In Graphics | What's causing the pneumonia outbreak in China?

A surge in respiratory illnesses in China has once again raised concerns. The situation came to the limelight after the World Health Organization (WHO) said it has requested Beijing for more information, citing a report by the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) on "clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China".

China says there are no "unusual or novel pathogens" behind this sudden spike in respiratory illnesses, which has led to hospitals being overwhelmed. Children are reportedly among the most patients being hospitalised from the infections. The outbreak has affected the Asian country’s north-eastern regions, with Beijing and Liaoning being two major hubs.

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The health authorities in China have attributed the uptick in cases to mycoplasma pneumoniae, RSV, adenovirus, and influenza.

Meanwhile, in India, the Centre has asked state governments to assess hospital preparedness amid the rise in pneumonia cases in China. The states have been asked to increase medical infrastructure such as hospital beds, drugs and vaccines for influenza, medical oxygen, antibiotics, and so on.

Let’s learn through graphics what are these “flu-like illnesses” gripping China again.