The World Health Organisation has issued a statement on X regarding an unexpected rise in respiratory issues among Chinese individuals. It mentions that WHO has made an official request to China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.
In an exclusive discussion with Editorji, Dr. Venkat Ramesh, Infectious Disease Physician, Apollo Hyderabad sheds light on what the disease is and if at all it is dangerous to India.
According him, "There has been an increase in respiratory infections among children and teachers in China because of which schools have been closed. The cause of the infection is still not known. The WHO is still working with the Chinese authorities and trying to determine the cause."
He also added that one possible suspect is a bacteria called micro plasma pneumonia which might cause respiratory infections and outbreaks. Though it is unclear whether it is a new respiratory virus or it is an existing pathogen. It is too early to say what it's effect on India would be.
However, unless WHO reports a new pathogen, we should not worry. It is likely that it is just an unusual surge of respiratory infections because it is occurring in winters and that happens in the Northern hemisphere at this time. There is also a remote possibility that it could be new virus but there's nothing to worry about it. If it is something alarming, it would surely come to our notice quite early because of our earlier experience with SARS-CoV-2 and the entire world being on high alert, Dr. Ramesh concluded.
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