LONDON: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for additional information from China regarding an increase in respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters among children. Leading scientists have cautioned against prematurely assuming the emergence of another pandemic, emphasizing the need for more diagnostic details. Concerns were initially raised by an alert from the monitoring service ProMED about “undiagnosed pneumonia” in China, triggering parallels to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Marion Koopmans, a Dutch virologist advising the WHO on Covid-19, stressed the importance of obtaining more information before drawing conclusions. Scientists suggested that, based on current information, the surge could be attributed to common respiratory infections like flu or even a resurgence of Covid itself after lockdowns were lifted.
Brian McCloskey, a public health expert, acknowledged the WHO’s International Health Regulations system in action and cautioned against pandemic panic without a comprehensive assessment. The WHO’s request for information from China follows criticism for data withholding during the pandemic’s early stages and concerns about transparency.
China has 24 hours to respond to the WHO’s request under the regulations. However, some experts highlighted the uncertainty surrounding whether the reported illnesses were genuinely undiagnosed. Chinese authorities attribute the rise in respiratory illnesses, including among children, to the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions and the circulation of various viruses.
