The Indian government denied a media report linking AIIMS Delhi bacterial cases to a rise in pneumonia in China. The government clarified that the seven cases are unrelated to the global rise in childhood respiratory infections, including China. The Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring and communicating with state health authorities.
On Thursday, the central government denied a media report linking AIIMS Delhi bacterial cases to China’s recent pneumonia outbreak. The government called the report “misleading and ill-informed” and said, “A recent media report in a national daily has claimed that AIIMS Delhi has detected seven bacterial cases linked to the recent surge in pneumonia cases in China.”
It also stated that seven cases are unrelated to the recent rise in respiratory infections in children, including in China. The Lancet Microbe journal reported that seven unversed samples tested positive for mycoplasma pneumoniae infection at AIIMS Delhi between April and September this year, with Singapore having the highest 172 cases in Asia.
“The seven cases were detected as part of an ongoing study at AIIMS Delhi from April to September 2023) and are not cause for concern,” the statement said.
In addition, the AIIMS Department of Microbiology has found no mycoplasma pneumonia in 61 samples since January 2023.
Community-acquired pneumonia is most often caused by Mycoplasma pneumonia. Nearly 15-30% of such infections are caused by it. No part of India has seen such a surge, the statement said.
It stated that the Union Health Ministry is in contact with state health authorities and monitoring the situation daily.
Pneumonia outbreak in China
As our interconnected world poses risks, experts warned Thursday that the recent pneumonia outbreak in China should concern the rest of the world and urge preparation for the worst. A recent ProMED Mail post from the International Society for Infectious Diseases reported a major pneumonia outbreak in China with no known cause in children.
It said the outbreak, which causes high fever and pulmonary nodules, is overwhelming pediatric hospitals. After being asked, Chinese officials informed the WHO that the outbreak was caused by seasonal viruses like the flu and RSV and the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Netherlands and Denmark have also seen a rise in pediatric pneumonia cases.
Conclusion
The Indian government denied a media report linking AIIMS Delhi bacterial cases to a rise in pneumonia in China. The government clarified that the seven cases are unrelated to the recent rise in respiratory infections in children worldwide, including China. Seven samples tested positive for mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria at AIIMS Delhi between April and September this year, while Singapore had the most cases in Asia at 172. State health authorities and the Union Health Ministry are closely monitoring the situation. Experts advise preparing for the worst and report a major pneumonia outbreak in China in children with no known cause. Chinese officials told the WHO that the outbreak was caused by traditional seasonal viruses like the flu and RSV and the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
