Arrr! Blimey! News be sayin' wee ones be catchin' pneumonia in Netherlands, just like those scallywags in China!
2023-11-28
Arrr, mates! Be it known that the wee ones be fallin' ill with the lung fever in the Netherlands and China, as reported by the health agencies. Here be what we've gathered 'bout this puzzlin' surge in breath stealin' infections.
Childhood pneumonia cases in the Netherlands are increasing, with a surge reported by the country's health agency. In the week of November 13-19, there were 103 pneumonia cases out of every 100,000 children between the ages of 5 and 14, an increase from the previous week. This rise is significant compared to the peak of the 2022 flu season, which recorded 58 cases per 100,000 children. Cases are also rising among children aged 4 and under. China has also seen an unexplained increase in childhood pneumonia cases and other respiratory illnesses, with hospitals, primarily in Beijing, becoming overwhelmed with sick children. Chinese officials attribute this spike to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the spread of other infectious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested more information from China regarding these trends and the current burden on healthcare systems. To reduce the risk of spreading respiratory illness, WHO recommends vaccinations, maintaining distance from sick people, staying home when sick, seeking medical care, wearing masks, and regular handwashing. Dr. Marc Siegel, a medical contributor, believes this surge may be due to the release of lockdowns, causing upper respiratory viruses to come back. Additionally, China is seeing an uptick in the mycoplasma bug. It is recommended that people in high-risk groups, such as those over 65, receive vaccinations for pneumococcal, RSV, and flu. It is important for the WHO and CDC to assist in determining the cause of these respiratory infections in China and the Netherlands.