infections, rising since May, may persist. Both China and the WHO have faced scrutiny over reporting, and international health agencies are closely monitoring the situation, with the UK Health Security Agency advising an open mind about new outbreaks.
Chinese authorities have expressed concerns as a rise in respiratory illnesses, including clusters of pneumonia among children, puts pressure on healthcare facilities in the northern part of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) responded to reports of undiagnosed pneumonia in children’s hospitals, and while Chinese health authorities reported no changes in disease presentation, the surge is believed to be linked to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Hospitals in northern China are reportedly overwhelmed, prompting calls for reinforcing measures, including vaccinations and mask-wearing, to limit the disease’s spread. The WHO emphasized that the pathogens seem treatable with existing antibiotics but recommended vigilance. The State Council in China mentioned that influenza cases might peak in winter and spring, while pneumonia infections, on the rise since May, could persist. Both China and the WHO faced scrutiny over reporting during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO is closely monitoring the current outbreak, working with international partners, while the U.K. Health Security Agency advises keeping an open mind about new outbreaks, following a surge in Strep A infections among children in the U.K. in 2022, attributed to changes in social mixing patterns.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/24/china-says-no-new-pathogens-detected-amid-surge-in-respiratory-illnesses.html
