This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Published on July 10, 2020, a warning issued by Chinese officials in Kazakhstan alerted citizens to a deadly 'unknown pneumonia' that has reportedly killed more than 1,700 people this year.
The Kazakh authorities have acknowledged a 'second wave' spike in COVID-19 cases and a sharp rise in pneumonia cases, with the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan warning residents to limit their outdoor activities and avoid crowded public areas.
According to the embassy, the disease has killed 1,772 people this year, with 628 of those deaths occurring in June alone. The statement described the disease as 'much deadlier than COVID-19.'
However, authorities in Kazakhstan have denied the report, stating that the 'unspecified' pneumonia classification is in line with World Health Organization guidelines for registering pneumonia when the coronavirus infection is diagnosed clinically or epidemiologically but not confirmed by laboratory testing.
