The World Health Organization has released a statement.
A group of five Republican senators have written President Joe Biden, asking him to halt travel between the U.S. and China. China is currently dealing with a rise in respiratory illnesses and in the letter, the senators petitioned that the administration shouldn’t wait for the World Health Organization (WHO) and “take the necessary steps to protect the health of Americans, and our economy.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, China and WHO were globally criticized for their lack of transparency and the senators underlined that there is a reason to be concerned given this recent history.
What’s Happening in China?
Since mid-October, there has been a rise in respiratory illnesses in children in northern China. The WHO requested more details from China about this upsurge and the health authorities have said that the rise is due to an overlap of infections.
“Chinese authorities attributed this increase to lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the arrival of the cold season, and due to circulating known pathogens such as influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2),” the WHO reported.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is common in school-going children and young adults and it has mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people don’t need to be hospitalized and they recover without antibiotics.
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The U.S. is also witnessing a spike in infections, especially in children, and the CDC is monitoring the situation in China.
Is It Really a Threat Right Now?
Multiple experts say no.
The WHO is monitoring the situation and it said in its statement that it doesn’t advise anything specific for travelers to China. “WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions based on the current information available on this event.”
CDC Director Dr. Mindy Cohen also reassured Congress that the respiratory illnesses in China are not due to a new or novel pathogen. The rise could be because of existing bacteria and viruses. This corresponds with the explanation from the Chinese authorities.
China has maintained that the spike has come during the flu season, which is the first flu season since the country ended its zero-COVID policy late last year. The increase in respiratory illnesses were also observed in other countries after they changed their strict COVID policies.
It’s the Season
The flu season in the U.S. starts in fall and December is the peak time for infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an increase in COVID-19, flu, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), particularly in children. COVID-19 is causing most hospitalizations and deaths, but in children, RSV is the most common, CNN reports.
Cohen said last week that it was a typical flu season. In its update, the CDC said, “These reported increases do not appear to be due to a new virus or other pathogen but to several viral or bacterial causes that we expect to see during the respiratory illness season.”
As per the CDC data, southern states Louisiana, South Carolina, New Mexico, Texas, and Alabama have high levels of respiratory illness activity based on visits to healthcare providers. Ohio has had an increase in mycoplasma pneumoniae in children and it is also being reported in Denmark and France.
But health experts aren’t worried yet.
Dr. James Cutrell, associate professor of infectious diseases at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, told NBC News that there’s nothing to suggest that there is a new strain. The pandemic years reduced social interactions, so it’s possible that children haven’t been exposed to the bacteria, so they lack immunity.
Danish officials also said that the country experiences the epidemic of mycoplasma pneumoniae every four years and the most recent epidemic happened in 2015-2018. In the last four years, the cases were low, so it is now affecting children who haven’t been exposed to it.
The Biden administration said that this is likely a seasonal trend. “At this time, there is no indication that there is a link between the people who are seeking care in U.S. emergency departments and the outbreak of respiratory illness in China.”
Nonetheless, it might be a good idea to get vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (check with your healthcare provider what’s appropriate for you). The same sanitation habits from COVID will also help, including frequent hand washing, keeping distance from people who seem ill, and staying home if you are feeling unwell. If you are experiencing any symptoms of respiratory illness, don’t travel and seek medical care.