WHO seeks more data from China on respiratory outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked China for more information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children in northern China. The WHO wants detailed information about the genetic sequencing, hospitalizations, deaths and vaccinations related to the outbreak.
Chinese authorities have attributed the rise in respiratory illnesses to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of common pathogens, such as influenza and common bacterial infections that affect children, including mycoplasma pneumonia. China has not provided the detailed data that the WHO has requested.
Several countries, including the UK, France, India, the US and Japan, have implemented mandatory Covid tests for travelers from China as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of potential new variants from China. Some countries have also reported high positivity rates among Chinese arrivals, raising concerns about the situation in China.
China has faced criticism from the WHO and other countries for its lack of transparency and cooperation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan in late 2019. The origins of the virus are still unclear and the WHO has urged China to share more data and allow further investigations. China has recently abandoned its zero-COVID policy and eased some of its strict lockdown measures, resulting in a surge in cases.
The WHO has said that it is monitoring the situation closely and stands ready to provide technical support to China if needed. The WHO has also reminded the public to follow the basic preventive measures against respiratory infections, such as wearing masks, washing hands, avoiding crowds and getting vaccinated.
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