Clusters of respiratory illnesses that are spreading among children in China have sparked fears of lockdowns like the ones enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement on Wednesday warning of clusters of pneumonia in children in northern China, as reported by media and infectious diseases outbreak monitor ProMED on Tuesday.
WHO also noted an increase in other respiratory illnesses in China. Chinese authorities said at a press conference on November 13 that the increase could be attributed to the lifting of COVID restrictions and the circulation of known viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterial infection tht typically affects younger children.
It is currently unclear if the reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in China are connected to the overall increase in respiratory illnesses.
Newsweek reached out to the World Health Organization via email for comment.
People on social media are comparing the increase in respiratory illness in China to the COVID-19 outbreak, which saw its first large outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
Sharing the WHO statement on X, formerly Twitter, science journalist Jari Makinen wrote, "Here we go again?"
Another X user wrote: "Who's ready for more lockdowns?"
One X user was concerned about the pneumonia clusters spreading beyond China's borders, writing: "If the news is true, better in public interest that all the flights to China must be stopped immediately. We can't afford another lockdown #China!"
While the WHO looks into these respiratory illnesses, it recommends that people in China try to reduce their risk of contracting a respiratory illness, which includes "recommended vaccination; keeping distance from people who are ill; staying home when ill; getting tested and medical care as needed; wearing masks as appropriate; ensuring good ventilation; and regular hand-washing."
Another X user wrote, in part: "New virus in China! Panic! The WHO recommends vaccinations, social distancing, testing and masks. Is that familiar to you? Lockdown."
Nicholas Pagnotta, co-founder of The Raging Patriot, a conservative news site, implied that there was some political motive for the reported uptick in pneumonia cases in China. He did not provide any evidence to back up this claim.
"Shocker, a new mystery pneumonia in Beijing China is overwhelming hospitals with the same timing as Covid before the 2020 election. Do not comply with any bullsh*t lockdown, mandates or restrictions," Pagnotta wrote on X.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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