The Who

The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked China for more information on " clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia" reportedly spreading amongst Children in the north of the Country .

Non-state media reports say Children 's hospitals in parts of the Country are overwhelmed with sick Children .

Chinese authorities have attributed a spike in flu-like illnesses this winter to the lifting of Covid measures.

The Who is urging people in China to take measures to reduce transmission.

In a the UN health agency says it wants more information on reports in the media and from ProMed - a Global Outbreak surveillance System - of " clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in Children in northern China".

Since October , northern China has reported an " increase in influenza-like illness" compared to the same period over The Past three years, it adds.

Last week, China's National Health Commission said there had been a rise in several respiratory diseases across the Country - in particular influenza, Covid, mycoplasma pneumoniae - a common bacterial infection affecting younger Children - and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Officials attributed the spike to the lifting of Covid restrictions.

Other countries, including the UK and the US, saw similar surges in flu-like illnesses once pandemic restrictions were lifted.

The Who says it is unclear if the reported pneumonia outbreak and overall increase in respiratory infections reported by Beijing are Linked - and has made an official request for more detailed information.

It has urged people in China to take basic precautions like getting vaccinated, wearing masks and hand-washing.

Source of news: bbc.com