There is no need to panic over the rise of pneumonia cases in China as no novel virus or bug has been reported so far, Prof Anant Mohan, HoD, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Delhi-AIIMS said while speaking to the media. 

“The etiology and organisms causing the surge in pneumonia cases in one part of China are consistent with those commonly found, including respiratory syncytial virus, influenza viruses, and mycoplasma pneumonia bacteria. However, this time, their numbers are unusually high,” Prof Mohan pointed out.

“ The causes behind the high number of pneumonia cases are still unknown, and no new virus or bug has been reported thus far. Therefore, there is no need to panic at this time   , he added.

It is noteworthy that COVID-19, which claimed the lives of approximately seven million people worldwide, originated in China and subsequently spread globally. The pandemic wreaked havoc, resulting in numerous lives lost and many individuals experiencing severe cases of COVID-19. Additionally, the economic fallout led to job losses as economies were shattered. The new surge of pneumonia cases has instilled fear among people.