Surge in respiratory illnesses reported in China

Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission have reported a rise in incidence of respiratory diseases in China. This increase has been attributed to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens similar to influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.

These are all common pathogens but resulting from changes in social mixing may not follow usual seasonal infection patterns. The UK experienced similar trends in 2022.

The World Health Organization (WHO) provided an update on 23 November after speaking with Chinese health authorities from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Beijing Kid’s Hospital. The Chinese authorities advised that there was no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens or unusual clinical presentations, including in Beijing and Liaoning, but only the overall increase in respiratory illnesses resulting from multiple known pathogens.  

UKHSA is closely monitoring the situation and can respond as more information becomes available.

UKHSA routinely conducts horizon scanning for international infectious disease signals to detect, assess and communicate potential infectious threats to UK public health and can proceed to work with WHO in addition to other skilled organizations within the UK and internationally to higher understand the present epidemiology.

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

The World Health Organization has received an official response from China following its request for detailed information on a rise in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.

We’d like to maintain an open mind concerning the reason for any increased reporting of clusters of disease including of this illness in Chinese children.

UKHSA is closely monitoring the situation and can proceed to work with international partners to evaluate the emerging information because it becomes available.”