India TV Fact Check: Recently, there has been a rapid increase in cases of mysterious pneumonia in China. Mycoplasma pneumonia, the name of this disease, has primarily affected children. Meanwhile, in the past few days, several media reports in India also spread the news that cases of this pneumonia from China have been found in our country. Reports claimed that 7 samples of this pneumonia were positive at AIIMS in Delhi. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has refuted these claims.
What claims were made regarding China pneumonia outbreak?
Several media outlets reported that seven cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia, spreading in China, were found at AIIMS in Delhi. This news quickly circulated on social media, and many people tweeted about it. A user, @Mukesh69972949, on December 7, 2023, reposted the latest news, writing, "China Pneumonia Cases in India: Patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia spreading in China found in India, 7 positive cases at AIIMS."
Similarly, another user, @stockskibaat, also reposted the Times Now news on December 7, writing, "Reports of 7 positive samples of M-pneumonia at AIIMS Delhi - this bacteria is linked to China's pneumonia outbreak. This is the same case associated with the sudden increase in respiratory illness among children across China."
Indian government denies claims
When this news started spreading like a virus, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare refuted this misleading information and all media reports. In their tweet, the Health Ministry said, "Media reports claiming detection of bacterial cases in AIIMS Delhi linked to the recent surge in Pneumonia cases in China are misleading and inaccurate. Mycoplasma pneumonia is the commonest bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Pneumonia Cases in AIIMS Delhi have no link to the recent surge in respiratory infections in children in China."
It should be noted that in view of the recent increase in respiratory infections among children in northern China, the Health Ministry has advised states to promptly review their public health preparedness.
Pneumonia spreading rapidly in China
The World Health Organization (WHO) said an increase in influenza-like illnesses had been reported in northern China since mid-October compared to the previous three years. Scientists say the situation requires close monitoring, but they cannot say for sure whether the recent increase in respiratory diseases in China signals the beginning of a new global infection. Infection with a pandemic virus usually begins with an unknown form of respiratory illness. Both SARS and COVID-19 were first described as unusual types of pneumonia. The respiratory diseases spreading in China these days are mainly responsible for diseases like influenza, pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2.
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