China pressed by World Health Organization after respiratory illness clusters reported
The World Health Organization (WHO) is once again keeping a close eye on China, as the communist country is facing new clusters of respiratory infections in children.
This news is no real surprise, even as China has constantly boasted about their successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the world has learned, we cannot trust much of the information coming out of China.
The WHO has requested information from Chinese health officials after several groups reported a surge in pneumonia cases among children in northern China. Outside scientists have also expressed their concerns and are calling for close monitoring of the situation.
According to the WHO, China's National Health Commission has blamed the increase in respiratory illnesses on the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. This is not surprising, as we have seen similar spikes in respiratory infections in the United States and in the United Kingdom, after restrictions were lifted. This is due to people having lower levels of natural immunity after being isolated for an extended period of time.
But what is truly concerning is that the WHO noted that China has seen a rise in influenza-like illnesses since mid-October, which is highly unusual for this time of year.
This could be an early sign of a new flu strain or other virus capable of triggering a pandemic. And as we have learned from previous outbreaks, these usually start with undiagnosed clusters of respiratory illness.
Despite the alarming situation in China, the WHO assured the public that Chinese health officials have reported no changes in the disease presentation and that the spike in patients has not overloaded the country's hospitals. But if everything is under control, why is China's National Health Commission asking the public to take children with less severe symptoms to clinics and other facilities?
It does appear as though China is trying to hide something from the world.
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We must remember that both SARS and COVID-19 were first reported as unusual types of pneumonia. So, it is crucial that the WHO receives accurate and timely information from China through the International Health Regulations mechanism to determine the severity and potential global impact of this new disease.
The last thing we need is another pandemic stemming from China's lack of transparency and disregard for international health regulations. The world is still reeling from the devastation caused by COVID-19, and we cannot afford to let down our guard.