Mysterious Pneumonia Potentially More Deadly Than COVID-19 Emerges In Kazakhstan

Photo illustration (Nick Bolton / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - A new "mysterious pneumonia", which is potentially more deadly than COVID-19, has reportedly killed more than 1,700 people in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan. The report was provided by the Chinese authorities.

"The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan and other institutions are conducting comparative research and have not been able to define the nature of the pneumonia virus," the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan said in a statement to its citizens there.

Launching CNN, Friday, July 10, 2020, new cases of unrecognized pneumonia have increased significantly since mid-June across Kazakhstan. The Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan added that in several places, there were hundreds of new cases a day.

The increase in the number of cases has so far been concentrated in the Atyrau, Aktobe and Shymkent regions. Together, they have nearly 500 new cases and more than 30 critically ill patients, the Chinese Embassy statement said.

A total of 1,772 people who died, some of whom were Chinese citizens. A total of 628 of those deaths occurred in June alone. "This disease is far more deadly than COVID-19," the statement said.

The number of cases of mysterious pneumonia in Kazakhstan's capital Nursultan more than doubled this June from the same time last year. The report was according to the leading news agency Kazinform, which cited official data.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic

The warning comes along with Kazakhstan's efforts to continue to fight to control COVID-19. In Kazakhstan, COVID-19 affects 53,021 people. 264 of them died. Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan's prominent first president and the current Chairman of the country's Security Council, tested positive for COVID-19 last month.

Authorities implemented a nationwide second round of restrictions on activities on July 5, in response to the dramatic spike in COVID-19. Under these restrictions, international flights are suspended and road transport between countries is suspended.

Cultural halls, sports facilities, cinemas and salons are still closed. Most government employees work from home. Kazakhstan is also now receiving requests for more medical staff, hospital beds and other emergency supplies. If the situation worsens, officials warn they could tighten restrictions on activities further.

"Up to 200 people are hospitalized every day. Over the past few days, about 300 people diagnosed with pneumonia are brought to the hospital every day. In addition, some of them are receiving treatment at home," said Nursultan's Head of Health Department.

The Chinese Embassy warned residents in the region to limit their outdoor activities. The embassy also warned its citizens to avoid crowded public places. They also encourage preventive measures such as wearing masks, disinfecting spaces, washing hands frequently, and ensuring good air circulation in the room.