Children in the Ohio region are being affected by a surge in pediatric pneumonia cases, some of whom are suffering from the same mycoplasma pneumonia outbreaks in Denmark and China.
The Heath District of Warren County, Ohio, announced in a statement Wednesday that pneumonia cases are on the rise, with 145 cases reported in children ages 3 to 14 since August.
In an initial news release Tuesday, the health district acknowledged that the spread of the disease is considered an “outbreak” because the number of cases is above average.
They say the main pathogen types detected so far are pneumococcus, adenovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the latter of which is currently prevalent in China and Denmark.
The average age of people affected by this disease is 8 years. Although the cases are spread across multiple school districts in Ohio, the health district is currently unsure if there is a common pattern among the children diagnosed.
The district said the disease is not uncommon and reported no deaths related to the outbreak.
“The increase in reported pneumonia cases is not likely due to a new respiratory virus, but rather a significant increase in the number of typical childhood pneumonia cases,” the researchers said.
They said there has been a “significant increase” in the number of pneumonia cases among children in Ohio this year, but said it is “not uncommon” for respiratory illnesses to spread in the community during the cold season.
Similar cases have occurred on a large scale in China, where respiratory illnesses such as influenza, rhinovirus, and mycoplasma pneumonia, also known as white lung syndrome, are circulating in local communities.
The respiratory disease is reportedly overwhelming children's hospitals in China, one of Beijing's children's hospitals told state media. Surveillance camera At least 7,000 patients were admitted to the hospital every day.
China's Ministry of Health says the respiratory illnesses are not new and are all known.
Maria van Kerkhove, acting director of WHO's Department of Epidemic Preparedness and Prevention, said the increase in cases among Chinese children was related to the first full lifting of coronavirus restrictions. He said there may be.
He said restrictions would help children avoid contracting pathogens and that respiratory illnesses had increased after restrictions were lifted, as most countries experienced a year or two ago. Ta.
Mycoplasma pneumonia cases are also growing in Denmark, reaching epidemic levels, with 541 new cases recorded by the end of last week, according to a research group at the Danish Ministry of Health.
But the Warren County Health District maintained there is no evidence yet linking Ohio's outbreak to other outbreaks across the state, nationally or internationally.
“140 cases in one county is a little more than we would normally expect,” said Dr. Robert Frenk, a pediatrician in the division of infectious diseases at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Fox News.
“However, outbreaks of viruses are not uncommon, as was well known during the pandemic several years ago.”
What is mycoplasma pneumonia?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacteria that can cause mild infections by damaging the lining of the respiratory system, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Approximately 2 million infections are recorded in the United States each year, and the disease surge peaks every 3 to 7 years.
What experts told NBC Some countries may have a large number of cases simply because they are nearing their peak.
Once someone is infected, symptoms can appear one to four weeks later and usually last longer than typical pneumonia.
The bacteria is spread by coughing and sneezing and is usually spread between people who spend a lot of time together, such as in homes, schools, dormitories, military installations, nursing homes, and hospitals.
The Warren County Health District in Ohio said most children are experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever and fatigue.
Other symptoms listed by the CDC include sore throat and headache. Children under 5 years of age may experience sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, wheezing, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Infection can also cause pneumonia and shortness of breath.
In most cases, people “can recover at home and receive treatment with antibiotics,” the Ohio Health District said in a statement.
The CDC also said that if you develop pneumonia due to a bacterial infection, your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics.
In severe cases, the infection can cause or worsen severe pneumonia, asthma attacks, brain swelling, hemolytic anemia, kidney problems, and skin disorders, which usually require hospital treatment. will become necessary.
People who are recovering from a respiratory illness or have a weakened immune system are at higher risk than others.
Although there is no vaccine available, the Ohio Health District and CDC recommend covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands regularly to prevent the spread of infection.
