Child Pneumonia Outbreak In China: India Closely Monitoring The Situation, Doctors Advice Caution

The Union Health Ministry has said that India is closely monitoring the outbreaks of respiratory illness among children and H9N2 avian influenza in China.

"The usual causes of respiratory illness in children have been implicated, and there has been no identification of an unusual pathogen or any unexpected clinical manifestations," the Health Ministry said on Friday.

Mysterious illness outbreak in China

The development comes at a time when China has once again been in the spotlight over a mysterious illness outbreak.

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The timing and nature of the pneumonia, which has been affecting children, have similarities to what happened in the country four years ago - when COVID-19 struck.

According to reports, pediatric hospitals in China are getting flooded with patients complaining about respiratory issues.

The outbreak has been reported from Beijing, the northeastern Liaoning province, and other areas in China.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of the illness include fever, lung inflammation without a cough, and pulmonary nodules -- lumps on the lungs that are usually the result of a past infection.

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As global concerns grow over yet another COVID-19-like pandemic, the WHO requested China for detailed information about the outbreak on Thursday.

What WHO said

After reviewing the information shared by China, the WHO on Friday said that a new virus did not cause the illness.

"There has been no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens or unusual clinical presentations but only the aforementioned general increase in respiratory illnesses due to multiple known pathogens," the WHO said in a statement.

It added that data indicated an increase in outpatient consultations and hospital admissions of children due to Mycoplasma pneumonia since May and RSV, adenovirus and influenza virus since October.

After reviewing the Chinese response, the WHO said it does not recommend any specific measures for travellers to China and advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions based on the current information available on this event.

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What doctors say

Meanwhile, doctors have advised people to be careful and follow routine practices of cleanness.

"I would just advise people to be careful. Follow routine practices of cleanness, and if you feel that there's someone who's got this respiratory illness or infection since a lot of these cases are viral and they can be transmitted, try to maintain distance from other people," Dr Ajay Shukla, the Director of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, said.

"Because we are also dealing with pollution if you're going out, and if you can afford it, it's better you should use a mask, preferably an N95 and N99 mask. Wash your hands and maintain safe, healthy practices," he added.

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Precautions for school children

Speaking on exercising precautions among children, Dr Shukla said, "If children are going to school, then take special care that they do not have cough, cold, fever or any other symptoms, and talk to them and ask if any child in their class is sick, and if this happens, inform the school teacher about it and if your child is sick then do not send him to school."

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