China supplies data to WHO about clusters of respiratory illness

According to data from Chinese health authorities, there has been a rise in respiratory illnesses and a reported case of pneumonia in children.

However, no new or unusual pathogens have been found, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Following reports from organisations like the Programme for Monitoring Emerging Diseases of clusters of children in north China going undiagnosed with pneumonia, the WHO had asked China for further information.

With China entering its first winter following the removal of the zero-Covid restrictions, natural immunity to respiratory viruses may be lower than usual, which could result in a rise in infections. On November 13, China’s National Health Commission convened a press conference to discuss the rise in respiratory disease cases, which were associated with pathogens like mycoplasma pneumoniae and influenza. While emphasised that these requests are “routine,” the WHO has asked China for further information regarding pneumonia outbreaks in children in northern China.