The World Health Organization (WHO) announced last week that it has requested information from China regarding the increase in cases of respiratory diseases and increase in pneumonia among children.
An unexplained pneumonia-like sickness is reportedly rapidly spreading through schools in China, leading to a surge of hospitalizations of children.
The Emerging Diseases Monitoring Program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases recently “reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China.”
Authorities of China’s National Health Commission also reported an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases in the country on November 13, according to the WHO.
In a note to China, the WHO shared, “Since mid-October, northern China has reported an increase in flu-like illnesses compared to the same period in the past 3 years.”
“Authorities have emphasized the need for improved disease surveillance in health facilities and community settings, as well as strengthening the health system’s capacity to manage patients,” the WHO said.
Chinese authorities allegedly attributed the increase in cases to the end of COVID-19 restrictions across the country.
