A concerning surge in pneumonia cases among children is being reported in the Netherlands, along with China grappling with a surge in respiratory illnesses, NY Post reported.
Netherlands sees alarming spike in child pneumonia cases in recent years
According to the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), last week saw an alarming spike. At least 80 out of every 100,000 children aged 5 to 15 received treatment for pneumonia.
Even younger children, aged 4 and under, experienced a rise from 124 to 145 cases per 100,000.
This marks the most significant pneumonia outbreak in recent years, surpassing the peak flu season in 2022. There were 60 cases per 100,000 children in the 5-to-15 age group recorded.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Chinese health officials have stated that the recent pneumonia cases do not involve new or unusual pathogens.
The increase in illnesses is attributed to children contracting known viruses such as the flu, rhinoviruses, the respiratory syncytial virus, and the adenovirus. These viruses, which were avoided during the two years of COVID restrictions, are now affecting children.
China lifted strict lockdown rules at the end of…
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