TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested China provide more information regarding increased cases of respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.
The WHO released a statement on Thursday (Nov. 23) chronicling increased reports of undiagnosed pneumonia among children in northern China. The statement said that Chinese health authorities first announced the increase in cases of respiratory diseases on Nov. 13, while initial reports surfaced in mid October.
“On 22 November, WHO requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism,” the statement reads.
Chinese health authorities attributed the increase in cases to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions and circulating common bacterial infections. China’s WHO office said the request for more information was routine, per Reuters.
The WHO recommends people in China exercise vigilance and take measures that prevent the spread of respiratory illness including hand washing, staying home when sick, staying away from sick people, and wearing masks as needed.
Taiwan's Center for Disease Control was contacted for comment but is yet to release a statement on the WHO request.
WHO statement on reported clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China
WHO has made an official request to #China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.
At a press conference on 13… pic.twitter.com/Jq8TgZjWNX
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 22, 2023
