Known germs causing illness: China to WHO

Chinese health authorities told the World Health Organization that the source of an outbreak of respiratory diseases among children are known pathogens, after reports about a surge in illness sparked concerns that a novel virus may have been the cause.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Beijing Children's Hospital told the WHO on Thursday that there's been increases in outpatient visits and hospitalisations due to the spread of mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and influenza. The uptick has come earlier than what's been experienced historically, but isn't unexpected given the lifting of Covid curbs, the WHO said in a statement following a teleconference between health officials.

The response came after WHO this week requested more information from China on the situation after reports warned of undiagnosed pneumonia in children's hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning and other places.