China's Respiratory Illness Surge: What You Need to Know

The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested more information on the surge of respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters in children in China, but health authorities have not detected any unusual or novel pathogens, leading experts to believe there is no need for international alarm. The increase in respiratory illnesses is likely linked to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as mycoplasma pneumoniae. While mycoplasma pneumoniae has spiked in other countries as well, experts are not overly concerned, as the cases are treatable and most people recover without antibiotics. Similar increases in respiratory diseases have been observed in other countries after easing pandemic measures.