New Delhi : Denmark and Netherlands join the growing list of countries reporting a surge in pneumonia cases among children, following China’s recent outbreak. Avian Flu Diary, an infectious disease news blog, discloses that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections have reached epidemic levels, with a notable spike observed over the past five weeks.
According to Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut, the number of new cases has risen significantly, reaching epidemic proportions. Senior researcher Hanne-Dorthe Emborg notes a considerable increase, stating, “We are now seeing significantly more cases than usual, and there is widespread infection throughout the country.” In week 47 alone, 541 new cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection were detected, marking a threefold increase since week 42.
Emborg acknowledges that these cases are not uncommon in Denmark, historically experiencing nationwide epidemics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections approximately every four years. The recent surge was anticipated, especially after the country’s COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Characteristics of the Outbreak and Resurgence Post-COVID:
The disease typically presents with mild flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, headache, sore throat, and a prolonged dry cough, especially at night. Often referred to as ‘cold pneumonia’ or ‘atypical pneumonia,’ it features a majority with a fever, albeit not as high as influenza. Regular penicillin has no effect on the infection.
In the Netherlands, a notable increase in pneumonia cases among children and young people has been reported since August. According to FluTrackers, a government surveillance report revealed a 24% rise, with 103 of every 100,000 children between 5 and 14 experiencing pneumonia. This surge is considered the largest outbreak recorded in recent years.
A Lancet report highlights a global resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumonia cases post-COVID, impacting countries like Singapore and Sweden since April. Despite concerns of a novel pathogen, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization that known seasonal viruses, including the flu and RSV, along with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, are causing the surge in respiratory infections in China, dismissing the presence of new pathogens.**
