An alarming spike in pneumonia cases among children has been detected in the Netherlands, mirroring a similar surge in China.
Dutch health experts say a striking number have been sickened since rates began soaring in August, with most cases among those aged five to 14.
Surveillance data shows rates of the illness, which can prove life-threatening, are already nearly twice as high as the peak recorded last year.
It comes as China battles its own ‘mystery’ pneumonia cluster, with media stating hospitals as being ‘overwhelmed with sick children’.
Terrifying footage reminiscent of scenes during Covid’s darkest days shows health workers in hazmat suits, gloves and masks spraying disinfectant through schools, hallways and outdoors.
Beijing officials have ruled out a new virus as being to blame for the spike. Instead, they insist the rise is down to a surge in seasonal illnesses as the country faces its first full winter without Covid-era curbs.
But UK officials have publicly said they are keeping an ‘open mind’ over what could be behind the spike. The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL) said a higher number of patients with pneumonia than expected have been visiting their GP since August.
The illness — inflammation of the lungs — is typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection and gets better within two weeks. A cough, shortness of breath and a fever are tell-tale signs.
However, some people can become very unwell, especially the over-65s, babies or young children and those with lung conditions. In the week ending November 16, NIVEL data shows 103 per 100,000 children aged five to 14 were diagnosed with pneumonia.
At the peak last year, there were just 58 cases per 100,000. Data from GP practices also show that more patients aged 15 to 24 are presenting with pneumonia than usual, according to the NIVEL.
Cases are also on the rise among under-fours, though levels remain lower than pre-pandemic. However, infections are on the decline among under-65s.
NIVEL did not explain what is to blame for the sharp uptick. However, the Netherlands is currently facing an increase in cases of flu, Covid and RSV. All three viruses can cause pneumonia.
The Netherlands cluster also seemingly pre-dates China’s, which was not reported as increasing until November. Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at Reading University, told MailOnline that it’s ‘not clear why’ the Netherlands is seeing a rise in pneumonia cases — unless they are tracking their data ‘better than elsewhere’.
He said: ‘It could be a local seasonal epidemic that just happens to be co-incident with the cases in China. ‘Pneumonia can have many causes so I doubt this can be analyzed properly until the underlying infection(s) is defined.’
Officials in Beijing first reported an increase in respiratory diseases during a press conference on November 13, which they attributed to lifting lockdown restrictions.
Similar patterns had been seen worldwide as measures brought in to reduce the spread of Covid — such as face masks, social distancing and lockdowns — interrupted the spread of typical seasonal viruses. As a result, immunity against the bugs dropped across populations, meaning people were more vulnerable as measures were lifted.
