China Pneumonia Update as WHO Raises Questions About Mystery Illness

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of clusters of pneumonia in children in northern China.

Since mid-October, the WHO said, northern China has reported an increase in respiratory diseases compared with the same period the previous three years.

The update comes as people on social media have compared the increase in respiratory illness in China to the COVID-19 outbreak, which saw its first large outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

Chinese authorities said during a November 13 press conference that the increase could be attributed to the lifting of COVID-19 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 that typically affects younger children.

In the new report, which reviewed requested data from China, the WHO said an increase in cases came earlier in the season but was not unexpected given the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, as similarly experienced in other countries.

The WHO added that Chinese health authorities did not detect new or unusual pathogens, and that the rise in respiratory illnesses has not resulted in patient loads that exceeded hospital capacities.

According to WHO, there was no indication that the outbreak in China posed any global threat, and advised against any travel restrictions "based on the current information available on this event."

"In the current outbreak of respiratory illness, the reported symptoms are common to several respiratory diseases and, as of now, at the present time, Chinese surveillance and hospital systems report that the clinical manifestations are caused by known pathogens in circulation," the report said. "Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen and a common cause of paediatric pneumonia, and is readily treated with antibiotics."

Newsweek has reached out to the World Health Organization via email for comment.

This is China's first full flu season since the lifting late last year of some of the world's most stringent COVID-19 restrictions, which minimized many people's exposure to a wide range of pathogens for three years.

Others have also noted concerns that China is not sharing adequate information with the international community as China and the WHO have previously been criticized over their transparency in reporting the initial cases of COVID-19.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus this year criticized China's lack of clarity over the immunological situation in the nation. Beijing previously stressed it has been open and transparent about its data.

Meanwhile, as the WHO continues to look 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."

The WHO, which is closely monitoring the situation and is in close contact with national authorities in China, said it will continue to provide updates as warranted.