The World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday it had requested from China detailed information on a rise in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.
"WHO has made an official request to China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children," the organization said in a statement on the website.
WHO also said that Chinese authorities told a press conference on November 13 that there was an increase in incidence of respiratory diseases in China, "attributed this increase to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens" such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2, and "stressed the need for enhanced disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and community settings, as well as strengthening the capacity of the health system to manage patients."
WHO also said media and the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) on Tuesday "reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China," adding that it was unclear if these were "associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities, or separate events."
The organization added that it requested additional epidemiological and clinical information from China on Wednesday, including "laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism," and information "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."
The organization also recommended that the Chinese follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, including vaccination, keeping distance from people who are sick, staying home when sick, getting tested for possible sickness, wearing masks and others.
China abolished mandatory sanitary declaration for people crossing the border starting November 1.
Last December, Chinese authorities began gradually easing policies aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19. Since August 30, China does not require people arriving in the country to provide negative results of antigen tests for COVID-19. In April, China lifted the requirement to provide a PCR test for COVID-19 for those entering the country. Since April 29, people coming to China have only been required to take an antigen test within 48 hours prior to their departure.