China: "No Unusual Clinical Patterns Found"
"Different from COVID Era," Urges Strict Personal Hygiene
China reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that no unusual clinical patterns have been found, including the discovery of new pathogens, in relation to the spread of respiratory diseases such as Mycoplasma pneumonia within the country.
"No Unusual Clinical Patterns in Respiratory Disease Patients" Report ... 'Unusual Type of Pneumonia' Mentioned During COVID-19
A worker undergoing a COVID-19 test in 2021. The photo is not directly related to the content of the article.
On the 23rd (local time), WHO stated in a press release that it had obtained data requested in advance from local health authorities regarding the increase in respiratory disease patients in China and that it is closely communicating and monitoring the situation.
WHO conveyed that Chinese health authorities reported that "the currently reported respiratory disease symptoms are a general increase in patients caused by known pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumonia, and no new pathogens or clinical patterns have been identified."
Mycoplasma is a microorganism positioned between viruses and bacteria, mainly known to cause pneumonia and arthritis.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a relatively common pediatric respiratory disease and can be easily treated with antibiotics, according to WHO.
Generally, the emergence of novel flu viruses or other viruses capable of causing epidemics begins with clusters of undiagnosed respiratory diseases. Both SARS and COVID-19 were initially reported as unusual types of pneumonia.
WHO acknowledged that since last month, Chinese health authorities have strengthened disease testing and have the capacity to collect information on influenza and similar illnesses, pneumonia, and other severe acute respiratory infections.
Chinese authorities also reported that the surge in patients has not caused an overload in hospitals within China.
Previously, the information officially requested by WHO from Chinese authorities through the International Health Regulations (IHR) mechanism included ▲ laboratory results for pediatric patients ▲ additional epidemiological and clinical information ▲ data on the spread of respiratory viruses including Mycoplasma pneumonia ▲ and current healthcare system information.
"Increase in Respiratory Disease Patients Due to Lifting of COVID-19 Measures... Strict Personal Hygiene Needed"
China reported that since May, respiratory patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia have increased, and since October, outpatient consultations and hospitalizations due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and others have risen.
WHO explained that the earlier-than-usual increase in respiratory disease patients in China compared to winter is related to the lifting of COVID-19 prevention measures and that similar phenomena are occurring in other countries, emphasizing that this is not a serious variable.
WHO added that the increase in reported outbreak cases is partly due to strengthened disease surveillance by authorities.
WHO provided China with general recommendations for preventing respiratory diseases, including ▲ recommended vaccination against respiratory pathogens ▲ maintaining distance from patients ▲ proper mask-wearing ▲ and regular handwashing.
WHO also stated that it does not recommend any special measures different from general precautions for travelers or trade workers going to and from China.
Meanwhile, Mycoplasma pneumonia is currently spreading mainly among children in South Korea as well, with hospitalized patients doubling over the past four weeks. In this regard, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recently urged the public to maintain strict personal hygiene.
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