The World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked Beijing to provide further details about an unexplained pneumonia outbreak primarily affecting children in northern China.
Compared with the same period in the preceding three years, when stringent measures were in place as part of its zero-Covid strategy, China has witnessed an increase in cases of influenza-like diseases.
The WHO made “an official request for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children,” the UN health agency said on Wednesday.
The WHO advised Chinese citizens to take precautions against respiratory infection. These include staying home when sick, keeping a distance from others, using masks when needed, and renewing vaccines. It added that testing was also crucial.
But what is pneumonia and how different is it from the mysterious illness in China?
What is pneumonia?
According to the NHS, pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs usually caused by an infection.
While recovery typically takes between two to four weeks, certain people may require hospital treatment, especially those who are pregnant, elderly, or have heart or lung issues.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Symptoms include:
- an aching body
- cough – you may cough up yellow or green mucus (phlegm)
- feeling confused – this is common in older people
- loss of appetite
- a high temperature
- shortness of breath
- feeling very tired
- making wheezing noises when you breathe – babies may also make grunting noises
How do you get pneumonia and is it more common in children?
Pneumonia is typically caused by several bacteria. The most common bacterial cause of pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other bacteria that can cause pneumonia include Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Our bodies usually fight off the infection of our lungs by destroying these microbes. But even if your general health is good, there are times when these pathogens can overwhelm your immune system.
Some people catch pneumonia in a hospital while receiving certain treatments or through inhaling infected food and drink.
The severity of pneumonia can vary from minor to fatal. Children under five, the over-65s, and those with compromised immune systems are most likely to contract the disease.
To prevent getting infected, it is important to maintain good hygiene, keep your immune system strong, get vaccinated, and quit smoking.
Are the symptoms of the mysterious illness in China different from pneumonia?
The pneumonia seen in China appears to be more severe.
The afflicted children have exhibited peculiar symptoms, such as high fever and inflammation of the lungs. However, they conspicuously lack the usual cough and other symptoms linked to the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory infections.
Experts say it is too soon to predict if this will turn into another pandemic.
