03 December 2023 , 16:17
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A mystery illness has been sweeping through China and now threatens the UK - with experts suggesting we could see another “Covid-like” scenario.
Countries neighbouring China, such as India, have now raised their alert levels to high amid the rapid spread of the mystery strain of "white lung pneumonia." The alerts are aiming to prevent the “Covid-like” virus from spreading out of China and affecting other countries - similar to how the deadly coronavirus became a global pandemic in late 2019 and early 2020.
The respiratory disease has overrun hospitals in Beijing after a major surge in the last few months. It has proven particularly difficult to track as there are many infected people who are showing no sign of symptoms - not even a cough. The World Health Organisation is also closely monitoring the spread of the disease.
Experts have suggested we could see another 'Covid-like' scenario (Bloomberg via Getty Images)Some states in India are now preparing their health services to prepare for the virus to spread through the country, boosting their medical infrastructure due to the pneumonia outbreak. Experts have briefed medical staff and sufficient supplies have been brought in for India to cope should the disease spread, the Daily Star reported.
It is uncertain how quickly the new disease may spread with some medical professionals expressing concern that the virus could spread to Europe sometime soon. But University of Reading virologist Professor Ian Jones believes that Britain “might get away with it this season” because we have a “small physical break” from Europe. He added: "The important point is that this sort of ‘bounce back’ should be expected and the public health system should be aware of it."
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
A mystery illness has been sweeping through China and now threatens the UK (Getty Images)Now dubbed "walking pneumonia", the virus has seemingly ripped through parts of China and has left the health service there on its knees as it deals with case after case of "white lung pneumonia". Fever, cough, fatigue, green mucus and shortness of breath were all highlighted by doctors as possible symptoms of the grim and mysterious pneumonia strain surging through China.
A staff member at Beijing Friendship Hospital said: "Right now, we have a lot of kids here. Those who booked an emergency appointment yesterday still weren’t able to see the doctor this morning."
Some states in India are now preparing their health services to prepare for the virus to spread through the country (Getty Images)A WHO spokesperson said in late November: “WHO requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism. We have also requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the current burden on health care systems. WHO is also in contact with clinicians and scientists through our existing technical partnerships and networks in China."