Everything you need to know about the ‘mysterious pneumonia’ outbreak ‘overwhelming’ China’s hospitals
A “MYSTERY” pneumonia spreading in China is sparking flashbacks to the start of the Covid pandemic.
Hospitals in the country are said to be “overwhelmed” with cases of children sick with respiratory illnesses, while health workers spray down schools with disinfectant.
Chinese officials have denied the alarming surge in illness is being caused by a new, unknown virus.
They insist it is the result of regular seasonal illnesses in circulation as the country heads into its first winter without Covid restrictions.
But the World Health Organization has officially requested detailed information about the rise in sick children, causing concerns across the globe.
What is pneumonia and what are the symptoms?
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs usually caused by an infection.
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Patients generally get better in two to four weeks but babies, older people and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of serious illness and may need hospital treatment, according to the NHS.
In China, the illness is causing high temperatures and a cough in children, as well as some other symptoms.
These normally include shortness of breath, chest pain, body aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and wheezing.
What is causing the outbreak in China?
Experts say it is too early to know for sure what is behind the surge in undiagnosed childhood pneumonia seen in Beijing and Liaoning in northern China.
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However, they believe it could be caused by more than one illness, including those caused by RSV, flu or bacteria.
Professor Paul Hunter, of the University of East Anglia, said: “At present there is too little information to make a definitive diagnosis of what is causing this epidemic in China.
“There may also be more than one infectious cause of the current epidemic.”
Professor Francois Balloux, of University College London, said: “The current wave in China is likely caused by different respiratory pathogens such as RSV or the flu.
“Though it is also probable that a substantial proportion of cases may be due to the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is generally fairly harmless.”
Could it be a new virus?
While the alarming scenes in hospitals and schools have caused fears a new virus could be spreading, experts remain dubious.
Dr Zania Stamataki, of the University of Birmingham, said: “There is currently no evidence that the increase in paediatric pneumonia cases in China may be due to a new virus.”
Professor Balloux added: “Unless new evidence emerges, there is no reason to suspect the emergence of a novel pathogen.”
Why are cases so high?
China had some of the harshest Covid restrictions in the world during the pandemic, and kept them going for much longer than almost any other country.
This means many children’s immunity to seasonal illnesses is much lower than it would otherwise have been, making them more at risk of severe symptoms.
Professor Hunter said: “Last year China was still pursuing zero Covid strategies and so this is the first full winter without restrictions.
“One explanation for the current issue is that because of restrictions the population immunity to whatever is causing the current illnesses as we saw last year in the UK with Influenza and Rotaviruses.”
Have outbreaks been spotted elsewhere?
The Netherlands is also seeing a spike in child pneumonia cases, which are nearly twice as high as the largest number recorded last year.
Infections have been soaring since August, with most seen in children aged five to 14.
Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL) data show 103 per 100,000 children in the age group were diagnosed with pneumonia in the week ending November 16.
For comparison, there were 58 cases per 100,000 at the peak last year.
The country is seeing an uptick in flu, Covid and RSV cases currently, all of which can cause pneumonia.
How are health officials handling it?
Footage from China has shown hazmat suit-wearing health workers spraying down schools with disinfectant, in an effort to halt the spread of illnesses in children.
The WHO urged people in China to socially distance, stay home when ill and wear face masks after the spike in pneumonia was first spotted.
It called on the country to share data on hospital patients and said it is “in close contact with national authorities in China”.
Should I be worried?
Despite the surge in cases, some experts say there is no reason to be alarmed about another pandemic just yet.
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Professor Hunter said: “My feeling is that it won’t lead to a public health emergency of international concern.
“But I would not totally rule out that possibility until we have a definitive diagnosis.”