Emerging Diseases in Children and Dogs Raise Global Alarm

By: Aqsa Younas Rana
Published: November 27, 2023 


A dual concern over potentially infectious diseases affecting children and dogs has emerged from reports in China and the United States, respectively. In China, hospitals report a significant number of children with unusual symptoms, including high fevers and pneumonia, but without typical symptoms such as coughing. This has sparked speculation about a new epidemic, potentially linked to the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as the country navigates its first winter without strict COVID-19 restrictions.

China’s Mysterious Pneumonia Cases

The surge in pediatric pneumonia cases in China, showing signs of ebbing, has nonetheless raised an alarm. With the country’s health ministry dismissing the likelihood of a novel virus causing the surge, the unusual symptoms have been linked to an array of common viruses like influenza and rhinoviruses, along with bacteria such as mycoplasma pneumoniae. The spike in respiratory illnesses is particularly noticeable in Northern China.

While local media reports suggest that children’s hospitals are overwhelmed, Chinese authorities attribute the increased illnesses to known viruses circulating more broadly following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. This surge coincides with China’s first full cold season since the restrictions were relaxed last December. The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested additional information from China amidst fears of a repeat of the initial COVID-19 cover-up.
A Mysterious Illness Affecting Dogs in the US

Simultaneously, in the United States, a mysterious respiratory disease is affecting dogs across five states. The illness presents symptoms including a persistent cough and, in severe cases, rapid progression to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In some cases, the disease has proven fatal within 24 to 36 hours. Unfortunately, the disease does not appear to respond to antibiotics, and its cause remains unknown.

Rising Concerns Over Zoonotic Diseases

As these incidents unfold, the threat of zoonotic diseases – diseases transmitted from animals to humans – looms. Factors such as climate change and deforestation are expected to increase the prevalence of these diseases. The WHO estimates that zoonoses cause 16% of global deaths, with predictions for potential future increases. Both veterinarians and epidemiologists stress the importance of vigilant monitoring of these diseases due to their potential to cross species barriers and become more widespread.