A new respiratory virus is rapidly spreading among children in China, causing widespread concern and prompting action from health authorities, TuraNews.kz reports.
Local media are flooded with videos depicting overcrowded hospitals filled with parents and sick children waiting for medical attention.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning after observing clusters of undetected pneumonia cases in children in northern China. As per a report from Taiwan’s FTV News, children’s hospitals in Beijing and Liaoning, separated by 500 miles, are reportedly “overwhelmed with sick children.”
A Chinese citizen shared, “Many, many are hospitalized. They don’t cough or have any symptoms. They just have a high temperature (fever), and many develop nodules in the lungs.”
In response to the escalating situation, WHO has formally requested additional information from China, including laboratory results from the reported outbreaks in children. WHO is advising Chinese communities to implement preventive measures such as vaccination, mask-wearing, maintaining distance from sick individuals, staying home when sick, and practicing regular hand hygiene.
Chinese authorities, on the other hand, attribute the surge to colder weather, the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, and the circulation of known pathogens. The situation has raised concerns, and WHO is seeking more information on the trends in the circulation of known pathogens and the impact on healthcare systems.”
