Respiratory illness – USA: (OH, MA)
Reply-To: noreply@isid.org
RESPIRATORY ILLNESS – USA: (OHIO, MASSACHUSETTS)
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Fri 1 Dec 2023 10:28 EST
Source: WTRF [edited] https://www.wtrf.com/ohio/ohio-first-state-to-report-white-lung-syndrome-outbreak/
A mystery outbreak of pneumonia has hit several parts of China, and
now Ohio is the first American location to report an outbreak of the
illness, with an “extremely high” number of children being
hospitalized. The strain of pneumonia, now dubbed “white lung
syndrome,” has spawned 142 pediatric cases in Warren County since
August [2023].
Warren County Health Department told Daily Mail, that not only is the
number of cases above average, but it also meets the Ohio Department
of Health’s definition of an outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) says that nationally, cases are not out of the
ordinary, but the spread of cases has raised fears that an outbreak
can overwhelm American hospitals.
Officials in Ohio tell Daily Mail that an investigation is “ongoing,”
but the illness does not look like a new disease, but rather several
common infections hitting all at once. According to the news outlet,
so far, patients have tested positive for Mycoplasma pneumonia, a
bacterial lung infection that is mostly resistant to some
antimicrobials, Streptococcus, and normally benign infection,
adenovirus.
The ages of the patients range from 8 to 3, and there are several
theories as to why children are more susceptible to the illness. The
news outlet suggests it is caused by lockdowns that have weakened the
immune system or mask-wearing and school closures leaving children
vulnerable during seasonal illnesses. It is reported that bacterial
respiratory infections usually flare up every few years, normally as
people recover from waves of influenza or other viral illnesses.
The Warren County Health District officials told Daily Mail that they
believe the pneumonia cases are a large uptick of cases normally seen
at one time rather than a new respiratory disease. Officials also want
to remind the public to take necessary precautions to protect their
health, as many of us will be gathering with friends and family during
the holiday season.
Doctors say the most common symptoms are fever, cough, and fatigue.
Hand washing, covering your mouth when you cough, and staying
up-to-date on vaccines will help decrease your chance of illness.
According to the news report, the county was first alerted to the
increase in illnesses after schools were recording more children off
sick than normal.
Ohio is not the only area outside of China to report an outbreak. The
Netherlands and Denmark are also reported to have mysterious spikes in
“walking pneumonia” cases, most common in younger children.