00:00 The World Health Organization is now requesting more information from Chinese authorities
00:04 about a recent major uptick in respiratory illnesses in the country.
00:08 The illnesses are affecting children the most, with China saying that the uptick is due entirely
00:13 to a mix of already known viruses, adding that this particular influx is due to their
00:17 recent ending of COVID restrictions.
00:19 Still, ProMed reported last week that Chinese hospitals have been inundated and overwhelmed
00:24 with sick children due to a pneumonia outbreak.
00:27 And that same organization reported the very same thing ahead of the novel coronavirus
00:31 outbreak back in 2019.
00:33 The current outbreak seems relatively localized to Beijing and China's northeastern Liaoning
00:38 province.
00:39 No deaths have been reported due to the outbreak so far, but the afflicted report fever, lung
00:43 inflammation and pulmonary nodules, or lumps that appear on the lungs due to having been
00:47 previously infected.
00:49 Experts say there is little cause for worry, but Chinese authorities have long been criticized
00:53 for their ambiguity with regards to their COVID reporting.
00:56 The World Health Organization writing in a statement that there is limited detailed information
01:00 available to fully characterize the overall risk of these reported cases of respiratory
01:05 illness in children.
01:06 But the fact that adults are less affected points to previous immunity.
01:10 (gentle music)
Comments