The World Health Organization has asked China to submit detailed information on the spike in the number of children suffering from respiratory illnesses, particularly pneumonia.

China’s National Health Commission has disclosed in a recent press conference that there has been an increase in incidence of respiratory diseases in the country.

The NHC attributed the increase in cases to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the reported circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-COV-2 which is the virus that causes COVID 19.

Chinese health authorities called on increased disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and communities in order to closely monitor the spread of the disease.

It was reported by the media that clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia have been observed in Northern China. There remains no clear connection with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by China.

On November 22, WHO formally requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information on the health problem. This was sent to the Chinese government through the International Health Regulations mechanism.

Also sought by the international health body are laboratory results from the reported clusters of children that suffered pneumonia.

“We have also requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma penumoniae.

Since mid-October, northern China has reported an increase in influeza-like illness compared to the same period in the previous three years.

It was gathered that China has systems in place to capture information on trends in influenza, influenza-like illnesses, RSV and SARS-CoV-2. It reports to platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.