2023 Chinese pneumonia outbreak
| 2023 Chinese pneumonia outbreak | |
|---|---|
.svg) Map of Liaoning, a province affected by the outbreak | |
| Disease | Pneumonia |
| Location | northern China |
| Index case | Dalian, China |
| Date | November 2023 – present |
In November 2023, China's health authorities reported an outbreak of respiratory illnesses in several parts of northern China.[1] As hospitals became overwhelmed in Beijing and Liaoning,[2] the World Health Organization (WHO) requested detailed information from China regarding the surges in respiratory health, while advising the community to take important precautions.[3] China complied, responding that "no unusual or novel pathogens were found" in the provided data.[4]
As of 23 November 2023[update], the cause of the outbreak is unknown. Possible reasons include known seasonal diseases and the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.[4]
Timeline[edit]
May–October 2023[edit]
As reported in China Daily, an increase of mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in China was observed in May 2023 by Zhou Huixia, director of a children's medical centre, with a "rapid increase" in August and a "particularly ferocious" wave starting in early October. On 24 October 2023, Zhou predicted that the wave would peak in November.[5]
November 2023[edit]
On 13 November, authorities from China's National Health Commission reported an increase in respiratory diseases. The increase in these diseases was attributed to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions earlier in the year, and the circulation of known pathogens including influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection typically affecting young children), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2.[6]
On 21 November, ProMED reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. It is unclear if these are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities or separate events. Further information about recent trends in these known pathogens was requested by the WHO.[6] The WHO stated that during October and November, northern China had reported an "increase in influenza-like illness" compared to the corresponding period during the previous three years.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ "WHO asks China for details on respiratory illness outbreaks". Reuters. 23 November 2023.
- ^ "Large outbreak of pneumonia in China, pediatric hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning overwhelmed | Forexlive". Forexlive | Forex News, Technical Analysis & Trading Tools. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "WHO advises Chinese to take measures amid respiratoy illness spike". The Times of India. Agence France-Presse. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ a b Beasley, Deena; Silver, Andrew; Rigby, Jennifer; Farge, Emma; Birsel, Robert; Kim, Miyoung; Kao, Josie. "China says no unusual pathogens found after WHO queries respiratory outbreaks". Reuters. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "Calm urged as pneumonia cases in children increase". China Daily. 24 October 2023. ISSN 0253-9543. Wikidata Q123559915. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023.
- ^ a b "WHO statement on reported clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China". WHO.
- ^ Chatterjee, Phelan; Walsh, Fergus; Mazumdar, Tulip (23 November 2023). "China says no 'unusual or novel pathogens' after WHO queries respiratory outbreaks". BBC. Retrieved 25 November 2023.