The Minister of Health Confirms that the Pneumonia Outbreak Attacking Children in China Is Not Due to a New Virus Like COVID-19

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin. (Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the pneumonia outbreak affecting many children in China was not caused by a new virus or bacteria such as COVID-19.

Based on a circular released by the Indonesian Ministry of Health and research by the World Health Organization (WHO), said Budi, it was found that the recent spike in pneumonia cases in China was caused by old viruses or bacteria.

"Why this can happen is because in China the conditions of society and the environment make these pathogens come back to life. "So it's not something new like COVID or Ebola," said Budi when met at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday.

In order to respond to the pneumonia outbreak, WHO has asked all countries to tighten prevention efforts and ensure that spikes in diseases such as pneumonia are handled properly.

“Because this (pneumonia) already exists, the medicine already exists. "There are also detection methods," said Budi.

The Minister of Health then appealed to parents to ensure that their children have a high immune system, so that they are not easily infected with infectious diseases such as pneumonia.

"I think parents make sure their children eat enough to deal with viruses and bacteria. What's important is that their immune system is good," said Budi.

The nationwide increase in pneumonia was first reported by China's National Health Commission on November 13, 2023, according to WHO.

China recorded 205 influenza clusters in the week starting November 13, compared to 127 clusters in the previous week.

Patients complain of symptoms such as fever, fatigue and cough, but to date there have been no reports of deaths.

China's National Health Commission attributed the increase in respiratory disease infections to the circulation of known pathogens, especially influenza, as well as mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, as well as COVID-19.

Another factor contributing to the spread of the virus is the arrival of winter, which this year was China's first since the country lifted its zero COVID policy, almost a year ago.