China pneumonia outbreak: Top UK doctor says it could be another type of Covid

A UK expert has weighed in on the cause of a surge in cases of pneumonia in children in China and Europe, as a new Covid vaccine hits Aussie shelves.

A top UK doctor says a mystery disease causing a surge in child pneumonia cases in China and parts of Europe could be a form of Covid.

The outbreak, dubbed “white lung syndrome” because of how the lung damage shows up on scans, was first reported in China and has since spread to Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Several experts pointed to winter’s arrival, the end of Covid restrictions, and a lack of prior immunity in children as likely being behind the surging infections.

Now Dr Gareth Nye, the Programme Lead for Medical Science and Chester Medical School, stressed the condition is not a new disease like Covid-19 – but could be another Covid virus.

“It seems to be true that China is seeing a surge in respiratory diseases particularly in children but crucially, this is not a new disease like Covid-19 was,” Dr Nye said, the Daily Star reports.

“This is simply an increase in diseases we already know about, namely another Covid virus SARS-CoV2, influenza, the bacteria that causes pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus.”

The pneumonia outbreak in China sparked speculation of a new pandemic threat four years after the emergence of Covid-19. Picture: Getty Images

He stressed, as with Covid, opinions may be subject to change as more information comes to light.

“As it currently stands, we have no need for major panic regarding this new surge in disease,” Dr Nye said.

The sickness spreads through coughing, sneezing talking, singing and breathing – through tiny respiratory droplets. It can’t always be treated with antibiotics, however, making it more dangerous for younger children.

The World Health Organisation – which repeatedly criticised Beijing for a lack of transparency throughout the Covid pandemic – requested more information from China. Beijing responded, saying “there has been no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens,” according to a WHO statement.

Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut this month said rates tripled over five weeks with many more cases expected over the course of winter. The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research reported that 80 out of every 100,000 children aged 5 to 14 had pneumonia in a week.

The WHO recommended that people in the affected areas follow the normal rules to avoid respiratory illnesses.

These include getting vaccinated, isolating if symptoms emerge, and getting tested or wearing masks if necessary.

Based on the current information, the WHO advised against any travel restrictions involving China.

NEW COVID VACCINES HIT AUSSIE SHELVES

Community pharmacies are set to administer a new Covid-19 vaccine that will target the Omicron variant of the virus that is running rampant in Australia.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the XBB 1.5 shot in October and the public can receive the vaccine both as their primary shot or as a booster to fight against Omicron.

The new vaccines are produced by both Pfizer and Moderna, with Pfizer manufacturing one suitable for children aged between five and 12 years of age.

Moderna and Pfizer are producing the new vaccine now available at pharmacies. Picture: Getty Images

Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Trent Twomey said now was a good time to remind people of the ever present virus with cases surging.

“With Covid-19 cases on the rise, it is important anyone who is due for their vaccination does so as soon as they can at their local community pharmacy,” he said.

“Health authorities have recommended vaccines move away from formulations which target the original or ancestral strain.”

Even with this new Omicron targeting vaccine available, Professor Twomey said people shouldn’t rush to get the jab if they didn’t yet require a booster.

“The advice remains that you must wait six months from your last jab to get your next booster shot and older vaccinations still provide protection against the severest of symptoms,” he said.

This latest variant of Omicron was first spotted in Denmark on July 24 and cases have surged across Europe and the US since, with Australia now also spiking.

– with Jordan McCarthy, Newswire