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☆ What do we know about China’s respiratory illness surge?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Andrew Silver | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SHANGHAI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A request by the World Health Organization for more information on a surge in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children in China has attracted global attention. The following is what we know about the surge in illness in the world's second most populous country so far, and why experts think there is no need to panic. The National Health Commission told a news conference on Nov. 13 that there was an increase in incidence of respiratory disease without providing further details. IS MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE A BIG WORRY? One concern about the surge in respiratory illness is mycoplasma pneumoniae, which has also spiked in other countries.

Persons: Maria Van Kerkhove, Rajib Dasgupta, mycoplasma pneumoniae, it's, Cecille Brion, Van Kerkhove, We're, Andrew Silver, Miyoung Kim Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, Program, National Health Commission, Reuters, Pacific, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Doctors, Raffles Medical Group Beijing, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China, Taiwan, WHO China, COVID, South East Asia, New Delhi

☆ Ohio announced an outbreak of pneumonia. Similar outbreaks are happening in China and Europe.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Kate Hull | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ohio public health officials announced an outbreak of pneumonia in children on Wednesday. Experts say the Ohio outbreak is unrelated to pneumonia outbreaks in China and Europe. Although pneumonia cases are rising in Ohio, experts say the number of cases isn't out of the norm. AdvertisementCases of pneumonia in children are increasing in Ohio, leading public health officials to declare an outbreak. Health officials in Ohio said that there is "zero evidence" that the Ohio outbreak is connected to other outbreaks of respiratory illness nationally or internationally.

Persons: —, pneumoniae, Clint Koenig Organizations: Service, Health District, World Health Organization, Children, Centers for Disease Control, ABC News, Warren, Warren County Health District Locations: Ohio, China, Europe, Warren, Denmark, Netherlands, lockdowns, Warren County

☆ The threat of respiratory illnesses is underway, CDC director says, and hospitalizations are on the rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Brenda Goodman | Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“RSV season is in full swing,” Cohen told the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Respiratory virus activity is especially high in the Southern and Western US. The pathogens involved include adenovirus, Streptococcus pnuemoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, bacteria that have been linked to a rising number of respiratory infections in China. Respiratory virus season is especially affecting children. Hospitalizations for respiratory viruses – including Covid-19, flu and RSV – have been on the rise for months.

Persons: Mandy Cohen, ” Cohen, ”, “ We’re, ” Covid, “ Covid, Cohen, it’s, pnuemoniae, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, House Energy, “, CDC, CNN Health, Prevention Locations: Southern, Western, Warren County, Ohio, China

☆ How concerning is the spike in respiratory illnesses in China? A doctor explains
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Deblina Chakraborty | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Hospitals in northern China and Beijing have reported a surge in the number of children with respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia. Why might there be a surge in respiratory illnesses? CNN: How concerning is the spike in respiratory illnesses being reported in China? Dr. Leana Wen: Thus far, based on what we know from WHO, I don’t think the spike in respiratory illnesses should cause global concern. It’s very possible that other areas, especially those with previously strict virus mitigation measures, will see a rise in respiratory illnesses this winter.

Persons: Leana Wen, Wen, It’s, ”, it’s Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, WHO, People's, Wen, US Centers for Disease Control Locations: China, Beijing, Fuyang, Covid, United States

☆ 2 reasons China's mysterious respiratory illness outbreak isn't the new COVID, according to the WHO
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Kim Schewitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Parts of northern China have seen a surge in children with respiratory illnesses. The WHO requested more information from Chinese health officials, who said common bugs are the cause. AdvertisementCases of respiratory illness among children in northern China have surged in recent weeks, but it's unlikely this is the start of a new pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO has been monitoring an increase in respiratory illness among children in northern China since mid-October. Advertisement2) The illnesses are not caused by a new virusChinese health officials said that the outbreak of respiratory illness is caused by known pathogens.

Persons: —, Maria Van Kerkhove, COVID, Van Kerkhove, François Balloux, Hilary Brueck, pneumoniae Organizations: WHO, Service, World Health Organization, UCL Genetics Institute Locations: China

BEIJING (AP) — A surge in respiratory illnesses across China that has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization is caused by the flu and other known pathogens and not by a novel virus, the country's health ministry said Sunday. The emergence of new flu strains or other viruses capable of triggering pandemics typically starts with undiagnosed clusters of respiratory illness. Chinese authorities earlier this month blamed the increase in respiratory diseases on the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Other countries also saw a jump in respiratory diseases such as RSV when pandemic restrictions ended. WHO said that there was too little information at the moment to properly assess the risk of these reported cases of respiratory illness in children.

Persons: ”, Mi Feng Organizations: BEIJING, World Health, National Health Commission, WHO Locations: China, Beijing, Wuhan

☆ China ministry seeks more fever clinics to combat respiratory illness surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Parents take their children to see a doctor at the pediatric emergency department of a hospital in Shanghai, China, November 14, 2023. Recently, Shanghai seasonal change, A influenza and mycoplasma pneumonia high incidence. China's health ministry on Sunday urged local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics as the country grapples with a surge in respiratory illnesses in its first full winter since easing COVID-19 restrictions. National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said on Sunday the surge in acute respiratory illnesses was linked to the simultaneous circulation of several kinds of pathogens, most prominently influenza. Cases among children are appearing especially high in northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning province, where hospitals are warning of long waits.

Persons: Mi Feng, Mi Organizations: Sunday, World Health Organization, China, Program, WHO, Health, State Council, State Locations: Shanghai, China, Wuhan, Beijing, Liaoning province

☆ WHO questions China about a mystery illness linked to pneumonia as hospitals fill with sick children
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The World Health Organization has requested more information from China about an illness affecting children. Reports of "undiagnosed pneumonia" in children in northern China circulated on November 21. AdvertisementThe World Health Organization (WHO) asked China for "detailed information" about a respiratory illness that's affecting children in the north of the country. The organization requested "additional epidemiologic and clinical information" following reports of "undiagnosed pneumonia" spreading among children, according to a statement released on Wednesday. Hospitals in northern China appear to be "overwhelmed with sick children," NBC News reported.

Persons: —, GAO Organizations: World Health Organization, Service, Health Organization, WHO, China Morning Post, NBC, Getty Images China, Centers for Disease Control Locations: China, Beijing

☆ China Grapples With Respiratory Illness Spike; WHO Says No Unusual Pathogen Found
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Andrew Silver and Nicoco ChanSHANGHAI (Reuters) - China called for vigilance on Friday as a surge of respiratory illness hit schools and hospitals and the World Health Organization, which has asked the government for disease data, said no unusual or novel pathogens had been detected. "At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it may be a new variant of COVID," he said. "I hope that people will not be biased because of the pandemic ... but look at this from a scientific perspective." "It's not that bad, there are more children falling sick now but it's mainly an issue of protection," she said. (Reporting by Andrew Silver and Nicoco Chan in Shanghai and the Beijing Newsroom; writing by Brenda Goh; editing by Robert Birsel)

Persons: Andrew Silver, Nicoco Chan, Bruce Thompson, Emily Wu, Feng Zixun, Brenda Goh, Robert Birsel Organizations: World Health Organization, State Council, State, WHO, Program, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Beijing Locations: Nicoco Chan SHANGHAI, China, Beijing, Liaoning, Wuhan, Shanghai

SHANGHAI, Nov 24 (Reuters) - China called for vigilance on Friday as a surge of respiratory illness hit schools and hospitals and the World Health Organization, which has asked the government for disease data, said no unusual or novel pathogens had been detected. The State Council said influenza would peak this winter and spring and mycoplasma pneumoniae infection would continue to be high in some areas in future. "At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it may be a new variant of COVID," he said. "I hope that people will not be biased because of the pandemic ... but look at this from a scientific perspective." "It's not that bad, there are more children falling sick now but it's mainly an issue of protection," she said.

Persons: Bruce Thompson, Emily Wu, Feng Zixun, Andrew Silver, Nicoco Chan, Brenda Goh, Robert Birsel Organizations: World Health Organization, State Council, State, WHO, Program, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Beijing, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China, Beijing, Liaoning, Wuhan, Shanghai

☆ WHO asks China for details on respiratory illness outbreaks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Parents take their children to see a doctor at the pediatric emergency department of a hospital in Shanghai, China, November 14, 2023. CFOTO | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesThe World Health Organization, or WHO, on Wednesday officially requested that China provide detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children. Chinese authorities 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. On Wednesday, WHO said groups including the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. WHO said it is unclear if these are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities, or separate events.

Organizations: Health Organization, Wednesday, National Health Commission, WHO, International Locations: Shanghai, China, Wuhan

☆ China says seasonal germs, rather than ‘unusual or novel pathogens,’ behind spike in pediatric respiratory illness, WHO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Some of those increases are a little earlier than usual, but WHO said they were “not unexpected.”Similar early surges in respiratory illnesses were seen in other countries after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. At Thursday’s teleconference, WHO said, the Chinese officials reported enhanced surveillance of respiratory illnesses that may be contributing to increases in reported cases of disease. Even with the spike in cases, China also said that its hospitals are not overwhelmed with patients. WHO has been monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems since mid-October, when it initially noted an increase in respiratory illnesses in children in northern China. WHO said it will continue to closely monitor the situation, stay in close contact with national authorities in China and provide updates when appropriate.

Persons: teleconference, ”, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Katherine Dillinger Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, WHO, Chinese Center for Disease Control, Beijing Children’s, Media, International Society for Infectious Diseases, CNN Health Locations: China, Beijing, United States

☆ China says no unusual pathogens found after WHO queries respiratory outbreaks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The WHO had asked China for more information on Wednesday after groups including the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in north China. No unusual pathogens have been detected in the capital of Beijing and the northeastern province of Liaoning. The U.N. health agency had also asked China for further information about trends in the circulation of known pathogens and the burden on healthcare systems. WHO China said it was "routine" to request information on increases in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children from member states, such as China. The WHO said that while it was seeking additional information, it recommended that people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, pneumoniae, Ben Cowling, Deena Beasley, Andrew Silver, Jennifer Rigby, Emma Farge, Urvi, Robert Birsel, Miyoung Kim, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, World Health Organization, WHO, International, National Health Commission, FTV News, Hong Kong University, Health Commission, Xinhua, Influenza, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Liaoning, Wuhan, WHO China, Taiwan, Los Angeles, Shanghai, London, Geneva, Bengaluru

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Leading scientists urged caution over fears of another pandemic on Thursday after the World Health Organization requested more information from China on a rise of respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters among children. It called for more information about "undiagnosed pneumonia - China (Beijing, Liaoning)". The standard wording of the alert echoed the first-ever notice about what would become COVID-19, sent on Dec. 30 2019: "Undiagnosed pneumonia - China (Hubei)." Both the WHO and China have faced questions over transparency during the early days of COVID. In China itself, there has been a lot of recent coverage of a rise in respiratory illnesses, including among children.

Persons: Marion Koopmans, COVID lockdowns, Brian McCloskey, Virologist Tom Peacock, Jennifer Rigby, Jo Mason, Christina Fincher Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, COVID, International Society for Infectious, FTV News, Reuters, Imperial College London, Thomson Locations: China, Dutch, Beijing, Liaoning, Hubei, Taiwan

☆ W.H.O. Says China Has Shared Data Indicating No Novel Pathogen
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Vivian Wang | More About Vivian Wang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The World Health Organization said that China had shared data about a recent surge in respiratory illnesses in children, one day after the agency said it was seeking information about the possibility of undiagnosed pneumonia cases there. The Chinese data indicated “no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens,” according to a W.H.O. statement on Thursday. The data, which included laboratory results from infected children, indicated that the rise in cases was a result of known viruses and bacteria, such as influenza and mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes usually mild illness. Hospital admissions of children had increased since May, as had outpatient visits, but hospitals were able to handle the increase, China told the global health agency.

Organizations: World Health Organization Locations: China

☆ W.H.O. Asks China for Details on Surge of Respiratory Illness in Children
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Vivian Wang | Siyi Zhao | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The World Health Organization has formally requested that China share detailed information about a recent increase in respiratory illnesses, citing unconfirmed media reports of undiagnosed pneumonia in children. China has been reporting a jump in respiratory illnesses for months. Chinese media reports have described long lines at pediatric hospitals, and doctors have said that this year’s wave appeared to be more severe than those of previous years. But some news and social media reports have described crowds of children at hospitals with pneumonia, without specifying the exact cause of illness. requested more information from China.

Organizations: World Health Organization Locations: China

☆ WHO asks China for more information on spike in pediatric respiratory illnesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Katherine Dillinger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The World Health Organization says it has requested more information from Chinese officials on an increase in respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters among children there. Officials from China’s National Health Commission reported an increase in respiratory disease at a news conference last week, WHO said in a statement Wednesday. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team. Media reports suggest “a widespread outbreak of an undiagnosed respiratory illness in several areas in China,” according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases’ Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases, known as ProMED. The agency advises people in China to take precautionary measures to lower the risk of respiratory illness, including getting recommended vaccines, staying home when sick, wearing masks around others and washing hands regularly.

Persons: ”, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” ProMED, it’s Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, China’s National Health Commission, WHO, ” WHO, CNN Health, Media, International Society for Infectious Diseases Locations: China

☆ US FDA approves Pfizer's next-generation pneumococcal vaccine
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pfizer Inc's (PFE.N) next-generation vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease in children aged six weeks to 17 years, the company said late on Thursday. The vaccine, Prevnar 20, offers more protection against the disease versus the company's widely-used Prevnar 13 vaccine, by targeting seven more serotypes of the streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that causes those infections. The pneumococcal disease can lead to infections in several parts of the body including the lungs, where they can cause pneumonia. The approval is based on results from mid-stage and late-stage studies that showed the vaccine's safety and tolerability was similar to Prevnar 13. Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu SahuOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Fact Check-Flu vaccine study unrelated to Group A Strep doesn't show increase of illness
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is the name for bacteria that can cause infections like strep throat, scarlet fever and impetigo. However, the 2014 study examined different bacteria and found that while their numbers increased following the nasal flu vaccine, that did not lead to increased bacterial disease. A recent UK study has also found that while infections of influenza itself be linked to increased cases of Group A Strep, the nasal vaccine is associated with a reduction in bacterial infections. But it did not investigate group A strep bacteria; rather, the study investigated Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, which Mina said in an email, are “very different” pathogens to group A strep. A 2014 study does not show the nasal spray flu vaccine causes Group A Strep.

☆ Nearly 250,000 kindergarteners in U.S. are vulnerable to measles due to slide in vaccination rates, CDC says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"And we know that measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage for kindergarteners is the lowest it has been in over a decade," Peacock said. Nearly a quarter of a million kindergartners are potentially vulnerable to measles due to a dip in vaccination coverage during the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kindergarteners are required to be vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, chickenpox, polio, and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. The vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella was 93.5% during the 2021-2022 school year, below the target coverage of 95% to prevent outbreaks. The CDC report looked at whether the kindergarteners had received the second dose of their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

☆ Some bloodstream infection bacteria grew resistant to last-resort drugs in 2020 - WHO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Increased drug resistance in bacteria causing bloodstream infections, including against last-resort antibiotics, was seen in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, a World Health Organization report based on data from 87 countries in 2020 showed. High levels (above 50%) of resistance have been reported in bacteria that typically cause life-threatening bloodstream infections in hospitals such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp, report authors highlighted on Friday. These infections often require treatment with 'last-resort' antibiotics, drugs that are used when all other antibiotics fail. About 8% of bloodstream infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae grew resistant to a vital last-resort group of drugs called carbapenems, the report said. Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remain very high, but last-resort antibiotics are only just starting to lose potency, said Dr Carmem Pessoa-Silva, the lead for WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System, in a media conference.

☆ COVID pandemic led to surge in superbug infections, EU agency says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Data showed that in Europe last year, reported cases of the Acinetobacter bacteria group more than doubled compared with pre-pandemic annual numbers. Some scientists link the rise in hospital-acquired superbug infections during the pandemic to wider antibiotic prescriptions to treat COVID-19 and other bacterial infections during long hospital stays. He also said the data showed decreases in cases of some other common superbugs in European hospitals. The European report is consistent with a trend noted last year in the United States, where government data showed that U.S. deaths from drug-resistant infections jumped 15% in 2020. Experts call superbug infections, including fungal pathogens, a silent pandemic that causes more than a million deaths annually but does not draw attendant focus or funding for research.

☆ Вредная привычка, которая может привести к пневмонии
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-26 | by ( Mld Media Srl | ) noi.md time to read: +2 min

Заботливые родители не позволяют детям ковырять в носу, и стараются обучить свое чадо другим, более эстетичным, способам очищения. По словам британских специалистов, ковыряние в носу является опасной для здоровья привычкой, так как может стать причиной распространения пневмонии. Например, одним из известных возбудителей пневмонии – является Legionella pneumophila. Чтобы тщательнее изучить проблему был проведен эксперимент, участниками которого стали здоровые люди, готовые контактировать с возбудителями пневмонии. В результате стало ясно, что больше всего шансов заразиться у тех, кто ковыряет в носу — заражение происходит в 40% случаев.

Organizations: Школа тропической медицины Locations: Ливерпуль

☆ Pneumonia: 6 modalități de prevenire a acestei boli cu risc înalt de mortalitate
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-12 | by ( ) unica.md time to read: +4 min

Anual, pe data de 12 noiembrie este marcată Ziua Mondială de prevenire a Pneumoniei, scopul căreia este sensibilizarea opiniei publice în privința pneumoniei. Pneumonia este o boală infecțioasă care provoacă inflamația alveolelor pulmonare (denumiți și „saci respiratori”) a unuia sau a ambilor plămâni. Pneumonia este cel mai mare ucigaș infecțios al adulților și al copiilor, ce a luat viața a peste 2,5 milioane de oameni, inclusiv 672.000 de copii în anul 2019. În total, pentru grupul de vârstă de 0 – 17 ani în anul 2019 au decedat 52 copii, față de 55 în 2018. Reducerea poluării aerului diminuează riscul de apariție a pneumoniei severe la copii;6.

Persons: Pandemia, Potrvit, OMS, Imunizarea Organizations: UNICEF Locations: Republica Moldova pneumonia, Diareii

☆ 52 de copii au murit anul trecut în Republica Moldova din cauza pneumoniei
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-12 | by ( ) albasat.md time to read: +2 min

Pe parcursul anului trecut, 52 de copii au murit din cauza pneumoniei. Cei mai mulți – 49 de copii – aveau vârstele cuprinse între 0 și 5 ani (36 de copii până la un an). Specialiștii atenționează că în Republica Moldova pneumonia este o problemă importantă de sănătate publică, caracterizată de indicatori destul de înalți ai morbidității și mortalității, îndeosebi la copiii de până la cinci ani. Datele sunt prezentate de către Agenția Națională pentru Sănătate Publică în contextul Zilei mondiale de prevenire a pneumoniei, marcată pe 12 noiembrie, transmite IPN. Pentru a preveni pneumonia, specialiștii recomandă alăptarea exclusivă în primele șase luni de viață, practică ce poate reduce incidența pneumoniei cu 23%.

Persons: Pandemia Organizations: Agenția Națională Locations: Republica Moldova pneumonia, pneumonia

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