After alarming surge, China now reports ‘fluctuating’ dip in mycoplasma pneumonia cases among kids

The Chinese government has reported a “fluctuating downtrend” in the cases of respiratory diseases among kids in a press briefing on Sunday. The announcement was made by the National Health Commission after an alarming rise in pneumonia cases last month.

In November, the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlighted the spike in respiratory-related issues in children across the country and requested a report on the same soon.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Beijing Children’s Hospital informed the WHO that there had been an increase in outpatient visits and hospitalizations due to the spread of mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, and influenza.

The outbreak was majorly affecting children of Northern China with no explanation which concerned the global body, WHO. Later, the Chinese authorities reported the source as pathogens which are common, therefore, there should be no concern.

There has been no official data released by the authorities but many media reports have reported that the average number of cases Beiging recorded was around 1200 every day in a city hospital.

The symptoms include chest pain, coughing, fever, and fatigue. Although the illness is harmful to one’s lungs and body, it is treatable with antibiotics when caused by bacteria. The recovery times range from a week to a month or more.