A day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) asked China for more information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children, health authorities in China have said they did not detect any unusual or novel pathogens.

The health agency had sought epidemiologic and clinical information as well as laboratory results through the International Health Regulations mechanism.

According to the data provided by China, the increase in respiratory illnesses is linked to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions along with the circulation of known pathogens like mycoplasma pneumonia, a common bacterial infection that typically affects younger children and which has circulated since May.

Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus have been in circulation since October.

The development comes after Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission held a press conference on November 13 to report an increase in incidence of respiratory disease.

Both China and the WHO have faced questions about the transparency of reporting on the earliest Covid-19 cases that emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

The WHO had also asked China for further information about trends in the circulation of known pathogens and the burden on healthcare systems. The health agency said it was in contact with clinicians and scientists through its existing technical partnerships and networks in China.

Meanwhile, China said it was "routine" to request information on increases in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children from member states, such as China.

Source: India Today