WHO Urges China for Further Information on Mysterious Pediatric Respiratory Illness Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested more information from Chinese officials regarding an increase in respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters among children. Chinese authorities attribute the rise to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens. Clusters of undiagnosed pediatric pneumonia cases have also been reported, but it is unclear if they are related to the respiratory infections. WHO has asked for epidemiologic and clinical information from China and advises precautionary measures to lower the risk of respiratory illness.