No cough, IV drips: China's hospitals overwhelmed with children with 'undiagnosed pneumonia'

Hospitals in China are once again overwhelmed, but this time it is not a comeback of COVID-19, it is an outbreak of mysterious pneumonia and children are being worst affected due to this respiratory illness. The outbreak of influenza-like illness was first reported in northern China, with a massive increase in the number of cases among children. The pneumonia outbreak in China has worried the World Health Organization (WHO) which has made an “official request” to China for “detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.” What led to an increase in pneumonia cases in China? Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission have attributed the increase to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection that typically affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). How China got to know about pneumonia outbreak? As per the WHO, northern China has reported a surge in influenza-like illness since mid-October compared to the same period in the previous three years. China has systems in place to capture information on trends in influenza, influenza-like illnesses, RSV and SARS-CoV-2, and reports to platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. On 21 November, media and ProMED (Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases) reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. WHO said it is unclear if the cases of pneumonia in China are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities or separate events. Meanwhile, the WHO has also requested more information from China about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the current burden on health care systems. Why to believe ProMed? An alert issued in late December 2019 by ProMed served as a critical early warning about a novel virus, subsequently identified as SARS-CoV-2, alerting a wide range of medical professionals and scientists, including high-ranking officials at the WHO. According to Eric Feigl-Ding, epidemiologist and health economist, pediatric hospitals in Beijing and Liaoning, both 800 km apart, are overwhelmed with sick children and many schools have been closed due to the outbreak.

⚠️UNDIAGNOSED PNEUMONIA OUTBREAK—An emerging large outbreak of pneumonia in China, with pediatric hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning overwhelmed with sick children, & many schools suspended. Beijing Children's Hospital overflowing. 🧵on what we know so far:pic.twitter.com/hmgsQO4NEZ

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) November 22, 2023

He also said the “epidemic isn’t localised.” Ding further said ProMed has warned of an unknown “walking pneumonia” without coughing, but with HIGH FEVER + pulmonary nodules. “Hospital’s full of kids now on IV drips,” he added.

Watching this one closely...

Link: https://t.co/gxRuLe4y50 pic.twitter.com/WSm4W2wV1q

— Isaac Bogoch (@BogochIsaac) November 22, 2023

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‘Pandemic clock’ ticking in China? “It is too early to project whether this could be another pandemic but as a wise influenza virologist once said to me “The pandemic clock is ticking, we just do not know what time it is,” Ding said. Symptoms of pneumonia The primary symptoms reported among pneumonia patients in China include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The severity of the cases varies, with some patients requiring hospitalisation. The WHO has advised people in the affected areas to take precautionary measures and asked them to practice good hygiene, seek medical attention for respiratory symptoms, and stay updated and informed about the situation.